Transcript Highlights:

• That's part of the reason why you're seeing a much higher federal fund and other fund rate there.
• That's part of the reason why you're seeing a much higher federal fund and other fund rate there.
• But in DHS's budget, there was not a comprehensive reduction to the rates or anything of that nature
• </c><01:38:49.520><c> or</c> comprehensive reduction to the rates or comprehensive reduction to the rates
• </c> we did include a number of um rate we did include a number of um rate increases<01:40:48.080><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began as a Division 3 work session on HB 71, but much of the early discussion focused on whether a previously discussed non-germane amendment could be considered or voted on that day. Members and the chair debated process and notice requirements, and the clerk’s guidance was that the amendment needed a separate public hearing before the full Finance Committee. The amendment was described as requiring DHHS contracts and addenda to include compliance with the Patient Bill of Rights, with a repeal date so the requirement would expire on November 30, 2026. The motion to move OTP on HB 71 with the amendment was withdrawn, and the committee agreed the amendment would be scheduled for a future full Finance hearing instead. The committee then turned to HB 71 itself and heard testimony from DHHS representatives John Williams and Jenny O’Higgins on the fiscal note and policy implications. Members questioned the estimate that the bill could put $12 million to $18 million per year in federal funding at risk, including HUD and Office of Refugee Resettlement funds. DHHS explained that the estimate was based on a broad reading of the bill’s term “specified alien,” which they said was not clearly defined in the bill, so they analyzed it using the federal definition of “alien” and assumed the bill could affect lawfully present non-citizens as well as undocumented individuals. They said the figure represented a worst-case scenario and that they were not claiming the loss was certain. Members also pressed DHHS on whether the bill could affect emergency sheltering in schools, public academies, or institutions of higher learning during disasters. DHHS said the language could create conflicts with federal funding conditions because emergency shelter programs generally cannot impose barriers on who may be sheltered, and they warned that excluding certain people could affect refugee-related and HUD funding. Questions were raised about whether the bill’s language would apply to private institutions as well as public ones, and whether the state could still use schools in short-term emergencies. DHHS said the language was broad, that they could not answer every legal question definitively, and that they would need input from public health and legal staff. No final vote on HB 71 was taken in the portion provided; the committee remained in discussion/work session mode after the amendment motion was withdrawn.

Transcript Highlights:

• software subscriptions, so things like Microsoft or Adobe, those agreements are priced out annually by vendors
• agreements are priced out<01:39:06.800><c> annually</c><01:39:07.199><c> by</c><01:39:07.440><c> vendors
• c> if</c><01:39:08.560><c> we</c><01:39:08.719><c> did</c><01:39:08.880><c> a</c> out annually by vendors
• And if we did a out annually by vendors.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Bills: HR320 , HR321 , HR308 , HR309 , HR310 , HR311 , HR312 , HR313 , HR314 , HR315 , HR316 , HR317 , HR318 , HR319 , SCR65 , SCR74 , SCR76 , HR245 , SCR30 , SCR40 , HB1259 , SB4 , SB52 , SB57 , SB83 , SB145 , SB152 , SB194 , SB276 , SB319 , SB333 , SB448 , SB450 , SB465 , SB484 , SB501 , SB509 , HR73 , HR118 , HR144 , HR196 , HR237 , HR249 , HR260 , HR267 , HR272 , HR278 , HCR85 , HCR100 , HCR105 , HCR107 , HCR114 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR37 , SCR63 , HB62 , HB193 , HB210 , HB220 , HB246 , HB364 , HB420 , HB475 , HB584 , HB622 , HB772 , HB784 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1092 , HB1134 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB119 , HB129 , HB233 , HB283 , HB538 , HB789 , HB850 , HB870 , HB1236 , HB1241 , HB378 , HB509 , HB1090 , SB80 , SB131 , SB143 , SB251 , SB254 , SB279 , SB367 , SB384 , SB388 , SB389 , SB398 , SB408 , SB431 , SB468 , SB469 , SB496 , SB149 , HB463 , HB998 , SB123 , SB353 , SB479 , SB495 , SB82 , SB97 , SB283 , SB326 , SB518 , SB197 , SB268 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HR168 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB89 , HB74 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB956 , HB1117 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB379 , SB382 , SB441 , SB449

