Transcript Highlights:

• It touches all of our campuses and our dozen research and outreach facilities from Crookston to Grand
• </c> the curve and ensure that our facilities the curve and ensure that our facilities remain<00:24:36.960
• </c><00:44:21.280><c> So</c><00:44:21.680><c> that</c> with better facilities frankly.
• So that with better facilities frankly.
• ><c> facilities</c><00:54:10.960><c> where</c> Great 21st century facilities where students can come

Bills: HF4266

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And or you could even have an owner in a shared facility which is covered by 540B that has a roommate
• The example that I always use when talking about shared facilities is um grandma has an extra room in
• </c> &gt;&gt; If I may, so as uh the shared facility &gt;&gt; If I may, so as uh the shared facility
• </c> &gt;&gt; Um 540B defines what a shared facility &gt;&gt; Um 540B defines what a shared facility
• Because I am familiar with the shared facilities being a closer, shorter timeline.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• It would say that there'd be no new construction of nuclear facilities on Prairie Island, and there would
• /c><00:01:43.360><c> on</c><00:01:43.600><c> Prairie</c><00:01:43.920><c> Island</c> of nuclear facilities
• on Prairie Island of nuclear facilities on Prairie Island and<00:01:45.040><c> there</c><00:01:45.119
• </c> importantly each nuclear facility importantly each nuclear facility creates<00:13:50.880><c> hundreds
• </c> a nuclear power facility a nuclear power facility as<00:25:59.440><c> it</c><00:25:59.600><c> continues

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and technical education facilities and technical education facilities across<00:19:40.799><c> the
• </c><00:19:56.960><c> construction</c> for the school facilities construction for the school facilities
• But nursing facility cost increase.
• , do the rest of the of the facility, do the rest of the facility.<00:46:10.720><c> So,</c><00:46:10.880
• . facility. facility.

Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from Dr. Hicks on the governor’s recommended budget for the next biennium. He reviewed the revenue outlook, noting modest general fund growth, a large rainy day fund balance, and the impact of recent income tax reductions. He said the budget was built around recurring reductions, lower debt service and retirement contribution rates, and the use of excess restricted funds, while protecting K-12 education, Medicaid, postsecondary education, public safety, and pension obligations. Dr. Hicks outlined several major spending and reserve proposals, including $350 million from the Department of Insurance’s excess restricted funds to support Medicaid in the first year, $150 million for the affordable housing trust fund, $125 million for rural hospitals, $100 million to offset lost federal ACA premium tax credits, $75 million for utility assistance, and $50 million for food assistance. In education, the proposal included a phased pre-K for all plan funded by sports wagering tax revenue, a 3% annual salary increase for full-time school personnel, continued full funding of teacher pensions, a 2.5% annual increase in SEEK base funding, and additional support for career and technical education and school facilities. He also discussed Medicaid cost pressures, including higher managed care, pharmacy, behavioral health, and nursing facility costs, and explained the expected effects of federal HR1 changes on Kentucky’s Medicaid program. Those changes include work and community engagement requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion members, which the administration estimated would reduce enrollment by about 4,300 in the first year and 28,000 in the second year. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting, which was limited to the budget presentation and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> they have to go into a nursing facility. they have to go into a nursing facility.
• </c> receiving care under a nursing facility receiving care under a nursing facility was<01:05:19.520
• Um, facility.
• care facility.
• </c> facility care 98,000. facility care 98,000.

