Transcript Highlights:

• Joseph through this process, which is a great process of how we create government.
• And that's generally how this process has worked.
• Further discussion on the gentleman's legislation.
• Your legislative rules committee week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Your legislative rules committee will be going back in. We've been in recess.

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 65th and 66th days, with the first journal approval passing by roll call 124-0. Members then offered several introductions recognizing interns and special guests, including a lengthy tribute to law enforcement officers who were wounded in the line of duty and the presentation of Capitol-flown flags to some of them. The chamber received committee reports from Fiscal Review recommending passage of several measures, including Senate Joint Resolution 87, Senate Bills 878 and 994, conference reports on House Bill 2818 and Senate Bill 973, and Senate Bill 1825. The House then took up House Bill 2818, a conference report dealing with annexation-related language for the St. Joseph Airport and added provisions affecting St. Charles and Jefferson counties. After debate about local control and development, the House approved the conference report 140-7 and then passed the bill 136-7. Members next considered Senate Bill 1825, which updates county salary commission schedules, removes sheriffs and prosecutors from salary commissions, and gives certain fourth-class counties additional time to transition to third-class status. After discussion about county pay, coroners, and local fiscal impacts, the House adopted the Senate substitute 109-35 and finally passed the bill 106-39. The House also approved House Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 87, the so-called constitutional sheriff resolution, after adopting a St. Louis City amendment clarifying the City of St. Louis sheriff provisions; the resolution passed 100-47. Finally, the House passed Senate Bill 878, which expands pharmacist authority for certain common ailments, emergency waivers, and behind-the-counter access to ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, with a House amendment adding blood pressure cuff and opioid-alternative language; it passed 132-13. Senate Bill 903, addressing theft and vandalism involving telecommunications and critical infrastructure, also passed 137-5. The House then announced upcoming committee meetings, noted additional bills to be considered upon return, and adjourned until May 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, it inserts a legislative findings section.
• Madam Chair, members, Ralph Heap, Legislative District 10.
• Madam Chair, members, Ralph Heap, Legislative District 10.
• I just wanted to make a comment on this type of legislation.
• Representative Justin Olson from Legislative District 10.

Bills: HB2099, HB2263, HB2264, HB2330, HB2341, HB2492, HB2757, HB2782, HB2843, HB2889, HB2912, HB2915, HB2918, HB4025, HB4100, HCR2020, HCR2057

Keywords: water storage, long-term storage credits, groundwater management, drought contingency, Arizona water regulations, Colorado River, replenishment, groundwater savings facility, groundwater storage, underground water storage, active management area, irrigation non-expansion area, Arizona water law, water rights, water replenishment, recharge, water conservation district, multi-county water conservation district, CAP water, Central Arizona Project

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's a process set out in the Minnesota Constitution.
• Sounds like that's a process that we would take seriously in the House.
• that'll come through and and the process that'll come through and and the process there<00:15:24.920
• issues heading into the legislative issues heading into the legislative session<00:18:30.120>
• I mean, it really doesn't seem like this bodes well for this legislative session.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republican leaders, led by Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth and Majority Leader Harry Niska, outlined their priorities for the upcoming Minnesota House session and said they intend to use an organizational majority to advance their agenda. They said their focus will be on stopping fraud, making government more accountable, reducing taxes and fees, and addressing affordability, energy costs, public safety, education, and permitting reform. Specific proposals mentioned included repealing the tax on Social Security benefits, rolling back automatic gas tax increases, repealing the nuclear moratorium, and changing state programs they said should be limited to people in the country legally. A central theme was the creation of a new House committee on fraud and agency oversight, which Republicans said will have subpoena power and be chaired by Rep. Kristin Robbins. They said the committee will investigate known fraud, review agency internal controls, and press agencies for information on staffing, office space, and cost savings. Rep. Jim Nash also described a proposed “fraud note” scoring system to rate agencies on whether they have implemented Office of the Auditor’s recommendations, with the goal of informing appropriations decisions. On education and public safety, Niska said Republicans want fewer mandates and higher standards in schools, citing low reading and math proficiency, and leaders said they want stronger accountability for repeat and juvenile offenders. They also said they expect committee chairs to be Republican, may reduce Democratic committee seats if Democrats do not show up, and are not planning a power-sharing agreement unless the chamber returns to a true tie. They discussed the pending court case involving Rep. Brad Tabke, a possible recall process for absent legislators, remote voting rules, and a special election timeline, while insisting they expect Democrats to appear on the first day of session and that they will proceed with organizing the House and electing a speaker on January 14.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:13:08.360> by 1,900 and that need to be processed by 1,900 and that need to be processed
• <01:20:42.000> that first circuit being able to process that first circuit being able to process
• Legislators should get a pay raise. Legislators should be paid more.
• Neie Sebas here, legislative manager for HGAA. We submitted written comments.
• <01:43:20.760> manager uh neie sebas here legislative manager uh neie sebas here legislative

