Transcript Highlights:

• I know if there's any changes to the BAR authority, they'll have the same one, so they are not locked

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for government-backed securities and had the legislation been passed, these rates could have been locked

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As an attorney, I have a concern if there is a contract or a grant and the language is locked tight.

Transcript Highlights:

• time to finish this job and to... ...it's time to finish this job and to rewrite more of the law to lock

Bills: HB159, HB110, HB114, HB115, HB116, HB123, HB125

Keywords: U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, public facilities, space exploration, education programs, bond issuance, Governor involvement, HB110, sunset bill, Alabama Sunset Law, State Board of Medical Examiners, Medical Licensure Commission, medical licensing, physician regulation, healthcare regulation, professional licensing, ethics law, state ethics code, public servants, board members

Transcript Highlights:

• but to echo what he said, right, administrations change, policies change, and it would be nice to lock
• but to echo what he said, right, administrations change, policies change, and it would be nice to lock
• </c><05:53:36.000><c> not</c><05:53:36.160><c> even</c><05:53:36.400><c> that</c><05:53:36.638><c> smart
• </c><05:53:36.878><c> to</c><05:53:37.120><c> be</c> hard and I'm not even that smart to be hard and
• I'm not even that smart to be quite<05:53:37.520><c> honest</c><05:53:38.320><c> so</c><05:53:39.760>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed House Bill 1150, which would require disclosure of complaints to public employees within five business days. Members said the sponsor was still working on an amendment, so the bill was held for another week with the understanding it would be executed next week if no amendment was ready. The chair also outlined the committee’s schedule, including upcoming floor reports and the goal of finishing the remaining committee bills on time. The committee then took up House Bill 1168, concerning employer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the bill would give employers more time to gather payroll records, especially when claims arise years later, and said the current system should be adjusted for fairness to businesses. Opponents, including several members, said payroll records are usually electronic and should be produced quickly so workers waiting on wages are not delayed. The Department of Labor deputy commissioner testified that employers can already request extensions and that further extensions could still be requested under the current process. The committee voted 11-9 to ought to pass HB 1168. Next, House Bill 1250, dealing with notice, documentation, and job reinstatement requirements for leave related to childbirth, postpartum care, and pediatric appointments, was considered. Members said the statute was newly enacted, had been carefully negotiated, and should be allowed to work before being revised. The committee voted 20-0 to recommend inexpedient to legislate, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1043, which would allow private employers to adopt their own minimum pay policies for report-to-work situations instead of being bound by the current two-hour minimum, so long as the policy is established in advance. The sponsor said the bill would modernize an outdated law and preserve the current default if no policy is adopted. Members raised questions about collective bargaining agreements and whether the bill could weaken existing worker protections, while the sponsor and supporters said it was intended to provide flexibility rather than a mandate. The hearing continued with questions and discussion, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nothing locks them into any particular method or any particular contract.
• Nothing locks them into any particular method or any particular contract.
• We have a lot of smart people in this state, including on the solid waste working group, who could be
• </c> we're going to do we have a lot of smart we're going to do we have a lot of smart people<04:31:35.880
• We have smart people in the room who can solve this problem.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on HB 566, which would require permit applications for new landfills to include a detailed leachate management plan. Representative German introduced the bill and explained that it was prompted by recent reporting on leachate management problems at New Hampshire landfills, including alleged violations and deficiency letters from DES. He said the bill was intended to address public health concerns, PFAS contamination, and increased leachate volumes tied to more severe rainstorms, while still allowing innovation in treatment and transportation methods. He also described a set of proposed amendments developed after discussions with DES and a landfill operator, including changing “permit for construction” to “operating approval,” applying the bill to landfill expansions, moving contract-related language into the planning section, and removing a proposed new subparagraph. Committee members asked whether the bill would limit operator flexibility or duplicate existing DES rules. Representative German said the bill would not dictate specific treatment methods or lock operators into long-term contracts, but would require a plan showing how leachate will be managed, transported, and disposed of, with later contract changes reported to DES. Several members and the BIA representative questioned whether the bill was necessary given existing Env 806 rules and DES enforcement authority. The Business and Industry Association opposed the bill as introduced, arguing that DES already has rules and technical expertise, that the issue is better handled through rulemaking, and that moving requirements into statute could freeze the framework and make future adjustments harder. Supporters countered that a statute would provide a stronger, more durable policy commitment in response to ongoing problems. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing. The discussion ended with the bill still under consideration and with the sponsor indicating that a revised amendment would likely be brought forward for later work session or executive session review.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're going after criminals, sure, we can all agree criminals should be locked up.
• , we can all agree criminals<00:42:00.160><c> should</c><00:42:00.319><c> be</c><00:42:00.400><c> locked
• </c><00:42:01.359><c> But</c> criminals should be locked up. But criminals should be locked up.
• 36:18.880><c> room</c> I fully expect everybody in this room I fully expect everybody in this room locks
• </c> locks arm in arm and says, "Not here. locks arm in arm and says, "Not here.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and the have a vapor lock issue.
• And so this would essentially lock us into either doing the current code or, I guess, the one behind
• And so this would essentially lock<02:04:02.159><c> us</c><02:04:02.400><c> into</c><02:04:02.719><c>
• either</c><02:04:03.040><c> doing</c><02:04:03.360><c> the</c><02:04:03.760><c> current</c> lock us
• into either doing the current lock us into either doing the current code<02:04:04.400><c> or</c><02:04

