Video & Transcript : 'regulated waters' :
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Feb 25th, 2026
Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- The CPUC is the economic regulator of the investor-owned utilities that operate within California.
- Including electricity and gas, water, telecommunications, transportation, and rail services.
- where we work to scrutinize utility investments and costs to reduce the including electricity and gas, water
- advocate on behalf of ratepayers for safe, affordable, and reliable service across communications, water
- And I should say that while affordability runs across communications and water as well as natural gas
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And it allocates funding for specific projects across the state to address water, infrastructure, flood
- of Charles Perry and Representative Cody Harris, we're making historic investments in our state's water
- Water development particularly supports economically distressed and rural communities.
- So I'm going to add a new number that's going to blow us out of the water here.
- Whatever the federal regulations were, and I imagine they could be changed again during the time this
Summary:
The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several conference committee matters and resolutions. It granted the House request for a conference committee on House Bill 46 and adopted a conference report on Senate Bill 37, which was described as higher education governance reform, including stronger board authority, changes to faculty senates, general education requirements, and a new ombudsman office. Senators also adopted a large package of resolutions and HCRs by voice vote.
A major focus was Senate Bill 12, the “Parental Bill of Rights,” whose conference report was adopted after extended questioning. The bill was described as giving parents more access to school materials and grievance procedures, requiring parental consent for student clubs, and restricting school district employees from assisting with social transitioning or related gender-identity instruction. Senators raised concerns about effects on students already socially transitioned and on parental rights in medical or psychological decisions; the author said the House language was retained in key areas and that districts would need policies and parent notification. The report passed 20-11.
The Senate then adopted a resolution allowing the conference committee on Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-2027, to go outside the bounds, and later adopted the budget conference report. Senators highlighted major funding for public education, property tax relief, public safety, health and human services, child care, water and transportation infrastructure, and the Texas Energy Fund. The budget discussion also covered higher education, mental health facilities, community attendant wages, rural hospitals, DFPS case management, child care assistance, and a study rider on TRS. The report passed unanimously, 30-0.
Finally, the Senate suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 8 and adopted its conference report. The bill requires counties with jails or jail contracts to participate in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program, with sheriffs choosing among available models and counties receiving tiered grants to help cover costs. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure targeting criminal illegal aliens, while opponents questioned whether it would divert local resources and increase fear in immigrant communities. The report was adopted after debate.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, June 25, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> After the 2008 financial crisis, Congress was tasked to get our financial regulators to implement
- Puerto Rico faces a water crisis, and ironically, the governor's office is drowning... Last week.
- mismanagement and poor maintenance left hundreds of thousands, including me and my family, without water
- The Honorable Maxine Waters should be mentioned. She and the Honorable Elizabeth Warren, the...
- Impossible to span, but I called them the W's, the W's, Waters and the Honorable Maxine Waters.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal without Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This includes $60 million for commuter rail upgrades and $15 million for statewide water transportation
- This includes $60 million for communal rail upgrades and $15 million for statewide water transportation
- crisis and declared water emergency in Bridgewater, and there has been for almost a year.
- in $250,000 to support a filtration system... $250,000 to support a filtration system, to install a water
- And again, we've been working in various ways to find resources and funding to address this water crisis
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two resolutions recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the nation’s 250th anniversary and congratulating Zachary Erich on becoming an Eagle Scout, and then took up several committee reports and extension orders. The chamber suspended rules multiple times to act immediately on committee extensions for Financial Services and State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, and it referred a House petition on cleft lip and cleft palate treatment to Financial Services. Members also adopted an order extending the Financial Services committee’s reporting deadline on credit union and mortgage financing matters.
The Senate then considered and passed House No. 4361, a bill on teacher retirement benefits, after extensive debate in support of a one-time window for certain teachers who were excluded from Retirement Plus due to administrative errors. Senators described the measure as a long-overdue fix for more than 8,500 educators, noting that eligible teachers would have to pay the difference in contributions. The bill was ordered to a third reading, passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 roll call, and sent on for further action. The chamber also passed Senate No. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and Senate No. 3107 on commercial interior design licensure, both after supportive remarks about patient safety and professional regulation.
A major item was the conference committee report on H. 5280, the FY26 fair share supplemental budget. Supporters highlighted funding for municipal winter relief, MBTA operations and capital needs, education initiatives, housing incentives, home heating assistance, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents raised concerns about MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax policy implications. After roll call, the report was approved by a 37-3 vote. The Senate also adopted the emergency preamble and passed H. 5470, the FY26 supplemental appropriations bill, and later enacted local bills including Berkeley recall authority, a Milton school deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing.
