Transcript Highlights:

• bill is premature, given the fact that we are still awaiting a Supreme Court decision in FDA versus Wages

Bills: SB210 , SB225 , HB280 , HB287 , HB94 , HB88 , SB157 , HB7 , HB8 , HB42

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• Your hate cannot win you a higher wage, affordable medical care, clean air, or lower energy bills, and
• YOUR HATE CAN WINNER A HIGHER WAGE AFFORDABLE MEDICAL CARE, CLEAN AIR OR LOWER ENERGY BILLS AND YOUR
• Over the last few years, we have seen a dramatic increase in children and teenagers using anti-aging
• By increasing transparency around the fund and the disbursement of its monies, this legislation promotes
• By expanding support across the continuum of care and increasing transparency in the administration of

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the journal, and then moved through a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate bills for third reading. The chamber also received and accepted a Finance Committee report on nominations for Kathleen Mosier as Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Terrence O’Leary as Commissioner of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and John Kagia as Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management. All three nominees were confirmed, with Mosier and O’Leary confirmed unanimously and Kagia confirmed 57-1, with Senator Walczyk voting no. The Senate adopted previously approved resolutions recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month and mourning the death of Susan Irene Wright of Harlem. Senators Brisport and Bottcher spoke at length in support of Pride Month, emphasizing LGBTQ+ history, resilience, and ongoing threats to the trans community. On the Susan Wright resolution, Senators Cleare, Bailey, and Bottcher praised her community leadership, philanthropy, and family legacy, and Assembly Member Jordan Wright was recognized in the chamber. The body then considered and passed many bills on the calendar, including measures on insurance, environmental conservation, public health, education, business law, labor, social services, highway law, and local tax exemptions. Several bills drew brief explanations of vote, including a measure to end higher insurance premiums for widows, a bill to prohibit correctional facilities from denying visitation because of menstrual products or IUDs, and a Medicaid-related bill to expand access to blood pressure monitors for pregnant people. Most bills passed with broad support, though some had notable opposition from a small group of senators. Late in the session, the Senate took up a proposed constitutional amendment on redistricting. Senator Stewart-Cousins sponsored the measure, and Senator Walczyk questioned it extensively, arguing voters had previously approved an independent redistricting process and objecting to changes that would remove the Legislature’s two-thirds map-approval requirement and alter the commission’s role. The sponsor said the changes were needed in response to aggressive partisan redistricting in other states and would still require voter ratification in future sessions. The transcript ends during that debate, with no final vote on the amendment shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• already in practice are told to ignore their convictions in making ethical decisions, has led to increasing
• moral injury is the term increasing moral injury is the term amongst amongst amongst professionals<00
• Are we impeding or increasing the risk of STI and STDs?
• the risk to the you in fact increasing the risk to the patient<00:44:47.880><c> of</c><00:44:48.040>
• </c><02:09:15.520><c> in</c> exposure is fueling massive increases in exposure is fueling massive increases

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 232, which would protect health care workers’ conscience rights in connection with certain procedures, especially abortion and sterilization, and also referenced contraception. The prime sponsor, Rep. Mark Pearson, said the bill is meant to prevent medical professionals from being forced to participate in procedures that violate their beliefs, while still prohibiting discrimination against patients based on protected characteristics. He said the measure was intended to help retain health care workers in New Hampshire and noted he had added an amendment to address concerns about people taking jobs only to later refuse duties, as well as emergency situations where a provider is the only one available. Committee members raised concerns about how broadly the bill and amendment were written. Questions focused on whether the protections could apply to non-physician staff such as schedulers, receptionists, or pharmacy employees; whether a provider could refuse to schedule, refer, or otherwise assist with services; and how “emergency” would be determined in practice. Several members also questioned whether the bill could affect access to contraception, including pharmacy sales and procedures such as tubal ligation, and whether the language was clear enough to prevent confusion or unintended refusals of care. Pearson said the bill was not intended to allow refusal of emergency care or general patient discrimination, and he acknowledged some language could be tweaked. Rep. Paige Boerman, a maternal-child health nurse, testified in opposition, saying she had seen pharmacists question prescriptions related to miscarriage care and that the bill could create barriers to contraception and other reproductive health services. She warned that the lack of a disclosure requirement and the broad definitions could create risks, especially in rural areas with limited providers. She also pointed to problems she said had occurred in other states, arguing the bill could lead to delayed care in emergencies. The hearing ended after questions and discussion; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• that really supports don't make a wage that really supports cost<01:05:29.079><c> of</c><01:05:29.200
• This manner increases the chances that people will be forced into plea bargaining with the threat of
• Mass incarceration has been and continues to be fueled by ever-increasing long sentences.
• There was a significant increase of drone incursions over the East Coast and the West Coast.
• </c> the air there was a significant increase the air there was a significant increase of<04:31:12.159

