Video & Transcript Research : 'developer exactions'

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ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Information Technology Committee Jul 8th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • was something where we did code development and did writing for that.
  • This is something that we develop.
  • I'm trying to remember that exact conversation.
  • The system was developed by PeopleSoft, which was later acquired by Oracle.
  • The system was developed by PeopleSoft, which was later acquired by Oracle.
Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then received a quarterly update on major IT projects from NDIT. Staff reported the portfolio included 116 major projects totaling about $546 million, with the overall portfolio under budget but slightly behind schedule. They reviewed projects over the 20% variance threshold, including an Industrial Commission grants management system and DOT’s roadway pre-construction replacement, and then heard startup and closeout reports from HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT. Several previously troubled projects were closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning; some projects finished under budget and ahead of schedule, while others were significantly behind schedule or over budget but were now closed or being remediated. The committee also reviewed NDIT’s annual report, including service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how service-fund revenue and grant administrative charges are accounted for, how chargebacks work, and whether NDIT tracks customer satisfaction scores. NDIT said it does track CSAT-type measures in some service areas and has survey data, but it is not planning another customer survey this summer. Members encouraged more regular reporting of customer satisfaction, service-level metrics, and performance data to help guide future improvements. A major portion of the meeting focused on the state’s mainframe modernization effort. NDIT said the overall effort is still targeting about 2030, with multiple HHS and DOT projects underway and a $15 million tech-debt appropriation already removing some components. Staff described the main obstacles as data cleanup, complex integrations, limited staff capacity, retirements, and vendor constraints, and said they are seeking a vendor with modernization support in the next contract cycle. Members pressed for clearer accountability and faster progress, and NDIT and HHS emphasized that they are working jointly but need continued support and better tools. The committee then heard a cybersecurity update on NDIT’s statewide services and maturity assessments. NDIT explained that it provides vulnerability scanning, endpoint protection, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that these services are tied to a cybersecurity maturity assessment based on CIS controls. Members questioned the sharp drop in participation since 2020 and whether the self-assessment should be mandatory or tied more strongly to StageNet access or insurance incentives. NDIT said participation is voluntary, but Enderf is now requiring annual assessments to keep a 4% insurance discount, and members discussed whether stronger requirements or audit authority may be needed. The meeting ended as the committee began a follow-up discussion on BEAD broadband connection costs and why some locations are much more expensive to connect than others.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Capital Investment - 03/17/26

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a port development bill.
  • It's proven a port development bill.
  • <00:25:11.920> is That says Minnesota Port Development is That says Minnesota Port Development
  • In this case, it's a Port Development In this case, it's a Port Development Infrastructure<00:26
  • <01:31:34.240> number Senator, I don't know the exact number Senator, I don't know the exact
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Special Education Funding Committee May 6th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Special Education Funding Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we kind of develop our own.
  • And we need to create a professional development system that you're not just doing professional development
  • to do professional development.
  • development do I want them to have?
  • So in my mind, that's professional development.
Keywords: 908, all
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

ALC-HIGHWAY COMMISSION REVIEW AND ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 16th, 2026