Summary: The Committee to Study Long-Term Managed Care met to approve prior minutes and outline its schedule, with meetings set for September 24 and September 29 ahead of an October 1 report deadline. The chair said the committee would use the first two meetings to digest testimony, likely ask follow-up questions of DHS, and then work toward conclusions and a report format. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously. The main testimony came from Sharon Alexander of Amera Health, who argued in favor of moving from fee-for-service Medicaid long-term services and supports to a managed LTSS model. She described managed LTSS as a capitated, quality-driven system used in about 26 states, and said it can improve care coordination, accountability, access to home- and community-based services, and budget predictability. She cited Amera Health’s experience in Pennsylvania and Delaware, including care coordination, housing and transportation support, caregiver programs, and quality benchmarks tied to state oversight. She also said nursing facilities would remain an important option for people who need that level of care. Committee members asked about how the programs are administered, how rates are set, how care managers work, and how quality is measured. Alexander said states contract with managed care organizations at actuarially sound capitated rates, with annual contracts, reporting, and oversight. She explained that care managers typically conduct quarterly assessments and follow up after trigger events such as hospitalization, and that housing coordinators may assist with transitions to the community. On quality, she said states use CMS-related and HCBS benchmark measures covering service timeliness, care planning, transitions, and other outcomes, and that New Hampshire could build on existing metrics rather than starting from scratch. She also noted that rural areas face workforce and transportation challenges, which managed care plans try to address through technology and self-direction options.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today to talk about a groundbreaking project: a treatment facility at our treatment facility
• Cloud does have excess renewable energy being produced at the facility. We have four solar arrays.
• Many of you from this committee actually visited our facility back in November of 2023.
• </c> that hydrogen to be used at our facility that hydrogen to be used at our facility and<00:42:03.520
• </c><00:52:23.680><c> like</c> methane produced off the facility like methane produced off the facility

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> facilities and uh any kind of facility facilities and uh any kind of facility that<03:19:13.600>
• We have one SANC facility in New Hampshire, and this is actually the only facility nationwide that is
• facility.
• could include a waste-to-energy facility or a composting facility.
• could include a waste-to-energy facility or a composting facility.

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held an introductory orientation for members, many of whom were new or newly assigned to the committee. Leadership emphasized that the committee is intended to operate in a nonpartisan, collaborative way, and members introduced themselves and described their backgrounds in farming, gardening, food service, environmental work, water and waste issues, veterinary work, and related fields. Several members noted personal ties to homesteading, livestock, orcharding, food security, landfill concerns, and animal welfare, while others said they were eager to learn the committee’s work. The chair then reviewed committee procedures and expectations. Members were told the committee would generally meet on Tuesdays, with hearings starting around 10 a.m. and often running until about 4:30 p.m., and that absences, substitutes for executive sessions, and email communications would be handled through House rules and the committee’s email system. The chair also covered decorum rules for live-streamed meetings, including professional dress, limiting food and drink at the table, and giving full attention to witnesses. Members were reminded that legislative emails are subject to public records laws and that the committee may soon transition to a new email domain. The chair also explained logistics such as bill folders, committee room storage, and emergency procedures for evacuation or shelter-in-place. No bills were debated or voted on in this meeting, but the chair noted that the committee already had roughly two dozen bills pending, including animal welfare, landfill, policy, and cat-and-dog related measures. Members were told to expect a broad mix of topics beyond agriculture, including solid waste and animal-related legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Facility records to new provisions in section 408.833. Thank you. Any questions on the amendment?
• Of these facilities require now, which is a HIPAA release. Thank you. I see no further questions.
• Basically, any time that record has to leave the medical provider's facility, that's something that's
• So currently, health care facility authority law only allows not-for-profit corporations to finance facilities
• So this bill expands the definition of health facilities. Limited liability companies, LLCs.