Near the end of the session, the Senate recognized guests from the Caribbean diplomatic corps and the Authentic Caribbean Foundation, who spoke about Caribbean American Heritage Month and partnership agreements with Massachusetts. The chamber then concurred in a House amendment to Senate No. 2563, a bill updating disability-related terminology in the general laws, with senators emphasizing the importance of person-first language and dignity for people with disabilities. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and enacted the bill. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday and with adjournment in memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jan 8th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee to notice AB 946, Bryan, for their hearing on Tuesday, January 13
- notice AB 892, Schultz, for their hearing on Thursday, January 15th, pending re-referral from the Water
- Environmental restoration, energy projects, roads, bridges, water, power, rail, ports, broadband, which
- I was engaging with him on water policy just last week.
- I was engaging with him on water policy just last week. Doug had our back.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Jun 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- There was a situation where we adopted certain ADU regulations that restricted ADU development in fire
- They’re attempting to take a shower with, you know, a small bucket of water, wild dogs.
- It’s not humane for people who are living here to live with inadequate electricity, water, sewer, many
- Everyone has water. All right. Meeting's adjourned. Thank you. Well then. Thank you. Thank you.
Summary:
The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee met with a quorum and announced that SB 340 would be moved to a later hearing. The consent calendar included HR 44, SB 233, and SB 410, which were later approved. The committee then heard several housing-related bills, with testimony largely focused on streamlining accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules, regional planning, and homelessness response.
SB 9 would require local agencies to submit ADU ordinances to HCD within 60 days and respond to HCD findings within 30 days, or the ordinance would become null and void and state standards would apply. Supporters, including California YIMBY, Casita Coalition, UnidosUS, Housing Action Coalition, and Power California, argued the bill would strengthen enforcement of existing ADU law and reduce local barriers. The bill passed 7-0 with two abstentions and was sent to the Assembly Local Government Committee. SB 486 would exempt UC and CSU projects from having to analyze a no-project alternative under CEQA while requiring the universities to share enrollment forecasting data and participate in regional sustainable communities planning. It passed 9-0 and was referred to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
SB 748, as amended, would expand funding and authority for safe parking sites and related services for people living in RVs or vehicles, using encampment resolution funding and requiring reporting by the California Interagency Council on Homelessness. The City of Compton, the Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association, and the League of California Cities supported the measure, emphasizing public health, neighborhood safety, and humane alternatives to displacement. The committee members discussed the limits of current encampment cleanup approaches and the need for services and temporary shelter; the bill passed 11-0 and was sent to the Assembly Human Services Committee. SB 543, a cleanup bill for ADU and junior ADU law, clarified review timelines, size standards, and consistency with existing ADU statutes; it also passed unanimously and was referred to the Assembly Local Government Committee.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 929, a bill to be entitled an act relating to local government regulation of chickees.
- House Bill 929, a bill to be entitled an act relating to local government regulation of chickees.
- House Bill 929, a bill to be entitled an act relating to local government regulation of chickees.
- House Bill 929, a bill to be entitled an act relating to local government regulation of chickees.
- We need to fund NICA sufficiently, but not at the expense of our insurance regulators.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored a retiring Senate staffer and a wounded veteran, then moved into returning House messages and special order bills. Several measures were taken up and either concurred in or sent back to the House, with multiple unanimous or near-unanimous votes on noncontroversial bills.
Among the bills addressed were SB 118 on recreational vehicle park assessments, SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, and HB 991 on election integrity. SB 118 and SB 572 were amended to reflect House changes and passed 38-0. HB 991 drew extensive debate over voter registration and identification requirements, with opponents arguing it would burden students, seniors, disabled voters, and others, while supporters said it would strengthen election security and streamline verification; it passed 27-12. The chamber also approved bills on historic cemeteries, chickee regulation, habitual traffic offender designation, military affairs, and a Department of Health package.