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 104, which would restrict the use of restrictive housing or solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with specified exceptions. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation strongly opposed the bill, saying its existing policy already meets or exceeds ACA and National Institute of Corrections standards, and objecting to language they said would give the oversight commission operational decision-making authority. The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission supported the bill, but also said it was not intended to run operations and described concerns about restrictive housing practices, including CoreCivic’s SHIP program at Saguaro. Supporters included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the Disability Rights Center, ACLU Hawaii, Easter Seals Hawaii, and individual testifiers. They argued that Native Hawaiians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, that solitary confinement is harmful and linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and poor reentry outcomes, and that confinement beyond 15 days is widely condemned under international standards. Several testifiers cited suicides and deaths in custody as reasons to codify limits in statute rather than rely on policy alone. The department responded that it already has 24/7 medical care, though not 24/7 mental health coverage at one facility, and explained that it uses four custody categories: disciplinary segregation, administrative segregation, protective custody, and placements for inmates seeking separation for safety reasons. Members questioned the department and commission about the SHIP program, whether the bill was based on other states’ laws, and how current policies compare with national standards. The director said the bill was too ambiguous in places and that the department was willing to work with the commission on policy changes, but still opposed the measure as written. The committee took testimony and questions; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• process more reasonable for real people. process more reasonable for real people.
• , that in this proposed legislation, that in this proposed legislation, um,<00:20:59.600> it
• Um our we process the process works.
• legislation.
• the process. Thank you. Thank you, sir. the process. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sites completed and 76 more in process. sites completed and 76 more in process.
• <00:14:43.199> is process process this and KSP is process process this and KSP is collaborative
• look forward to the upcoming legislative look forward to the upcoming legislative session.
• . process. process.
• 2025 legislative sessions. 2025 legislative sessions.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:03 Approve Minutes from July 10, 2025- 00:02:41 Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System Testimony- 00:03:38 Investment of State Funds- 00:46:13 Department of Juvenile Justice Update- 1:11:34 Adjournment- 1:54:08, 958, all

