Transcript Highlights:

• So part of that stems from, in the 1980s, there was a fundamental shift in how jobs were viewed.
• As I deal with our educational institutions and as I deal with who I deal with in supply chain, one of
• We have two generating plants, and I think Pam may be a little more educated than I am on the size of
• We have two generating plants, and I think Pam may be a little more educated than I am on the size of
• When I, as a nuclear engineer, go out there and say, well, I'm going to educate people, sometimes the

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rehabilitate and reach their potential, potential that was lost to a childhood of poverty, poor education
• looting and shooting, I did what I could to advance myself with what I had, which was the public education
• Could you tell me a little more about, I guess, what those facilities had in terms of educational opportunities
• it goes back to the family sometimes and, you know, not being very involved and, you know, it all stems

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rehabilitate and reach their potential, potential that was lost to a childhood of poverty, poor education
• which was, and shooting, I did what I could to advance myself with what I had, which was the public education
• because I didn't, I guess I didn't maybe pay attention to what those facilities had in terms of educational
• And, you know, it all stems back.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 306, which would prohibit facility fees on certain routine health care services, including preventive care, vaccinations, and telehealth, while preserving fees in inpatient, emergency, and some rural hospital settings. The sponsor and Health Care Authority said the bill is meant to reduce surprise billing, improve transparency, and lower costs for patients and premiums. The Hospital Association opposed the measure as a potential threat to hospital operations, while insurers, consumer advocates, and a private citizen supported it. Members asked about rural exemptions, which hospitals would be affected, uninsured patients, and whether premiums might fall. The committee approved HB 306 on a 5-0 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 166, which would create statewide standards for battery-charged electric fences with alarm systems for commercial properties. Supporters said the bill would reduce permitting delays, provide uniform rules, and help businesses deter property crime. There was little opposition, and members focused mainly on signage requirements and the bill’s limited application to commercial, not residential, fencing. HB 166 was passed on a 4-0 vote. Next, the committee took up a proposed tax credit for gun safes tied to safe storage of firearms. Supporters argued it would encourage compliance with safe-storage laws and help people afford secure storage, but members raised concerns about the size of the credit, possible administrative complications, and whether it should be handled in tax committee instead. The sponsor agreed to roll the bill and work with stakeholders rather than move it forward immediately. The committee also heard Senate Bill 100, a committee substitute clarifying the definition of “dwelling” for burglary and aggravated burglary after a Supreme Court case involving a portal/porch area. Supporters, including law enforcement, business, and property-rights groups, said the bill would provide clarity and better reflect privacy expectations around enclosed spaces. The Public Defender and Criminal Defense Lawyers Association opposed it, arguing the law already distinguishes between trespass, attempted burglary, and burglary, and that the case was correctly handled under existing law. The committee passed SB 100 on a 6-0 vote. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 196 and House Bill 197, both governor’s bills increasing penalties for firearm-related offenses. HB 196 would raise the penalty for receiving a stolen firearm from a fourth-degree to a third-degree felony, and HB 197 would do the same for larceny of a firearm. Opponents argued higher penalties would not deter crime and could increase incarceration, while supporters from state police and the Chamber of Commerce said the bills target stolen guns that fuel violent crime. HB 196 was tabled on a 3-2 vote after debate over deterrence and the narrow scope of the offense. HB 197 was then heard separately, with no opposition testimony, and members discussed how the higher penalty would work in practice; the transcript ends before a final vote on HB 197 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• His parents raised Cash in the Hindu faith, building him the values of hard work and education.
• I suspect some of Cash's disdain for prosecutorial misconduct stemmed from this experience.
• Simply to raise funds to assist families of nonviolent offenders whose kids needed college education
• That's what makes this so critically important and educational.

Transcript Highlights:

• we were only 30 percent design, and most people wanted to see more design so they could make an educated
• decision</c><04:55:08.440><c> about</c><04:55:08.600><c> a</c><04:55:08.760><c> bid</c> make a a educated
• decision about a bid make a a educated decision about a bid so<04:55:09.480><c> we</c><04:55:09.680>
• About half of the capital spend that the university system incurs comes from what we call education and
• </c> the mission of EOS is to educate the mission of EOS is to educate outstanding<05:25:11.840><c> students

