Video & Transcript Research : 'House Resolution 37'
Page 233 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Regulating AI in psychotherapy 3/24/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, House File 3893 is the next bill on our agenda.
- Chair Scott, would you like to move House File 3893 before committee and recommend that it be re-referred
- <00:02:03.600>
House <00:02:03.960>File <00:02:04.440>3893 Thank you, Mr. - House File 3893 Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- House File 3893 would<00:02:06.280>
regulate <00:02:06.840>artificial <00:02:07.400>
Summary:
House File 3893, which would regulate the use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy and counseling, was heard with an A3 amendment adopted by voice vote at the start of the meeting. The amendment was described as the product of stakeholder discussions and was intended to clarify the roles of licensing boards, the attorney general, and other stakeholders, including language about large corporations versus individual practitioners.
The bill author argued that AI chatbots should not be allowed to provide psychotherapy or counseling, citing concerns about suicide risk, the need for licensed human professionals, and examples of harmful chatbot interactions. Supportive testimony came from Eric Meshy of SAVE, who said AI cannot assess risk or intervene in crises, and from Dr. Steven Gerardo of the Minnesota Psychological Association, who said AI is designed to keep users engaged and monetize conversations rather than provide treatment. A virtual testifier from TechNet supported the bill’s overall goal but urged clearer definitions so the measure would not unintentionally restrict supervised, administrative, or wellness uses of technology, and asked for clearer limits around emotional distress and AI’s role in treatment decisions.
Members raised several concerns and questions, including why religious counseling was exempted, whether the bill could conflict with interstate licensure compacts, privacy issues around AI used for scheduling or administrative support, and whether chatbot screening language would itself require analyzing sensitive mental health disclosures. The author said the bill was still being refined and that the attorney general language was intended to apply to AI companies, while boards would handle individual licensed professionals. After discussion, the committee renewed the motion to re-refer House File 3893 as amended to the Committee on Commerce, Finance, and Policy, and the motion prevailed by voice vote.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Item next, House File 331. Representative Enen. I will move House File 331.
- Wanted to share House with you today.
- And this bill would weaken and housing.
- If you'd like to wrap up House File 331 as amended. Thank you, Mr.
- up House File uh 331 as amended. up House File uh 331 as amended.
Summary:
The committee took up House File 331, as amended by the A1 amendment, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. The bill would permanently exempt school supplies from the sales tax, which the author described as a pro-family, pro-affordability, and pro-education measure intended to put money back into families’ pockets and avoid the burden of a temporary sales tax holiday.
A representative from We Make Minnesota testified in opposition, arguing the exemption would provide only modest savings to most families while reducing revenue for public services. He said Minnesota already offers more targeted relief through the K-12 education subtraction/credit, noted that similar exemptions in other states are usually temporary, and estimated the bill would cost tens of millions of dollars annually while saving the average family only a small amount per child. He also said the bill was broad enough to cover many office supplies and could benefit higher-spending purchasers disproportionately.
Committee members debated the bill’s scope and cost. Supporters said the exemption would help families immediately and noted that many eligible families do not claim existing credits because they must save receipts and file for reimbursement. Opponents argued the same money could be better used for K-12 formula increases or expanded targeted credits, and one member said the bill would narrow the sales tax base and was not well targeted. The author said he was open to working on limits to make the bill more targeted, but emphasized that the goal was direct tax relief for families.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- house concurrent resolutions that four house concurrent resolutions that the<00:08:56.320>
House - concurrent resolutions that the House and Senate adopted pursuant to the consent calendar.
- The first is H.C.R. 198, which is a House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2025 Rice Memorial
- Next is HCR 199, which is a House Concurrent Resolution congratulating the Rice Memorial High School
- And finally, HCR 226 is a House Concurrent Resolution remembering with great sadness the historic and
Summary:
The House opened with a devotional and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through first readings and referrals of several bills. House Bill 950, the pay act for certain state employees, was read and referred to Appropriations, and House Bill 951, the government appropriations bill, was read and referred to Ways and Means. Senate bills referred included S. 138 on commercial property assessed clean energy projects, S. 181 on eliminating a pre-sentence investigation requirement for deferred sentences, S. 206 on licensure of early childhood educators, S. 219 on an energy navigator program report, S. 239 on the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Working Group, and S. 291 on travel disclosures for legislators and certain executive officers, each sent to the appropriate committee.