ALC-HIGHWAY COMMISSION REVIEW AND ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're working hard to be good neighbors over there as we develop Interstate 49.
  • I was thinking it was 2027, but I'll check on that and get back to you with that exact date.
  • Those projects are in various stages of development, Representative.
  • We developed a curriculum in partnership with the Department of Education last summer.
  • We developed a curriculum in partnership with the Department of Education last summer.
Summary: The committee received a report from Director Wiley of the Arkansas Department of Transportation on a series of routine and quarterly items, including the closeout of the department’s efficiency review. Wiley said all five remaining recommendations from that review had been implemented, highlighted a new public maintenance dashboard on the agency website, and reported four surplus properties sold since the last meeting. He also noted that ARDOT had obligated $3.14 billion in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding to date and reviewed the annual expenditure report tied to 2019 revenue changes, which funded $98.7 million in maintenance projects last year. Members asked about the balance between maintenance and new construction, with Wiley saying about 75% of construction dollars go to maintaining the existing system and that ARDOT’s overall spending is overwhelmingly focused on upkeep because of the size of the state highway network. He also discussed major projects and corridor priorities, including Interstate 57 and Highway 5 work in Lonoke County, Interstate 49 public meetings, passing-lane improvements on Highway 412/62 in north central Arkansas, Highway 82 widening in south Arkansas, and long-range plans to widen Interstate 40, possibly including a toll study. On the Toad Suck Bridge flood mitigation project, he said the design had been revised to reduce public impacts and would not require a long-term bridge closure. The committee also discussed safety and enforcement tools in work zones. Wiley said new work-zone cameras and cell phone detection tools were being used on projects such as I-30, I-57, and I-49, mainly to improve safety rather than issue citations. In addition, he said ARDOT spends about $8 million annually on litter control and is expanding anti-litter efforts, including a spring cleanup day involving more than 2,500 operations employees and some office staff. He also announced agency initiatives on human trafficking awareness training for field and office staff and the Street Smart education program for middle school students, with plans to expand it to high school content next year. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the director’s presentation and member questions.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Taxation and Revenue Mar 5th, 2025

House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • , so we check all the boxes and do land... development as well.
  • I want to start with the statewide economic development professional association.
  • Affordable housing is critical for economic development in our state.
  • That will spur that type of development.
  • Many various reports have been studying this exact issue over the years.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Ways and Means (01/21/2026)

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • you the exact figures. you the exact figures.
  • I know it's kind of close to home, but the guy's a developer for Cambridge and he's trying to develop
  • Let’s see some verification that this is being used and developing what they say it will develop.
  • what they say it will developing what they say it will develop. develop. develop.
  • um research and development without much um research and development without much help. help. help. um
Keywords: 1189, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Education Committee Jul 16th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • This drop-off will disproportionately affect county board of education seats, which are the exact races
  • For many years, the trauma stunted my development, delayed my independence, caused learn, helplessness
  • Laura Kerr with the Charter School Development Center in support.
  • But where we strike the balance is the exact subject matter of our negotiations.
  • I'm sorry, I don't remember the exact figure, but it was in the low billions, and...
Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum for much of the hearing and heard several bills out of order. SB 249 by Senator Umberg would move county board of education elections from the primary to the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters and many educators, argued the change would increase turnout and make the electorate more representative. The Orange County Board of Education opposed the bill, saying it would increase costs, reduce local control, and bury education races on crowded general-election ballots. The chair and members discussed turnout, cost, and representation, but the bill was held pending a quorum. Senator Grove presented SB 373, which adds safeguards for California students placed in out-of-state non-public schools through IEPs. The bill would require more robust LEA and CDE oversight, including annual site visits, student interviews, quarterly contact, stronger certification standards, and restrictions on prone, supine, and mechanical restraints. Testimony from a survivor of an out-of-state placement and from advocates emphasized abuse, neglect, and the need for stronger monitoring. There was broad support and no opposition testimony, but the measure was also held pending a quorum. Senator Ashby presented SB 568, the epinephrine in schools modernization act, to clarify and expand requirements for stocked epinephrine so they clearly apply to all public schools, including preschool programs. School nurses and medical experts said the bill would close gaps created by universal preschool and ensure life-saving treatment is available for anaphylaxis. The committee discussed dosing and implementation, and the bill was supported without opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 414, the Charter School Accountability Act, which would strengthen fiscal oversight, audit standards, and transparency for charter schools and authorizers. Supporters said it responds to fraud and audit findings while preserving charter flexibility; opponents, including school employees and teachers, said it did not go far enough on authorizer accountability and small-district oversight. After discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 414 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also briefly heard SB 743 by Senator Cortese, which would create an equalization reserve account to provide additional funding to underfunded school districts and reduce funding inequities tied to ZIP code. The author said the bill would support student achievement and teacher retention over time. The transcript cuts off before testimony or action on SB 743 was completed.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Executive Departments and Administration (01/15/2025)

Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:17:16.880> real quick do it you want to exact real quick do it you want to exact real
  • who on consent oh to come out of exact who on consent oh and<00:30:15.240> I'll<00:30:15.399>
  • so move moved and to go into exact so move moved and seconded<00:38:53.280> all<00:38:53.440>
  • into PTSD that's really the goal develop into PTSD that's really the goal here<01:33:21.840> is
  • They don't look to be terribly contentious, and we've only got one bill that we have not exact— right
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Public Works and Highways (01/20/2026)

Public Works and Highways

Transcript Highlights:
  • I forget the exact number.
  • developing the plan. developing the plan.
  • We impose some exaction fee on the developer for a few years.
  • We impose some exaction<04:03:37.279> fee<04:03:37.600> on<04:03:37.920> developer
  • exaction fee on developer for few years. exaction fee on developer for few years.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Energy. (1-29-26)

Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • seen a huge load growth need for more supplies to meet the demands of data centers and economic development
  • projects<00:02:31.840> in<00:02:32.000> most<00:02:32.160> of economic development
  • projects in most of economic development projects in most of all<00:02:32.560> our<00:02:32.720
  • with the stranded asset and and<00:04:42.960> the<00:04:43.120> the<00:04:43.520> exact
  • purpose of Senate Bill and the the exact purpose of Senate Bill 4<00:04:45.120> I<00:04:45.280
Summary: The committee heard House Bill 398, sponsored by Rep. Wade Williams, with testimony from David Samford of East Kentucky Power Cooperative. The bill would amend KRS 278.264, the Senate Bill 4 statute, to clarify that it governs retirement of fossil fuel plants and not the recovery of associated decommissioning costs. Supporters said the measure would restore the Public Service Commission’s discretion to spread decommissioning costs over the life of a plant, consistent with traditional ratemaking, and avoid large rate spikes when plants are retired. Testimony focused on ratemaking principles such as cost causation and matching, with the witnesses arguing that customers should pay costs as they are incurred rather than face a large “sticker shock” charge at the end of a plant’s life. Members asked about possible double charges, environmental surcharges, fuel adjustment clauses, and what happens if a planned retirement is delayed or canceled. The witnesses said the bill is intended to prevent double exposure and that rates would be revisited in future base rate cases as assumptions change. During roll call, most members voted yes, while Rep. Fugate passed and explained concern about high electric bills and prior lump-sum charges in his area, and Rep. Watkins voted no, saying he needed more information on long-term affordability. The committee reported the bill out favorably, with the chair stating it should pass on the floor.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Executive Departments and Administration (04/15/2026)

Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • everybody know we aren't exacting everybody know we aren't exacting anything<00:28:01.680> today
  • responsibility of developing something responsibility of developing something that<00:51:28.680>
  • I apologize, we're not exacting any... Oh, sorry. I won't.
  • > any<02:22:54.120> Oh, apologize we're not exacting any Oh, apologize we're not exacting
  • We aren't exacting anything Thank you.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Erickson is a developer, owner, and manager of continuing care retirement communities, or CCRCs.
  • Today, California statute ties those repayments to when a resident's exact unit is reoccupied.
  • they leave the community, and repayments are made in that order, regardless of when the resident's exact
  • they leave the community, and repayments are made in that order, regardless of when the resident's exact
Summary: The Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee met on April 21 and heard three bills. AB 1819 by Assemblymember Sanchez would require buildings serving 50 or more people to have an automated external defibrillator on site. Sanchez said the bill is intended to protect older adults and other community members by improving access to life-saving emergency equipment; supporters included recreation and park districts and respiratory care professionals. The committee members present voted in favor, and the bill was passed as amended and re-referred to Appropriations, with the roll held open for absent members. AB 1983 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio would create an optional sequential repayment method for continuing care retirement communities, allowing entrance fee repayments to be made in the order residents leave rather than waiting for a specific unit to be reoccupied. Rubio and Erickson Senior Living argued the change would make repayments more predictable and equitable while preserving consumer protections. Support also came from LeadingAge California and the California Assisted Living Association. The committee approved the bill and sent it to Human Services, again holding the roll open for later votes. AB 2037 by Assemblymember Patterson would establish a pilot grant program to help seniors and people with disabilities harden their homes against wildfire risk, with Patterson describing it as a way to support property maintenance and reduce wildfire spread. The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, AARP California, and local officials testified in support, and committee members accepted amendments to add another county to the pilot. The committee voted to pass the bill as amended and re-refer it to Appropriations. After the initial votes, add-on votes were recorded and the committee adjourned.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Energy and Natural Resources (03/04/2025)

Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:10:33.200> or biggest issues for someone developing or biggest issues for someone developing
  • Nashua there's very little developable Nashua there's very little developable land land land left
  • <00:22:20.520> going soils and the type of development going soils and the type of development
  • <00:37:02.599> land<00:37:03.560> be developable land be developable land be housing<00
  • costs and slow down project development costs and slow down project development and<01:47:24.239
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee Jun 23rd, 2026 at 10:00 am

Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So it's not an exact science.
  • So it's not an exact science.
  • In fact, when it was developed in 2023, we went from 118 FTAs to 117.
  • In fact, when it was developed in 2023, we went from 118 FTAs to 117.
  • And it certainly can and will change as technology is developed.
Keywords: 908, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Capital Investment Committee 1/23/25

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • administration and commerce to develop administration and commerce to develop the<00:10:32.800><
  • I can get back to you on an exact count.
  • <00:50:54.319> the center was hired to develop the center was hired to develop the guidelines
  • reasons that could be devel developed reasons that could be devel developed with<00:54:23.760>
  • That was my exact observation as well. Okay, great. Thanks, Representative Sexton.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The House Capital Investment Committee met on January 23 and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The main presentation was from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its evaluation of Minnesota’s Sustainable Building guidelines, also referred to as B3. The auditors said the guidelines apply to certain new buildings and major renovations funded with general obligation bonds and are intended to improve energy efficiency, occupant health, and environmental quality. They described the program as involving the Departments of Administration and Commerce, the University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Building Research, and project teams, but found widespread confusion over who is responsible for administering and enforcing the program. The auditors reported that oversight and accountability are limited, compliance is not clearly tracked, and there is no agency assigned to ensure projects follow the guidelines or to require compliance data. They said many projects in a review of 2020 bonding projects had not begun tracking compliance, and that up-to-date data were often missing. They also found the law’s stated program objectives are outdated because the referenced energy-code provision was repealed in 2009, and that measurable goals have not been established for most of the guideline categories. The office recommended that the legislature designate a responsible agency, clarify duties in statute, require compliance monitoring and data collection, update the program’s stated goals, and direct systematic evaluation of cost and sustainability outcomes. Members asked about consequences for noncompliance, funding, and whether cost impacts should be studied first. The auditor said the requirements are legal obligations, but no real enforcement consequences have been used so far, and any consequences discussed have been mostly theoretical. She said the Departments of Administration and Commerce were receiving about $1 million combined to support the contract with the Center for Sustainable Building Research, while other state agencies were not receiving dedicated funding for oversight. In response to questions about costs, she said the overall effect of the guidelines on project costs and sustainability is still unknown, but that the legislature could direct an analysis of cost impacts before taking further action.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The challenge is that the smaller shredders don't do the exact same process that the bigger shredders
  • They would go through the same permitting process, but all... ...don't do the exact same process that
  • One possible way to address this is potentially directing the State Water Board to develop the definition
  • I have those studies that I could send you, but I don’t know those exact details off the top of my head
  • for example, doesn't have any calcium, let's just take two prenatal vitamins sourced from the same exact
Summary: The committee heard SB 404 on metal shredding facilities, SB 601 on water quality protections after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision, SB 682 on phasing out PFOS in certain consumer products, and later SB 646 on prenatal vitamins and toxic metal contamination. SB 561 had been pulled from the hearing. In each of the measures, the authors and supporters emphasized environmental and public health protections, while opponents raised concerns about overregulation, implementation, and unintended economic impacts. The committee also spent time on the policy details of each bill, including how smaller operators would be treated under SB 404, how “nexus waters” would be defined under SB 601, and whether alternatives and testing standards were adequate under SB 682 and SB 646. For SB 404, Senator Caballero said the bill would create a permitting and enforcement framework for metal shredding facilities, with operational standards for fire prevention, stormwater, and releases of shredder residue, while supporters argued it would bring needed certainty to a critical recycling industry. Opponents, including small