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a Department of Corrections capital budget presentation on HB 25, focused largely on urgent maintenance and security needs at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men and other DOC facilities. DOC officials described the governor’s proposed priorities: boiler surge and radiator tank replacements, electronic controls and camera upgrades, and replacement of HVAC units using R22 refrigerant. They also outlined additional requested projects totaling $15.4 million, including a body alarm/man-down system at Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility, steam line and trap repairs, fire alarm replacements, and removal of an underground diesel tank in favor of above-ground storage. DOC testified that many systems are well beyond their expected service life, including 40-year-old boilers, outdated analog cameras, and HVAC equipment using discontinued R22 refrigerant. They said the men’s prison is relying on a leased temporary boiler, has significant steam leaks causing major water loss and reduced boiler efficiency, and is dealing with frequent fire alarm faults and deteriorating wiring. On the body alarm system, they said the vendor no longer supports the equipment and replacement parts are no longer available. On the diesel tank, members questioned whether it could be abandoned in place or whether fuel could be reused; DOC said it had not explored all alternatives and would follow up, while noting the tank is underground and tied into the warehouse system. Members also asked whether some current investments could be reused in the planned new men’s prison. DOC said some items, such as air handlers, might potentially be moved, but most projects are needed to keep the current facility operational and would not be practical to transfer. Questions were also raised about the leased boiler arrangement, the use of the man-down system by staff and visitors, and whether the kitchen project could be converted to a modular unit. DOC said the modular kitchen approach is necessary because the existing kitchen cannot remain fully operational during repairs. The committee then moved to lapse extensions, and DOC identified several projects no longer needing extensions, including items numbered 64, 65, and 66 in HB 25, with the chair noting those balances would be deleted and that the lapse amount was $550,500.

Transcript Highlights:

• questions from school boards or superintendents primarily in the past about out-of-state driver education
• questions from school boards or superintendents primarily in the past about out-of-state driver education
• 00:54:22.319><c> if</c><00:54:22.559><c> that</c><00:54:22.880><c> driver's</c><00:54:23.440><c> education
• </c> the years if that driver's education the years if that driver's education company<00:54:24.839><
• communities have providing information when they feel that something is a larger, burdensome request stems

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee opened its hearing with a procedural discussion about a forthcoming Monday hearing, and the chair confirmed that any amendment deemed non-germane would be made public in advance and included in the calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 6, which would replace the word “citizen” in the Right-to-Know law with “any person,” allow requesters to specify the format of records, and expressly reference preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority of a public body as disclosable material. The sponsor said the bill was intended to clarify existing law, remove uncertainty after a Rochester-related dispute over requester eligibility, and make records easier to obtain electronically unless doing so would be impossible, unusual, unduly burdensome, or harmful to recordkeeping integrity. Testimony was mixed. Cordell Johnston, speaking for himself as a municipal attorney, opposed most of the bill, especially the requirement that records be delivered electronically or by mail, arguing that out-of-state or out-of-country requests can be fishing expeditions that impose significant burdens on towns and clerks. He said local residents already can obtain records at town hall and that many municipalities voluntarily email records as a courtesy, but should not be required to mail large volumes of material. He also said the preliminary-draft language was unnecessary because such drafts are already covered when circulated to a quorum or majority. Representative Alexander raised concerns about the breadth of “any person,” potential abuse by bad actors, and the cost to municipalities, while Representative Peternell asked about whether the bill should account for nonresident property owners and business owners. The sponsor responded that limiting requesters by residency would not meaningfully stop abuse and said he did not know the bill’s fiscal impact, though he suggested it might improve efficiency. Yil Biset of the ACLU of New Hampshire testified in support of HB 6, calling it a modest and reasonable transparency measure. He said the preliminary-draft language was acceptable and consistent with existing exemption language in the public-meeting and documents statutes, and he said he was not aware of foreign-bot document requests occurring in New Hampshire. He also noted that current law already requires electronic disclosure when records exist electronically and can reasonably be provided that way. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We work diligently with school districts, with our educators, and those in the educational landscape
• We have heard about the broad interest in this work from educators, leaders, and Work from educators,
• We can build an education system that serves all ...an education system that serves all kids, not just
• Department of Education The U.S.
• of Education can.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• programs increase recidivism risk. ...that post-adjudication programs increase recidivism risk, disrupt education
• Underground; Urban Peace Movement; Youth Forward; Youngsters for Change; Youth Alliance; Youth Justice Education
• that's the judiciary's maybe lack of the intent knowing of the bill, or do we think it's like an educational
• I'm an educator and, as introduced, I'm a member of San Francisco Bay Area Families for Safe Streets.
• efforts through social media and networking have highlighted the need for a public awareness and education