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The committee took up a large health policy agenda. SB 1568 on electronic prescribing was explained as a federal conformity measure, but members raised concerns about preserving patients’ ability to obtain paper prescriptions and about exemptions for emergency, hospice, and other situations. Emergency physicians testified in support of e-prescribing but asked for flexibility, and the bill was reported favorably despite Senator Harrell’s opposition. SB 1606 on patient access to records sought to standardize record-production timelines and require electronic delivery when available; after an amendment correcting a drafting error, the bill drew concerns about HIPAA, behavioral health confidentiality, and the distinction between personal and legal representatives, and it was reported unfavorably as a committee substitute. The committee then approved SB 1346 on fentanyl testing, with a technical amendment, to require hospitals and campus emergency departments to test for fentanyl in urine testing for suspected overdose or poisoning. SB 1224 on administration of controlled substances by paramedics was amended to clarify language and reported favorably. SB 656 on health care billing and collection activities was substantially revised by strike-all amendment to allow sale of medical debt to third parties under new limits, including no interest or fees and return of debt if charity care applies; it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 68 expanded health facilities authority financing to include not-for-profit LLCs and parent companies, and SB 524 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to the newborn screening panel; both were reported favorably. Later, the committee approved SB 1842 on out-of-network referrals after multiple amendments, requiring providers to verify network participation at the point of service and notify patients in writing, though several members and physicians warned it could burden providers and increase workload. The committee also advanced proposed committee bill SB 7028, which revises the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, adds oversight and reporting requirements, creates a pediatric cancer research incubator, and establishes the Bascom-Palmer VisionGen initiative; cancer center representatives testified in strong support, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee bill. SB 172 on specialty titles and designations was amended to clarify enforcement and was reported favorably after supporters said it would prevent misleading use of specialist titles, while opponents argued it could confuse practitioners’ titles. Finally, SB 1690 on surrendered infants was reported favorably after supporters said it would codify and expand safe-haven baby box procedures and opponents raised safety concerns about the devices. The committee also noted SB 1606 remained pending for reconsideration next week before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is intended to be the replacement facility for the senior center in Manchester.
• They want to install a new distribution line directly to the new facility.
• </c><00:23:54.159><c> currently</c> line easement uh to a facility currently line easement uh to a facility
• replacement facility for the senior<00:24:00.320><c> center</c><00:24:00.480><c> in</c><00:24:00.640
• </c> electrical services to the new facility electrical services to the new facility uh<00:24:17.440>

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee met and first approved the June 30, 2025 meeting minutes. The committee then took up a series of Department of Transportation property actions, including authorization to grant an access point in Exeter, sell two small tracts in Keene, amend a prior Guilford disposal based on a revised survey and appraisal, sell 0.42 acres in Lincoln, list and sell 9.77 acres in Chesterfield, sell 0.54 acres in Fremont, and approve a permanent access easement in Belmont. The committee also approved a utility easement in Albany and a permanent access easement on Route 153 for the Bickfords. Most of these items involved direct sales or listings, administrative fees of $1,100, and conditions requiring surveys and local/state approvals; several were approved unanimously after brief or no questions. Representative Faulkner declared a conflict of interest on the Chesterfield item, and Representative Newman sat in for that matter; later, Faulkner was recused from the Belmont item as well. The committee also approved a Department of Administrative Services request to grant a perpetual utility line easement to Public Service Company of New Hampshire for a facility under construction at the Hampstead hospital property, with the administrative fee waived because the grant was in exchange for utility service. During discussion of informational item LRCP25-038, staff explained that no committee action was needed because the item was only to notify members that a parcel’s fair market value had been reduced due to a change in access. The committee received additional informational materials from the New Hampshire Council on Resources and Development, including minutes from its May 8 meeting and memorandums on surplus land review for Meredith and Hampstead. The next meeting was set for December 9 at 9:30 a.m. at Granite Place, Room 228, and the chair noted the meeting would be on a Tuesday because of building scheduling. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• . facilities or another aquifer that can serve as an ASR.
• This penalty structure does little to compel operators of these facilities to improve conditions when
• I mean, are there a lot of operators that set up facilities for the migrant labor work?
• No, these facilities are subject to the same requirements as any other...
• Of these small facilities popping up as opposed to tying into a well-established facility.

Bills: SB243 , SB1586 , SB1891 , SB1959 , SB2159 , SB2568

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the TCEQ issued permits for municipal solid waste facilities become inactive over time but can
• longer owns the facility, we...
• I think the intent was more for this specific facility because you're accurate, and that occurs quite
• On the wafer manufacturing facility. Great.
• to facility, to another facility.