The Department of Health bill (SB 902/HB 733) was the subject of detailed amendment work, including changes to medical marijuana rules, NICU educational materials, Early Steps, dental loan repayment, and pediatric trauma center designation. The Senate adopted an amendment to the amendment and then passed the bill 37-0. Other measures included a funeral services bill, which the Senate refused to concur in because the House strike-all would redefine cremation to include composting, and a veterans-related bill that was temporarily postponed. The Senate also recessed briefly, then returned to continue the calendar and additional recognitions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
FULL INTERVIEW: Taking a Hard Look at Soft Costs to Help Housing Affordability | Senator Bill Weber May 1st, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And if you get into park development or some of the issues revolving around water, etc., now we're into
- look at these types of things, you know, a lot of it is because of the mandates and the rules and regulations
- rules</c><00:07:47.080><c> and</c> the mandates and the rules and the mandates and the rules and regulations
- </c> regulations that the state passes down. regulations that the state passes down.
- that we have passed that regulation that we have passed that affects affects affects uh<00:16:03.920
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Just to highlight a few things: we are not regulating what is being said.
- Cities are to amend their comprehensive plans and land use regulations...
- Cities are to amend their comprehensive plans and land use regulations from October 1, 2026, to February
- But Section 9 in particular deals with the Big Payette Lake Water Quality Act.
- the agency itself for repeal, and the only public opposition was related to that Big Payette Lake Water
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Judiciary Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- sunscreen that are of particular concern because they wash off people's bodies when they enter the water
- When swimmers and beachgoers enter the water, these chemicals wash off and accumulate in coastal habitats
- While the federal government regulates airspace, it is not always positioned to respond quickly to drone
- While the federal government regulates airspace, it is not always positioned to respond quickly to drone
- While the federal government regulates airspace, it is not always positioned to respond quickly to drone
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary Committee met without a quorum and proceeded as a subcommittee while hearing a long consent calendar and several Assembly bills. Early testimony focused on AB 1744, which would prohibit sunscreen products marketed as “reef safe” or similar from containing chemical UV filters; the author and student supporters said the bill is a truth-in-labeling measure to protect marine ecosystems, and there was no opposition. Committee members praised the student witnesses and the author asked for an aye vote, but no vote was taken because of the lack of quorum.
The committee then heard AB 713, which would allow undocumented students at UC, CSU, and community colleges to access campus jobs. Supporters, including a UCLA law professor and a large coalition of student, labor, immigrant-rights, and education groups, argued the bill would reduce exploitation and improve affordability and retention; opponents argued it would conflict with federal law. Members expressed strong support, and the author closed by emphasizing that students simply want the chance to work, but again no vote occurred due to the subcommittee status. The committee also heard AB 1359, allowing people age 80 and older to opt out of jury service without a doctor’s note, with support from the Alzheimer’s Association and LeadingAge California and no opposition.
Additional measures included AB 2563, which would standardize California’s definition of sex discrimination across state codes to align with equal-rights principles; it drew strong support from women’s rights and labor groups and strong opposition from anti-trans advocates. AB 1705 would require websites to verify consent before hosting sexually explicit images of people, with supporters framing it as a response to nonconsensual pornography and opponents warning it could sweep in sites that prohibit such content. AB 1940 would explicitly name menopause in workplace protections, with supporters citing workforce equity and opponents saying existing accommodation law already covers it. The committee also heard AB 1824 and AB 2115 on Native American child welfare and a formal legislative apology for historic harms, both backed by tribal representatives and allies, as well as AB 2076 on nitrous oxide sales to minors and AB 2783 on court reporter licensing and remote reporting; all drew support and no recorded opposition. Several members praised the bills and indicated they would move them when a quorum was available.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- providing that a contract may be awarded for a required supply, service, or major repair when, under regulation
- Mainly what we are attempting to do is something similar to what we did with water sector.
- She was standing at her mailbox when a water trailer came loose from a tractor, left the roadway, struck
- what they added or, you know, made sure wasn't in the bill that would be conforming against DOT regulations
- We start to follow the federal regulations.
Bills:
HB345, HB503, HB511, HB590, HB655, HB685, HB692, HB707, HB715, HB748, HB776, HB856, HB860, HB868, HB887, HB888, HB896, HB999, HB1000, HB1086, HB1233
Keywords:
rail infrastructure, ports, Class II railroads, Class III railroads, transportation, HB 503, Act 554, Golden Meadow, utility terrain vehicle, UTV, recreational off-highway vehicle, ROV, golf cart, low-speed vehicle, road shoulder travel, local ordinance, municipal traffic regulation, vehicle registration decal, municipal general fund, insurance requirement
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Transportation and Public Works met with five members present and approved the April 29, 2026 minutes. The committee then heard and reported a series of bills, including HB 1233, which lowers the contract threshold for hospital service districts using the Seymours program; HB 715, requiring aerial applicators operating from public airports to have transponders and radios and removing proposed ADS-B fee restrictions in favor of separate legislation; and HB 999, allowing impoundment of uninsured out-of-state vehicles. It also advanced HB 692 to let parishes and municipalities use group purchasing organizations, with an added sole-source procurement amendment for certain repairs and parts, and HB 511 to create a pursuit-intervention technology grant program, using a technical amendment to establish the fund structure.