The chamber also read several House concurrent resolutions adopted on the consent calendar. These included resolutions congratulating Rice Memorial High School’s Division Two girls soccer team and Division One field hockey team, designating March 2026 as Athletic Trainers Month in Vermont, and remembering the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disasters in Japan. The Japan remembrance resolution included a message from the Japanese consul general expressing gratitude for Vermont’s solidarity and friendship after the disaster.
Later, members offered announcements recognizing guests in the gallery, including Rice Memorial athletes and coaches, representatives of the Vermont Association of Athletic Trainers, and students and teachers from Pondbrook and Sterling College. The House also heard a detailed floor speech in support of House Bill 861, which would establish a statewide Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator. The sponsor described accessibility barriers faced by disabled Vermonters, argued that ADA responsibilities are currently uneven across state government, and said a coordinator would improve coordination, compliance, and access across agencies. The House then announced the order of upcoming bills, starting with H. 861 and H. 931, but no final vote on H. 861 was taken in the portion provided.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm talking about people build a house,<01:37:17.440>
can <01:37:17.600>do <01:37:17.840 - >
proper <01:37:18.360>insulation, house, can do proper insulation, house, can do proper - <03:37:28.480>
Your <03:37:28.640>House Thank you, Madam Speaker. - Your House Appropriations<03:37:29.440>
Committee <03:37:29.800>reviewed <03:37:30.640>< - <03:37:52.680>
We House Environment on a vote of 8-3-0.
Summary:
The House first suspended the rules briefly to make announcements, including welcoming former representative Doug Gage to the gallery. It then returned to House Bill 211 on data brokers and personal information, where the Appropriations Committee explained a $50,000 appropriation to the Secretary of State for a consultant-led study on an accessible deletion mechanism for consumers to delete personal data held by data brokers, with interim and final reports due in 2027 and 2028. The committee reported a 9-0-2 vote in favor, and the House agreed to the Commerce and Economic Development Committee’s amendment and ordered third reading.
Floor debate on H. 211 focused heavily on the bill’s deletion and exemption framework. Supporters argued the bill is needed to give Vermonters meaningful control over their data and to prevent data brokers from commingling information for unrelated uses. Opponents warned the bill could conflict with existing federal frameworks such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley, and the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, and could make credit, banking, insurance, fraud prevention, and identity verification harder. In response, the sponsor said the bill uses use-case-based exemptions rather than broad entity-level exemptions, noted testimony from banks, insurers, a data broker, a former data broker employee, and the Attorney General, and said no constitutional concerns were raised. The House ultimately adopted the amendment and advanced the bill.
After H. 211, the House moved to House Bill 577, establishing the Vermont Prescription Drug Discount Card Program. Committee reports from Health Care, Ways and Means, and Appropriations were read into the record, and the Colchester member described the bill as a way to lower prescription drug costs by joining the multi-state Array Rx program. The bill would let any Vermont resident obtain a free discount card for FDA-approved prescription drugs, with claimed savings up to 80% on generics and 20% on brand-name drugs. The House then proceeded to second reading on H. 577.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (03/24/2026)
Public Works and Highways
Transcript Highlights:
- :00.400>
on <00:37:00.560>the <00:37:00.720>wrong <00:37:00.960>side <00:37 - What it<00:37:12.240>
does <00:37:12.480>is <00:37:12.720>acknowledge <00:37:13.280 - <00:37:31.680>
It's <00:37:31.920>very <00:37:32.160>dense, <00:37:33.359> - So everything<00:37:36.880>
below <00:37:37.200>that <00:37:37.440>is <00:37:37.680 - <00:37:38.960>
You <00:37:39.200>don't <00:37:39.359>see <00:37:39.520>very
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 497, a technical correction to last year’s capital budget. Shannon Reid of the Community College System of New Hampshire explained that the bill removes leftover state-agency boilerplate from a repurposed capital appropriation and replaces it with community college language, without changing any dollar amounts. She also described a requested amendment to rename a respiratory therapy renovation appropriation at Nashua Community College as an allied health instructional center, so the space can be used more flexibly for programs such as phlebotomy, radiologic technology, and LNA training. Terry Poff of the General Court then testified on the second part of the bill, which changes legislative space references to support the move of General Court offices from the second floor to the fourth floor of the annex as part of the legislative office building reconfiguration.