Summary: The committee heard a large public safety agenda and began by announcing several bills off calendar and limiting testimony to two witnesses per side. The first major item was AB 2698, which would authorize local governments to create youth court diversion programs for first-time juvenile offenders. The author and supporters, including Bakersfield Police Department representatives and a student participant, described the program as restorative, record-clearing, and successful in Bakersfield. Opponents argued it was not true diversion because it occurs after adjudication, could widen system involvement, and should instead be replaced by pre-arrest community-based diversion. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Appropriations, but remained on call with some members not voting. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of ten bills without opposition. The committee then heard AB 1959, which would create a narrow exception allowing resentencing in adult court for certain violent juvenile offenders in a case arising from the Santana High School shooting. The author, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, and a survivor/city councilmember argued the bill would close a loophole that could lead to resentencing and early release despite parole denials. Several organizations registered opposition or opposed unless amended, but many noted they were reviewing the amended version. The bill was moved due pass as amended to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1628, extending California’s safe surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days, drew broad support from the author, firefighters, medical and child welfare groups, and no opposition; it was moved due pass to Human Services and remained on call. The committee also approved AB 1974, which authorizes law enforcement agencies to create voluntary temporary firearm storage programs. The author and supporters from San Francisco law enforcement, Giffords, and gun safety groups said the bill would expand safe storage options during crises and in custody disputes; there was no opposition, and it passed due pass as amended. AB 2297, requiring restitution in diversion cases, drew support from the author, district attorneys, and victims’ advocates, while opponents argued it was duplicative, could burden low-income participants, and might undermine diversion success. After discussion about restitution law and ability to pay, the bill passed due pass. Finally, AB 2438, which would require people sentenced to more than six years to serve in state prison rather than county jail, drew support from the author and Riverside County Sheriff Bianco, who said realignment had overcrowded county jails and strained resources. Opponents warned it could worsen state prison overcrowding and conflict with realignment’s purpose. The chair recommended no, and the bill was moved due pass and re-refer to Appropriations, remaining on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• They said our allocations are to the main stem of the river; the tributaries do not count.
• We realize we have to cast a wider net and do an education program.
• We are going to go back... ...back and educate the citizenry. It's in our interest.
• I'm in an education hearing right now too, so...
• You're going longer than education. So, anyway, I'm here asking you for support for HB 2042.

Summary: The committee began by announcing that House Bill 2094 would be held and not heard that day, then received a lengthy update from Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzky on Colorado River negotiations and post-2026 operating rules. He described Arizona’s legal position, the basin’s water allocations, current shortages, conservation efforts, and the state’s view that the Upper Basin should share more of the reductions and move more water from reservoirs above Lake Powell to Lake Mead. Members asked about tourism, recreation, tribal water rights, public outreach, and the role of the state’s delegation and the federal government. Buschatzky said Arizona has already made major conservation cuts and that further reductions are likely, whether by agreement or federal action, and emphasized ongoing negotiations and public meetings. The committee then heard House Bill 2758, which would expand McMullen Valley groundwater transfer rules to allow eligible entities, including private water companies, to withdraw and transport groundwater under specified conditions, with ADWR oversight and reporting requirements. Supporters argued the bill would provide a lawful, regulated way to move water for urban growth and housing needs, while opponents from La Paz County and rural advocacy groups said it would accelerate aquifer depletion, harm private wells, and benefit a New York hedge fund at the expense of local residents. After debate over guardrails, stakeholder outreach, and the impact on rural communities, the committee adopted the Griffin amendment and passed HB 2758 as amended on a 6-4 due-pass vote. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 2098, which revises bonding authority and public hearing notification requirements for county water augmentation authorities and allows such authorities to enter into local repayment agreements with WIFA. Pinal County officials and related stakeholders testified in support, saying the changes would help the Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority finance future water and infrastructure projects, including possible augmentation efforts tied to Bartlett Dam, and would clean up statutory language to match the authority’s needs. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 2098, before any committee vote on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over a third of recent cost increases stem from inflation alone.
• Just by way of just, you know, education, the fees under the transport refrigeration unit are $15. a
• programming of the actual Native, the Indian Heritage Center has the voices and the culture and education
• dairy industry has really been important to streamlining testing, communications, outreach, and education
• which would cause a variety of harmful and potentially fatal working conditions for hundreds of education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the only water on the main stem, the only lake on the main stem, so it collects all this water we're
• Continuing education have you received on how to be a groundwater conservation district?
• Association, as a forester and wood scientist by education. and trade.
• know, talk about our property, our investments abroad, gifts to our, to our institutions of higher education
• But, again, they areoning goal that we want to meet in order to provide the education that we need.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• energy use is central to our work at Rewiring America because about 42% of energy-related emissions stem
• Because about 42% of energy-related emissions stem from decisions we often make around our kitchen table
• We work in Minnesota to educate folks and bring them together through solar buying groups to leverage
• 52.960><c> and</c><00:33:53.240><c> and</c><00:33:53.360><c> bring</c><00:33:53.519><c> them</c> to educate
• folks and and bring them to educate folks and and bring them together<00:33:54.200><c> through</c><00