Bills: HB 1237 , HB2663 , HB3071 , HB4384

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 168 item 4 lster 215 Patrol facility 168 item 4 lster 215 Patrol facility replacement<03:53:57.920
• </c><03:54:07.920><c> replacement</c> Pinkham 109 Patrol facility replacement Pinkham 109 Patrol facility
• , is not a facility.
• So keep... this facility that we don't have to this facility that we don't have to incur<04:20:06.520
• </c> they've been living with this facility they've been living with this facility for<04:25:59.119><

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25/25A, the capital improvements budget. Representative David Mills introduced HB 25A, which makes appropriations for capital improvements for the biennium and extends certain lapses from prior appropriations, noting it is based on Governor Ayotte’s budget. The hearing then focused on requests to add or restore funding for several projects, including community college capital needs, Veterans Home ADA and safety upgrades, career and technical education renovations in Milford, and airport infrastructure funding. Shannon Reed of the Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million for IT infrastructure, critical maintenance, and energy management systems, citing failing boilers, roof work, cybersecurity needs, and a recent costly water damage incident at Lakes Region Community College. John Graham, representing the New Hampshire Veterans Home, requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements such as floor replacement and wider doors, saying the work would help the home before an upcoming VA inspection and protect federal funding. Lance Whitehead testified for Milford CTE, asking the committee to keep $9.9 million in the budget for a scaled-down renovation; members discussed the town’s failed vote, the need for local matching funds, and the possibility of another vote next year. Tim Thompson of Concord and Margaret Burns of NHMA urged restoration of airport matching funds, arguing that about $3.6 million in state money would leverage roughly $62 million to $65 million in federal FAA funds for safety and infrastructure projects. Trisha Lambert and Andrew Pomroy of the Bureau of Aeronautics and airport management association explained the airport program, the 12 federally funded airports, and how projects are selected through airport master plans and a capital improvement program. After public testimony, the committee closed the hearing on HB 25A. In the work session that followed, staff distributed supporting documents, including cost breakdowns and comparison sheets. The chair indicated the committee would work from the governor’s $143 million capital budget as a baseline and proposed reducing it by about $10 million, largely by removing the Milford CTE item because both towns had voted it down and would not have another vote for a year. The chair said the goal was to bring the overall budget to about $133 million and then repurpose the remaining funds through straw polls and further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud water treatment facility. I think I've stalled long enough, Mr. Chair.
• It is expected to arrive at the facility this fall.
• </c><00:26:09.840><c> that</c> world which is a treatment facility that world which is a treatment facility
• It is expected to arrive at the facility this fall.
• </c><01:01:41.359><c> or</c> uh whether it's uh a nuclear facility or uh whether it's uh a nuclear facility

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• of youth who committed offenses, these offenses, but were not placed in a secure youth treatment facility
• The youth who are diverted from the secure youth treatment facility and youth who are committed to the
• secure youth treatment facility, but are what is called step down, which is authorized by the law.
• And that's 37 secure youth treatment facilities in the state of California.
• Which took place, the place of the DJJ that the three facilities that closed in 2023, three facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm very proud of her and grateful to her and the facilities team.
• This is based on the Facilities Management Division.
• It's a roughly 30,000 square foot facility.
• And that one will also be maintained by the Facilities Management Division.
• It could be some of the other facilities that we have, like Minors.

Transcript Highlights:

• utility-scale onshore wind energy facilities, and green hydrogen production and storage facilities.
• You mentioned greenhouse gas emissions from green hydrogen facilities.
• FSEC most commonly oversees energy generation facilities.
• However, FSEC may also oversee transmission facilities.
• and that connect energy facilities to distribution points.

