Transcript Highlights:

• So there's a colleague of mine that works more and is focused more on the agronomic crops.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum present and heard three presentations focused on Florida aquaculture, agricultural nutrient reduction, and land preservation. First, clam farmer Tim Solano of Cedar Key described the economic and environmental importance of the state’s clam industry, noting Florida’s strong national production, the industry’s recovery role after the net ban, and the severe damage caused by recent hurricanes and red tide. He said the Dislocated Workers program helped farmers return to work and asked that existing state programs be written more broadly to include aquaculture. Oyster producer Canaan Greg of Pelican Oyster Company then discussed the growth of off-bottom oyster farming, the losses his industry suffered from Hurricane Michael and the pandemic, and the need for better access to recovery loans, student internships, local seed production, and waterfront protection. Members asked questions about leases, production, predators, and storm resilience, and the presenters emphasized that aquaculture is a sustainable, year-round industry that filters water and supports local economies. The committee next heard from UF/IFAS regional extension agent Dr. Bob Hockmouth on education, research, and extension efforts to reduce nitrogen in the Suwannee Valley Basin Management Action Plan area. He explained that the region’s agricultural load reduction target has increased from about 4.2 million to 5.8 million pounds of nitrogen, and that extension programs are helping farmers adopt practices such as precision fertilizer placement, soil moisture sensors, controlled-release fertilizer, petiole sap testing, and irrigation automation. He highlighted corn and watermelon as major examples, saying on-farm demonstrations and cost-share programs are essential because the equipment and technology are expensive. He reported substantial reductions from participating farms and said growers are generally cooperative when funding is available. Finally, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services presented an update on the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The program acquires development rights through voluntary conservation easements to keep working agricultural lands in production, protect water resources and wildlife habitat, and preserve taxable land without transferring ownership. The presenter said the program has expanded rapidly in the last two years, with more acreage acquired, faster application review, and more properties in the Florida wildlife corridor. He noted new online application and monitoring tools, a shortened review timeline, and stronger partnerships with federal and defense-related programs. Committee members asked about long-term maintenance responsibilities and the Board of Trustees approval process, and the presentation closed with support for continued funding and efficiency improvements before the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• The concerns on limited companies, I can actually address this concern of mine.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam Chair, and mine will probably end up in that direction as well.

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met to discuss Florida’s current “sports choice” rules and high school NIL policy, then heard and passed HB 151. FHSAA officials and Sarasota County Schools staff explained eligibility rules for student-athletes, including GPA, age, semester limits, physicals, insurance, and the different participation options for traditional public, charter, home education, Florida Virtual, and private school students. Members focused on how controlled open enrollment works, whether private school students can play at public schools and vice versa, transfer timing and capacity limits, recruiting restrictions, and the role of local district policies. Sarasota officials said about 400 students in their county participate through non-traditional athletic arrangements, and FHSAA said statewide there are 5,460 non-traditional student-athlete forms on file out of roughly 280,000 student-athletes. The committee then reviewed Florida’s high school NIL framework. FHSAA said students in grades 9-12 may enter NIL deals, with no income cap, but they are barred from agreements involving adult entertainment, alcohol, tobacco/vaping, cannabis, controlled substances, gambling, weapons, political or social activism, and NIL collectives. Students must have a written contract and cannot use school logos or uniforms without permission. FHSAA said about 25 students statewide had NIL deals so far, and Sarasota was first to file. Members raised concerns about recruiting, taxes, financial literacy, mental health, and whether students should be treated as employees, while district staff said they provide education and financial literacy resources but do not review contracts. After the discussion, the committee took up HB 151 by Rep. Abbott. The bill allows students at FHSAA-member private schools to participate in sports at another member school when their own school does not offer that sport, and it removes the current 200-student enrollment limit. An amendment clarifying the private-school language was adopted without objection. A public witness from a small private school supported the bill, saying it would let the school join FHSAA without losing local athletic access for its students. Despite some members raising fairness and funding concerns, the bill passed on a 15-0 vote and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the coal mines. I also represent PBLO.
• <01:57:26.239> I mines. Um, I also represent PBLO. I mines. Um, I also represent PBLO.
• In fact, I don't think the constituents of mine in House District 58 feel as safe either, uh, with this
• everything we do. fact, I don't think the constituents of fact, I don't think the constituents of mine
• in House District 58 feel as safe mine in House District 58 feel as safe either<02:41:49.040> uh<