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 525, which would have transferred administration of the program for the deaf and hard of hearing and the related board to OPLC. The chair said the sponsor was no longer interested in moving forward, and Representative Schmidt moved ITL. The motion passed 14-0 with two members absent, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. The committee then considered Senate Bill 182 on the maternal mortality review committee. The chair described a narrower amendment that would keep the name change, clarify operations so recommendations are returned to the appropriate entities, and expand contact with family members and close contacts, while dropping a proposed addition of a Department of Corrections member. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was then moved ITL and placed on the consent calendar. Senate Bill 185, dealing with OPLC investigations and backlog reduction, received an update from OPLC General Counsel Nicholas Fry. He described efforts to improve public communication, clear the complaint backlog, standardize intake and expert review, add automated responses and website updates, use weekly legal-viability reviews, create preliminary investigation protocols, and establish a process for law-enforcement referrals. Members asked about board involvement and criminal-conviction cases; Fry said boards are kept informed and that such matters can proceed either through complaints or application/background-check processes. Representative Groa requested a follow-up update in January, and the committee agreed to an oral report then if needed. The bill was then voted ITL unanimously and placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 349 on optometrists performing ophthalmologic laser procedures. Dr. Angelique Sawyer testified in support, saying the amendment adds more specific proctoring and qualification requirements, based on language requested after earlier hearings, and that similar systems exist in other states. Representative Sers confirmed that the new sections were the key additions, while Representative Schmidt said he remained open to the concept but wanted a thorough review and asked about a subcommittee. The discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended, with no vote recorded on HB 349.

Transcript Highlights:

• result of carbon sequestration, municipalities are, because of the fact that this timber is being locked
• result of carbon sequestration, municipalities are, because of the fact that this timber is being locked
• result of carbon sequestration, municipalities are, because of the fact that this timber is being locked
• result of carbon sequestration, municipalities are, because of the fact that this timber is being locked
• result of carbon sequestration, municipalities are, because of the fact that this timber is being locked

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee held public hearings on House Bill 471 and House Bill 373. HB 471 would create a temporary commission to study growth, traffic, planning, and land use issues in a group of southern New Hampshire towns, with possible recommendations on regional planning commission boundaries or coordination. Representative Perez said the bill was requested by Londonderry residents and local officials, and Eric Power of Brookline testified in support, saying the towns share corridor and development issues that cross regional planning commission lines. Several members questioned whether existing law already allows towns to form regional planning commissions under RSA 364:6, whether the bill should be broader, and whether the town list should include additional communities. The hearing closed with testimony counts reported as two in support and three opposed on remote sign-in, plus one opposed and one in support on the blue sheet. HB 373, sponsored by Representative Diane Powers, would revise RSA 41:11-a on town property leases. Powers said current law is too restrictive because leases over five years require repeated town votes, which she argued is impractical for long-term arrangements. She cited examples from Hampton and Brookline, including long-term road and property leases, and said she had found multiple similar cases. The bill would keep select board authority for leases under one year, allow a legislative body to authorize a specific longer lease by a three-fifths ballot vote, and preserve the existing five-year blanket leasing authority with a three-fifths vote, while keeping existing leases valid if authority is later rescinded. Eric Power testified in support, describing recurring lease renewals in Brookline and saying longer terms are needed for projects such as housing, cell towers, and solar arrays. Members asked about the change from a simple town vote to a three-fifths threshold and whether the bill duplicates existing mechanisms; Powers said the higher threshold was intended because the leases involve long-term commitments. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described.