Summary: The committee opened with roll call, welcomed a new member, approved the July meeting minutes, and then took up testimony on the statewide emergency responder voice system, also described as the state police radio system replacement project. John Hicks, secretary of the governor’s executive cabinet and state budget director, testified that the project is unusually complex because it combines multiple IT replacements, land acquisition, and tower construction. He said the existing system dates to the early 1970s and that the administration is treating the project as a priority, with work proceeding in phases and weekly coordination among the Justice Cabinet, Kentucky State Police, and Finance and Administration Cabinet. Hicks said the project has already spent about $110 million, with nearly 1,900 portable radios acquired, microwave replacement completed at 56 sites and underway at 76 more, and routers, switches, and network upgrades addressed. He explained that because the State Police are not set up to handle real property work, the administration brought in outside real property consulting vendors through an RFP, and three vendors are now qualified to help identify and negotiate sites. He said the goal is to speed up land acquisition and tower construction while the State Police continue the technology work, and he emphasized that the project is intended to close coverage gaps for state police first and later benefit local governments and other first responders. Members of the committee expressed concern about the project’s cost and pace. Representative Petri noted that about $218.8 million has been authorized since 2018 and questioned whether the project could stretch into 2030 or later, asking what more the General Assembly could do to help. Representative Blandon also raised concerns about the long timeline and the risk of the project becoming another costly, delayed infrastructure effort, while asking when the vendor RFP was completed and whether any sites had been acquired since then. Representative Sharp asked whether there was a detailed plan and timeline, and Hicks responded that the technology side is well defined but the property acquisition side must proceed site by site because each location depends on ownership, access, power, and other factors. Hicks said the west-to-east phasing has been a smart approach and that the executive branch should improve performance to beat the current timeline expectations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of this is due to the process by which insurance fraud is prosecuted.
• <00:08:13.919> which this is due to the process which this is due to the process which insurance
• <00:12:12.560> or people that may not know the process or people that may not know the process
• If I if I reach out to this process.
• So we appreciate<00:17:43.120> the<00:17:43.280> legislation.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:09 Discussion SB 118 00:58 Vote SB 118 03:25 Discussion SB 153 04:39 Vote SB 153 17:48 Discussion SB 158 19:41 Vote SB 158 24:09, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee met for its first meeting of the 2026 session, called the roll, and welcomed new member Senator G. Gary Clemens. The committee first took up Senate Bill 118, which concerns credit property insurance and would codify existing practice in the Kentucky Revised Statutes. Sponsor Senator Brandon Storm explained that the bill clarifies the treatment of the product and, through a committee amendment, excludes GAP/vehicle protection products from its scope and aligns filing language with current law. The amendment was adopted, the bill passed with favorable expression, and the amendment was rolled into a committee substitute. The committee then heard Senate Bill 153, relating to the prevention of harmful and fraudulent practices. Senator Greg Elkins and witnesses from the Attorney General’s office, Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance, and State Farm described the bill as a response to storm-chaser and contractor fraud after major weather events. They said the measure would codify current coordination between the Attorney General and the Department of Insurance, allow criminal enforcement in addition to civil actions, and formalize an emergency registration/placard system for out-of-state contractors and volunteer groups during disasters. Members asked about how the bill would affect homeowners who directly hire contractors and whether volunteer groups such as disaster relief organizations or Amish/Mennonite volunteers would be required to register; sponsors said direct hiring would not be affected and volunteers would be handled through a separate identification process. The committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed as amended, and members emphasized the need to protect homeowners from fraud and inflated costs. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 158, relating to vehicle financial protection. Senator Jason Howell and representatives of the Guaranteed Asset Protection Alliance explained that the bill modernizes and regulates GAP waivers and related consumer protection products, such as debt waiver and depreciation benefit agreements, while keeping them legal in Kentucky. Supporters said the bill would ensure providers are properly funded and bonded and would align Kentucky with other states. The bill passed with favorable expression, and the meeting ended on a note of bipartisan agreement on all three measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• The goals of this legislation really recognize the impact our judicial process has on victims in New
• The goals of this legislation really recognize the impact our judicial process has on victims in New
• The goals of this legislation really recognize the impact our judicial process has on victims in New
• The goals of this legislation really recognize the impact our judicial process has on victims in New
• The goals of this legislation really recognize the impact our judicial process has on victims in New

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 199, which would extend the statute of limitations for civil actions seeking damages from PFAS contamination from six years to 20 years. The prime sponsor and other supporters argued that PFAS contamination in southern New Hampshire has long-term and often delayed health and property impacts, making the current six-year period too short for victims to discover harm, connect it to exposure, and seek relief. Supporters described contamination in places such as Merrimack and surrounding communities, cited health concerns including cancer, developmental issues, and other illnesses, and said a longer period would better preserve legal rights while still requiring proof of causation. The Department of Environmental Services said it was not taking a position but acknowledged the contamination and ongoing work to address it. The Business and Industry Association opposed the bill, arguing that evidence becomes stale over time, memories and documents fade, and a longer window would make it harder to determine causation when other exposures or intervening factors may be involved. Committee members questioned both sides about causation, the difficulty of proving PFAS-related illness, and whether a 20-year period was necessary if a plaintiff already knows of the injury and its source. Supporters responded that PFAS effects can emerge slowly, that scientific understanding continues to develop, and that current knowledge is still incomplete. Opponents said the existing discovery rule already starts the clock when harm and causal connection are known, and that extending the period would reduce clarity and fairness in litigation. After testimony and questions, the chair closed the hearing on HB 199. The committee then opened House Bill 268 FN, which was described as a technical measure to confirm that the Board of Tax and Land Appeals may hold hearings in its Concord hearing rooms. The sponsor indicated the bill reflects current practice and does not require additional facilities. With only one witness listed and no apparent opposition, the discussion was brief and focused on why the authorization should be placed in statute rather than left to practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• We see a lot of products that go through the manufacturing process.
• The process to get that authority for the point source discharges.
• tailored for this process.
• tailored for this process.
• Yes, so reverse osmosis is a highly effective treatment process.