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What happens is these hospitals contract with these third-party data vendors who are mining patient information
• data<01:36:24.159> vendors<01:36:25.040> who<01:36:25.600> are<01:36:26.080> mining
• <01:36:26.480> patient data vendors who are mining patient data vendors who are mining patient
• And what I hear from the folks, because again, mine aren’t this small, is that what I hear from the folks

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the bureau considers<02:21:19.600> digital<02:21:20.080> asset<02:21:20.479> mining
• <02:21:20.880> and considers digital asset mining and considers digital asset mining and staking
• if I know what this bill says, and if I know digital<02:21:31.520> asset<02:21:31.920> mining
• <02:21:32.319> requires<02:21:33.120> large digital asset mining requires large digital
• asset mining requires large amount<02:21:33.760> amounts<02:21:34.160> of<02:21:34.439

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's got our natural gas prices in the tank, and service companies like mine have been doing this for
• Natural gas prices are in the tank, and service companies like mine have been doing this for over 40
• had the Federal Mineral Leasing Act, the Federal Mineral Land Use Policy was based on the General Mining
• At this time, there was little to no restraint under the General Mining Act, so an individual could lay
• Additionally, the states were not receiving a share of sales under the General Mining Act, which was

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I had added the amendment for McQueen on mine and then asked if I would carry his.
• And if we go and lock into this system, we then dismantle our system, we, us, our, mine, and they, and
• system, we then dismantle our we, us, system, we then dismantle our we, us, our,<02:42:02.320> mine
• 03.240> and<02:42:03.480> whatever<02:42:04.520> to<02:42:04.640> go our, mine
• , and they, and whatever to go our, mine, and they, and whatever to go over<02:42:05.320> into

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It renews existing mineral and mining materials as they determine the leasing and the subsequent compliance
• The Land Trust is instructed to develop resource maps for mining, home building, and to obtain the most
• And in addition, there are many social events that happen at our houses of worship, at least at mine.
• compliance, best interest of the trust, written fiduciary findings, and other things in support of mining
• compliance, best interest of the trust, written fiduciary findings, and other things in support of mining

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And like many families, mine made that decision believing that it was in my best interest.
• great to sue for unsubstantiated accusations made to DCF, but since most average families, certainly mine
• , but since most average families, but since most average families, certainly<01:17:40.000> mine
• would<01:17:41.120> be<01:17:41.199> hard<01:17:41.520> pressed certainly mine
• , uh would be hard pressed certainly mine, uh would be hard pressed financially<01:17:42.239> to

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh, I think I was working for Governor Purdue in Georgia at that time, and we would have friends of mine
• at that time and we would have friends at that time and we would have friends of<00:29:49.360> mine
• > worked<00:29:49.919> in<00:29:50.080> state<00:29:50.320> government of mine
• who worked in state government of mine who worked in state government would<00:29:50.799> all
• So, um, what's the—let me give you an anecdote that a friend of mine told me, and you tell me which line

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have some of the best in this operation of mine, meteorologists, geologists, hydrologist Everybody
• And so these homes suffered the most damage and families like mine don't know how we'll ever be able
• day that we just focus on political posturing instead of people is another day that families like mine
• Made Your accent's a little different than mine, and this room's really hard to hear.
• they're seeing and doing, and I think I forgot who some Somebody gave me y'all's name, a friend of mine

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can now have mine because I got where I need to go. Thank you.
• I'm just pulling up here you can<00:55:38.359> now<00:55:38.559> have<00:55:38.720> mine
• 39.200> I<00:55:39.839> I<00:55:40.079> I<00:55:40.160> got can now have mine
• because I I I got can now have mine because I I I got where<00:55:40.440> I<00:55:40.520>
• Yeah, that's why I took mine back. Sorry. Okay, I think in the...