Keywords: Arsenal, Arsenal F.C., Premier League, English football, soccer, football club, Mikel Arteta, Emirates Stadium, North London, Tottenham Hotspur, Gunners, sports resolution, commendation, celebration, championship, silverware, Louisiana House Resolution, ceremonial resolution, domestic violence, forensic medical examinations

Summary: The House met with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then received a series of Senate messages, conference committee appointments, and enrolled bill reports. The chamber also noted Senate concurrence in several House concurrent resolutions and the adoption of conference reports, while multiple Senate bills and resolutions were signed by the Senate President. Senate Bill 480, dealing with butterfly bottom nets and vessel use/anchorage, was referred to the Natural Resources Committee without objection. Members introduced several House resolutions, including measures to commend Arsenal Football Club, recognize Pope Leo XIV and 4-H honoree Margaret Mimi Stoker, study forensic medical exam protocols for domestic violence survivors, create a task force on second-degree murder sentencing, review miscarriage and pregnancy-loss terminology, commemorate the 250th anniversary of New Orleans, and support the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. Committee reports also moved forward bills on child welfare, water quality, scenic rivers, orphan wells, gravel mining reclamation, groundwater conservation, agricultural production, railroad hazards, and retirement system merger feasibility, along with resolutions on Pope Leo XIV and the LaMelle family. The House took up numerous Senate bills returned from the Legislative Bureau, adopting amendments and advancing many to third reading, including bills on health and welfare, education, insurance, and criminal justice. The chamber also reported favorably on resolutions condemning political violence and honoring public figures and organizations, and it scheduled several committee meetings for the following day, including Health and Welfare, Appropriations, Natural Resources, Civil Law, Transportation, and Ways and Means. The session ended with announcements about upcoming committee agendas and delegation meetings, and the House adjourned on motion to reconvene at 1:00 p.m. the next day.

Bills: HR320 , HR321 , HR308 , HR309 , HR310 , HR311 , HR312 , HR313 , HR314 , HR315 , HR316 , HR317 , HR318 , HR319 , SCR65 , SCR74 , SCR76 , HR245 , SCR30 , SCR40 , HB1259 , SB4 , SB52 , SB57 , SB83 , SB145 , SB152 , SB194 , SB276 , SB319 , SB333 , SB448 , SB450 , SB465 , SB484 , SB501 , SB509 , HR73 , HR118 , HR144 , HR196 , HR237 , HR249 , HR260 , HR267 , HR272 , HR278 , HCR85 , HCR100 , HCR105 , HCR107 , HCR114 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR37 , SCR63 , HB62 , HB193 , HB210 , HB220 , HB246 , HB364 , HB420 , HB475 , HB584 , HB622 , HB772 , HB784 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1092 , HB1134 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB119 , HB129 , HB233 , HB283 , HB538 , HB789 , HB850 , HB870 , HB1236 , HB1241 , HB378 , HB509 , HB1090 , SB80 , SB131 , SB143 , SB251 , SB254 , SB279 , SB367 , SB384 , SB388 , SB389 , SB398 , SB408 , SB431 , SB468 , SB469 , SB496 , SB149 , HB463 , HB998 , SB123 , SB353 , SB479 , SB495 , SB82 , SB97 , SB283 , SB326 , SB518 , SB197 , SB268 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HR168 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB89 , HB74 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB956 , HB1117 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB379 , SB382 , SB441 , SB449

Keywords: Arsenal, Arsenal F.C., Premier League, English football, soccer, football club, Mikel Arteta, Emirates Stadium, North London, Tottenham Hotspur, Gunners, sports resolution, commendation, celebration, championship, silverware, Louisiana House Resolution, ceremonial resolution, domestic violence, forensic medical examinations