Summary: The meeting focused on the use of biosolids on farm and ranch land, with testimony from Oklahoma State University experts, a conservation official, and an engineering representative about the benefits, risks, and regulatory implications. Dr. Lusk described OSU’s long history of soil fertility research and said biosolids can provide nutrients and organic matter, but also may carry contaminants such as PFAS, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and pathogens. He emphasized that many questions remain unanswered, especially about contaminant uptake into soil, crops, livestock, and humans, and said existing EPA and Oklahoma DEQ regulations address some treatment and application standards but may not fully cover PFAS. Dr. Arnell expanded on nutrient management, explaining that biosolids can function similarly to manure as a fertilizer source, especially for nitrogen and phosphorus, but should be tested, incorporated into soil, and applied under permit conditions to reduce runoff and other losses. He said PFAS testing methods are not yet standardized and that more research is needed to determine sampling protocols, movement in soil, and long-term effects. Committee members asked whether farmers and ranchers should be notified of risks, whether PFAS is currently tested, how many counties use biosolids, and what research would be needed for a dissertation-level study. The witnesses generally agreed that landowners should be informed of known risks and uncertainties, but said the science is still developing. Dr. Arnell said a unified testing method is needed before reliable PFAS monitoring can be done, and suggested that a multi-year study would be required to understand soil movement, crop uptake, and livestock impacts. Greg Scott of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission framed the issue as a waste-management problem, noting that human waste streams contain contaminants and that soil type affects how pollutants move; he said sandy soils pose greater movement risks than clay soils and that current best practice is incorporation, careful timing, and avoiding steep or sensitive sites. He also said PFAS are widespread and not naturally occurring in the way some other compounds are, and that liability and cleanup costs are major concerns. Mary Elizabeth Mock of Garver Engineering focused on the practical and financial consequences of a possible moratorium on land application, saying most of Oklahoma’s biosolids are currently land applied and would otherwise have to go to landfills. She warned that many landfills are nearing capacity, tipping fees could rise sharply, and cities such as Tulsa and Norman could face large increases in disposal costs, which would ultimately be borne by ratepayers and taxpayers. She also said septic system maintenance costs could rise if land application options shrink, potentially leading to deferred maintenance and system failures. Mock urged a tiered, data-driven approach to PFAS regulation and said advanced treatment technologies may help in the future, but they are still emerging and expensive. No votes were taken; the session consisted of presentations and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:25.680> process<00:42:26.680> and<00:42:26.839> so legislative process and
• so legislative process and so I'm<00:42:28.400> happy<00:42:28.640> to<00:42:28.760>
• form one plan and that as a process form one plan and that as a process that's<01:16:05.440>
• <01:46:47.639> this<01:46:47.880> legislation the Democratic process this legislation
• the Democratic process this legislation enhances<01:46:49.199> accessibility<01:46:50.080>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a different process.
• It is a different process.
• process has been in place for quite some time.
• And while I can understand the claimant up here wanting some process here, we do have a due process where
• How are you denied due process?