Members asked whether the community college changes affected funding, and Reid confirmed the amounts do not change and that the bill simply speeds up a correction that otherwise would have been handled later in the lapse process. Poff said the annex space change is part of a permanent transition, though the work cannot proceed until the General Court has legal control of the space. The committee then entered executive session, adopted Amendment 1031H on a 12-0 vote, and voted ought to pass as amended on SB 497 by a 12-0 vote, with several members absent. The bill was placed on the consent calendar.
The committee next opened a hearing on Senate Bill 529FN, which would give preference to lumber sourced in the United States on state-funded building projects. Representative Davis, introducing the bill for Senator Roachford, argued that New Hampshire timber is disadvantaged by grading rules that treat U.S. lumber differently from Canadian SPF lumber, even when the wood is from similar species and climates. He said the bill is intended to support New Hampshire’s timber industry and that architects and engineers would still be able to specify stronger materials when needed. Committee members questioned whether the bill should instead refer specifically to New Hampshire lumber, how it would be enforced, and what the cost impact would be. Davis and later witness Mike Olette said the issue is tied to industry grading standards rather than a government code, that the bill is meant to create a preference rather than a mandate, and that price differences are hard to pin down because lumber is a commodity. Olette, who lives near the border, testified that New Hampshire logs are often sent to Canada for milling and then return under a different grade, which he said puts New Hampshire loggers and mills at an economic disadvantage.
LA
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment Mar 24th, 2026
Natural Resources & Environment
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (03/24/2026)
Public Works and Highways
Transcript Highlights:
- What it<00:37:12.240>
does <00:37:12.480>is <00:37:12.720>acknowledge <00:37:13.280 - <00:37:23.599>
would <00:37:24.880>like <00:37:25.040>to <00:37:25.280>point - <00:37:31.680>
It's <00:37:31.920>very <00:37:32.160>dense, <00:37:33.359> - So everything<00:37:36.880>
below <00:37:37.200>that <00:37:37.440>is <00:37:37.680 - <00:37:38.960>
You <00:37:39.200>don't <00:37:39.359>see <00:37:39.520>very
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (03/24/2026)
Children and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- The<00:37:18.320>
state <00:37:18.640>then <00:37:19.040>commenced <00:37:19.599> - 00:37:25.359>
adult <00:37:26.240>in <00:37:26.480>which <00:37:26.560>he - >
adult <00:37:28.079>and <00:37:28.400>face <00:37:28.720>charges <00:37: - <00:37:41.040>
court <00:37:41.440>found <00:37:42.000>that <00:37:42.240> - <00:37:53.040>
There <00:37:53.280>is <00:37:53.440>no <00:37:53.680>time
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Workforce Development Fund subcommittee 3/23/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Niska moves that the rules of the House be so far suspended so that House File 3843 be
- I wouldn't want this set on the House. House. House.
- of rules for House File 3843. of rules for House File 3843.
- Please keep your House File 3843.
- was House File 4039 in the last session. was House File 4039 in the last session.
Summary:
The House debated a motion to suspend the rules so House File 3843 could be recalled from committee and given second and third readings for final passage. The bill, carried by Representative Baker and supported by Representative Niska, would create a subcommittee of the governor’s workforce development board to vet nonprofit and other applicants for workforce development dollars, with the legislature retaining final authority. Supporters argued the proposal would add an extra layer of scrutiny, reduce fraud risk, and help prevent problems like those highlighted in recent reporting and past nonprofit funding scandals.