Transcript Highlights:

• It increases enrollment, vendors, and partnerships.
• It increases enrollment, vendors, and partnerships.
• being contacted, then all they would have to do is make up the contributions plus an annual interest rate
• 7%</c><00:09:48.959><c> so</c><00:09:49.200><c> they</c><00:09:49.399><c> they</c> annual interest rate
• of 7% so they they annual interest rate of 7% so they they in<00:09:49.680><c> essence</c><00:09:49.959

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what we're hoping to do is to continue that through as part of our regular, uh, we're working with a vendor
• what we're hoping to do is to continue that through as part of our regular, uh, we're working with a vendor
• We got a double-A-plus bond rating.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The member asked whether there would be a list of vendors that the Department of Education would provide
• But those items in particular, why wouldn't, given, you know, rates of teen pregnancy, um, and why wouldn't

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Bills: SJR18 , SCR9 , SCR13 , SB10 , SB14 , SB19 , SB263 , SB412 , SB441 , SB523 , SB569 , SB687 , SB688 , SB707 , SB766 , SB914 , SB971 , SB1006 , SB1066 , SJR36 , SJR18 , SCR9 , SCR13 , SCR25 , SB565 , SB372 , SB495 , SB842 , SB971 , SB1066 , SB765 , SB523 , SB62 , SB19 , SB18 , SB666 , SB688 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB290 , SB766 , SB11 , SB10 , SB13 , SB263 , SB412 , SB441 , SB569 , SB914 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB504 , SB917 , SB925 , SB388 , SB1902 , SB1121 , SB995 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB35 , SB6 , SB815 , SB3 , SB1281 , SB1379 , SB1300 , SB1497 , SB1499 , SB1498 , SB1451 , SB263 , SB523 , SB569 , SB688 , SB766 , SB914 , SB971 , SB1066 , SR215 , SR245 , SR247 , SR258 , SCR9 , SJR56 , SJR63 , SJR64 , SJR69 , SJR70 , SJR71 , SCR30 , SCR31 , SCR32 , SCR33 , SB1701 , SB1702 , SB1703 , SB1704 , SB1705 , SB1706 , SB1707 , SB1708 , SB1709 , SB1710 , SB1711 , SB1712 , SB1713 , SB1714 , SB1715 , SB1716 , SB1717 , SB1718 , SB1719 , SB1720 , SB1721 , SB1722 , SB1723 , SB1724 , SB1725 , SB1726 , SB1727 , SB1728 , SB1729 , SB1730 , SB1731 , SB1732 , SB1733 , SB1734 , SB1735 , SB1736 , SB1737 , SB1738 , SB1739 , SB1740 , SB1741 , SB1742 , SB1743 , SB1744 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB1747 , SB1748 , SB1749 , SB1750 , SB1751 , SB1752 , SB1753 , SB1754 , SB1755 , SB1756 , SB1757 , SB1758 , SB1759 , SB1760 , SB1761 , SB1762 , SB1763 , SB1764 , SB1765 , SB1766 , SB1767 , SB1768 , SB1769 , SB1770 , SB1771 , SB1772 , SB1773 , SB1774 , SB1775 , SB1776 , SB1777 , SB1778 , SB1779 , SB1781 , SB1782 , SB1783 , SB1784 , SB1785 , SB1786 , SB1787 , SB1788 , SB1789 , SB1790 , SB1791 , SB1792 , SB1793 , SB1794 , SB1795 , SB1796 , SB1797 , SB1798 , SB1799 , SB1800 , SB1801 , SB1802 , SB1803 , SB1804 , SB1805 , SB1806 , SB1807 , SB1808 , SB1809 , SB1810 , SB1811 , SB1812 , SB1813 , SB1814 , SB1815 , SB1816 , SB1817 , SB1818 , SB1819 , SB1820 , SB1821 , SB1822 , SB1823 , SB1824 , SB1825 , SB1826 , SB1827 , SB1828 , SB1829 , SB1830 , SB1831 , SB1832 , SB1833 , SB1834 , SB1835 , SB1836 , SB1837 , SB1838 , SB1839 , SB1840 , SB1841 , SB1842 , SB1843 , SB1844 , SB1845 , SB1846 , SB1847 , SB1848 , SB1849 , SB1850 , SB2188 , SB2230 , SB2312 , SB2345 , SJR56 , SJR63 , SJR64 , SJR69 , SJR70 , SJR71 , SCR30 , SCR31 , SCR32 , SCR33 , SB1701 , SB1702 , SB1703 , SB1704 , SB1705 , SB1706 , SB1707 , SB1708 , SB1709 , SB1710 , SB1711 , SB1712 , SB1713 , SB1714 , SB1715 , SB1716 , SB1717 , SB1718 , SB1719 , SB1720 , SB1721 , SB1722 , SB1723 , SB1724 , SB1725 , SB1726 , SB1727 , SB1728 , SB1729 , SB1730 , SB1731 , SB1732 , SB1733 , SB1734 , SB1735 , SB1736 , SB1737 , SB1738 , SB1739 , SB1740 , SB1741 , SB1742 , SB1743 , SB1744 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB1747 , SB1748 , SB1749 , SB1750 , SB1751 , SB1752 , SB1753 , SB1754 , SB1755 , SB1756 , SB1757 , SB1758 , SB1759 , SB1760 , SB1761 , SB1762 , SB1763 , SB1764 , SB1765 , SB1766 , SB1767 , SB1768 , SB1769 , SB1770 , SB1771 , SB1772 , SB1773 , SB1774 , SB1775 , SB1776 , SB1777 , SB1778 , SB1779 , SB1781 , SB1782 , SB1783 , SB1784 , SB1785 , SB1786 , SB1787 , SB1788 , SB1789 , SB1790 , SB1791 , SB1792 , SB1793 , SB1794 , SB1795 , SB1796 , SB1797 , SB1798 , SB1799 , SB1800 , SB1801 , SB1802 , SB1803 , SB1804 , SB1805 , SB1806 , SB1807 , SB1808 , SB1809 , SB1810 , SB1811 , SB1812 , SB1813 , SB1814 , SB1815 , SB1816 , SB1817 , SB1818 , SB1819 , SB1820 , SB1821 , SB1822 , SB1823 , SB1824 , SB1825 , SB1826 , SB1827 , SB1828 , SB1829 , SB1830 , SB1831 , SB1832 , SB1833 , SB1834 , SB1835 , SB1836 , SB1837 , SB1838 , SB1839 , SB1840 , SB1841 , SB1842 , SB1843 , SB1844 , SB1845 , SB1846 , SB1847 , SB1848 , SB1849 , SB1850 , SB2188 , SB2230 , SB2312 , SB2345