Summary: The committee first reviewed litigation reports from the Department of Labor and Licensing involving wage claims brought under the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act. Members questioned the department’s authority, jurisdiction, use of attorney fees and costs, and whether defendants had to be licensed. The department explained it has long enforced wage and overtime laws, that the claims were small-dollar cases handled by investigators and counsel, and that one case had been paid and dismissed while others were unresolved or had service issues. The committee voted to review or batch-file the labor cases after discussion. The University of Arkansas System then reported three pending lawsuits: an age- and race-discrimination claim by a tenured professor that was resolved early; an ADA/FMLA retaliation claim by a former employee that survived in part on a motion to dismiss and was moving into discovery; and a Section 1983 claim against a UAMS sergeant arising from a parking-ticket dispute, with the university explaining that only punitive damages could create personal exposure for the officer. The committee reviewed each report and voted to accept them. The Department of Finance and Administration presented a proposed tax settlement reducing a sales-and-use tax assessment from about $48,000 to $20,000 and waiving interest and penalties, which the committee approved for review. The Claims Commission then presented several claims: an unpaid salary differential for a Department of Health employee, reissued warrants, unpaid DHS bills, and multiple negotiated settlements involving ATRS, UAMS, Arkansas State Police, and ARDOT. Members approved or affirmed most of these items, including a $65,000 settlement in the Tetronics/ATRS matter, a $150,000 medical-negligence settlement, and several vehicle-accident settlements. The most extended debate involved a tax-delinquent property sale claim by Sharon Greer and relatives. The claimant argued they were not properly notified and sought the $4,200 excess from the 2009 sale. Land Commissioner counsel explained the excess had escheated to the county after the statutory claim period expired, while members debated sovereign immunity, standing, heirs, and whether the committee could or should award money anyway. The committee ultimately chose to hold the matter over for further review in a future joint session rather than decide it immediately. The committee also heard appeals from dismissed claims, including a UAMS medical-negligence claim, a land-sale notice claim, a pothole claim against ARDOT, and a judicial-immunity claim against the Court of Appeals; most dismissals were affirmed, and the Simpson matter was held over for additional review after the claimant testified.

Transcript Highlights:

• The DCP process, the drought conservation program process, began in 2019 and took effect basically in
• ... ...the DCP process, the drought conservation program process, began in 2019 and took effect basically
• So this is the process before the timeline process.
• Three months to process your application.
• Three months to process your application.

Bills: HB2026, HB2027, HB2028, HB2031, HB2078, HB2094, HB2095, HB2101, HB2102, HB2103, HB2260, HB2278, HB2827, HB2932, HB2933, HB2934, HB2986, HCM2009, HCR2038

Keywords: assured water supply, groundwater, commingling, commingled water, water supply, Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, active management area, AMA, subdivision plat, development approval, water rights, municipal provider, private water company, certificate of assured water supply, written commitment of water service, groundwater savings credits, gray water reuse, replenishment district, Central Arizona Project

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:22:56.320> this board because we did not process this board because we did not process
• crisis deepens and emergency legislation crisis deepens and emergency legislation becomes<02:01:
• So what legislation would you like to say? >> I in expent to legislate. >> Okay.
• legislation would you like to say? legislation would you like to say?
• >> I I in expent to legislate. >> I I in expent to legislate.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislation was passed during the 2023 legislative session that was sponsored by Representative Antonin
• Existing conditions can take three to six months to process.
• So before we do questions on the bill, let's do the amendatory process.
• Ohio passed hands-free legislation in April of 2023.
• We are in the minority enacting this type of legislation.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with CS/SB 678, which would allow pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital; it drew support from a business representative and was reported favorably. Members then heard several bills by Senator Leak, including SB 466 to designate St. Johns County as the site of the Florida Museum of Black History and create a board to work with the museum foundation and Florida Memorial University; the bill drew supportive testimony about preserving accurate Black history and the significance of the site, and it passed favorably. Leak’s CS/SB 578 would let Florida wineries use recyclable inserts and other alternative containers for larger wine sales, and it also passed favorably. SB 582 would increase penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings and structures, limiting the higher penalties to certain nationally or internationally recognized historic properties; it was supported by preservation advocates and reported favorably. CS/SB 1168 would create an aggravated offense for installing or using tracking devices or apps in furtherance of crimes such as murder, domestic violence, or robbery, and it passed favorably after a brief discussion about stalking and violent crimes. CS/SB 806 would make the Florida Attorney General the exclusive public official with standing to enforce Florida charitable trusts, limiting out-of-state attorneys general from suing over Florida-administered trusts; members debated whether this would burden out-of-state beneficiaries, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 1228 would advance spring restoration efforts for Ichetucknee Springs and Santa Fe spring flows and allow a utility compliance plan amendment to deliver reclaimed water to replenish the aquifer; it passed favorably. CS/CS/SB 304 would require a qualified medical opinion in child protective investigations involving infants and young children with possible genetic or medical conditions that can mimic abuse, and it drew emotional support from parents and advocates before passing favorably. SB 1286 would clarify that ordinary unsupervised childhood activities like biking or playing outside do not constitute neglect absent reckless endangerment, and it was reported favorably. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated the most extensive debate: it renames the texting-while-driving law, expands the prohibition to handheld device use, and adds penalties in work zones and school zones; supporters cited fatal crash statistics and personal loss, while opponents raised concerns about enforcement, civil liberties, racial disparities in traffic stops, and the need for broader distracted-driving and insurance reforms. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably after amendments. The committee also approved two claims bills, SB 14 for the estate of Penao-Hanvier against Miami Beach and SB 20 for J.N. against Hillsborough County, both settled claims recommended favorably by the special master. Finally, CS/SB 68 would modernize health facilities authority financing for private not-for-profit health systems, and CS/SB 172 would restrict misuse of health care specialty titles while preserving titles authorized under existing practice acts; both were discussed with questions about doctors, optometrists, and CRNAs, and both were reported favorably after amendment and debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it is certainly legislation.
• The legislation is the same legislation that's been passed out of the House last year, with one exception
• <00:34:59.599> that asking to oppose legislation that asking to oppose legislation that removes
• I think it's backed a good legislation.
• This design process is complete.