The committee also reported HB 590, creating a program to help law enforcement identify drivers with autism or other mental/physical disabilities through special envelopes and related notice technology; HB 503, a local bill cleaning up golf cart and utility terrain vehicle definitions in Golden Meadow; HB 655, authorizing DOTD cost-plus contracts for state-owned ferries; HB 748, clarifying that school board-owned or leased vehicles are exempt from tolls; HB 860, allowing fillable electronic bids; HB 896, addressing tolling rules and fees in Plaquemines Parish and requiring a nearby customer service center; and HB 1000, a cleanup bill on highway priority program reporting and local district contract limits.
Later, the committee reported HB 887, which establishes a more consistent scoring and ranking framework for certain procurement processes, and HB 888, a cleanup bill on temporary tags and temporary license plates with added anti-counterfeiting and safety features. HB 1086, a major overhaul moving Louisiana toward a fully electronic vehicle title and lien system, was amended but voluntarily held for a week so members could review the extensive new language. The committee also reported HB 776, expanding port priority funding to larger projects and allowing flexibility in annual amounts, HB 707, shifting LPG commission promotional work to Agriculture and Forestry, HB 868, requiring safety chains or other manufacturer-specified safety equipment on farm trailers, HB 856, authorizing indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting for DOTD maintenance and construction work, HB 345, adding rail infrastructure at ports to the rail improvement program, and HB 685, allowing transit agencies to use FAST Act cooperative procurement for buses and other rolling stock. At the end, the committee corrected its action on HB 856 by reconsidering and withdrawing the technical amendment set 2332 for later floor work, while leaving the bill reported with the department’s substantive amendments.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- paying with our taxpayer money to repair those roads, but the state wants to remove our ability to regulate
- My powers also, and we do have some infrastructure things with drainage and moving around, moving water
- my powers also, and we do have some infrastructure things with drainage and moving around, moving water
- State portion, not our portion, would be spent on what you're talking about, because you would regulate
- Right now you regulate where the money goes, right?
Keywords:
severance tax, parish revenue, constitutional amendment, natural resources, local government funding, HB 474, Act 400, Louisiana income tax, tax refund checkoff, refund donation, alumni association, Grambling University National Alumni Association, Louisiana Tech University Alumni Association, Department of Revenue, Title 47, voluntary contribution, tax return designation, state tax refund, nonprofit donation, higher education
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, we're providing free water at entertainment events in this bill.
- will be bottled water at $10 a bottle.
- for water will be bottled<00:35:43.040><c> water</c><00:35:43.280><c> at</c><00:35:43.599><c> $10</c
- We worked bottled water at $10 a bottle.
- </c> the basic public health need of water. the basic public health need of water.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> limits um in our regulated entities. limits um in our regulated entities.
- </c><00:58:18.480><c> and</c> can spend money is regulated and can spend money is regulated and disclosed
- </c><00:59:22.640><c> it's</c> done through a regulated system. it's done through a regulated system.
- </c><01:05:07.760><c> and</c> expenditures that are regulated and expenditures that are regulated and
- </c><01:20:26.080><c> that</c> politician to not regulate that politician to not regulate that pesticide
Keywords:
homeowner's insurance, peace officer, property damage, just compensation, exclusion policy, corporate powers, entity law, business corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC, limited liability company, cooperative, partnership, trust, foreign entity, campaign finance, election spending, political spending, ballot measure, ballot initiative
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session May 14th, 2026
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- What Water Resources Board is going to do.
- Water safety violation would be more of a... Thank you. Thank you for the question.
- Water safety violation would be more of a citation or a ticket for not licensed or registered.
- Water safety violation would be more of a Thank you. Thank you for the question.
- Water safety violation would be more of a citation or a ticket for not licensed or registered.