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, Supreme Court, judicial independence, Keep Nine, checks and balances, water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display

Transcript Highlights:

• Taxpayers should not have to pay a premium lease interest rate for a lease with an escape clause that
• We found that a bond rate was 3.84%, and a lease for that same project was 5.45%, so it was over 1.6%
• There's, the credit rating is based on the history of the, um, and the amount of debt that the school
• And so you might ask if the interest rate could be higher than what the New Hampshire Bond Bank might
• We wouldn't want to pay any interest rates.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee held public hearings on House Bill 471 and House Bill 373. HB 471 would create a temporary commission to study growth, traffic, planning, and land use issues in a group of southern New Hampshire towns, with possible recommendations on regional planning commission boundaries or coordination. Representative Perez said the bill was requested by Londonderry residents and local officials, and Eric Power of Brookline testified in support, saying the towns share corridor and development issues that cross regional planning commission lines. Several members questioned whether existing law already allows towns to form regional planning commissions under RSA 364:6, whether the bill should be broader, and whether the town list should include additional communities. The hearing closed with testimony counts reported as two in support and three opposed on remote sign-in, plus one opposed and one in support on the blue sheet. HB 373, sponsored by Representative Diane Powers, would revise RSA 41:11-a on town property leases. Powers said current law is too restrictive because leases over five years require repeated town votes, which she argued is impractical for long-term arrangements. She cited examples from Hampton and Brookline, including long-term road and property leases, and said she had found multiple similar cases. The bill would keep select board authority for leases under one year, allow a legislative body to authorize a specific longer lease by a three-fifths ballot vote, and preserve the existing five-year blanket leasing authority with a three-fifths vote, while keeping existing leases valid if authority is later rescinded. Eric Power testified in support, describing recurring lease renewals in Brookline and saying longer terms are needed for projects such as housing, cell towers, and solar arrays. Members asked about the change from a simple town vote to a three-fifths threshold and whether the bill duplicates existing mechanisms; Powers said the higher threshold was intended because the leases involve long-term commitments. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, they're not done at zero interest over the 20 years, and yes, there is interest rates, you know,
• No, they're not done at zero interest over the 20 years, and yes, there is interest rates, you know,
• No, they're not done at zero interest over the 20 years, and yes, there is interest rates, you know,
• We wouldn't want to pay any interest rates.
• </c> wouldn't want to pay any interest rates wouldn't want to pay any interest rates is<02:24:01.120>

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> This is the same as our House Bill 991, where it would allow banks to use third-party vendors to
• able to utilize the MHAM risk tool, which would allow them to have access to affordable insurance rates
• them to have access to affordable allow them to have access to affordable insurance<00:56:58.160><c> rates
• > Um</c><00:56:59.119><c> the</c><00:56:59.359><c> languages</c><00:57:00.000><c> is</c> insurance rates
• Um the languages is insurance rates.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 5 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are these things that some of the vendors are already doing? I would like to get a feel for it.
• Are these concepts that your vendors are already attempting to implement to make sure they're not sucked

Bills: HB0098 , HB0075 , HB0041 , HB0101

Committee: House Revenue

Keywords: gun control, Second Amendment, constitutional rights, misdemeanor, law enforcement, virtual currency, kiosk, financial institutions, regulation, Wyoming Money Transmitters Act, penalties, death benefits, retirement, survivor support, public safety, guardianship, monitoring, ward protection, financial independence, case management

Transcript Highlights:

• contractual offerings to our providers if They met certain metrics, so like if their quality was a certain rate

Bills: SB1636 , SB1584 , SB1730 , SB1255 , SB1627 , SB137 , SB2062 , SB1470 , SB1284 , SB1632 , SB1594 , SB2045 , SB1251 , SB1884 , SB1250 , SB1630 , SB1262 , SB1374 , SB1292 , SB1432 , SB1199 , SB1790 , SB1481 , SB1614 , SB1734 , SB1437 , SB1489 , SB1718 , SB1778 , SB1327 , SB1372 , SB1403 , SB1937 , SB277 , SB2131 , SB1749 , SB1348 , SB1469 , SB2018 , SB1931 , SB1530 , SB2155 , SB2030 , SB1926 , SB2170 , SB2151 , SB2166 , SB1213 , SB1381 , SB1824 , SB1876 , SB1728 , SB1582 , SB1286 , SB1386 , SB1708 , SB1618 , SB2106 , SB1471 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1619 , SCR15 , HB2786 , HB2787 , SB1525 , SB2011 , SB2159

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Transcript Highlights:

• So, like, if their quality was a certain rate, if they did wraparound services and... ...they met certain
• metrics, so like if their quality was a certain rate, if they did wraparound services and kept people