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another person had, so they didn't let me introduce mine. I did see one.
• ><02:46:43.200> let<02:46:43.319> me<02:46:44.200> introduce<02:46:44.720> mine
• <02:46:45.560> I<02:46:45.760> did they didn't let me introduce mine I did they didn't
• let me introduce mine I did see<02:46:46.640> one<02:46:47.640> I'm<02:46:47.800> not
• c> only<02:46:59.359> Bill<02:46:59.680> I've The one that got let in instead of mine

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• are a list of fairly strong powers that are provided to the, uh, it's page four, starting line 12 in mine
• are a list of fairly strong powers that are provided to the, uh, it's page four, starting line 12 in mine
• And perhaps the director can say that. line 12 in mine but uh it's tobacco line 12 in mine but uh it's
• later about our reassessments,<04:40:46.000> property<04:40:46.400> re<04:40:47.200> mine
• reassessments, property re mine reassessments, property re mine literally<04:40:48.798> it

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed a budget-related issue involving liquor commission enforcement staff and tobacco enforcement funding. A member explained that proposed cuts to “group two” enforcement positions at the liquor commission could jeopardize the tobacco enforcement money that flows to Health and Human Services, and expressed confidence that the enforcement division would ultimately be preserved. The main hearing was on Senate Bill 19, which would modernize hotel and motel statutes by repealing outdated requirements. The sponsor and the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association said the bill would remove obsolete rules such as the old guest book/card system and antiquated posting requirements for room rates and motel signs. Members questioned whether the bill would eliminate the requirement to record guest departure dates or affect inspection rights, and the witnesses said the intent was only to remove the book-and-card reference while leaving the rest of the recordkeeping requirement in place. Supporters argued the rate-posting rules are widely ignored, hard to enforce, and outdated in an era of digital reservations and variable pricing; the committee also discussed whether any consumer-protection purpose remained. The public hearing on SB 19 was then closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 280FN, which would require food delivery services to have an agreement with a restaurant or food retail store before offering delivery from that business. The sponsor said the bill restores a prior law that had sunset and was intended to prevent third-party platforms from listing restaurants without consent. Restaurant industry testimony strongly supported the bill, describing problems with unauthorized listings, delayed deliveries, and reimbursement disputes, and saying the agreement requirement protects restaurant brands and consumer expectations. Members shared examples of delivery problems and voiced support for reinstating the safeguard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why should they get $88,000 or whatever that number is, at the expense of friends of mine who are really
• <00:52:12.960> who<00:52:13.079> are expense of friends of mine who are expense of
• friends of mine who are really<00:52:13.559> struggling<00:52:14.000> to<00:52:14.119><
• district Personnel from<05:38:18.798> transporting<05:38:19.360> a<05:38:19.520> mining
• <05:38:20.040> or from transporting a mining or from transporting a mining or accompanying

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Policy Committee opened a hearing on HB 748, which would establish a local education freedom account (EFA) program. The prime sponsor, Rep. Kevin Verville, described the bill as enabling legislation that would let local voters decide whether to create a local EFA program by petition and ballot vote, with a 60% threshold to approve or repeal it. He argued that public education is about funding rather than a specific school building, said the proposal would expand parental choice, and cited Deerfield’s move from a single high school option to multiple tuitioned options as an example of local flexibility. Verville said the local EFA would be funded at twice the state adequacy amount, with the district matching the state portion, while other aid categories such as free and reduced meals, English language learner, and special education aid would not be doubled. He said students using a local EFA would still count in average daily membership, that unspent EFA funds would revert to the district, and that the bill would prohibit double-dipping with other scholarship or EFA programs. He also said special education services would remain under district discretion and that local EFA participants would still take statewide assessments for accountability. Committee members pressed him on several issues, especially special education, transportation, and fairness. Rep. Woodcock and Rep. Murray asked whether districts would still have to provide special education and transportation services if a student used a local EFA; Verville responded that special education would remain in the local district at district discretion, while transportation would generally become the family’s responsibility unless already required in an IEP. Rep. Cornell raised an equity concern about no income eligibility cap, asking whether higher-income families should receive the same public support; Verville replied that New Hampshire does not means-test public education and that the local EFA is a public funding mechanism, not a tuition subsidy that would cover full private-school costs. No vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 59:54.400> is<00:59:54.680> not<00:59:55.400> the<00:59:55.640> office mine
• my office the OCA is not the office mine my office the OCA is not the office that<00:59:56.520> is
• A friend of mine, a former commissioner from Rhode Island, says that the transmission companies are the
• former<01:38:09.400> commissioner<01:38:09.800> from<01:38:09.960> Rhode of mine
• former commissioner from Rhode of mine former commissioner from Rhode Island<01:38:10.520> says

