Transcript Highlights:

• If you remember, I'm non-public session.
• they don't want to have a public session they don't want to have a public session prematurely.<00
• can work out in the executive session. can work out in the executive session.
• And I recognize the executive session.
• Um, you got to exec this and get it on the floor.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 69, including a germane amendment about local school boards’ acceptance or rejection of gifts and donations and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Rep. Cordelli said the early literacy proposal was a modified version of an earlier kindergarten readiness bill, would rely on gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements. Members questioned the shift from a broader technology program to an online-only model, the lack of detailed evaluation metrics, how long children would use the program, and whether it was appropriate for very young children. Cordelli said the change was intended to avoid government dependence and still allow the program to be offered next school year. Several members raised concerns about the gift-acceptance language on the underlying bill, including whether school boards would need to vote on small donations, whether gifts could be handled in blocks or at regular meetings, and how anonymous donations would work under right-to-know laws. Rep. Han noted that some gift discussions might belong in non-public session under RSA 91-A, while Rep. Cornell said acceptance or rejection of gifts could be handled at regular meetings and suggested a dollar threshold could be added later. The New Hampshire School Boards Association said it was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails, policy guidance, and clarification on timing, anonymity, and public-meeting requirements. Supporters of the early childhood program, including Waterford.org, said the proposal would provide an evidence-based, adaptive online literacy program with family engagement for four- and five-year-olds, and that it could help close early learning gaps. Waterford said it could work collaboratively with school districts and IEP teams, and that it would provide devices and internet access for families who need them. Committee members pressed on how the program would interact with existing special education services and whether districts could use it as part of an IEP; the response was that it would be supplementary and not an approved special education service. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair indicated the committee would later executive the bills and try to get reports filed promptly.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think we have a time scheduled for our execs. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
• So I just want to give us a little time. >> Could we exec one? Like, could we exec?
• >> Could we exec one? Like, could we exec? >> Which one is that?
• I am opening the reopening of the executive session on House Bill 767, and I recognize Representative
• I hereby close the executive session on House Bill 767, and we will reconvene at 12:30.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This ends the executive session on House Bill 322. Next up is House Bill 325.
• This concludes the executive session on House Bill 325.
• This concludes the executive session on House Bill 170.
• I did attend most of the sessions this summer.
• We have our next item, which closes the executive session on 478.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee met on January 28, 2025, and first heard House Bill 322, which would give a parent paying child support the exclusive right to claim the child as a dependent on taxes. Representative Barton, the sponsor, argued that because child support is no longer tax-deductible, the paying parent should at least receive the child tax credit. Committee members and later testimony from New Hampshire Legal Assistance raised concerns that the bill would override court discretion, could disadvantage low-income custodial parents, and would not account for cases where child support payments are small or where parents share support unevenly. Several members noted that judges already allocate dependency claims in divorce orders and can modify those orders when circumstances change. After testimony, the committee moved to ITL (inexpedient to legislate) HB 322. The motion was seconded, discussion continued, and the roll call was unanimous in favor of ITL. The committee then placed the bill on consent and ended the executive session on HB 322. The committee next took up House Bill 325, which would eliminate term and reimbursement alimony in no-fault divorces. Representative Barton testified that alimony in those cases was akin to involuntary servitude and should not survive dissolution of the marriage contract. The hearing then moved into questions about whether alimony is meant to compensate a spouse for sacrifices made during the marriage, such as supporting a partner through school or staying home with children, and the sponsor maintained that post-divorce support should not continue as a marital obligation. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 325 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• do, I won't open the work session yet. do, I won't open the work session yet.
• I want to make sure this is the work session on 652." >> "We're not in a work session yet.
• I'm going to close the work session on SB 542. So, last we have the work session on SB 633.
• I'm going to end the work session now on SB 633. We're down to just two bills that we will exec.
• . session. session.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee that will be looking at, again, a different variety of standards for the next legislative session
• It is my honor to bring David Houton as an exec nom to this committee.
• You know, a lot of times we get these ...exec nom to this committee.
• This is another exec nom, Haley Coates, for Seminole State.