Supporters repeatedly tied the bill to concerns about fraud in state grantmaking, citing the Feeding Our Future scandal and other nonprofit cases as examples of why more oversight is needed. Representative Baker said the committee process can be overwhelmed by many direct-appropriation requests at the end of session, and that a board-based vetting process would help identify red flags. Representative Enen and Representative Schultz also backed the motion, saying the bill would improve accountability and protect taxpayer dollars.
Representative Pinto opposed the urgency motion, saying he supports moving toward more competitive grants but not adding another layer of bureaucracy without a fiscal note or fuller committee process. He argued the bill would not do what supporters claimed and that the legislature already makes funding decisions. After debate, the House took a roll call vote on the motion to suspend the rules. The motion failed by one vote, 67 yeas to 66 nays.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Chicken bill gets committee OK 3/23/26
Transcript Highlights:
- House File 4295, also known as the Chicken Shift Bill. That's the shift bill. Chicken shift.
- The author renewed the motion for House File 4295, the chicken shift bill, to be re-referred to the Environment
- And I renew my motion for<00:08:32.240>
House <00:08:32.719>File <00:08:33.440>40. - for House File 40. What number is it? for House File 40. What number is it?
Summary:
The committee heard House File 4295, described by the author as the “Chicken Shift Bill,” which would address an unintended consequence of state feedlot regulations affecting backyard chicken coops. The bill would allow counties to adopt ordinances exempting small chicken coops, up to 24 chickens, from feedlot designation, while leaving counties free to set a lower limit or decline to act. The author and Wright County Administrator Greg Kryser testified in support, saying the measure would give local governments flexibility and resolve confusion for county feedlot officers. Kryser also explained the issue using animal-unit calculations to show how chickens in a coop could be treated differently from chickens at pasture.
Representative Coulter raised a question about how a county ordinance would interact with a city ordinance on backyard chickens, and the chair said he did not know the answer but would look into it. Representative Grieman expressed support and noted the bill’s relevance to backyard chicken owners. The chair said the bill would be referred to the Environment Committee and suggested the jurisdictional question be clarified before further hearing.
The author closed by reiterating the purpose of the bill and the phrase “the chickens come home to roost.” The committee then voted unanimously in favor of re-referring House File 4295 to the Environment Committee, and the motion passed.
LA
LA
NH
Transcript Highlights:
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and <00:37:33.920>if <00:37:34.400>if <00:37:34.600>that
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Thu Mar 19, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Um<00:37:33.240>
so, <00:37:34.200>uh <00:37:34.280>that's <00:37:34.520>where - <00:37:34.680>
all <00:37:34.840>the <00:37:35.720>uh <00:37:35.800>if <00:37:40.440>And <00:37:40.880>uh <00:37:40.960>we <00:37:41.040>did House Bill 1963 House Draft 2. House Bill 1963 House Draft 2.- House Bill 1963 House Draft 2.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several Senate bills. On SB 2530, relating to campaign contributions, the State Procurement Office suggested clarifying that contractor disclosure information be submitted within 30 days of a fully executed contract, while the Campaign Spending Commission supported the bill but asked that the restriction on contributions by officers be expanded beyond compensated officers. Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action supported the measure and urged keeping the Senate language, arguing it better addresses contractor influence, while no other testifiers appeared.
On SB 2970, relating to standards of conduct, the State Ethics Commission supported the bill and proposed amendments to consolidate the new language into existing Chapter 84 contract provisions and use “department head” instead of “director.” The State Procurement Office supported the measure but recommended closing a perceived loophole by limiting the covered contracts to those under $10,000. No opposition testimony was offered.
The committee then heard SB 2919, which would fund one full-time Deputy Public Defender position focused on immigration-related advice under Padilla v. Kentucky. The Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrants’ Rights, and the ACLU of Hawaii supported the bill, explaining that the position would help public defenders advise clients about immigration consequences of criminal cases, not provide immigration representation. Members asked several questions about the scope of the position and whether it could assist with citizenship; testimony clarified that it would not handle civil immigration matters. The bill was also described as creating a statewide consistent resource for the public defender system.