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Increased value of the home or business. Increased value of the home or business.
• So, if it increases increases increases by<00:39:25.359><c> $10,000,</c> by $10,000, by $10,000, 120<
• </c> standard building cost codes increase standard building cost codes increase the<00:43:02.319><c>
• and insulation increases.
• Representative Sers. death rate is increasing. Um it is I death rate is increasing.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• We've all become tragically aware that wildfires in California have grown larger and increased in intensity
• These dramatically increase the risk of dangerous crashes and put pedestrians in harm's way.
• When we walk off the job, we lose wages and have families to take care of.
• We found that conditions have worsened as the number of detained individuals has increased.
• Existing law already protects against opportunistic rent increases following an emergency.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:03:33.039><c> um</c> 2024 so so there is some increase um 2024 so so there is some increase um
• You guys have a serious increase.
• </c><03:17:52.920><c> mean</c><03:17:53.199><c> the</c> increase a serious increase I mean the increase
• </c> filing the settlement fund has increased filing the settlement fund has increased I<04:06:48.040
• </c><04:06:59.920><c> but</c> the rate has significantly increased but the rate has significantly increased

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

Transcript Highlights:

• increasing accountability transparency and<02:34:34.359><c> training</c><02:34:35.240><c> in</c><02:
• For the past 50 years, Title IX has been an unqualified success at increasing participation of girls
• How do you raise wages? How do you raise purchasing power?
• Well, two things: wages go up with inflation. Well, that just means you're treading water.
• What they are today — a 100% increase.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eventually goes from 16.67% to 18%, or an increase of 1.33%.
• </c><00:54:56.559><c> the</c> and would this bill increase the and would this bill increase the amount
• The amendment increases the two years to four years, and it also increases the period after a new application's
• </c> uh gaming or not the amendment increases uh gaming or not the amendment increases the<01:34:15.199
• there's</c> Behind These increases are that there's Behind These increases are that there's various<01

Summary: The public hearing opened on HB 728-FN, which would authorize video lottery terminals at charity gaming facilities and repeal historic horse racing licensing. Representative Om explained that the bill would convert the current historic horse racing terminals into true video lottery terminals/slot machines and change the revenue split, reducing the operator share from 75% to 70% while increasing the state share from 25% to 30%. He also noted the bill would increase the amount going to charities and other state beneficiaries. Former State Rep. Pat Brammy, who had served on the Charitable Gaming Study Commission, testified in support of the bill’s basic structure. He said a consultant’s report found historic racing machines cost facilities 12% to 18% more to operate because of totalizer and track-related fees, and that slot machines would be cheaper because there are more manufacturers and more competition. He argued that although the operator share drops by 5%, facilities could still benefit from lower operating costs, and he said the commission concluded that moving to slot machines would increase revenues to facilities, charities, and the state. He also said the bill would create a more stable stream of funding for problem gambling, since the current HHR “breakage” funding mechanism is limited and dependent on a single vendor. Brammy also discussed the commission’s concerns about market concentration in HHR machines, saying the commission found the market was dominated by only a few manufacturers and recommended legislation to address that issue under Article 83 of the state constitution. He interpreted the bill as allowing a phase-in of slot machines upon passage, with the remaining HHR provisions phasing out by January 1, 2028, and said facilities would likely transition as leases expire. Committee members asked about HHR contracts, machine programming, testing, and whether removing HHR would reduce competition; Brammy said he believed leases were likely short-term, machines are tested by a lab, and the legislature could decide whether the change is appropriate. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• increased supports, including medication reminders, support through increased symptoms like paranoia
• As a smaller provider, there is no way to recover those wages once paid.
• Chair, by &gt;&gt; increase our ratings, Mr.
• </c> increased costs to the bill. increased costs to the bill.
• And I think that we don't be increased.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• uncompensated care and increasing the cost on the state without meaningfully increasing employment or
• </c> on access to care, increase on access to care, increase uncompensated<05:01:09.040><c> care,</c>
• care outcomes, increasing uncompensated care and<05:02:58.160><c> increasing</c><05:02:58.560><c> the
• <05:03:00.878><c> increasing</c> without meaningfully increasing without meaningfully increasing employment
• Um and that work increase at all.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Increasing the state-subsidized program to 300% of poverty level would take that income threshold to
• You give two years of increases, so then you have to continue that second-year increase going forward
• So that automatically costs some additional money, provider inflationary increases, health insurance
• increases, things like that.
• Provider inflationary increases. It's another health insurance increases, things like that.