recyclers and community/environmental advocates, said the bill was either too broad or not strong enough, with some warning it would burden smaller facilities and others arguing it would fail to protect overburdened communities. The committee approved SB 404 on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with recorded support from the chair and some members and opposition from others. SB 601 sought to restore state-level protections for waters that lost federal Clean Water Act coverage after Sackett, using a “nexus waters” framework and revised enforcement provisions after amendments removed the private right of action. Supporters said California needed to preserve protections for seasonal streams and wetlands and avoid backsliding, while opponents from business, agriculture, water districts, and local governments argued the definition remained too broad and could create uncertainty, costs, and unintended consequences. The committee also approved SB 601 on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, again with split votes. SB 682, which the committee also advanced, would phase out intentionally added PFOS in six product categories, including cleaning products, cookware, dental floss, ski wax, food packaging, and juvenile products, with an amendment delaying cookware implementation until 2030. Supporters framed it as a source-control measure to reduce PFAS contamination and lower long-term water treatment costs, while manufacturers and cookware interests argued the bill was overbroad, lacked workable testing standards, and could push consumers and businesses toward uncertain alternatives. The committee chair recommended an aye vote, and the measure passed to Appropriations. SB 646 was then introduced on prenatal vitamins, with supporters saying it would require testing and disclosure of heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, while the opposition said disclosure must be handled carefully so as not to confuse consumers or undermine confidence in prenatal supplements.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Regulated Industries Mar 12th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • This water plant was built by a private developer.
  • This water plant was built by a private developer.
  • I don't know the exact reasons why. We should know the reasons why.
  • The exact reasons why. We should know the reasons why.
  • Programs can be developed and actually have been developed to train VPAs to the equivalency of DVMs in
Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several bills, reporting each favorably after hearing sponsor presentations, public testimony, and member questions. SB 578 would allow wine to be sold in recyclable containers, aligning wine with beer container rules; it received support from Americans for Prosperity and passed without debate. SB 606 clarified when guests in public lodging or food service establishments may be removed for nonpayment, updated notice and checkout provisions, and removed a mandatory arrest requirement, with support from hotel and restaurant industry groups; it also passed favorably. Members then heard SB 202, which addresses a municipal water utility surcharge issue affecting Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach by requiring the utility to charge residents where the plant sits the same rate it charges its own residents. The sponsor and supporters described it as a fairness issue, while North Miami Beach argued it would shift costs and threaten utility finances; the bill was reported favorably. SB 570 modernized and clarified the scope of work for swimming pool and spa contractors, and SB 928, as amended, regulated non-approved disposable nicotine devices by restricting advertising and display, increasing inspections and penalties, and adding a school-buffer provision; both were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 346, which repeals state preemption over local regulation of hoisting equipment and cranes, prompted by concerns after Hurricane Milton and a crane collapse in St. Petersburg. Supporters said local governments need authority to address storm-related crane safety, while industry representatives warned against patchwork regulation and said local oversight already exists in some areas. Finally, the committee took up SB 652, creating Veterinary Professional Associates to perform certain tasks, including limited surgeries under veterinarian supervision; animal welfare groups supported it as a way to expand access, while some veterinarians opposed the surgery provisions. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. The committee then began SB 354, a major overhaul of Public Service Commission oversight, including expanding the commission, adding financial expertise, tightening rate-setting and storm-hardening review, and increasing transparency for nonprofit water and wastewater utilities; the substitute amendment was adopted and public testimony was heard from consumer advocates and utility-related groups, but the transcript ends before final action on the bill.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 03-19-2026 11:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • .<00:30:11.520> The<00:30:11.600> school's<00:30:12.000> academic development.
  • The school's academic development.
  • commitment to professional development commitment to professional development focused<00:31:41.880
  • She developed and administered assessments to monitor student progress and collaborated with teachers
  • And it is wonderful stories, but this is the exact kind of story book and student authorship that we
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/13/25 - Part 1