Summary: The Extended Education Committee met to consider a long slate of gubernatorial nominations and reappointments to education-related boards and commissions. The committee heard brief introductions from sponsoring senators and remarks from nominees for the Oklahoma Lottery Commission, State Board of Career and Technology Education, Regional University System of Oklahoma, State Board of Education, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges, the Secretary of Education, several university and college boards, the Oklahoma Student Loan Authority, the State Textbook Committee, the Oklahoma Arts Council, and the Langston University board, among others. Many nominees emphasized their backgrounds in public education, higher education, business, agriculture, health care, or community service, and several acknowledged family members or institutional leaders present in the room. A few nominations drew questions or discussion. John Wesley Nofire was asked about working with the State Board of Education and about the social studies standards process, and he explained the board followed statutory public-comment procedures and made changes before final adoption. Secretary of Education Dan Hamlin received supportive comments from multiple senators, who praised his data-driven approach and urged that he be retained by future administrations. Michael McElroy, Brian Beller, Christopher Franklin, Dr. Michael Peck, and others also answered questions about the role of their boards and their experience with the institutions they would oversee. The committee voted on each nomination, with most receiving unanimous approval and a few passing with one or two dissenting votes. Notable vote totals included David McKenzie and Michael McElroy passing 9-2 and 10-1 respectively, while the rest of the nominees generally passed 8-0, 9-0, 10-0, or 11-0. At the end of the meeting, the chair thanked members for their work on the large number of executive nominations and announced that the committee was adjourned for the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• close the executive session. close the executive session.
• session on 1294. session on 1294.
• I'll close the executive session on House Bill 1200. Now, that's called rapid-fire exec sessions.
• Now, that's called rapid fire exec Now, that's called rapid fire exec sessions.<05:26:26.320>
• executive sessions or eight bills<05:26:47.280> to bills to bills to >> exec.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• going to use my microphone since we're recording, and we're going to start the subcommittee work session
• committee session. committee session. Okay.<00:33:16.399> All<00:33:16.480> right.
• that we hold a very brief, like, five-minute additional subcommittee meeting on 1450 right before exec
• on 1450 additional subcommittee meeting on 1450 right<00:37:34.640> before<00:37:34.960> exec
• session.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• up, I want to open up the exact session up, I want to open up the exact session on<00:12:40.399>
• Next up, I want to open up the exec on SB 174.
• Next up, I want to open up the exec on SB 174.
• We have two more bills to exec out of this committee. I'm going to open up the exec on SB 163.
• like we discussed in the earlier session like we discussed in the earlier session today<01:38:51.119

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion to move into exec. Second it. Motion to move into exec. Second it.
• exec. What's that? exec. What's that?
• Motion to move into exec. Second. Motion to ITL. Motion to go into executive session.
• <01:28:05.199> Anyone motion to move out of exec. No. Anyone motion to move out of exec.
• Senate Judiciary is back in session.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean I've pretty having a session.
• So, that concludes our session on 99.
• So, there will be a work session scheduled for the 20th. going to exec uh going to exec uh SB2909<01:
• And you know, we could be followed by a possible exec for both bills.
• But not the session on the 22nd. Yes.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with housekeeping announcements about clearing office file cabinets by May 22, arranging lockers in another building, and the building’s cold temperature. The chair also reviewed the calendar, noting the May 29 reporting deadline, the May 26 Memorial Day closure, and possible dates for subcommittee or committee-of-the-whole meetings. Representative Damon then apologized for his word choice in a prior vote, and the chair accepted the apology. The committee recessed briefly for caucus before returning to the docket. The first bill taken up was SB 98, extending donations to regional career and technical education center programs. Representative Peoples moved OTP, the motion was seconded, and members noted the bill would allow continued private donations to support the program. The committee voted unanimously to pass the bill and then agreed to place it on consent, with discussion noting a fiscal note but no objection to consent. The committee then considered SB 294, concerning lab fees for career and technical education courses. Representative Peoples moved ITL, but members debated whether the bill would create an unfunded mandate or instead simply require that lab fees be addressed in regional agreements. Supporters argued it would make costs transparent and prevent students from being surprised by fees, while opponents said it would shift costs onto sending districts and add to an already underfunded CTE tuition and transportation line. After discussion, the committee voted 10-8 to pass the bill, with Representative Peoples assigned the majority report and Representative Bricky the minority report. Finally, the committee turned to SB 195, which revises the composition and duties of the New Hampshire Advisory Council on Career and Technical Education. The chair initially asked questions about how CTE funding works for part-time students, then corrected that he was on the wrong bill before returning to SB 195. Representative Lad offered amendment 1938H and explained that it largely tracked current law while making changes to council membership, including the appointment process for business and trade representatives. Discussion focused on how the amendment and bill would alter council appointments and whether the current structure should remain, but the transcript cuts off before any final action on SB 195 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're going to take a motion to go into executive session. I have a second. Second.
• Motion to move out of exec. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Oppose. Thanks, everyone.
• Motion to move<01:16:48.640> out<01:16:48.800> of<01:16:48.960> exec.
• those<01:16:50.480> in<01:16:50.640> favor<01:16:50.880> say move out of exec
• All those in favor say move out of exec. All those in favor say I.<01:16:51.440> I.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, um, so I just wanted to mention that in a public session that if there is a way to think about a
• Okay, we are now in executive session. Um, move to adopt House Bill 25.
