Transcript Highlights:

• My district<00:21:16.240><c> has</c><00:21:16.480><c> a</c><00:21:16.799><c> five-year</c><00:21:17.280
• Our<00:21:20.480><c> on-site</c><00:21:21.039><c> solar</c><00:21:21.440><c> electricity</c><00:21:22.000
• State<00:21:25.520><c> law</c><00:21:25.760><c> allows</c><00:21:26.159><c> us</c><00:21:26.320><c> for
• :21:28.240><c> to</c><00:21:28.400><c> five</c><00:21:28.640><c> years.
• ><c> and</c><00:21:35.840><c> many</c><00:21:36.159><c> co-op</c><00:21:36.559><c> and</c><00:21:36.720

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:05.160><c> no</c><00:21:05.400><c> resources</c><00:21:06.240><c> to</c><00:21:06.480><c>
• :21:23.920><c> take</c><00:21:24.160><c> a</c><00:21:24.240><c> stop</c><00:21:24.640><c> at</c><00:21
• <00:21:38.680><c> and</c><00:21:38.840><c> look</c><00:21:39.000><c> at</c><00:21:39.120><c> the</c><
• It's not It's<00:21:44.000><c> not</c><00:21:44.560><c> something</c><00:21:44.880><c> that</c><00:21
• &gt;&gt; I<00:21:52.480><c> guess</c><00:21:52.680><c> the</c><00:21:52.760><c> best</c><00:21:53.160

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:04.640><c> out</c><00:21:04.880><c> and</c><00:21:05.120><c> do</c><00:21:05.360><c> not</
• </c><00:21:14.559><c> is</c><00:21:14.799><c> not</c><00:21:15.039><c> meant</c><00:21:15.200><c> to<
• <c> into</c><00:21:15.760><c> the</c><00:21:16.159><c> I</c><00:21:16.400><c> think</c><00:21:16.480>
• </c><00:21:19.760><c> didn't</c><00:21:19.919><c> want</c><00:21:20.000><c> this</c><00:21:20.240><c>
• I didn't<00:21:21.039><c> want</c><00:21:21.120><c> that</c><00:21:21.360><c> to</c><00:21:21.520><c>

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:14.840><c> we</c><00:21:14.960><c> have</c><00:21:15.120><c> 10</c><00:21:15.520><c> colleges<
• offering<00:21:16.799><c> those</c><00:21:17.000><c> Z</c><00:21:17.279><c> degrees</c><00:21:17.840
• degree or<00:21:23.600><c> most</c><00:21:23.840><c> recently</c><00:21:24.320><c> a</c><00:21:24.520
• <00:21:41.360><c> and</c><00:21:41.640><c> have</c><00:21:41.840><c> implemented</c><00:21:42.360><c>
• :21:11.480><c> of</c><01:21:11.840><c> pay</c><01:21:12.840><c> uh</c><01:21:13.280><c> with</c><01:21

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• :35.120><c> but</c><00:21:35.360><c> under</c><00:21:35.760><c> chapter</c><00:21:36.320><c> 13A.03</
• c> council, but under chapter 13A.03 council, but under chapter 13A.03 other<00:21:39.360><c> than</c
• ><00:21:39.600><c> this</c><00:21:39.919><c> language</c><00:21:40.400><c> that's</c><00:21:40.720><c
• ><c> for</c><00:21:46.080><c> any</c><00:21:46.320><c> kind</c><00:21:46.480><c> of</c><00:21:46.640>
• 02:21:43.680><c> a</c><02:21:43.920><c> b</c><02:21:44.319><c> uh</c><02:21:44.479><c> from</c><02:21

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Incorporated</c><00:02:17.520><c> fraternity</c> chapter of Lynx Incorporated fraternity chapter of
• And whereas the Alabama chapters of the Links Incorporated will celebrate 21 years of gathering at the
• </c> inspire links members and chapters inspire links members and chapters across<00:04:58.160><c> the
• And whereas the Alabama chapters of the Links Incorporated will celebrate 21 years of gathering at the
• Clerk<00:21:57.200><c> lock</c><00:21:57.520><c> machine</c><00:21:57.840><c> recorded</c><00:21:58.320