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:01:58.920> and Director of Economic Development and Director of Economic Development and
  • for growth um and further development for growth um and further development into<00:03:16.120>
  • <00:48:41.800> of beforehand uh during the development of beforehand uh during the development
  • Acres actually took one year to develop Acres actually took one year to develop the<01:24:55.800
  • <01:26:43.679> same permites will be held to the exact same permites will be held to the exact
Keywords: 1183, house
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Public Works and Highways (03/24/2026)

Public Works and Highways

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:52:37.760> timber<00:52:38.079> that's again it's the same exact timber that's
  • again it's the same exact timber that's you<00:52:38.800> know<00:52:38.960> 100<00:52:
  • It's in the exact same location it was when the Brick Tower Motel was there many, many decades ago.
  • else without to develop it for something else without that<01:50:29.840> sign."
  • Um, this is probably too close to the highway to be developed.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 497, a technical correction to last year’s capital budget. Shannon Reid of the Community College System of New Hampshire explained that the bill removes leftover state-agency boilerplate from a repurposed capital appropriation and replaces it with community college language, without changing any dollar amounts. She also described a requested amendment to rename a respiratory therapy renovation appropriation at Nashua Community College as an allied health instructional center, so the space can be used more flexibly for programs such as phlebotomy, radiologic technology, and LNA training. Terry Poff of the General Court then testified on the second part of the bill, which changes legislative space references to support the move of General Court offices from the second floor to the fourth floor of the annex as part of the legislative office building reconfiguration. Members asked whether the community college changes affected funding, and Reid confirmed the amounts do not change and that the bill simply speeds up a correction that otherwise would have been handled later in the lapse process. Poff said the annex space change is part of a permanent transition, though the work cannot proceed until the General Court has legal control of the space. The committee then entered executive session, adopted Amendment 1031H on a 12-0 vote, and voted ought to pass as amended on SB 497 by a 12-0 vote, with several members absent. The bill was placed on the consent calendar. The committee next opened a hearing on Senate Bill 529FN, which would give preference to lumber sourced in the United States on state-funded building projects. Representative Davis, introducing the bill for Senator Roachford, argued that New Hampshire timber is disadvantaged by grading rules that treat U.S. lumber differently from Canadian SPF lumber, even when the wood is from similar species and climates. He said the bill is intended to support New Hampshire’s timber industry and that architects and engineers would still be able to specify stronger materials when needed. Committee members questioned whether the bill should instead refer specifically to New Hampshire lumber, how it would be enforced, and what the cost impact would be. Davis and later witness Mike Olette said the issue is tied to industry grading standards rather than a government code, that the bill is meant to create a preference rather than a mandate, and that price differences are hard to pin down because lumber is a commodity. Olette, who lives near the border, testified that New Hampshire logs are often sent to Canada for milling and then return under a different grade, which he said puts New Hampshire loggers and mills at an economic disadvantage.