Bills:
HJR1088, HJR1090, HJR1091, HB1370, SB2154, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1095, HJR1099, HJR1100, HB3021, SB893, SB206, SB248, SB259, SB423, SB563, SB604, SB633, HJR1077, SB667, SB1224, SB1257, SB1264, SB1319, SB1360, SB1437, SB1531, SB1543, SB1806, HB3004, SB1572, HB4342, SB1618, SB2, SB237, SB1632, SB1687, SB1726, SB1859, SB1894, SB1461, HB4432, SB1948, SB1589, SJR52, SR46, HCR1030, SB2071, SB2182, SB1451
Keywords:
education rules, administrative rules, joint resolution, Oklahoma State Department of Education, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, Teachers' Retirement System, charter schools, Statewide Charter School Board, career and technology education, CTE, OEQA, rule approval, legislative oversight, permanent rules, school governance, teacher retirement, education agencies, Oklahoma Register, Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum, prayer, pledges, and recognition of two student pages before taking up a long agenda of House joint resolutions and bills, mostly related to administrative rules and agency approvals. The chamber advanced and passed H.J.R. 1088, 1090, 1091, 1092, 1093, 1095, 1099, and 1100, which approved permanent rules for education, energy and agriculture, business and commerce, building code, health-related agencies, general government agencies, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and OMES. Several senators criticized the process for moving rule resolutions quickly and without committee vetting, while supporters said the calendar delays required direct consideration. The Senate also adopted conference committee reports and passed SB 206, SB 248, and HB 3021, with HB 3021 making small changes to graduation requirements, including science/math course language, Oklahoma history flexibility for some military families, and personal financial literacy counting toward math in some cases.
A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 1370, which was described by its author as repealing an automatic state trigger that would replace any federal gasoline tax if the federal government suspended it. Supporters argued the bill would prevent Oklahoma drivers from paying more if the federal gas tax were repealed and framed it as tax relief; opponents argued it could reduce highway and bridge funding and create a budget hole. The Senate suspended several rules to bring the bill up, but rejected a motion to suspend the fiscal-impact rule for a proposed amendment. After debate, the chamber passed the measure 41-7 and then approved it as an emergency measure.
The Senate also took up Senate Bill 893, a conference report dealing with foreign ownership near critical infrastructure and agricultural land. The bill would restrict certain foreign adversary ownership or leasing within 10 miles of critical infrastructure, add training zones and other protected areas, delay implementation until July 1, 2027, and create an enforcement process involving Attorney General review and whistleblower-style reporting. Senators raised concerns about enforcement, possible misuse, and profiling, while the author said the bill was aimed at national security and infrastructure protection. The conference report was adopted and the bill passed. Later, the Senate received notice that the House was ready to convene in joint session, and the chamber briefly stood at ease before returning to continue its work.
MO
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Children and Families Feb 17th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Children and Families
Transcript Highlights:
- I apologize, or if I have to have a drink of water.
- They are often drawn to water. And when they go missing, every second matters.
- He may be drawn to water. Check your property. Check your ponds.’
- Water is watched. Off. Doors are checked. Water is watched. Silence is listened for.
- Traffic, water, exposure—time matters differently.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/09/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- And some of it's ocean, you know, some of it's water or different temperature of water for sharks and
- Waters can cover the second one.
- Waters can cover the first one and Mr.
- Waters. Mr. Chair, Senator Green.
- </c> the facilities and all the regulations the facilities and all the regulations that<01:03:43.680>
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, February 10, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to do things like protect drinking water there in the City of Williamsburg, supporting working
- Ukrainians are murderously deprived of electricity, heat, and water, with the temperatures below zero
- Ukrainians are murderously deprived of electricity, heat, and water, with the temperatures below zero
- Regulatory costs are finally being rolled back after years of Democrats using regulations as a weapon
- REGULATORY COSTS ARE FINALLY BEING ROLLED BACK AFTER YEARS OF DEMOCRATS USING REGULATIONS AS A WEAPON
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (03/03/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- on the completion of improvements and the regulations of building permits.
- </c><01:01:43.520><c> made</c> changes in the codes or regulations made changes in the codes or regulations
- </c><01:02:37.119><c> and</c> newly adopted codes and regulations and newly adopted codes and regulations
- </c> capital tied up in a major um uh water capital tied up in a major um uh water sewer<02:14:11.719
- Correct me if I’m wrong, but zoning only regulates private real property.
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.