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Summary: The committee held a work session on SEPA-related clean energy permitting and on Washington’s carryout bag law. Ecology presented on the clean energy programmatic environmental impact statements (PEISs) completed for utility-scale solar, onshore wind, and green hydrogen, with a fourth for sustainable aviation fuel in progress. Ecology and EFSEC described how these broad reviews identify likely impacts, mitigation measures, and planning tools to help developers and lead agencies move projects through SEPA more efficiently, while still requiring project-level review. Committee members and presenters discussed issues such as wildfire risk from battery storage, water use, agricultural land conversion, recycling of solar panels and wind turbines, and the need for early tribal consultation and better cultural resource studies. Grant County and Yakama Nation both emphasized the importance of early pre-application coordination, cumulative impact review, and adequate time for tribal and agency input; Puget Sound Energy said it needs more predictable permitting to meet clean energy mandates and maintain reliability, while still facing major transmission and generation needs. The second half of the meeting focused on the state’s carryout bag law. Committee staff reviewed the law’s history, current requirements, and upcoming changes: the 8-cent charge on paper and plastic bags rises to 12 cents in 2026, thicker 4-mil bags will be required in 2028, and a temporary 4-cent penalty on those thicker bags takes effect in the interim. Commerce summarized a Washington State University study finding that plastic bag distribution fell but total plastic weight increased because reusable bags are thicker, and Ecology described its education-first enforcement approach, litter study results, and the interaction with the new Recycling Reform Act. Ecology said it has received hundreds of complaints but has not yet imposed the $250 retailer penalty, using multiple rounds of technical assistance before site visits or fines. Members questioned whether the thicker-bag requirement makes environmental sense, whether the penalty structure is administratively burdensome, and how the law applies to tribal retailers.

Transcript Highlights:

• utility-scale onshore wind energy facilities, and green hydrogen production and storage facilities.
• You mentioned greenhouse gas emissions from green hydrogen facilities.
• FSEC most commonly oversees energy generation facilities.
• However, FSEC may also oversee transmission facilities.
• and that connect energy facilities to distribution points.

Summary: The committee held a work session on state environmental policy act (SEPA) implementation and carryout bags. Ecology staff Diane Buterak described the Clean Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements (PEISs) completed for utility-scale solar, onshore wind, and green hydrogen, plus a new PEIS underway for sustainable aviation fuel. She explained that PEISs provide broad planning-level analysis to help developers and agencies avoid or mitigate impacts, but do not replace project-level review. Members asked about permitting timelines, greenhouse gas emissions from different hydrogen production methods, water use, agricultural land conversion, battery fire risk, and tribal consultation. Buterak said the PEISs identify potentially significant impacts and mitigation measures, including fire response planning, early tribal outreach, and agrovoltaics as an option for solar projects. EFSEC’s Amy Hofkimer then presented the transmission-facility programmatic EIS required by SB 5165 for 230 kV and higher transmission projects. She said the statewide review covers new lines and certain upgrades/modifications, analyzes impacts to water, cultural and tribal resources, habitat, and other areas, and uses general measures, design considerations, avoidance criteria, and sensitivity maps to guide siting and corridor planning. She said the final document would be issued in early October. Questions focused on reconductoring, tribal lands, scenic areas, and whether the review could affect existing lines crossing tribal lands. A Grant County planning director, Jim Anderson Cook, said Ecology’s PEIS would help with cumulative impacts for clustered solar projects, but noted tight local review timelines and the need for strong pre-application coordination, especially on cultural resource studies and decommissioning plans. Yakama Nation attorney Shona Leverett argued SEPA is only an assessment tool and said tribes face barriers from short comment periods, limited confidential tribal input, weak cumulative impact analysis, and challenges in the FSEC process; she urged better upfront developer diligence and more effective tribal coordination. Puget Sound Energy’s Sarah Leverett said the utility needs efficient and predictable permitting to meet clean energy mandates while maintaining reliable service and aging infrastructure. She described the scale of needed clean energy and transmission buildout, including a 10-year process for the Energize Eastside transmission rebuild, and said more consistent SEPA and PEIS processes could help. Members asked about future generation sources, reliability, and hydropower as a firming resource; she said PSE is pursuing an “all of the above” approach and would welcome more firm, dispatchable clean energy options. The committee then shifted to carryout bags. Staff Jacob Lipson and Tracy Taylor reviewed Washington’s bag law, its preemption of local ordinances, the current 8-cent charge, the scheduled increase to 12 cents, and the 2025 change delaying the 4-mil thickness requirement until 2028 while adding a temporary 4-cent penalty for thicker bags. Ecology’s Peter Lyon said the agency emphasizes education and complaint-based enforcement, has received 872 reports, and has not yet imposed any fines. Commerce’s Kirk Esmond summarized a WSU study finding fewer plastic bags distributed but more plastic by weight, and said Commerce and Ecology support keeping the 2.25-mil standard and not allowing thinner single-use bags again. Retail industry testimony from Brandon Housekeeper said grocers comply with the law but oppose the added 4-cent penalty and thicker-bag requirement, citing higher costs and confusion in the policy changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• then locates there, the child care facility does not evict the offender from their home.
• The child care facility then locates there, the child care facility does not evict the offender from
• </c> the child care facility is compromised. the child care facility is compromised.
• The amendment is about residences within 1,000 feet of the existing child care facility.
• The amendment is about residences within 1,000 feet of the existing child care facility.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're only going to target two of the correctional facilities. ...a mobile unit, park it.
• We're only going to target two of the correctional facilities at this time.
• And we can use the technology to cover both facilities at the same time. Okay. All right.
• But that's how those phones are getting inside our correction facilities.
• Can this $75 million be used or is it already earmarked for that facility?