Bills: SB1636 , SB1584 , SB1730 , SB1255 , SB1627 , SB137 , SB2062 , SB1470 , SB1284 , SB1632 , SB1594 , SB2045 , SB1251 , SB1884 , SB1250 , SB1630 , SB1262 , SB1374 , SB1292 , SB1432 , SB1199 , SB1790 , SB1481 , SB1614 , SB1734 , SB1437 , SB1489 , SB1718 , SB1778 , SB1327 , SB1372 , SB1403 , SB1937 , SB277 , SB2131 , SB1749 , SB1348 , SB1469 , SB2018 , SB1931 , SB1530 , SB2155 , SB2030 , SB1926 , SB2170 , SB2151 , SB2166 , SB1213 , SB1381 , SB1824 , SB1876 , SB1728 , SB1582 , SB1286 , SB1386 , SB1708 , SB1618 , SB2106 , SB1471 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1619 , SCR15 , HB2786 , HB2787 , SB1525 , SB2011 , SB2159

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and recognized the nurse of the day, Michelle Bradshaw, along with several gallery guests and pages. The chamber then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 15, recognizing February 24 as World Spay Day to highlight pet overpopulation and the importance of spay and neuter programs; the resolution was adopted without debate. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 2786, a supplemental appropriation of $19,660,770 for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to close out FY25 and cover statutory and contractual obligations, including Medicaid/Title 19-related payments. Senator Kurt raised repeated concerns that the supplemental did not restore funding for substance use providers, uncompensated care, or crisis services that had been cut or left unpaid, while Senator Rosino argued the bill only covered amounts the state was legally required to pay and reflected the department’s verified needs. The Joint Committee report was adopted, and HB 2786 passed 38-10 and was then passed as an emergency measure. The Senate also passed House Bill 2787, a supplemental for the State Department of Health tied to legacy contracts associated with “Choosing Childbirth,” despite criticism from Senator Kurt that the money could have gone to direct mental health services. The chamber then advanced and passed Senate Bill 1525, raising the threshold for the Tourism and Recreation Department to contract with private entities for a tourism conference from $25,000 to $75,000, and Senate Bill 2011, adding contracted employees of county detention facilities to a protected class list. Senate Bill 2159, designating wheat as the official state crop, also passed. The Senate adjourned until Wednesday, February 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vaccination rates have been declining nationally and in Hawaiʻi.
• </c><02:38:29.640><c> of</c> avoids vaccinations has lower rates of avoids vaccinations has lower rates
• </c><03:23:12.199><c> at</c> the concern is the exemption rate at the concern is the exemption rate at
• The witness responds that the reason now is the declining immunization rates, the rising exemption rates
• The witness says the reason now is the declining immunization rates, the rising exemption rates, and

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with House Bill 1462 on crisis services. Testimony from the Department of Law Enforcement, the Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Department of Health supported expanding behavioral health crisis services as an alternative to arrest or incarceration. Witnesses said additional crisis sites would help divert people in mental health crisis to appropriate care, and the Department of Health described its current crisis center in Ewa, including the need for renovations such as a padded room and the time required to get the facility operational. In response to questions, the department estimated the Ewa center’s budgeted cost at about $4.3 million, not including rent or startup repairs, and said a second site’s cost would depend on whether it was freestanding or attached to an existing facility. The committee then heard House Bill 700 on cognitive assessments. The Executive Office on Aging supported the bill’s intent but asked that it be amended to make assessments optional rather than mandated, to pilot the program first, and to allow flexibility in handling HIPAA-protected data. SHPDA also supported the measure but said it should not be mandatory and suggested that payers reimburse for assessments when requested by patients, families, or physicians. The Alzheimer’s Association and caregivers strongly supported standardizing cognitive assessments to improve early detection and access to newer treatments, while noting the existing opt-out provision. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the bill but asked that the age 65 threshold be removed because cognitive decline can begin much earlier for people with Down syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and related conditions. In response to a question, the Office on Aging said a pilot project could likely be done for about $150,000, with data security being the main added cost. The final bill discussed was House Bill 237 on peer support programs. Testimony from Family Hui Hawaii, Early Childhood Action Strategy, peer support workers, and families described peer-to-peer programs as a cost-effective way to reduce isolation, strengthen families, and provide long-term community support. Speakers said these programs help parents and caregivers navigate crises, child welfare involvement, addiction recovery, and other challenges, and can have lasting benefits for children’s development and family stability. Several witnesses tied the bill to broader state goals, including infant and early childhood mental health, trauma-informed care, and child welfare reform. Written testimony from about a dozen organizations and individuals was also noted in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many programs already report a 90% or better collection rate, as defined in the bill.
• That same generation at service rate.
• </c> with the rate payers footing the costs. with the rate payers footing the costs.
• </c> overruns and stranded costs on rate overruns and stranded costs on rate payers,<05:12:37.200><c>
• rate payers bearing<05:14:05.760><c> the</c><05:14:05.880><c> risk.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• underwent forced consolidation, studies revealed no significant reduction in overall spending or local tax rates
• Research shows that when principals are task overburdened, attrition rates arise, which in turn elevates
• principles are task<00:13:44.720><c> overburdened,</c><00:13:45.920><c> attrition</c><00:13:46.480><c> rates
• </c> task overburdened, attrition rates task overburdened, attrition rates arise,<00:13:48.079><c> which
• They're the ones who build partnerships with a wide array of educational vendors to ensure our teachers