• Apparently we didn't go into executive session. I thought so too, but...
• Move to come out of executive session. Second. All those in favor? Aye.
• Chair. session. Second. All those in favor? I session. Second. All those in favor?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you're here for an executive session, if we go into executive session, it will just be housekeeping
• <00:02:09.119> today<00:02:09.440> to<00:02:09.679> take an executive session
• today to take an executive session today to take action<00:02:10.239> on<00:02:10.479> bills
• , we if we go into executive session, we if we go into executive<00:02:25.680> session,<00:02:
• <01:05:03.760> you've<01:05:03.920> got work execing and if you've got work execing

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, let's go back to our business at hand as far as this work session.
• ,<01:09:11.440> everything for your executive session, everything for your executive session
• That’s why we’re not going to come back here at 2:30 to exec this.
• Any further other than next Tuesday at 10 o'clock we will exec this.
• next Tuesday at 10 o'clock we will exec next Tuesday at 10 o'clock we will exec this<01:13:52.960

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on proposed improvements to the State Police gun range and related Public Works estimates. Department of Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn and Major Brendan Davy explained that the range is used for realistic, scenario-based training that includes vehicle work, movement, cover, elevation, and stress inoculation, and that it also supports requalification and special unit training for state, local, and federal partners. They said the current facility lacks running water, continuous power, and permanent restrooms, and that the PSTC range cannot accommodate rifles because its backstop is handgun-caliber only. Public Works Director Theodore Copper said the project estimate is $2.3 million, including $1.5 million for the building and site work plus soft costs, inflation, and design fees; he described the proposed building as basic, with office space, classrooms, restrooms, and HVAC. Committee members asked about the cost and scope, and Copper provided a breakdown of the estimate. The committee also heard from Commissioner Edelblute and Milford School District Superintendent Christy Misho regarding career and technical education capital funding. Edelblute urged the committee to include $10 million for the Milford CTE project, saying the district had reduced the scope after a prior bond vote and that the project would support high-demand workforce programs. Misho said Milford’s initial bond vote received 42 percent and the revised proposal received 56 percent, short of the 60 percent needed, but that the community still supports the project; she said the district plans to move forward with a CTE-only ballot and a smaller local bond. Committee members expressed concern about holding state funds for a project that has not yet won local approval, but said the request would be taken under advisement. In work session action, the committee corrected a prior vote on the Market Street Marine Terminal warehouse removal and office replacement project, increasing the appropriation by $353,300 to $1,973,300 and raising the agency subtotal to $4,155,300. The committee also accepted a motion to add $1.8 million for the community college system, including $1.3 million for critical maintenance and $500,000 for an energy management system. The committee then discussed a Fish and Game request for a $350,000 backhoe, with members debating whether it should be funded with general funds or other funds and whether the cost was excessive; no final objection was recorded in the portion provided. Later discussion also referenced the new parking garage project, with staff saying it is expected to be operational in March 2026 and fully completed by May or June 2026, with 409 spaces and a mix of assigned and open parking.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will send it to Division Three and wait for their work session on that. uh I guess we'll plan for
• . session. session.
• So we could, if necessary, have our exec session May 4th, but April 27th might be better.
• Um, but there's no House session until the 23rd, so we won't get any bills until then.
• Thank you. could maybe exec these bills on the could maybe exec these bills on the 27th. 27th. 27th.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• need to exec. need to exec.
• This committee will continue to execs that have been noticed for executive sessions, and there are a
• day after a house session. day after a house session.
• When are reports from today's exec sessions?
• house session. house session.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We won't exec the bill right away.
• <00:11:39.079> those away we will usually only exec those away we will usually only exec those
• this particular legislative session this particular legislative session there<03:44:59.399> are
• <04:13:38.199> on I'm G to close the exact session on I'm G to close the exact session on
• A show of thumbs: are we ready to exec this or not?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with committee process reminders from the chair, including rules for questioning witnesses, time limits for testimony, and how motions and committee reports are handled. The chair also discussed the committee’s history, emphasized a cooperative approach with agencies and the Judiciary, and noted that a special committee on the Family Division of Circuit Court had previously done useful work; he said a new subcommittee could be appointed later to continue looking at judicial-system issues. He also mentioned that the Speaker’s office was expected to name members to the DHHS oversight committee by Friday at 1. The substantive presentation was from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Child Support Services. Attorney John Williams introduced the bureau team, and Bureau Chief Lisa Dekowski described the program’s mission: encouraging responsible parenting, family self-sufficiency, and child well-being by locating parents, establishing paternity, setting or modifying support orders, and enforcing court-ordered child and medical support. She said the bureau operates statewide under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, works with courts, employers, and other partners, and serves both in-state and out-of-state cases, with some international and tribal coordination. She also cited program scale, saying the bureau dispersed about $76 million to families in New Hampshire in fiscal year 2023 and that most collections go directly to families. Members asked about enforcement tools, especially passport denial. In response to a question about a case involving a very small shortfall, the bureau said the federal passport-denial threshold is $2,500 in arrears, not a few cents, and that denial remains in place until the balance is resolved or an arrangement is made with the agency, with hardship factors potentially considered. The bureau also explained that either parent can apply for services when a child support order exists and that the bureau can help initiate income withholding orders. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not sure if we had held a work session before in this session. Thank you very much. We're good.