Summary: The committee opened with roll call and a review of special-session procedure: bills would be heard in filing order, with related school-lunch bills grouped together, and any bill advancing would require a motion, second, and majority vote to be introduced. Members also discussed that the committee was functioning much like a delayed-bills committee, with final referral to either Appropriations or Policy depending on the bill’s fiscal impact. The first major proposal was Senator Schibley’s bill to create a narrow, statewide Bank of North Dakota bridge-loan program for struggling nonprofit medical facilities, prompted by Jacobson Memorial Hospital’s financial crisis. He argued the hospital and surrounding EMS services could close without short-term help, while committee members questioned the added language, the population cap, the $10 million fund with $5 million per applicant limit, and whether the program could open the door to future requests. Representative Headland then presented two cleanup bills from the prior property-tax session: one to fix notice and tax-certification issues for local taxing districts, and another to correct how the primary residence credit is applied so taxpayers receive the full benefit rather than counties retaining part of the reimbursement. Members asked about township hearing timing, the estimated $10–15 million annual impact, and whether the credit issue could be fixed retroactively; Headland said the bill was intended to correct the problem going forward. Three school-lunch bills drew extensive discussion. Representative Vetter proposed a small administrative appropriation to add an FTE to help eligible families enroll in the existing free/reduced lunch program, saying the goal was to ensure needy children are signed up and that the state should not subsidize meals for wealthy families. Representative Nathe offered a broader bill mirroring the pending initiated measure but placing the program in statute instead of the Constitution, moving implementation up a year, and funding it with a one-time $65 million from the strategic investment fund; he said this would preserve legislative flexibility and avoid constitutional entrenchment. Representative Dressler proposed raising the state-funded eligibility threshold from 225% to 300% of poverty, arguing it would expand access while still preserving federal reimbursements and encouraging better enrollment systems. Members debated costs, future budget pressure, whether the bills set a precedent for responding to ballot measures, and whether the program should include breakfast and other operational details. Other proposals included Senator Powers’ bill to create a hyperbaric oxygen board and support rural access to hyperbaric chambers for wounds, concussions, PTSD, and other conditions; Representative Tolman’s reporting-requirements bill to force new or expanded programs to justify purpose, alternatives, evaluation methods, and full implementation costs; Representative Frelich’s bill addressing the ongoing redistricting litigation and what happens if the Supreme Court or lower courts alter the current map; and a bill requested by the Public Service Commission and ITD for FERC litigation support and ADA website/document compliance. The committee also heard a rural-health eligibility bill from Representative Twait aimed at steering federal rural health dollars toward rural providers, with questions focused on whether the mileage limits would exclude some communities. One Holocaust education item was deferred until the sponsor could be located.

Transcript Highlights:

• That dose increases if I'm using it for management of hemorrhage. Management of what?
• 11% increase across the country.
• To wage political warfare against Texans and our reproductive freedom.
• There is an increased risk of mental health illness.
• Adults have increased by 56%, sepsis rates have surged by 50%, infant mortality has increased by 13%.

Bills: SB10 , SB16 , SB6 , SB 6 , SB 10 , SB 16

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:37.840><c> at</c> were increasing at were increasing at $5,000<00:04:40.199><c> okay</c><00
• of 1% increase.
• <00:17:08.640><c> 64</c><00:17:09.360><c> to</c> increases 64 to increases 64 to 75<00:17:11.640><c>
• </c><00:17:27.360><c> for</c><00:17:27.640><c> fire</c> 0.03 increase for fire 0.03 increase for fire
• So they increased it.