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:21:01.320><c> all</c><00:21:01.520><c> going</c><00:21:01.680><c> to</c><00:21:01.760><c> work.
• </c><00:21:05.760><c> We're</c><00:21:05.880><c> doing</c><00:21:06.080><c> what</c><00:21:06.200><c>
• me I<00:21:12.440><c> just</c><00:21:12.840><c> the</c><00:21:13.040><c> question</c><00:21:13.520><
• </c><00:21:18.200><c> Now,</c><00:21:18.440><c> it's</c><00:21:18.560><c> going</c><00:21:18.720><c>
• As<00:21:25.600><c> we</c><00:21:25.680><c> continue</c><00:21:26.440><c> hearing</c><00:21:26.800><c

Transcript Highlights:

• :21:07.199><c> the</c><01:21:07.679><c> vehicle</c><01:21:08.679><c> um</c><01:21:09.440><c> but</c>
• </c><01:21:10.080><c> pointing</c><01:21:10.400><c> out</c><01:21:10.639><c> that</c><01:21:10.840><c
• 21:11.760><c> I</c><01:21:11.880><c> looked</c><01:21:12.239><c> back</c><01:21:12.520><c> at</c><01:
• > 20</c><01:21:21.080><c> years</c><01:21:21.239><c> ago</c><01:21:21.600><c> was</c><01:21:21.760><c
• c><01:21:28.440><c> Phil</c><01:21:28.840><c> um</c><01:21:28.960><c> do</c><01:21:29.000><c> you</c>

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 30, 2025, and heard testimony on several condominium-related bills, beginning with HB 70. HB 70 would require a budget summary disclosure for condominiums. Supporters, including Community Associations Institute, a real estate broker, and several condominium owners, said the bill would improve consumer protection by giving owners and buyers a clearer, more understandable snapshot of an association’s financial health and reserve compliance. One supporter noted the bill should help reduce confusion caused by lengthy reserve studies and emphasized the importance of accurate disclosure. A testifier also urged the committee to hear other condominium bills quickly, including measures related to an ombudsman, managing agents, parliamentarians, and attorney’s fees. The committee then heard HB 106, which would change the process for condominium fines and disputes. Phil Nery of CAI and other supporters said the bill would strengthen due process by requiring clearer notice, allowing an internal board appeal, and then permitting small claims court review without attorney’s fees unless the fine is upheld. They argued this would prevent fines from escalating into costly legal disputes and provide a more linear, fair process. Some supporters suggested amendments, including clarifying that the statute controls over association documents and refining refund language. During questioning, members raised concerns about small claims limits and whether associations would be represented by volunteers or attorneys. One testifier initially in support later said he would not support the bill as written after hearing HPD’s concerns. HB 224, relating to property rights, drew opposition from the Department of the Attorney General and the Honolulu Police Department. Both agencies said the bill would improperly push law enforcement into a quasi-judicial role and could short-circuit existing due process procedures for occupants of residences. A realtor who had initially been listed in support changed his position after hearing the opposition testimony. The committee also heard emotional testimony from a resident describing a long-running squatter and utility theft problem at a neighboring property, which he said took years of court action and police involvement to resolve. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:21:15.120><c> the</c><00:21:15.279><c> legislature</c><00:21:15.840><c> is</c><00:21:16.080><c>
• no reason<00:21:19.400><c> why</c><00:21:19.679><c> this</c><00:21:19.919><c> body</c><00:21:20.279>
• </c><00:21:25.200><c> run</c><00:21:25.440><c> until</c><00:21:25.720><c> May</c><00:21:25.919><c> 2<
• <00:21:35.440><c> won't</c><00:21:35.679><c> may</c><00:21:35.840><c> not</c><00:21:36.039><c> have</
• ><c> to</c><00:21:41.080><c> to</c><00:21:41.279><c> to</c><00:21:41.559><c> make</c><00:21:41.720><c

Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and welcomed new members before taking up Council on Postsecondary Education regulations 13 KAR 2:120 and 13 KAR 2:130. The regulations, as amended by staff and agency amendments, update public university and KCTCS performance funding models to conform to 2024 Senate Bill 191 and the performance funding work group’s recommendations. Changes discussed included replacing the underrepresented minority metric with an underrepresented students metric defined as first-generation students, adding an adult learner metric, increasing the low-income degree premium, adjusting small-school and nonresident credit-hour weights, revising data aging and progression metrics, and adding STEM+H criteria in 13 KAR 2:120. Travis Pal of the Council on Postsecondary Education explained that the changes reflect the work group’s three-year review process and that the work group ultimately voted to define underrepresented students as first-generation students and to apply half-weighting between research and comprehensive universities for the new metric. Michael Frasier of the Kentucky Student Rights Coalition and Eastern Kentucky University student government opposed 13 KAR 2:120, arguing that the regulation improperly applies weights where the statute does not clearly authorize them and that the funding changes disadvantage comprehensive universities and vulnerable students. He asked the committee to find the regulation deficient or, alternatively, recommend legislative clarification and a revised fiscal analysis. Pal responded that weighting has been part of the model since 2017, that CPE was following the statute and work group recommendations, and that the model could be changed by future legislation. Members asked about the timing of the broader performance funding review, and Pal said the full model is reviewed every three years, with the next work group cycle beginning in 2026. No motion to find the regulation deficient was made, and the committee allowed the regulations to proceed to the committee of jurisdiction. The committee then approved a staff amendment to Teachers’ Retirement System regulations 102 KAR 1:195 and 102 KAR 1:340, which require annual reporting of accumulated sick leave, leave policies, and salary schedules to TRS and make technical changes to the final average salary calculation and related definitions.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; from<00:21:35.200><c> the</c><00:21:35.360><c> committee</c><00:21:35.600><c> on</c><00:21:35.760
• the<00:21:39.360><c> Alabama</c><00:21:39.840><c> Forest</c><00:21:40.240><c> Products</c><00:21:40.559
• &gt;&gt; All<00:21:48.080><c> those</c><00:21:48.240><c> in</c><00:21:48.400><c> favor</c><00:21:48.720
• think</c><01:21:37.120><c> you</c><01:21:37.360><c> want</c><01:21:37.520><c> to</c><01:21:37.679><c>
• &gt;&gt; U<01:21:55.280><c> members</c><01:21:55.600><c> of</c><01:21:55.760><c> the</c><01:21:55.920

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, confirmed a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber then received House messages referring House Bill 614 on supplemental appropriations and House Bill 224 on the distribution and use of tax funds to the Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee. Committee reports followed on several bills, including favorable reports for House Bills 169, 542, 593, and 13, with HB 542 amended in committee. The Senate also referred Senator Orr’s proposed rules change to the Rules Committee. A series of resolutions were taken up and adopted, including Senate Resolution 109 creating the Alabama Boating Safety Task Force, Senate Joint Resolutions 102 and 103, House Joint Resolutions 237, 215, 216, 218, and 235, Senate Joint Resolution 88 supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear life cycle innovation effort, Senate Joint Resolution 93 creating a rural EMS and volunteer fire department study commission, Senate Joint Resolution 94 commending Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa Officer of the Year honorees, and Senate Joint Resolution 110 commending William Riley Hawkins Jr. on his retirement from AARP Alabama. The Senate also recognized several guests in the gallery, including local school superintendents and a student visitor. The chamber then moved through local legislation, adopting BRs and passing numerous local bills and constitutional amendments, including measures for Mobile, Prichard, Class 2 municipalities, Mingo County, Talladega County, Perry County, Wilcox County, Clay County, Washington County, and Madison County. Senate Bill 376 on Mobile County and Senate Bill 379 on Madison County were both passed and transmitted. Most local bills passed on unanimous or near-unanimous votes using the previous roll. The Senate also adopted Special Order Calendar Resolution 111, setting a special order calendar for the 27th legislative day that prioritized a long list of appropriations, education, retirement, dam safety, and higher education bills. On that calendar, House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, and Senate Bill 380 were taken up. HB 235’s committee substitute was tabled, a floor substitute was adopted restoring funding to the McQuain Center and removing some arts grants, and the bill passed. HB 236 passed after a language amendment. HB 237 passed as the Education Opportunities Reserve Fund bill. HB 238 passed after a floor substitute that shifted arts grants, added Voices for Alabama’s Children, adjusted RAISE Act weights, and increased funding for poverty, special education, and gifted students, along with a small amendment. HB 239 passed as the public education employee pay raise bill, with a substitute adding a retiree bonus and members discussing that the bonus would also be carried through SB 380. HB 240, HB 241, HB 242, and HB 565 all passed. SB 380 on the teachers retirement system received committee amendments and was being advanced as the vehicle for the retiree bonus, with Senator Orr explaining the bonus would be about $33 million and based on $1 per month of service for eligible retirees with at least 10 years of service.

Transcript Highlights:

• > across</c><00:21:18.120><c> the</c><00:21:18.240><c> state</c><00:21:18.560><c> have</c><00:21:18.760
• :19.200><c> sign</c><00:21:19.440><c> them,</c><00:21:19.800><c> allowing</c><00:21:20.240><c> them</
• them, allowing them to operate with<00:21:21.080><c> all</c><00:21:21.240><c> the</c><00:21:21.360><
• c> secrecy,</c><00:21:22.440><c> prevents</c><00:21:22.760><c> a</c><00:21:22.840><c> full,</c> with
• </c><00:21:23.640><c> and</c><00:21:23.760><c> understanding</c><00:21:24.200><c> of</c><00:21:24.320

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> tax</c><00:21:02.000><c> distribution</c><00:21:02.520><c> fund</c><00:21:03.280><c> is</c><00:21
• <00:21:30.480><c> some</c><00:21:30.760><c> dedicated</c><00:21:31.279><c> funds</c><00:21:31.720><c>
• go</c><00:21:35.360><c> through</c><00:21:35.559><c> those</c><00:21:35.760><c> very</c><00:21:35.919
• :36.600><c> top</c><00:21:37.200><c> three</c><00:21:38.200><c> gas</c><00:21:38.520><c> tax</c><00:21
• sales tax<00:21:41.760><c> on</c><00:21:41.919><c> the</c><00:21:42.080><c> top</c><00:21:42.640><c>

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:07.240><c> to</c><00:21:07.360><c> shout</c><00:21:07.559><c> out</c><00:21:07.679><c> to</c><
• the students<00:21:08.679><c> not</c><00:21:08.840><c> only</c><00:21:09.080><c> from</c><00:21:09.240
• ><00:21:10.760><c> but</c><00:21:11.000><c> across</c><00:21:11.360><c> the</c><00:21:11.480><c> state
• to</c><00:21:12.360><c> travel</c><00:21:13.000><c> and</c><00:21:13.240><c> weather</c><00:21:14.000
• ><c> a</c><00:21:15.559><c> shout</c><00:21:15.799><c> out</c><00:21:16.120><c> and</c><00:21:16.240>

Summary: The House convened with a roll call showing 48 members present and three excused, then deferred reading of the journal. There were no messages from the Governor or Senate communications. The session featured numerous introductions recognizing the annual secondary student conference, with members welcoming more than 150 students from 28 public schools, along with teachers, advisers, and other visitors from schools across the state. Under reports of standing committees, Representative Todd moved to adopt standing committee reports Nos. 23 through 29 and advance the accompanying House bills to second reading and referral to the designated committees; Representative Moriwaki seconded, and the motion carried. Members then offered brief positions on several bills, including one dealing with evidence preservation and parental notification, and another prohibiting fines, fees, or court costs against people adjudicated for offenses committed as minors. Testimony and comments reflected both support and opposition, with some members reserving their position and others opposing the measures; concerns raised included the need for clearer parental-notification standards and objections to eliminating penalties for juvenile offenses. The House also considered a bill limiting court-ordered community service for minors to no more than 72 hours, with some members reserving and others opposing. After discussion, the motion on the committee reports was carried by voice vote. There were no resolutions for action, and all other resolutions were referred to print. The House then adjourned until 12:00 noon Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:00.000><c> Can</c><00:21:00.159><c> you</c><00:21:00.320><c> go</c><00:21:00.559><c> into<
• ><c> me</c><00:21:19.200><c> a</c><00:21:19.360><c> little</c><00:21:19.440><c> bit</c><00:21:19.520>
• <00:21:20.080><c> And</c><00:21:20.240><c> when</c><00:21:20.400><c> you</c><00:21:20.480><c> say</c>
• c><00:21:25.760><c> in</c><00:21:26.000><c> the</c><00:21:26.080><c> agency</c><00:21:27.120><c> told
• ><c> you</c><00:21:31.679><c> to</c><00:21:31.840><c> to</c><00:21:32.080><c> go</c><00:21:32.320><c>