Keywords: Discussion of SB 126 (2025 RS) 00:05:13 Discussion of HB 16 (2025 RS) 00:15:40 Kentucky Department of Parks – Overview 01:05:06, 958, all

Summary: The committee met jointly for State Government, State and Local Government, and Elections and Constitutional Amendments, approved the minutes from the September 23 meeting, and then took up discussion of Senate Bill 126, a proposed constitutional amendment to restrict the governor’s pardon power. Senator Chris McDaniel said the measure was prompted by concerns over pardons issued in 2019 and would bar pardons for 60 days before a gubernatorial election through the swearing-in of a new governor, leaving the power otherwise intact. Members who spoke generally supported the proposal as a way to increase accountability, and McDaniel said he intended to place it on the 2026 ballot. No vote was taken on the bill during the discussion. The committee then moved to House Bill 16 on water fluoridation. Representative Hart and Senator Greg Elkins said the bill would remove Kentucky’s fluoridation mandate and give local water districts the choice to add fluoride or not. They emphasized that the revised draft also adds immunity language to protect districts from civil litigation regardless of their decision. Dr. Jack Call, a Louisville dentist, presented against fluoridation, arguing that the main dental benefit is topical rather than from drinking water and citing studies and reports he said linked fluoride exposure to reduced IQ in children and other health concerns. Cindy Batson, a nurse and parent, also supported the bill and said she had testified on the issue for years. During questions, Senator Rollins raised concerns about fluoride being an industrial byproduct and described fluoridation as forced medication. The discussion remained focused on the bill’s local-control and immunity provisions, with sponsors saying they were not trying to relitigate the broader science but wanted to remove the mandate. The transcript ends while questions and testimony on HB 16 were still underway, and no final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will there be an evaluation process after the study, after the pilot?
• We have that evaluation process to say what's working and what's not working.
• And in fact, we have done legislation in the past to clarify that.
• legislative oversight. And there is an amendment on the bill, Madam Chair. Certainly.
• Of course, this legislation only deals with Medicaid.

Bills: S0036, S0864, S0268, S0844, S0514, S1404, S0914, S1758

Keywords: nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, uterine fibroids, public records, health privacy, epidemiology, medical information, emergency department, physicians, privacy, personal information, sickle cell disease, sickle cell anemia, pain management, controlled substances, prescribing education, continuing medical education