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2 retirement provisions, focusing on Group Two/Tier B changes in pages 25-39. Jan Goodwin of the New Hampshire Retirement System and deputy chief counsel Mark Kavanaugh explained that the 2025 bill is largely similar to prior versions, but it restores certain pre-2011 benefit rules for Tier B members, including changes to average final compensation and earnable compensation, and it also addresses the annuity multiplier for years of service. Members discussed the tier structure, with Tier A referring to vested members, Tier B to those hired before 11/1/12 who were not vested, and Tier C to later hires. Several members expressed concern that the bill’s purpose was to restore Tier B benefits, not to change Tier A rules or create broader changes affecting newer hires. The retirement system flagged two likely drafting problems. First, it said a provision appears to omit a special-duty/earnable-compensation limitation in the Group Two section, which they believed was a scrivener’s error caused by moving language out of the Group One definition without adding it back for Group Two. Second, they noted the bill’s multiplier language overlaps with changes already enacted in HB 1647, which increased the multiplier for service beyond 15 years for Group Two and carried an estimated $26 million cost. The committee discussed that HB 1647 was originally broader in the House, but the Senate narrowed it to Tier B only. The actuary’s comparison of the 2023 and 2025 HB 2 versions showed the bills are close, but the 2025 version differs in funding and timing. Staff said the 2025 bill appropriates $2.5 million more per year for 10 years, and that, together with updated actuarial assumptions and a larger share of the affected tier having already retired or otherwise left service, results in a larger reduction in unfunded liability than the 2023 bill: about $98.2 million versus $68.5 million. Employer contribution impacts were described as small overall, though the 2025 bill was said to be somewhat more favorable than the 2023 version. Members also questioned why House Bill 1 only funds $5 million in the first year, and staff said that was tied to the governor’s revenue estimate and that the full funding does not begin immediately. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly received testimony, asked clarifying questions, and noted that some issues would be addressed in the fiscal note worksheet.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we've been doing a lot as a state trying to increase funding for certain programs, helping our teachers
• trying to to do that at some point in the future, but we've been doing a lot as a state trying to increase
• Additional payments and reporting responsibilities have all increased substantially.
• Programs were forced to absorb that instability through wage suppression, deferred maintenance, and reduced
• the number of entering students at UCSD whose mathematics skills fell below high school standards increased

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee heard SB 1067, which would require annual math screening for kindergarten through second grade students beginning in 2028-29 to identify early numeracy difficulties and connect students to evidence-based supports. Senator Weber and supporters, including EdVoice, UC Davis researcher Charles Wilkes, and several education and community advocates, argued that California’s math performance is too low and that early screening would help close gaps before they widen. Opponents, including the California Mathematics Council, county superintendents, and the CTA, said the bill could narrow instruction, overemphasize deficit-based measures, and should instead be paired with stronger investments in teacher training and implementation of the California Mathematics Framework. Committee members generally expressed support for the bill’s goals while discussing how the screener would work and what kinds of follow-up supports would be needed. The committee also heard SB 1110 on child care subsidy administration, which would restructure funding for alternative payment programs and core contracts as the state moves to enrollment-based funding. Supporters said the bill would stabilize child care providers, improve payment timelines, and better reflect the administrative work of enrolling families and managing services; there was no opposition testimony. SB 1374, supported by the CSU and UC systems, would allow public higher education institutions to seek temporary restraining orders when credible threats are directed at a campus rather than a specific person. Supporters described recent campus threats that created safety concerns but did not fit current restraining-order law; there was no opposition. Senator Nilo presented SB 1321, which would direct the State Auditor to review remedial course use and student preparedness at selected UC and CSU campuses after a UC San Diego report showed a sharp decline in incoming students’ math readiness. Supporters argued the audit would help identify gaps in college readiness and the effects of K-12 changes, while some members raised concerns about bypassing the usual legislative audit process; the bill was held on call. The committee then took up SB 1086 on microschools, which would define microschools and direct model ordinances for local land-use regulation. Supporters said it would create a clearer path for small, individualized learning communities, but several members questioned whether the concept was sufficiently defined and whether the state had enough information to draft model ordinances; the bill was also placed on call after a quorum was established. Finally, SB 1181 was presented as a limited pilot program in Central Valley counties to connect schools with regional threat assessment centers when credible safety concerns arise. The author and supporters, including the mother of a student killed in a shooting and several students, said it would improve early intervention and communication; committee members raised privacy and federal-sharing concerns but indicated support, and the bill was moved forward on a vote once quorum was present.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said the pay and exclusive enhancement meet the minimum wage obligations of the Fair Labor Trade.
• mean that other audits they were planning to do they wouldn't be able to do, but there would be no increase
• Senate Bill 125 by Senator Boudreaux increases the compensation cap for the wrongful conviction compensation
• We're increasing that to 15 years in this legislation.
• You know, the only thing I can say is I'm not sure why it would, I'm not sure why they're increasing