Bills: HF845

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

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> success through agricultural education. success through agricultural education.
• ,</c> circle model of agricultural education, circle model of agricultural education, which<00:02:35.040
• </c> FFA provide a comprehensive educational FFA provide a comprehensive educational experience<00:02
• </c><00:04:53.199><c> course</c> take an agricultural education course take an agricultural education
• And that all comes back to our agricultural educators.

Bills: HF3580, HF3566

Keywords: agriculture, livestock, depredation, crop damage, wolf compensation, elk damage, state funding, agricultural protection, trespass, criminal penalties, farm equipment, agricultural land, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They stem from societal neglect.
• c> these problems run deeper than money these problems run deeper than money they<01:29:06.480><c> stem
• c> societal</c><01:29:07.639><c> neglect</c><01:29:08.600><c> I</c><01:29:08.719><c> want</c> they stem
• from societal neglect I want they stem from societal neglect I want to<01:29:09.080><c> sincerely</c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: Division 3 Finance held a work session to move through five bills before noon, noting one member’s early departure and adjusting the order of bills accordingly. The first item, HB 54, would allow some alternative treatment centers in the medical cannabis system to operate for profit. Members discussed a fiscal note showing a one-time $133,000 cost, which was described as a Division 1 budget item to be handled through HB 2 rather than directly in Division 3. After discussion about keeping Division 1 informed and the distinction between retaining a bill versus funding it, the committee voted unanimously to retain HB 54 for further finance work and conversion into HB 2. The committee then took up HB 547, concerning reimbursement to counties for enhanced FMAP funds during the COVID period. The chair summarized the issue as federal enhanced Medicaid matching funds that were received by the state before authority existed to pass them through to counties, creating a disputed amount owed to counties. County representatives said the money should have gone to counties and clarified the relevant time period, while the department did not take a position. The chair proposed retaining the bill and moving it into HB 2, with discussion of a possible four-year repayment structure in equal annual installments. The committee agreed to retain the bill for continued work in the budget process. During the HB 547 discussion, members also clarified the fiscal and accounting details, including that the fiscal note had not been widely available and that some figures in the note should be treated as county revenue rather than county expenditure. Testimony explained that the enhanced FMAP increased from 50 percent to 56.2 percent, and that the state’s and counties’ shares of claims were affected by the timing of the federal change and the later state authorization. The committee emphasized that the issue was complex and budget-dependent, and that retaining the bill would allow further negotiation and incorporation into HB 2 rather than immediate final action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Educating those providers so that they understand what the current science says. and what the current
• As far as educating in your next step, you say educate healthcare providers With PFAS.
• So how is it going As far as educating them and the communities. Mr.
• So Real quick, just so we're clear, so we can do a different kind of education here.
• I think educating people is important, especially about the really extreme toxicity of PFAS.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hadn't been educated on this in the school system; I had no clue what it meant.
• Hello Chairs and Members, Priscila Ramos with Education and Leadership Foundation.
• We advocate for their needs in immigration, education, and workers' rights.
• One of our partnerships is with Riverside County Office of Education.
• to $330 billion for our education system and school meals.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> education across the Commonwealth. education across the Commonwealth.
• </c> Area Health Education Centers. Area Health Education Centers.
• </c> That takes us to postsecondary education That takes us to postsecondary education on<01:03:01.920
• :30.840><c> dues,</c> Southern Regional Education Board dues, Southern Regional Education Board dues,
• </c> uh we move to Kentucky Educational uh we move to Kentucky Educational Excellence<01:04:20.640><c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Free Conference Committee on the 2026 General Assembly budget met to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 500. Leaders opened by thanking the other chamber’s work, asking members to turn microphones on and off to avoid feedback, and stressing the need to clearly note decision points so both chambers record the same actions. Staff then walked through the bill page by page, explaining that the committee was comparing only House and Senate differences, not the governor’s proposed budget. The discussion covered a wide range of appropriations and language items, including next generation non-911 services, school safety reporting tools, restored funding for brain injury, epilepsy, veteran service, homeless veterans, and rocket docket programs, debt service changes, rural infrastructure, disaster aid caps, Attorney General and Medicaid fraud funding, agriculture and county fair grants, auditor and pension-related appropriations, school facilities and SEEK funding, and numerous education programs. Members also discussed charter-related funding such as Star Academy, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, school resource officers, school-based mental health providers, AP/IB exams, Governor’s Scholars and Entrepreneurs, and several pilot or initiative programs in economic development, energy, and labor. Several items were described as technical corrections or restorations of language and funding, while others reflected differences in amounts or how funds would be distributed. There were several questions and comments from members about wording such as “implement and carry out,” the absence of the governor’s budget from the comparison document, and whether SEEK funding should be tied to teacher raises. The chair and other members emphasized that the committee’s role was to reconcile the two chambers’ budgets, not to adopt the governor’s proposal. Members also raised concerns about opioid settlement funds and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library match rate, with one senator urging restoration of the House language. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the meeting primarily consisted of explanation, questions, and discussion of proposed budget differences.