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Family Leave I stole your sheet oh Paid Family Leave I stole your sheet oh that's<01:47:42.560> mine
• yeah okay so Cassie is going that's mine yeah okay so Cassie is going to<01:47:44.239> talk<01
• trying to answer is if an employee has a need to access a benefit, how soon are they going to access mine
• benefit how soon are they going to benefit how soon are they going to access<01:58:49.719> mine
• underp<01:58:50.400> Paid<01:58:50.599> Family<01:58:50.920> Leave access mine

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ budget, with testimony from division leadership on staffing, funding sources, and program changes. Early discussion focused on vacant positions in the agency, including a senior planner tied to FEMA requirements, a federally funded program assistant, a program specialist to be reclassified during a planning reorganization, and two Housing Champions positions that were authorized but not funded in the current biennium and are requested for 2026-27. The witnesses also explained that temporary welcome center positions are filled as funds allow, and that the agency’s requested general fund increase is driven largely by the Division of Travel and Tourism Development and its formula-based funding. Members then reviewed rest areas, welcome centers, outdoor recreation, economic development, procurement, and workforce opportunity lines. The department said there are 12 rest areas, with 5.8 million foot counts in FY 24, and that welcome centers are generally open year-round, though Sutton is currently closed and staffing relies on a mix of full-time and temporary employees. The outdoor recreation position is federally funded through USDA and supports business outreach, trade shows, and industry promotion. In economic development, the agency said increased dues reflect participation in the Northern Borders Regional Commission, and that a marketing line item is intended to support recruitment and promotion of growth industries such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences. The Apex Accelerator Program was described as a state-federal partnership requiring a state match and providing government contracting assistance to businesses, while the Office of Workforce Opportunity was explained as a federally funded WIOA-related effort administered through multiple agencies and subrecipients. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which members said had generated significant public concern. The department described SBDC as a highly effective technical assistance program for new and small businesses, but said the cut was one of the few places it felt it had room to reduce funding. Members asked about federal support and matching requirements for various programs, and the department said less than half of its overall budget is generally funded by the state and that some programs require state match. The committee also discussed travel and tourism marketing and the Joint Promotional Program, with the department saying those funds support broader advertising campaigns and grants to chambers and trade associations for events such as Bike Week, Restaurant Week, and the Seafood Festival. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of you should be familiar with it, but we all have oaths to uphold the Constitution, and I take mine
• Many of you should be familiar with it, but we all have oaths to uphold the Constitution, and I take mine
• Many of you should be familiar with it, but we all have oaths to uphold the Constitution, and I take mine
• c> seriously<00:32:45.960> um<00:32:46.200> the<00:32:46.360> 13th I take mine
• seriously um the 13th I take mine seriously um the 13th Amendment<00:32:48.519> of<00:32:48.720

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee met on January 28, 2025, and first heard House Bill 322, which would give a parent paying child support the exclusive right to claim the child as a dependent on taxes. Representative Barton, the sponsor, argued that because child support is no longer tax-deductible, the paying parent should at least receive the child tax credit. Committee members and later testimony from New Hampshire Legal Assistance raised concerns that the bill would override court discretion, could disadvantage low-income custodial parents, and would not account for cases where child support payments are small or where parents share support unevenly. Several members noted that judges already allocate dependency claims in divorce orders and can modify those orders when circumstances change. After testimony, the committee moved to ITL (inexpedient to legislate) HB 322. The motion was seconded, discussion continued, and the roll call was unanimous in favor of ITL. The committee then placed the bill on consent and ended the executive session on HB 322. The committee next took up House Bill 325, which would eliminate term and reimbursement alimony in no-fault divorces. Representative Barton testified that alimony in those cases was akin to involuntary servitude and should not survive dissolution of the marriage contract. The hearing then moved into questions about whether alimony is meant to compensate a spouse for sacrifices made during the marriage, such as supporting a partner through school or staying home with children, and the sponsor maintained that post-divorce support should not continue as a marital obligation. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 325 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know what prompted this is several communities, including mine, prefer to observe Indigenous People's
• prompted is is uh several communities prompted is is uh several communities including<00:10:31.120> mine
• um<00:10:32.640> prefer<00:10:33.000> to<00:10:33.200> observe including mine
• um prefer to observe including mine um prefer to observe indigenous<00:10:34.240> people's<00
• for every deliberative always save mine for every deliberative session<01:48:48.800> just<01:

Keywords: 1189, house, all