Transcript Highlights:

• They must lock in costs and price accordingly.
• They must lock in costs reconciliations.
• They must lock in costs and<01:15:49.120><c> price</c><01:15:49.560><c> accordingly.
• You could get locked in for 6 months at very high rates while things settle themselves out, right?
• You could get locked in for 6 months at very high rates while things settle themselves out, right?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this would just ensure that those lands aren't locked up in a timber carbon sequestration program
• We might not need that land in the future. uh, and if it's locked up into one of these programs, it takes
• And this would just ensure that those lands aren't locked up in a timber carbon sequestration program
• ><02:10:03.679><c> it's</c> land in the future. uh and if it's land in the future. uh and if it's locked
• up into one of these programs, it locked up into one of these programs, it takes<02:10:06.880><c> our

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><01:16:29.920><c> has</c><01:16:30.320><c> increased</c><01:16:31.040><c> in</c><01:16:31.440><c> lock
• </c> general staffing has increased in lock general staffing has increased in lock step<01:16:32.000>
• ways to prevent fraud is to<01:19:06.320><c> prosecute</c><01:19:07.120><c> and</c><01:19:07.360><c> lock
• </c><01:19:09.520><c> Um,</c> to prosecute and lock up criminals.
• Um, to prosecute and lock up criminals.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I think from what I'm hearing from this conversation today is that there's a lot of really good smart
• /c><00:37:45.160><c> really</c><00:37:45.400><c> good</c><00:37:45.920><c> uh</c><00:37:46.040><c> smart
• </c> a lot of really um really good uh smart a lot of really um really good uh smart things<00:37:46.600
• I guess we'll find out as we continue that work on what smart regulation looks like here.
• I guess we'll find out as we continue that work on what smart regulation looks like here.

Bills: HF3771, HF3658, HF3453, HF3358, HF1775

Keywords: disaster assistance, contingency account, Minnesota emergency management, public safety, state disaster aid, FEMA, federal cost-share, emergency relief, natural disaster, budget report, appropriations report, management and budget, local governments, utility cooperatives, public works, infrastructure repair, chapter 12B, chapter 12A, emergency management, disaster recovery

Transcript Highlights:

• At Girl State, I met so many smart, incredible young women.
• I</c><00:11:39.360><c> met</c><00:11:39.600><c> so</c><00:11:39.760><c> many</c><00:11:40.000><c> smart
• ,</c><00:11:40.320><c> incredible</c> State, I met so many smart, incredible State, I met so many smart
• Senate File 35, School District Cell Phone and Smart Watch Policy, sponsored by Senator Schuler.
• Senate File 35, School Phone and Smart Watch Policy, sponsored by Senator Schuler.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So last year we made smart, thoughtful decisions and there were cuts.
• So last year we made smart, thoughtful So last year we made smart, thoughtful decisions<00:51:00.240>
• Minnesota is a budget that works. smart<01:03:39.280><c> budgeting</c><01:03:39.839><c> over</c><01:03
• :40.079><c> the</c><01:03:40.319><c> last</c><01:03:40.480><c> few</c><01:03:40.720><c> years</c> smart
• budgeting over the last few years smart budgeting over the last few years that<01:03:41.200><c> led<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We use a lot of smart technology like smart lighting and smart doorbells.
• A lot of folks can't get up to answer the door, but with a smart doorbell they can answer it with their
• answer the door but with a smart answer the door but with a smart doorbell<01:30:35.040><c> they</c><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, many of whom are retired doctors, really smart researchers, really smart nurses, smart business people
• Uh, many of whom are retired doctors, really smart researchers, really smart nurses, smart business people