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee first received a report on the executive protection detail, which was filed without questions. Members were then given a long advance list of House and Senate bills ready for consideration, followed by several amendment requests from agencies. The committee adopted amendments for the Auditor of State to increase special deputy expense allowance, the Administrative Office of the Courts for court interpreters and substitute court reporters, and several other items including local sales tax refunds, county property tax redistribution, and local law enforcement funding. It also held one amendment on House Bill 1034 and moved a Northwest Arkansas Community College cash fund increase tied to tornado-related campus repairs. The committee then considered a series of member amendments and appropriation items, including increases for the Public Defender Commission and deputy prosecuting attorneys to cover higher bar license fees, and a $12 million federal appropriation-only item. A lengthy discussion followed on a proposal from Senator Wallace and Representative Tosh to fund a pilot program for prison cell-phone detection/jamming technology at two correctional facilities. Sponsors and Department of Corrections officials said the system would target illegal contraband phones, would be procured through an RFP, and would be a two-year pilot; members raised questions about legality, cost, scope, data, and whether the department should use existing budget authority. The committee ultimately advanced the item by motion. The committee also took up an amendment from Senator Caldwell for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, seeking a $4 million appropriation increase. Testimony emphasized that the division’s extension offices and research functions are underfunded, that salaries are not competitive, and that the request would help with staffing and flexibility; other members questioned why the division needed more appropriation authority when it already had room under current limits and noted that the request exceeded the higher education board’s recommendation. The amendment was adopted after extended debate. Finally, the committee began acting on governor’s letters, adopting amendments for a $150 million increase to the homestead property tax credit, a $23,000 reallocation for the Insurance Department’s conference costs, $100,000 for property appraisal review work, $1.5 million for career and technical education professional development, $300,000 for DFA regulatory federal spending, $5 million for Inspector General fraud investigations, a consolidation of appraiser/abstractor/home inspector appropriations, deletion of a completed Fort Chaffee readiness center appropriation, and a revised reappropriation for corrections capital projects that would add special language restricting use of the $73.7 million prison-expansion reappropriation. The committee also heard a summary of a supplemental appropriations package involving fund transfers for pregnancy resource centers, senior centers, assistance grants, used tires, and UAMS pregnancy/stroke programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're only going to target two of the correctional facilities at this time.
• There are two larger facilities in this state, which are Varner and Cummins.
• One of our correctional facilities—there were a number of our correctional facilities—was an inmate,
• But that's how those phones are getting inside our correctional facilities.
• But that's how those phones are getting inside our correctional facilities.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE