Transcript Highlights:

• 02:00.880><c> you</c><02:02:01.199><c> have</c><02:02:01.880><c> here</c><02:02:02.320><c> for</c><02
• <c> um</c><02:02:06.920><c> a</c><02:02:07.079><c> more</c><02:02:07.400><c> Global</c><02:02:08.040>
• at</c><02:40:22.319><c> the</c><02:40:22.560><c> statute</c><02:40:23.200><c> before</c><02:40:23.560
• ><c> I</c><02:40:24.560><c> yeah</c><02:40:25.560><c> okay</c> look at the statute before I yeah okay
• look at the statute before I yeah okay so<02:40:25.840><c> we'll</c><02:40:26.080><c> we'll</c><02:40

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the Department of Environmental Services on proposed changes in House Bill 2 and related technical changes in House Bill 1 tied to the governor’s permitting realignment initiative. The proposal would move environmental review staff from Fish and Game and DNCR to DES to create a more centralized “one-stop shop” for applicants needing DES permits, especially for wildlife and natural heritage reviews. DES said the goal is to speed permitting, support a 60-day review clock, and improve coordination among agencies while keeping the substantive review work in place. Members asked about staffing impacts, the scope of the transferred duties, and whether the change would create redundancy or weaken the other agencies. DES said most of the affected staff work primarily on these reviews, though Fish and Game staff also handle other state and federal reviews, which is why the proposal was adjusted to keep one of the four Fish and Game positions there and move three to DES, along with two positions from DNCR. DES also described a new supervisory position in HB 2 to manage the transferred staff within its land resources bureau. Officials said the reviews would still be done by specialists, but under DES supervision, and that the agencies would continue to coordinate recommendations on species impacts and mitigation. The committee also discussed fee increases intended to offset costs, including a 50% increase in wetlands fees and a 100% increase in alteration-of-terrain fees, with the department saying the changes would cover the new positions. Members raised concerns about impacts on private homeowners, possible incentives to work without permits, and whether fines should be used more as a revenue source or for mitigation. DES said wetlands permits are roughly split between homeowner-related and commercial projects, that permit-by-notification already creates a two-tier structure for smaller projects, and that enforcement relies partly on public complaints and online permitting systems. The department also said most fines currently go to the general fund and vary widely year to year, with about $75,000 budgeted, and that the proposal would also create permit-by-notification authority for alteration-of-terrain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet, mirroring language in Senate Bill 110. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:49.680><c> It's</c><00:02:50.000><c> very</c><00:02:50.239><c> nice</c><00:02:50.480><c> to
• Thank<00:02:52.800><c> you</c><00:02:53.040><c> very</c><00:02:53.280><c> much,</c><00:02:53.680><c>
• Um,<00:02:55.440><c> for</c><00:02:55.599><c> the</c><00:02:55.840><c> record,</c><00:02:56.160><c> my
• So, um,<01:02:01.920><c> in</c><01:02:02.160><c> in</c><01:02:02.240><c> in</c><01:02:02.799><c> that
• </c><01:02:02.960><c> scenario,</c><01:02:03.440><c> no,</c><01:02:03.760><c> if</c><01:02:03.920><c>

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This shouldn't<02:02:26.159><c> shouldn't</c><02:02:26.400><c> this</c><02:02:26.639><c> have</c><02:
• </c><02:02:27.679><c> This</c><02:02:27.840><c> is</c><02:02:28.000><c> typically</c><02:02:28.480><c
• </c><02:02:30.239><c> not</c><02:02:30.400><c> the</c><02:02:30.639><c> senate</c><02:02:30.960><c> but
• I<02:02:33.679><c> believe</c><02:02:33.920><c> it's</c><02:02:34.080><c> a</c><02:02:34.320><c> Senate
• But next time I'll<02:02:40.800><c> come</c><02:02:40.960><c> to</c><02:02:41.119><c> you</c><02:02:41.280

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 74, which would require state agencies, especially the Department of Environmental Services and other permitting agencies, to report more detailed data on permit applications, approvals, denials, pending applications, and permits taking longer than 90 days. The sponsor’s representative and a lawyer who helped draft the bill argued that the legislature needs comprehensive permitting data to evaluate whether current timelines are reasonable and whether regulatory delays are burdening property owners and economic activity. They said the information should already be tracked within existing budgets, despite a fiscal note claiming additional staff would be needed. A Business and Industry Association representative supported the bill, saying better data is needed to understand actual permitting timelines and to help streamline the process, especially in light of housing and development concerns. Members asked whether the bill was simply collecting data without a clear next step, and the response was that the data would allow lawmakers to judge whether existing deadlines, extensions, and exemptions are justified and whether changes to permit timelines are needed. Several members agreed the information would be useful and that agencies should already be tracking it. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 74 on a roll call, with the motion approved and the bill placed on consent for further consideration, with a note that it would go to finance for review of the fiscal note. The committee then took up Senate Bill 196, which would raise the threshold for certain in-house construction projects handled by the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services and two other departments from $500,000 to $1 million, described as an inflationary update. The sponsor said the department’s existing staff can handle these smaller renovation-type projects and that the bill should not require new positions; the deputy adjutant general later confirmed the department does not need additional staff and said the projects are typically roof, boiler, and similar repairs. Members asked about a fiscal note suggesting new positions and about revenue/expenditure impacts, and the sponsor explained that the fiscal note language appeared to reflect an earlier draft and that the budget effect is largely a shift in where the work is performed. The committee recessed briefly for the deputy adjutant general’s arrival, then continued discussion of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.200><c> I</c><01:02:00.359><c> would</c><01:02:00.559><c> like</c><01:02:00.680><c> to</c><01:02:
• </c><02:00:19.159><c> to</c><02:00:19.599><c> the</c><02:00:19.760><c> work</c><02:00:20.159><c> that
• /c><02:00:55.360><c> course</c><02:00:55.880><c> of</c><02:00:56.040><c> a</c><02:00:56.199><c> few</
• <02:09:49.760><c> and</c><02:09:50.000><c> so</c><02:09:50.520><c> again</c><02:09:50.920><c> I</c><02
• 02:32.040><c> clear</c><05:02:32.280><c> to</c><05:02:32.480><c> me</c><05:02:32.840><c> why</c><05:02

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > come</c><00:02:08.080><c> on</c><00:02:08.280><c> up</c><00:02:09.000><c> right</c><00:02:09.200><c
• <00:02:58.599><c> of</c><00:02:58.760><c> nurse</c><00:02:59.159><c> midwives</c><00:02:59.879><c> providing
• 02:00:29.440><c> I</c><02:00:29.599><c> did</c><02:00:29.719><c> a</c><02:00:29.840><c> lot</c><02:00
• reconciliation the law of Allah haai Revis<02:03:19.119><c> statutes</c><02:03:19.719><c> 5-</c><02:03
• :20.360><c> 7.5</c> Revis statutes 5- 7.5 Revis statutes 5- 7.5 directs<02:03:22.880><c> the</c> directs

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard extensive testimony on HB 1194 HD2, a bill to regulate midwifery and require accredited education for licensed midwives. Supporters, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, ACOG, a pediatrician, and several licensed midwives, argued the bill would improve maternal and newborn safety, clarify the definition of midwife, strengthen accountability, and align Hawaii with national education standards. They said accredited training is necessary to avoid gaps in knowledge and to support safe transfers and collaboration with hospitals. Opponents, including many midwives, parents, cultural practitioners, and community groups, argued the bill would restrict access to care, criminalize traditional and apprenticeship-based midwifery, and undermine reproductive autonomy and Native Hawaiian and other cultural birthing practices. Several asked for amendments to preserve a birth attendant exemption, the PET/portfolio pathway, and cultural and religious protections. Others said the bill would disproportionately harm rural, Indigenous, and low-income families by making training and licensure less accessible. The committee also heard testimony from state and county entities and professional organizations, with some standing on written testimony and others offering brief comments. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers of the one-minute limit and the possibility that final decision-making would be deferred if quorum was lost. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:02:06.199><c> the</c><02:02:06.320><c> advantage</c><02:02:07.000><c> did</c><02:02:07.159><c
• </c><02:02:10.800><c> taking</c><02:02:11.000><c> my</c><02:02:11.159><c> question</c><02:02:11.400><
• <02:02:22.000><c> fewer</c><02:02:22.920><c> attorneys</c><02:02:23.400><c> than</c><02:02:23.560><c>
• </c><02:02:35.599><c> up</c><02:02:36.079><c> generally</c><02:02:36.800><c> okay</c><02:02:37.119><c
• 02:02:48.599><c> to</c><02:02:48.760><c> make</c><02:02:48.880><c> sure</c><02:02:49.079><c> that</c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt on the New Hampshire Insurance Department budget. He said the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers based on New Hampshire premium volume, with about $8 billion in premiums written in the state and a department budget of roughly $15.5 million. He explained that the department has 88 authorized positions, eight vacancies, and that three full-time positions were unfunded after the governor’s requested 4% reduction exercise. He also said the department is trying to balance staffing needs with not overburdening carriers during a hard insurance market. A major topic was the department’s $2.6 million rebate to industry from the prior fiscal year, which Bettencourt described as a credit against the next assessment rather than a direct cash payment. Members questioned why that credit was not reflected as a reduction in the upcoming budget, and Bettencourt and staff explained that the budget assumes full staffing and full spending, with any year-end surplus returned to insurers. The commissioner said the department had added staff in recent years for succession planning and to preserve institutional expertise, and that the rebate reflects careful budgeting rather than excess spending. Members also asked about staffing changes by division, including positions unfunded in fraud, property and casualty examinations, life and health examinations, and tax. Bettencourt said fraud investigations remain strong and that the department can use outside contractors for examinations, with those costs billed to the company being examined. He also described the department’s examination process, including periodic financial exams and targeted market conduct reviews triggered by consumer complaints or trends. Additional questions covered OIT transfers, the department’s oversight of fully insured health coverage, the insurance premium tax and fines going to the general fund, and the department’s limited role in auto repair reimbursement disputes, where he said complaints have recently declined.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:02:07.360><c> Germaine</c><00:02:07.840><c> Meyers</c><00:02:08.319><c> in</c><00:02:08.920><c>
• And 17<00:02:11.520><c> other</c><00:02:12.000><c> individuals</c><00:02:12.720><c> all</c><00:02:12.959
• Thank you<00:02:21.599><c> so</c><00:02:21.840><c> much,</c><00:02:22.080><c> chair</c><00:02:22.319>
• So, I was<00:02:23.920><c> a</c><00:02:24.160><c> resident</c><00:02:24.480><c> of</c><00:02:24.640><
• </c><00:02:32.720><c> multiple</c><00:02:33.200><c> tests</c><00:02:33.599><c> from</c><00:02:33.920>

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, Agriculture, and Environment hearing first took up HTR 28, which would reconvene the working group created under House Resolution 18 to continue addressing water and air contamination and remediation issues tied to the Pua Range Training Facility. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with speakers describing long-standing community concern and alleged lead contamination near the shooting range and nearby beach areas. One testifier urged passage as a critical mechanism for protecting the community. The committees then voted to recommend passage of HTR 28 as is, and the motion was adopted. The committees next considered HCR 25 HD1, asking the Department of Agriculture to add a statement on desecration laws to the plant and animal declaration form, and HCR 200, concerning the Maui axis deer control and venison initiative. The Department of Agriculture and DLNR offered comments on HCR 25 HD1, and HCR 200 drew support from the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council and others, who said axis deer pose economic and environmental threats. Both measures were advanced with technical amendments, and both recommendations were adopted. The hearing then moved to HCR 27, which asks Hawaii’s congressional delegation to petition USDA to address disparities affecting Hawaii’s agricultural exports, and HCR 42 HD1, encouraging each county to develop its own biosecurity plan. The Department of Agriculture supported HCR 27, and testimony on HCR 42 HD1 emphasized county-level invasive species prevention, the need for local biosecurity planning, and gaps in state and county authority over noxious weeds and invasive plants. After a brief recess to regain quorum, both committees voted to pass HCR 27 with technical amendments and HCR 42 HD1 as is; all motions were adopted and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and families of Minnesota so um making<00:03:27.720><c> Minnesota</c><00:03:28.280><c> the</c><00:03
• </c><00:05:07.360><c> thank</c> prosperous and healthier Minnesota thank prosperous and healthier Minnesota
• </c> secretary Simon adjourned the Minnesota secretary Simon adjourned the Minnesota house<00:10:07.640
• </c> protecting The Winds of 2023 Minnesota protecting The Winds of 2023 Minnesota forward<00:16:19.959
• </c> the law likely to hold up the Minnesota the law likely to hold up the Minnesota Supreme<00:30:27.600

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:00:13.440><c> I</c><02:00:13.679><c> I</c><02:00:13.840><c> I'm</c><02:00:14.080><c> not</c><02:00
• So,<02:02:01.280><c> so</c><02:02:01.599><c> the</c><02:02:01.920><c> amount</c><02:02:02.320><c> of<
• /c><02:02:02.719><c> property</c><02:02:03.280><c> tax</c><02:02:03.840><c> is</c> So, the amount of
• have differing interpretations<02:39:15.280><c> of</c><02:39:15.439><c> this</c><02:39:15.600><c> statute
• </c> interpretations of this statute interpretations of this statute throughout<02:39:16.640><c> the<

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:04.719><c> us</c><00:02:04.960><c> a</c><00:02:05.280><c> quick</c><00:02:05.600><c> overview</c>
• <00:02:10.080><c> happening</c><00:02:11.039><c> um</c><00:02:11.200><c> in</c><00:02:11.520><c> our<
• Uh<00:02:29.360><c> thank</c><00:02:29.520><c> you</c><00:02:30.160><c> uh</c><00:02:30.400><c> chair
• </c><00:02:36.080><c> I</c><00:02:36.319><c> am</c><00:02:36.400><c> the</c><00:02:36.640><c> executive
• And uh as<00:02:42.400><c> chair</c><00:02:42.800><c> said,</c><00:02:43.360><c> I'm</c><00:02:43.680

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Northern Kentucky building industry representatives Brian Miller and Matt Mains on housing affordability and construction workforce issues. They argued that regulatory and code requirements add significant cost to new homes, citing an estimate of nearly $94,000 per home nationally and $15,000 to $20,000 per home in Boone County over the past decade. They recommended reforms to building code adoption, architectural design mandates, permit fees and delays, and setback/land dedication rules, saying these changes could reduce costs by $25,000 to $35,000 per home without affecting public safety. They also discussed workforce training efforts through the Enzwe Building Institute, dual-credit programs, apprenticeship incentives, and workforce grants, saying these efforts have helped hold wage growth below regional trends and improve housing affordability. Committee members asked about the breakdown of regulatory costs, the effect of energy codes, and ways to speed up permitting. The presenters said the costs were roughly split among federal, state, and local requirements, with local regulations adding about $25,000 to $35,000 and some energy-code changes adding about $19,000 per home. They said faster plan review, coordination with the Kentucky Division of Water, and addressing municipal staffing shortages could cut 30 to 45 days from approvals. Members also discussed the difficulty of building starter homes under about $350,000 and the need for more missing-middle housing, with the presenters saying such homes are hard to produce without sacrificing quality. The committee then took up Representative Kim Moer and Dr. Dale Bertram’s discussion of marriage and family therapist licensing and healthcare workforce data reporting. They explained that the bill would allow Kentucky to recognize out-of-state marriage and family therapists who meet licensure requirements, have no disciplinary history, and have passed the national exam, in order to reduce barriers and address provider shortages, especially in rural areas. They also described a separate workforce data reporting section that would require licensure boards to collect consistent information on where licensees practice and whether they are actively seeing patients, including through telehealth, so the state can better understand its healthcare workforce. Members supported the portability idea, noted that some qualified applicants are currently working in Indiana instead of Kentucky, and asked whether the data collection could be handled administratively; the sponsors said the bill would create consistency across boards. The committee also briefly discussed occupational board updates and the need for stronger communication between legislators and licensing boards, including architecture licensure issues and efforts to recruit more professionals.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:02:10.720><c> And</c><00:02:10.800><c> whereas</c><00:02:11.080><c> abundant</c><00:02:11.560><c
• interest, public<00:02:17.680><c> buy-in,</c><00:02:18.040><c> and</c><00:02:18.200><c> investment</
• , and investment in clean waters.<00:02:20.040><c> And</c><00:02:20.160><c> whereas</c><00:02:20.480>
• </c><00:02:54.400><c> And</c><00:02:54.480><c> be</c><00:02:54.600><c> it</c><00:02:54.680><c> further
• :02:57.840><c> a</c><00:02:57.880><c> copy</c><00:02:58.160><c> of</c><00:02:58.240><c> this</c><00:02

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :25.559><c> nice</c><01:02:25.720><c> to</c><01:02:25.960><c> see</c><01:02:26.119><c> you</c><01:02:
• 01:02:31.039><c> a</c><01:02:31.240><c> request</c><01:02:31.599><c> of</c><01:02:31.799><c> the</c>
• 02:35.079><c> and</c><01:02:35.200><c> I</c><01:02:35.319><c> will</c><01:02:35.440><c> tell</c><01:02
• because</c><01:02:36.680><c> I</c><01:02:36.760><c> had</c><01:02:36.880><c> to</c><01:02:37.000><c>
• ><c> over</c><01:02:40.279><c> on</c><01:02:40.480><c> my</c><01:02:40.720><c> side</c><01:02:41.000>

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I bring<00:02:03.200><c> to</c><00:02:03.360><c> you</c><00:02:03.520><c> today</c><00:02:04.159>
• And<00:02:07.759><c> I</c><00:02:08.080><c> wanted</c><00:02:08.319><c> to</c><00:02:08.479><c> tell<
• /c><00:02:08.560><c> you</c><00:02:08.800><c> just</c><00:02:08.959><c> for</c><00:02:09.200><c> a</c
• </c><00:02:10.080><c> we</c><00:02:10.720><c> why</c><00:02:11.039><c> I</c><00:02:11.280><c> ran</c>
• <00:02:11.599><c> this</c><00:02:11.840><c> bill,</c><00:02:12.160><c> why</c><00:02:12.400><c> I</c>

Bills: SF0082

Committee: House Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: registered agents, corporate governance, entity ownership, business regulations, transparency, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's<01:02:13.040><c> not</c><01:02:13.200><c> a</c><01:02:13.440><c> person</c><01:02:13.599><c>
• <c> out</c><01:02:15.119><c> this</c><01:02:15.440><c> afternoon,</c><01:02:16.319><c> get</c><01:02:
• :17.440><c> and</c><01:02:18.079><c> hunt</c><01:02:18.319><c> or</c><01:02:18.640><c> fish</c><01:02
• Um, I don't<01:02:21.200><c> think</c><01:02:21.359><c> the</c><01:02:21.599><c> amendment</c><01:02:
• c><01:02:24.400><c> hunt</c><01:02:24.640><c> or</c><01:02:24.880><c> fish</c><01:02:25.040><c> or</c

Committee: House Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:22.959><c> The</c><00:02:23.120><c> first</c><00:02:23.360><c> bill</c><00:02:23.599><c> for
• ><c> to</c><00:02:52.000><c> I</c><00:02:52.239><c> don't</c><00:02:52.400><c> think</c><00:02:52.560
• ><c> to</c><00:02:53.040><c> do</c><00:02:53.120><c> a</c><00:02:53.360><c> deep</c><00:02:53.680><c>
• :55.120><c> you</c><00:02:55.280><c> want</c><00:02:55.360><c> to</c><00:02:55.519><c> kind</c><00:02
• :57.519><c> um</c><00:02:57.599><c> that</c><00:02:57.840><c> would</c><00:02:58.000><c> be</c><00:02

Bills: SF0050 , SF0068 , SF0084 , HB0087 , HB0029 , HB0061 , HB0090

Committee: House Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Keywords: groundwater, water resource management, state engineer, aquifer study, corrective controls, monitoring wells, public reporting, irrigation, water management, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, water conservation, Colorado River, drought, water rights, voluntary program, interstate agreements, water development

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota has a goal already in statute to reduce emissions to zero by 2050.
• Minnesota was to receive about 70 million.
• Because Minnesota doesn't just...
• Up in Crookston, Minnesota, in their downtown, U.S.
• Grant program, Hold Harmless, the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:02:08.920><c> all</c><02:02:09.320><c> of</c><02:02:09.560><c> those</c><02:02:09.840><c> kind</c
• Hampshire<02:02:44.800><c> but</c><02:02:44.960><c> it's</c><02:02:45.199><c> clearly</c><02:02:46.119
• /c><02:02:51.280><c> arguing</c><02:02:52.320><c> and</c><02:02:52.440><c> I'll</c><02:02:52.639><c>
• ><c> again</c><02:02:54.239><c> I</c><02:02:54.360><c> am</c><02:02:54.679><c> not</c><02:02:55.239><
• paid</c><02:02:58.199><c> by</c><02:02:58.400><c> the</c><02:02:58.840><c> state</c><02:02:59.840><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><02:27:27.520><c> everything</c><02:27:27.880><c> by</c><02:27:28.160><c> Statute</c><02:27:28.920
• ><c> so</c><02:27:29.319><c> the</c> they do everything by Statute so the they do everything by Statute
• so the statute<02:27:29.840><c> needs</c><02:27:30.040><c> to</c><02:27:30.200><c> Clearly</c><02:27
• :30.600><c> say</c><02:27:31.359><c> they</c><02:27:31.560><c> have</c> statute needs to Clearly say
• they have statute needs to Clearly say they have the<02:27:31.920><c> right</c><02:27:32.080><c> to</

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, which would add ski, snowboard, and boat wax containing PFAS to the state’s consumer-product restrictions. The sponsor argued the product is already banned in many places, has PFAS-free alternatives, and is used in ways that can directly contaminate water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and said the bill was a simple extension of prior PFAS legislation. A witness also described a personal experience where a liquid ski wax disappeared from the market and later returned, likely because of PFAS concerns. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167 without a vote. The committee then opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett said the bill was modeled on New Jersey law and intended to let student-athletes earn compensation from NIL without losing institutional scholarships, while also requiring licensed representation and setting limits on certain endorsements. He described the measure as proactive because NIL rules are evolving and could create conflicts among schools and future lawsuits. Members questioned whether the bill should apply to two-year institutions, whether it should exclude firearms and weapons, and whether the scholarship protections would cover need-based or academic aid as well as athletic scholarships. Moffett said the scholarship language was intended to protect scholarships generally, but not need-based aid specifically, and he acknowledged discomfort with some of the endorsement restrictions. Public testimony on HB 312 was mixed. One supporter, a former Division III athlete and coach, backed the bill but urged removal of a section allowing institutions or athletic bodies to use an athlete’s NIL without compensation, arguing most New Hampshire athletes do not receive NIL money and should not have to work extra jobs to cover basic expenses. The chair also raised concerns about the bill’s contractual and identity-rights implications, referencing prior committee work on a J.D. Salinger-related identity case and noting the committee had previously declined to get involved in similar contractual disputes. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

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Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 530, a bill to increase funding for New Hampshire’s Affordable Housing Fund. Representative Jessica Lontine, the sponsor, described the state’s housing crisis, citing high rents, low vacancy, and the lack of affordable units. She said the bill would double the annual transfer-tax deposit into the fund from $5 million to $10 million, and she later presented an amendment to hold the Education Trust Fund harmless by directing the housing-fund deposit from remaining revenue after that trust fund is funded. She also explained a prospective appropriation idea tied to a possible future sale of the Laconia State School property, with the goal of supporting community housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Much of the testimony focused on the shortage of accessible and supportive housing for people with disabilities and aging family caregivers. Lontine, Ben Saul of Visions for Creative Housing Solutions, Lori McIntosh of Our Place NH, and Maddie Mandelbaum all described the difficulty families face in planning for adult children with disabilities as parents age or die. They emphasized that many people need not only affordable housing but accessible, supportive settings, and they argued that state investment would help nonprofit providers build such housing and prevent homelessness or inappropriate institutional placement. Several witnesses also noted that existing projects rely on capital funding and that operating revenues are limited because residents often depend on SSI and Medicaid. Committee members asked questions about the fiscal impact of the bill and amendment, including whether the proposal would shift money from the general fund or education trust fund and whether the Finance Committee should have final say over spending priorities. Lontine said she understood those concerns but argued that housing should be prioritized. Housing Action New Hampshire’s Tom Duroza also testified in support of the bill, saying the state’s housing shortage is driving record prices and vacancy rates below 1%, and that the Affordable Housing Fund has leveraged more than $500 million in private investment and helped build thousands of rental homes. He said his organization supported the underlying bill but had not yet reviewed the amendment. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

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• I<00:02:36.480><c> also</c><00:02:37.440><c> uh</c><00:02:37.599><c> she</c><00:02:37.840><c> also</c

Keywords: 926, house, all