Finally, on SB 2446, relating to the judiciary, the Intermediate Court of Appeals supported adding a seventh associate judge position but noted the court has only recently been fully staffed at six judges and has improved output through internal changes. The chair emphasized that the bill authorizes the position without funding and encouraged the judiciary to return later if appropriations are needed. The committee also began hearing SB 2730, a criminal justice reform bill on warrantless arrests and citations. OHA supported reducing unnecessary arrests but objected to making citations visible on criminal records; the Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, citing law enforcement flexibility, identification concerns, and possible litigation costs; and the Judiciary requested a later implementation date and suggested changes to citation-resolution language. The transcript ends while testimony on SB 2730 was still underway.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Thu Mar 19, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- .<00:37:00.800>
Thank <00:37:00.960>you. - <00:37:01.200>
I'm <00:37:01.520>glad <00:37:01.760>to <00:37:01.920>answer - :37:03.280>
being <00:37:03.440>here. - We<00:37:28.400>
have <00:37:28.560>HSTA <00:37:29.200>offering <00:37:29.599 - <00:37:38.000>
Okay, <00:37:38.400>so <00:37:38.720>um <00:37:38.800>I'm<
Summary:
The committee on Education met on March 19 and moved through several bills under time pressure, hearing mostly brief testimony. SB 2024 SD2 and SB 896 SD2, both concerning public-private partnerships for charter school facilities, drew support from the Department of Education, the Charter School Commission, White Kids Can, and Hawaii Technology Academy. DOE said any P3 model should apply only to charter schools on private land and not affect public schools on DOE land. Supporters argued the approach could speed construction, reduce costs, and keep public money in public assets, while UPW and HGA raised concerns about privatization. In response, SFA said the intent was to mirror the existing conversion charter school model, with public ownership of assets and unionized staff, and noted some regions have waited years for schools.
SB 2613 SD1 on TMK transfers was heard next. DOE said the bill had originally been supported as part of the governor’s package but was amended to require DOE to convey lands for 13 libraries on DOE property, which DOE said would create “donut holes” in campuses and was unnecessary because existing agreements already govern library use. The State Public Library System supported the bill, saying it has long coexisted with DOE but needs clearer separation and more reliable control over its sites. The Attorney General’s office said the library system currently lacks express statutory authority to own real property and flagged implementation issues because some of the affected parcels are not currently owned by DOE. Committee members questioned both sides about current agreements, communication, and how the bill would change operations.
SB 494 SD2, concerning charter school audits, received comments from the Charter School Commission, which said the bill was redundant because charter schools already undergo annual audits during the term of their contracts. The Office of the Auditor was also present. SB 2391 SD2, relating to automatic pay increases for teachers, drew strong opposition from the Office of Collective Bargaining, which said step movement and longevity increases are negotiated in each contract and do not automatically carry over when a contract expires; it warned the bill could affect upcoming negotiations with HSTA. HSTA and several other supporters argued the bill would standardize annual step movement, improve retention, and reflect existing contract language. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
TRN Public Hearing - Thu Mar 19, 2026 @ 8:30 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- Anyone<00:37:20.720>
in <00:37:20.960>person <00:37:21.359>or <00:37:21.760>online - <00:37:28.560>
Members, <00:37:28.960>any <00:37:29.200>questions? - >> Seeing<00:37:31.520>
none, <00:37:31.680>I <00:37:31.760>need <00:37:31.839 - >
to <00:37:32.000>move <00:37:32.079>on <00:37:32.240>to <00:37:32.320>- :32.560>
agenda <00:37:32.880>item <00:37:33.119>before <00:37:33.359>us. - :32.560>
Summary:
The Committee on Transportation heard several measures and took action on each after testimony. SB 2697 SD1 would prohibit driving on roadway shoulders except in limited circumstances, authorize towing or impoundment of vehicles with expired registrations of three or more years, increase certain fines and penalties, and require annual reporting; the Department of Transportation supported it, and the committee later adopted amendments and recommended passage. SB 2399 SD2 would provide a general excise tax exemption for aircraft maintenance materials, parts, tools, and related facility construction; it drew support from industry groups and comments from the Department of Taxation and Tax Foundation of Hawaii, and was also passed with amendments. SB 2665 SD2 would require driver’s license renewal applicants with a recent traffic citation to complete a road-safety course and exam; DOT supported it, the Public Defender opposed it as not clearly linked to safer driving, and the committee amended the bill to raise the trigger from one citation to two citations within five years before recommending passage.