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we are locking up—I'm sorry, as we are incarcerating the fewest amount of people we've incarcerated
• Families are often facing evictions with a sheriff waiting outside to pack their goods and lock their
• Families are often facing evictions with a sheriff waiting outside to pack their goods and lock their
• And so Nantucket is the one that does not have a lock-up, a facility. For all of...
• If you don't go to programs, pretrial or sentenced, you're locking in at 8:30 or 9 o'clock at night,

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s FY27 H-2 budget proposal, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard testimony from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who described the $1.72 billion budget as a 4% increase over FY26 and emphasized readiness, local partnerships, and support for core operations rather than expansion. She highlighted ongoing work on firearms-law implementation, State Police academy reforms, DOC’s new strategic plan, disaster response, hate-crime prevention, and planning for major 2026 events including the World Cup, Marathon, and America’s 250th anniversary. Members also raised concerns about State Police capacity, DNA backlog reporting, academy boxing/training reforms after a trooper’s death, ICE coordination, diversity in public safety leadership, the disaster relief fund, crime lab funding, reentry programming, and whether OEMS should move from DPH to EOPSS; Kwan said she would keep an open mind on some issues but was not ready to commit to an OEMS transfer. The committee then questioned EOPSS officials and the State Police colonel on several operational matters. The colonel said the academy boxing program remains suspended and likely will not return in its prior form, pending an IACP review, and that future training will likely emphasize jujitsu-style control techniques. He also said the State Police uses the civil service exam, with current advancement scores ranging from 83.72 to 98.78 for the most recent class, and acknowledged the need to improve recruitment, preparation, and diversity. On the DNA and sexual assault kit backlog, EOPSS said it supports extending the statute of limitations and is working with the courts and crime lab to identify and collect lawfully owed DNA. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, is currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, and should be designed to respond flexibly to different regional needs. They also said the crime lab increase is largely to cover core operations and a structural deficiency rather than expansion. Several members focused on public safety coordination and staffing. Questions from legislators from Bristol, Plymouth, Cape Cod, and elsewhere stressed the need for State Police to absorb additional forensic work if county resources shift, and to maintain strong communication with local chiefs and federal partners. Rep. Holmes pressed EOPSS on racial and gender diversity in the department and State Police; Kwan and Colonel Noble said diversity has improved but will take time to show up in senior leadership, and they pointed to internships and hiring practices as ways to broaden the pipeline. The hearing also included discussion of the World Cup security plan, with Kwan saying planning has been underway for about 18 months through 14 working groups and that current staffing and overtime resources appear sufficient for now. After EOPSS concluded, the committee recessed briefly and then began testimony from district attorneys, led by Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, who said prosecutors are seeking a 10% budget increase to address staffing and salary pressures, especially the widening pay gap between assistant district attorneys and newly hired public defenders after recent CPCS funding increases.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we are locking up—I'm sorry—as we are incarcerating the fewest amount of people we've incarcerated
• Families are often facing evictions with a sheriff waiting outside to pack their goods and lock their
• Families are often facing evictions with a sheriff waiting outside to pack their goods and lock their
• And so Nantucket is the one that does not have a lock-up, a facility.
• If you don't go to programs, pretrial or sentenced, you're locking in at 8:30 or 9 o'clock at night,

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't want people to lock in an undersized system to meet the growing demand of either their individual
• We don't want people to lock in an undersized system to meet the growing demand of either their individual
• We're talking about farmers, small business owners, people on the verge of retirement that want to lock
• </c><00:34:11.440><c> in</c><00:34:11.560><c> their</c> retirement that want to lock in their retirement
• that want to lock in their energy<00:34:12.200><c> costs</c><00:34:12.760><c> these</c><00:34:12.919

Bills: HF845

Keywords: net metering, distributed generation, solar energy, rooftop solar, renewable energy, utility rates, electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, net billing, bill credits, cost of service study, standby charge, qualifying facility, energy policy, clean energy, customer generation, interconnection, Minnesota Statutes 216B.164