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to hear from the New Hampshire Association of School Principals as part of its review of a proposal involving statewide administrative consolidation and changes to school governance. Members first discussed how school board witnesses would be selected, with the chair saying the committee would seek a mix of district sizes and structures and would also accept emailed input. The principals’ association said it represents more than 550 principals and assistant principals and urged caution about any mandatory consolidation, arguing that successful consolidations are gradual and voluntary. Association leaders and principals testified that principals already handle a wide range of responsibilities, including instructional leadership, student discipline, safety, staff supervision and evaluation, family and community engagement, and day-to-day crisis response. They argued that shifting more legal, budgetary, and administrative duties onto principals would reduce time for coaching teachers and supporting students, increase burnout and turnover, and create legal and training risks, especially in areas such as special education, privacy, and labor issues. They also said the roles of superintendents, principals, and school board members are distinct and require different training and expertise. Members asked detailed questions about how responsibilities are divided between principals and SAUs, whether principals recruit and evaluate staff, and how much time principals work. One principal said she works about 60 to 70 hours a week and that additional duties would be difficult to absorb. Another principal described his school’s structure, the importance of community building, and the need to preserve district-wide alignment if consolidation moves forward. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our rate of job growth exceeds the national average and is the best in New England.
• We cut bloated contracts from out-of-state vendors.
• 41:20.720><c> prices</c><00:41:21.319><c> rents</c><00:41:21.800><c> mortgage</c><00:41:22.280><c> rates
• </c><00:41:23.280><c> all</c><00:41:23.480><c> of</c> home prices rents mortgage rates all of home prices
• rents mortgage rates all of which<00:41:24.040><c> has</c><00:41:24.240><c> gone</c> which has gone

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we bill at an hourly rate, at a pretty cheap one too: $270 an hour.
• So we bill at an hourly rate, at a pretty cheap one too: $270 an hour.
• those judge services so we bill at an those judge services so we bill at an hourly<01:41:36.440><c> rate
• <c> pretty</c><01:41:37.599><c> cheap</c><01:41:37.880><c> one</c><01:41:38.080><c> too</c> hourly rate
• at a pretty cheap one too hourly rate at a pretty cheap one too $270<01:41:40.480><c> an</c><01:41:40.639

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, the rate at which these federal actions are happening is not the same as the rate at which
• /c><01:29:17.840><c> at</c><01:29:18.040><c> which</c><01:29:18.239><c> these</c> first of all the rate
• at which these first of all the rate at which these Federal<01:29:18.760><c> actions</c><01:29:19.040
• at</c><01:29:21.639><c> which</c><01:29:21.800><c> state</c><01:29:22.040><c> level</c> same as the rate
• at which state level same as the rate at which state level actions<01:29:22.600><c> are</c><01:29:22.760

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all