The committee also heard SB 2851 SD1, which would allow deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation visible to law enforcement; the Disability and Communication Access Board supported it, Peter Fritz testified in support while urging amendments on verification and threshold issues, and the committee adopted amendments and passed the measure. SB 3102 SD2 would clarify DOT’s role in port pilotage standards and appeals; DOT, DCCA, pilots, maritime interests, labor, and harbor users supported it, and it was passed with amendments. SB 2521 SD1 would exempt emergency medical services personnel from CDL requirements, require emergency-vehicle training, and update the definition of authorized emergency vehicle; DOT, DOH, Honolulu emergency services, and UPW supported it, and it too was passed with amendments.
Finally, SB 3157 would transfer unencumbered automated speed enforcement special fund balances above a set threshold to the general fund. DOT supported the concept, but members questioned whether excess funds would ever accumulate and whether the money should instead support safe routes to school; the committee increased the threshold from $12 million to $25 million, discussed but did not adopt a transfer to another special fund, and passed the bill with amendments. The chair noted the next hearing would be held the following Tuesday, likely at 8:30 or 9:00 a.m.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Please listen to the reading of the resolution. house resolution to read, HCR 160. house resolution to
- >
concurrent <00:19:06.360>resolution 168 is a house concurrent resolution 168 is a house - Next<01:37:08.480>
is <01:37:08.640>House <01:37:08.880>Bill <01:37:09.080>660 - Next is House Bill 660, which is an act Next is House Bill 660, which is an act relating<01:37:11.080
- Next<01:37:49.320>
is <01:37:49.480>House <01:37:49.719>Bill <01:37:49.880>739
Summary:
The House opened with a devotional reflection on Nowruz, the Persian New Year, emphasizing renewal, spring, and the challenges facing Iranian families amid conflict. The speaker connected the holiday’s themes of hope and responsibility to Vermont and democracy, then the chamber moved to routine business, including first readings and referrals of five House bills: H.945 on hemp products, H.946 on utility advertising and costs in rental agreements, H.947 on a residential universal design building code, H.948 on membership of the Retired Employees Committee on Insurance, and H.949 on homestead and non-homestead property tax yields and technical education finance changes. Three Senate bills were also read and referred: S.189 on hospital service reductions, S.203 on penalties for repeat DUI offenses, and S.313 on transforming Vermont’s career technical education system.
The House also recognized several guests and announcements, including family members of members, airport employees, a UVM student intern, and visitors from Brazil. A House concurrent resolution, HCR 168, was read and congratulated Girl Scout Troop 60336 of Milton on earning the Bronze Award for a community garden project that improved accessibility through rain barrels and raised beds. The resolution highlighted the troop’s leadership and the role of its co-leaders, and the chamber applauded the guests in attendance.
The main floor action centered on House Bill 642, relating to youthful offender proceedings, where Representative Booton of Barre City offered an amendment to stop the scheduled expansion of Raise the Age to 20-year-olds. Supporters argued the change would preserve current treatment of 18-year-olds while preventing an automatic expansion they said could strain the system and raise public safety concerns; opponents, including the Judiciary Committee, urged waiting for required Department for Children and Families reports due in 2026 before making changes. After debate, a roll call vote was taken on the amendment, with members calling the roll as the vote proceeded.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Fiscal Committee (03/20/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- :00.000>
to <00:37:00.160>fill <00:37:00.320>the <00:37:00.560>newly <00:37 - :01.920>
position <00:37:02.800>in <00:37:03.040>order <00:37:03.200>to <00 - mitigate its<00:37:03.920>
reliance <00:37:04.320>on <00:37:04.560>the <00:37:04.640 - Turning<00:37:09.839>
to <00:37:10.079>page <00:37:10.320>six, <00:37:11.119 - six, observation number two<00:37:12.800>
recommends <00:37:13.200>that <00:37:13.440><
Summary:
The Joint Fiscal Committee met on March 20, 2026, approved the minutes, and adopted the consent calendar after removing two items for separate discussion: FIS 26048 from the Department of Safety and FIS 26053 from the Department of Environmental Services. The committee then adopted both of those items after brief questioning. Safety explained that a $2 million transfer would reduce its lapse, though it still expected a lapse of just under $4 million. Members, especially Senator Gray, emphasized concern about lapses and the need to track them closely given prior-year shortfalls.