• sessions, where we vote on those bills.
• > and<01:26:01.679> we schedule that we can exec um and we schedule that we can exec um
• I I see no other close the work session.
• at the end of uh session at the end of uh session on<01:32:44.560> Thursday<01:32:45.040>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with Senate Bill 197, which would remove supervision of the legislative facilities committee nurse from the Department of Health and Human Services and instead place the nurse under the Board of Nursing’s scope of practice and the Nurse Practice Act. Ryan Maliti introduced the bill for Senator Pearl, and John Williams of DHHS explained that the current statutory language is outdated, dating back to 1995, and improperly gives medical supervisory authority to a non-clinician. He said the change would align the statute with current practice and that the department, the Joint Legislative Committee’s chief operating officer, and the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification were all comfortable with the language. Committee members asked about the need for the change and confirmed the old supervisory language was no longer being meaningfully used. The chair closed the hearing on SB 197, noting there may be additional amendments before final action. The committee then heard Senate Bill 186, which would authorize the Joint Legislative Historical Committee to accept and display a portrait of former Senator Jeb Bradley in the State House. Max Taylor, speaking for Senator Rashardi, described Bradley’s long public service and urged the committee to move the bill. Members asked whether the portrait was completed, where it would be displayed, and how size and placement would be determined. Taylor said the portrait had not yet been commissioned but would be paid for by Bradley, and that the exact location had not been set. Committee members and staff noted that the Joint Historical Committee is already working on portrait placement and space issues, and that the bill may need to be coordinated with broader updates to the statutes governing portraits and memorials. The committee also heard Senate Bill 200, introduced by Senator Reardon, to allow the Joint Legislative Historical Committee to accept and hang a portrait of former Senator Sylvia Larson. Reardon and Donna Susi, who painted the portrait and had served as Larson’s chief of staff, gave strong testimony about Larson’s legislative record, leadership as Senate President, and bipartisan service. Members asked about the portrait’s status, size, and where it would be displayed; witnesses said the portrait was completed, framed, and currently stored in a box pending approval, and that the committee would decide placement. In the later work session, the chair used the two portrait bills to discuss broader problems in the statutes and the Joint Historical Committee’s responsibilities, including possible size limits, placement rules, and whether New Hampshire should adopt practices used in other states such as waiting periods or moratoriums on portraits. No votes were taken during the work session, but members discussed using the bills as vehicles for larger statutory cleanup.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:28:12.880> We're session. We're coming back. We're session. We're coming back.
• executive session really quickly. executive session really quickly. No.<00:38:40.560> No.
• So, we'll recess executive session.
• So, um, it is a executive session.
• We still have exec after that. >> Yeah. We still have exec after that. >> No.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm going to open up the exec session for SB 302.
• I'm going to call the end of the exec session for SB 302. Thank you. Okay.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session on SB 302, a bill requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners. Members discussed and adopted amendment 2025-2219H, which incorporated language from prior Senate and House amendments, including provisions related to the siting evaluation committee and changes affecting landfill expansions and additional cells. The amendment also folded in language from HB 616, the animal cruelty/due process bill, which members said clarifies probable cause, imminent danger, temporary protective custody, and the role of the state veterinarian or designee in animal seizure decisions. Several members emphasized that the bill does not bar seizure of animals in emergencies or prevent nonprofits from fundraising, and that the changes are intended to strengthen due process and reduce conflicts of interest. The committee voted 12-0 to adopt the amendment. It then voted 12-0 to give SB 302 an OTPA recommendation with the amendment included. After the vote, the director raised a concern that the amendment appeared to eliminate the waste management council and related appeal provisions in the governing statutes; members acknowledged the issue and said it was intentional or at least acceptable to address later in committee of conference, where they expected further changes. The committee then agreed to place the bill on the consent calendar. After concluding the executive session, the committee discussed an afternoon field trip to research farms in Lee and Durham. They also accepted an invitation to visit a farm in Fremont on May 30 at 10:00 a.m., with the address provided as 63 South Road, Fremont, New Hampshire.