Summary: The committee first considered SB 268, a public records exemption for emergency physicians. Senator Rodriguez’s strike-all amendment narrowed and clarified the exemption, and testimony from an emergency physician described threats, harassment, and safety concerns tied to mandatory reporting and patient encounters. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. Members then heard SB 514, creating the Dula Support for Healthy Births Pilot Program in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties for pregnant and postpartum women affected by substance use disorder. Senator Osgood explained the pilot would provide non-medical doula support and data collection, and an amendment changed the funding source to specific appropriations in the General Appropriations Act. Supporters said doula care can improve maternal and infant outcomes and complement medical providers. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also approved SB 36 on use of professional nursing titles after extensive debate over whether nurses with doctoral degrees should be allowed to use “doctor” in clinical settings, with concerns raised about patient confusion and the need for clearer identification. The bill was amended to align with the House version and then reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee next approved SB 864, a public records exemption for uterine fibroid research data, after a technical amendment setting a July 1, 2026 effective date; Senator Sharif said the exemption is needed so the Department of Health can collect sensitive data for the related research bill. SB 844, requiring continuing education on sickle cell disease care management for certain licensed physicians and nurses, was also reported favorably after emotional testimony from patients and advocates describing delayed care and bias. Later, the committee approved SB 1404 on memory care, after a strike-all amendment creating a new memory care specialty license for assisted living facilities that advertise or provide specialized memory care services, while allowing optional supportive services without the new license. Supporters from the senior living industry backed the clarification. The committee then passed SB 914, which clarifies that licensed occupational therapists may perform dry needling, after an amendment adjusting supervision and continuing education language. Finally, the committee took up SB 1758, a broad Medicaid and SNAP reform bill that would strengthen fraud enforcement, impose Medicaid work requirements for certain able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services, modernize drug purchasing and prior authorization, and require SNAP fraud-reduction measures. Several amendments were adopted, and members questioned the work requirement, implementation costs, EBT card photo identification, and due process concerns; debate continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This week we turn our focus to an instrumental piece of legislation that was passed last session.
• updates on House Bill 875. from the 2025 legislative session.
• The development process for this exam will span 2 years.
• Do I need to read a call of the exams or can you walk me through that process?
• But they didn't complete the process because they didn't ultimately moved to Florida.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would be processed through the same exact system that we're processing all of our other licensed
• This would be processed through the same exact system that we're processing all of our other licensed
• following the same process. following the same process. >> Sure. >> Sure.
• they were part of the process. they were part of the process.
• local process before they come to you? local process before they come to you?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They were just ardent at ultra-processed food, flash-frozen, thawing it out.
• Is it something legislative that can? be addressed.
• We don't have any processing facilities.
• for processing dates.
• Sales and low profitability while waiting on processing dates. to explore solutions that expand processing

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there is another um application process there is another um application process that<00:36:10.000
• Before I forget, you mentioned legislation affects something, so please let me know what that legislation
• well this is It's a complicated process well this is It's a complicated process and<01:15:59.880
• <01:29:13.080> 17 2425 uh again competitive process 17 2425 uh again competitive process 17
• online and so uh part of the process online and so uh part of the process these<01:50:56.760>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee Division II met with the New Hampshire Department of Education to review school nutrition programs and related funding. Department staff Melissa White and Kelly Rambo walked through a packet covering the National School Lunch Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Community Eligibility (CEP), After School Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program, explaining that these are federally funded USDA programs, with some state supplemental funding in certain areas. They also reviewed reimbursement rates for lunch, breakfast, child/adult care, and summer meals, noting that summer rates follow calendar-year timing while most others follow the state fiscal year. Members asked several questions about how the funding works, especially the difference between federal reimbursements and the state match. Staff explained that the state lunch line in the budget is a fixed match amount tied to federal participation, while breakfast funding is broken out by meal type and reimbursement category. They also discussed why FY 2022 federal spending was much higher during COVID, when USDA covered meals at the free rate for all students, and why FY 2023 and FY 2024 dropped as normal income-eligibility rules returned. A committee member also asked about the “severe need lunch” two-cent rate, and staff said they did not know USDA’s formula. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on summer meals and the distinction between the Summer Food Service Program and Summer EBT. Staff explained that SFSP provides meals at approved sites, which can be open or closed sites, while Summer EBT is a separate DHHS-operated benefit program that provides funds to families. They said some schools or sites may not qualify under USDA rules, but eligible children can often use another nearby open site, and the department posts an interactive map and phone line to help families find locations. The committee also discussed the Community Eligibility Provision. Staff said New Hampshire currently has three CEP schools, that the eligibility threshold had recently been lowered from 40% to 25% identified students, and that the program allows participating schools to offer free meals to all students while the local district covers the non-federal share. Members asked whether any districts in the 25% to 40% range had joined; staff said no. The department offered to provide the eligibility report in Excel and noted that the CEP intent is to reduce application burden, though the lower threshold can make the local cost share harder for some districts to absorb.