On the Environmental Services item, members discussed the Heavy Falls dam removal. The commissioner said the dam is old, not grounded in bedrock, and does not meet current safety standards, so removal was the practical option because replacement funding was unavailable. He said the aquatic resource mitigation fund and Army Corps of Engineers support made the removal feasible, and that the town had been involved in discussions for years. The committee adopted the item.
The committee also adopted a Department of Transportation item, with staff noting high snowfall and a roughly 25% vacancy rate but saying contractors and bonus incentives had allowed plowing operations to continue. A Judicial Council item was then adopted, with the director saying it would likely be his last appearance this fiscal year. The committee next reviewed information materials on YDC claims administration, where DOJ staff said current spending would leave about a $10 million buffer into the next fiscal year and described reduced staffing and ongoing claims work; no action was taken.
The committee then heard audit presentations for the Liquor Commission and Lottery Commission. The Liquor Commission audit reported seven findings, including a material weakness on reconciliations, issues with NextGen data/reporting, gift and promotional card controls, procurement and leasing practices, and one nonconcurrence on whether certain purchases were exempt from bidding requirements; members discussed whether attorney general review or legislation might be needed. The commission said it had completed a year-end reconciliation and was about 70% reconciled through February. The Lottery Commission audit reported three internal control comments, all concurred with by the lottery, focused on written procedures, filling the controller position, annual risk assessments, disaster recovery testing, user access controls, and training compliance; the lottery said it was hiring to reduce reliance on one employee and had no unresolved findings. The committee took no vote on the audit materials and adjourned after setting the next meeting for April 17 at 11:00 a.m.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
JLCAR Administrative Rules (03/20/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- I think the Senate outnumbers the House. Um, first order of business, review the minutes.
- Then they will bring a petition to the commission for resolution of any complaints and any issues.
- Then they will bring a petition to the commission for resolution of any complaints and any issues.
- <00:24:01.039>
of for mediation and resolution of for mediation and resolution of disputes - Then there is mediation and resolution.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes and adopted the consent calendar without objection. It then took up Department of Safety Rule 25161 on administrative license suspension forms. After discussion of a staff concern that the rule text should expressly require a defendant’s signature or refusal to sign, and the officer’s witness signature, the agency agreed to revised language. The committee voted to grant conditional approval with those edits.
The committee next considered Department of Agriculture rule 192, concerning importation of bovines and domestic animals. Staff identified several issues, including an overly broad federal citation, an unclear definition of infection, a possible conflict between provisions on telephone-issued permits and documents that must be carried, and missing struck-through repeal language. Because the department had not proposed written fixes, members moved to postpone the item until next month, and the motion passed. A second Agriculture item, 25207, was discussed as a long-expired set of rules that the agency said were still needed to run its programs; the committee granted conditional approval.
The Public Utilities Commission’s competitive natural gas supplier and aggregator rules prompted the most extensive debate. Staff argued the cited statutes did not clearly authorize the commission to impose fines on natural gas suppliers, while the agency responded that authority could be read from related Department of Energy transition language and general rulemaking provisions. Members discussed whether the issue reflected a statutory gap created when responsibilities were split between the Department of Energy and the commission. The committee ultimately voted to waive and postpone the item to next month so the attorneys could work out the authority question. The committee also postponed Department of Energy items 219 and 220 at the agency’s request, and it noted that the Liquor Commission’s emergency rule had been revised to reduce reporting from monthly to quarterly before being reissued, with the item also postponed.