Transcript Highlights:

• Throughout his tenure, Senator Sokola has been widely recognized as a leading advocate for education
• The things that you have talked about and have done in education will definitely be your legacy.
• Also, you know that we're not 100% aligned on all education issues.
• You've let me be the education chair I needed to be based on my life experience.
• Lisa Henry, Department of Education. Senator Pettyjohn. Thank you, Madam President.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our interest in Hampshire housing um our interest in this<00:59:36.160><c> bill</c><00:59:36.440><c> stems
• from</c><00:59:37.000><c> our</c><00:59:37.200><c> role</c><00:59:37.599><c> overseeing</c> this bill stems
• from our role overseeing this bill stems from our role overseeing the<00:59:38.720><c> more</c><00:59

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our goal is to ensure that mandated reporters have consistent and adequate education and training that
• We are here to educate and uplift the data that we have been able to bring to bear.
• We also have data on, you know, how many foster youth, you know, at post-secondary education.
• That's maybe going to come from education, right?
• We accomplish this mission through advocacy, education, and collaboration.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, child support, and related prevention efforts. The chair opened by emphasizing mandated reporting reform, foster care system improvements, and community-based prevention, and noted that no votes would be taken. Public testimony focused first on mandated reporting, where a lived-experience advocate and several organizations argued that the current system overreports families, especially Black, Native, and Latino families, causes trauma, and should be reformed through standardized training, clearer thresholds, and stronger community supports rather than more hotline referrals. Casey Family Programs cited data showing nearly 90% of reports are unsubstantiated, while CDSS said it is already forming a Mandated Reporting Advisory Committee, updating training, and exploring community pathways and possible changes to the list of mandated reporters. CWDA and SEIU supported training and alternative response concepts but stressed child safety, county capacity, funding, and the need for careful implementation and accountability. The committee then discussed a proposal to create a foster care multi-agency office within the California Health and Human Services Agency, led by a chief foster youth advocate with authority to coordinate across departments. Advocates said foster youth often need services from education, health, housing, and behavioral health systems that do not coordinate well, and argued that a central office with real authority could improve placement stability and access to services. CDSS responded that existing structures already provide coordination, including AB 2083 interagency teams, the Child Welfare Council, complex care steering committees, and the foster care ombudsperson, but said it was open to technical assistance. Members raised concerns about whether the new office would have enough authority and funding to avoid becoming another layer of bureaucracy, and the chair emphasized the need for real “teeth” and better interagency action. The final major topic was the continuation and expansion of Promise Neighborhoods. A community leader described strong early results from the state-funded neighborhoods, including improved kindergarten readiness, reduced chronic absenteeism, higher graduation rates, food access, housing supports, and mental health services, but warned that current funding sunsets in June 2025 and that a fiscal cliff could jeopardize staff and services. CDSS said the four funded neighborhoods have reported positive outcomes and valuable flexibility, but also noted challenges with one-time funding, student mental health, and long-term planning. Assemblymember Mia Bonta urged continued investment, saying the place-based model is difficult to rebuild once lost, and the chair asked LAO to help identify the minimum funding needed to preserve the existing infrastructure while evaluation results are still pending.