Bills: HR3 , HR80 , HB4 , HB172 , HB189 , HB623 , HB944 , HB1185 , HB1199 , HB1222 , SB105 , SB125 , SB461

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: housing assistance, state-owned property, cost-burdened, state employees, affordable housing, fiscal audit, higher education, public funds, underrepresented minorities, Board of Regents, Louisiana legislation, constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, airport authority, fire protection, supplemental pay, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> these</c> By increasing awareness of these By increasing awareness of these scientifically<03:19
• rises with increased consumption.
• rises with increased consumption.
• </c> sell inhalance unlawfully and increase sell inhalance unlawfully and increase the<04:54:31.120><
• ><c> showing</c><05:14:10.638><c> that</c> Increasing medical data is showing that Increasing medical

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of overdose and potentially an increased of overdose and potentially an increased risk<00:29:45.440
• </c> increased cost. increased cost.
• ><c> friendship,</c><04:19:01.120><c> a</c> Um increased crime, lower friendship, a Um increased crime
• And every day that it goes on, uh, we increase cost to taxpayers, we increase social costs, we increase
• increase social costs, we increase we increase social costs, we increase crime.<04:22:04.239><c> So</

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs heard HB 1790-FN, which would address involuntary admissions for certain individuals with a substance use disorder. Representative Lucy Weber introduced the bill for Representative Long, and the committee heard extensive testimony both in support of and in opposition to the proposal. Opponents, including John Burns of SOS Recovery and Jake Barry of New Futures, argued that involuntary commitment is not well supported by research, can retraumatize people, may increase overdose risk after release, and could undermine New Hampshire’s existing recovery and harm-reduction efforts. They emphasized that treatment should be voluntary, trauma-informed, and paired with housing, recovery supports, and other community-based services. Representative Long said he was willing to accept DHHS’s request to amend the bill into a study commission, though he expressed concern that a prior state study had not led to action. He said the commission should focus on implementation details, including where people would be placed, staffing, withdrawal management, elopement prevention, length of commitment, and aftercare. He described involuntary commitment as one tool for people with severe dangerous addictions, distinct from drug court, and said it could help avoid criminal records. Committee members asked about capacity at New Hampshire Hospital and how the proposal would work in practice. DHHS officials Katya Fox and Cynthia Pabonis testified that the bill raises major policy and fiscal concerns. They said New Hampshire’s current system has benefited from investments in naloxone, medication-assisted treatment, recovery centers, and community-based services, and that those investments have helped reduce overdose deaths. They estimated the bill would require a new 70-bed facility costing about $40 million to build and about $33.3 million annually to operate, with only a small portion offset by insurance, plus more than $600,000 in annual legal costs and additional staffing and system changes. They also said New Hampshire Hospital has 185 beds, with about 100 patients typically ready for less restrictive settings, and that housing shortages are a major bottleneck. NAMI New Hampshire also testified in opposition, saying families often want any possible treatment for loved ones but still opposed the bill. No vote or final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of overdose and potentially an increased of overdose and potentially an increased risk<00:29:45.440
• </c> increased cost. increased cost.
• ><c> friendship,</c><04:19:01.120><c> a</c> Um increased crime, lower friendship, a Um increased crime
• And every day that it goes on, uh, we increase cost to taxpayers, we increase social costs, we increase
• increase social costs, we increase we increase social costs, we increase crime.<04:22:04.239><c> So</

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:54:54.160><c> S3424</c> permanently increased. S3424 permanently increased.
• The legislation would increase it.
• </c> sextortion have increased dramatically sextortion have increased dramatically in<04:01:49.040><c
• <c> from</c><04:01:53.199><c> 13,842</c> United States increased from 13,842 United States increased
• </c> weakening supply chains and increase weakening supply chains and increase poverty<05:36:38.240><