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met in August with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes without objection. The committee then reviewed several regulations, generally adopting staff-suggested amendments without objection, and heard brief explanations from agency representatives on each item. The Board of Pharmacy regulations would clarify what registered and certified pharmacy technicians may do under supervision and what certified technicians may not do, while updating registration applications. The Board of Cosmetology package included changes to executive director authority, licensure and reciprocity rules, school requirements, training hours, instructor ratios, sanitation and disease-related rules, complaint procedures, and permit terms; members asked about straight razor language and the increase in student-to-instructor ratios, and the board explained that cosmetologists are not permitted to use straight razors and that the higher ratio was intended to give schools flexibility, especially for part-time students and schools with wait lists. The Occupational Therapy emergency compact regulation added four compact rules adopted in April 2025, and Senator West raised a technical question about certification requirements under House Bill 6; the agency said it had been instructed to file the regulation as submitted. The Department for Fish and Wildlife Resources presented a package covering wildlife management area rules, a northern pintail bag limit increase, reportable disease reporting, and a repeal tied to boat registration fees. After a brief explanation of the new wildlife disease reporting rule, the agency requested and received a deferral of 301 KAR 2:031 to avoid a gap while replacement language is finalized. The Economic Development Finance Authority explained an emergency regulation for the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program, saying it was needed because the program had become oversubscribed and because administration was shifting to a new film office and council; members also asked about certification issues under House Bill 6, and the agency said it had filed the regulation as directed. The Department of Workplace Standards emergency PPE regulation was also discussed, with members asking about HB 6 certification language, and the agency gave the same response. The Department of Insurance regulation would create a $10,000 registration fee and a $1,000 annual licensing fee for pharmacy benefit manager licenses, with an agency amendment exempting PBMs that solely serve workers’ compensation plans. Members asked how many PBMs would be affected and why workers’ compensation PBMs were carved out; the agency said there were 70 registered PBMs total, four solely workers’ comp, and that workers’ comp rates are set by statute and could not absorb the fee. Finally, the Public Service Commission’s pole attachment regulation was summarized as a broadband-expansion measure that speeds application review, increases the number of poles allowed in a single application, and shortens dispute timelines; the commission explained it grew out of earlier legislative direction and subsequent emergency amendments, and the committee adopted the staff amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• :21:03.799><c> uh</c><00:21:04.120><c> and</c><00:21:04.240><c> then</c><00:21:04.360><c> in</c><00:21
• takes</c><00:21:13.440><c> effect</c><00:21:14.320><c> uh</c><00:21:14.559><c> for</c><00:21:14.679><
• :21:16.240><c> statute</c><00:21:16.720><c> 1339</c><00:21:17.400><c> and</c><00:21:17.720><c> 1382</
• <00:21:20.400><c> pieces</c><00:21:20.679><c> of</c><00:21:20.880><c> data</c><00:21:21.200><c> to</c
• :21:02.800><c> it</c><01:21:02.920><c> on</c><01:21:03.159><c> with</c><01:21:03.320><c> the</c><01:21

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:05.280><c> um</c><00:21:05.440><c> to</c><00:21:05.640><c> use</c><00:21:06.000><c> hands</c><
• </c><00:21:09.480><c> and</c><00:21:09.880><c> soft</c><00:21:10.279><c> tissue</c><00:21:10.880><c>
• 21:30.400><c> doctors</c><00:21:30.760><c> with</c><00:21:31.159><c> MDS</c><00:21:32.159><c> um</c><
• that if<00:21:33.159><c> there</c><00:21:33.919><c> are</c><00:21:34.400><c> to</c><00:21:34.919><c>
• ><00:21:49.120><c> not</c><00:21:49.320><c> in</c><00:21:49.559><c> support</c><00:21:49.919><c> or</

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The committee opened its first hearing of the 2025 session with procedural instructions about testimony limits, Zoom participation, written testimony, and a reconvening date if needed. It then heard SB 200 on speedy trials. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it could create conflicts of interest for prosecutors, potentially make victims or witnesses quasi-parties to criminal cases, force traumatizing testimony on continuance motions, and unfairly delay trials for in-custody defendants. A World Care representative supported the bill and urged broader protections for minors, disabled people, and seniors. The chair also pressed the public defender to suggest improvements, emphasizing that the bill was driven by victims and families. No vote or final action was taken on SB 200. The committee next took up SB 8 on jury duty exemptions for health professionals. Testimony was strongly supportive from nurses, physicians, and disability advocates, who said APRNs and other nurses are in short supply and that jury service can disrupt patient care, especially in rural and neighbor island areas. One witness suggested expanding the exemption to include registered nurses as well as APRNs, while a senator raised concerns about blanket exemptions for non-practicing APRNs and suggested a time limit. The bill remained under discussion with no final action reported. The committee then heard SB 144 on chiropractic, with the state chiropractic board offering comments and the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supporting the measure as a way to address workforce shortages and provide students more hands-on clinical experience. A World Care witness also supported the bill after clarifying her remarks. The chair then moved to SB 107 on medical informed consent, where the Hawaii Medical Board opposed the bill and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and Queen’s Health System offered comments, citing concerns about duplicative standards. A support witness proposed expanding the bill to better address combined mental and physical health conditions. Finally, SB 189 on breast cancer screening drew support from the Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Radiological Society, Queen’s Health Systems, and others, while the Insurance Division raised concerns about possible insurance mandate defrayment and the need for a sunrise analysis. Senators also asked about local demographic data and coverage impacts; the chair indicated decision-making would be deferred to another day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Representative<00:21:00.559><c> Hart,</c><00:21:00.880><c> if</c><00:21:01.120><c> this</c><00:21
• > will</c><00:21:04.000><c> uh</c><00:21:04.480><c> chapter</c><00:21:04.960><c> 75</c><00:21:05.440>
• <00:21:06.320><c> be</c><00:21:06.480><c> able</c><00:21:06.640><c> to</c><00:21:06.960><c> raise</c>
• </c><00:21:09.760><c> the</c><00:21:10.080><c> current</c><00:21:10.320><c> 10-cent</c><00:21:10.960>
• </c><00:21:21.039><c> a</c><00:21:21.280><c> need</c><00:21:21.520><c> to</c><00:21:21.760><c> raise<

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:08.080><c> I'll</c><00:21:08.400><c> take</c><00:21:08.559><c> the</c><00:21:08.799><c> lead
• If<00:21:13.000><c> anybody</c><00:21:14.000><c> wants</c><00:21:14.400><c> to</c><00:21:14.640><c> take
• </c><00:21:14.880><c> the</c><00:21:15.120><c> lead</c><00:21:15.440><c> on</c><00:21:15.679><c> any<
• :21:30.480><c> you</c><00:21:30.640><c> plan</c><00:21:30.880><c> to</c><00:21:31.120><c> do</c><00:21
• </c><00:21:43.600><c> And</c><00:21:44.000><c> take</c><00:21:44.159><c> a</c><00:21:44.400><c> break

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 94, which would prohibit municipal amendments to the state building code and move New Hampshire toward a more uniform statewide code. Senator McConi and several supporters, including the Josiah Barlo Center for Public Policy, the State Fire Marshal, the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association, argued that local variations create confusion, raise housing costs, and make compliance harder for builders operating in multiple towns. The Fire Marshal said the goal is a single state building and fire code with only limited administrative amendments at the local level, not technical changes, and noted that municipalities could still seek exceptions through the Building Code Review Board if needed. The chair explained that a similar House bill was already moving forward with fire code and administrative amendment language, and members agreed that retaining SB 94 would avoid conflicting bills. The committee then voted to retain SB 94 by roll call, 13-0, with no minority report. The committee then took up Senate Bill 30, which would designate the Virginia opossum as New Hampshire’s state marsupial. Senator Fenton presented the bill as a light-hearted measure inspired by Chesterfield School fourth graders, who had submitted written testimony and supported the idea. Members discussed the bill in a humorous but mostly supportive way, with one member objecting that it trivialized the legislature, while others said it could help engage students in the legislative process. The committee voted ought to pass on SB 30, 11-2, and agreed to place it on consent with no minority report. Later, the committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 95, concerning youth camp cabins and state fire/building codes. Senator McConi said the bill would exempt new residential cabins in youth recreation camps from sprinkler requirements and allow them to omit electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems, while requiring any such systems that are present to comply with state code. He said the measure was intended to resolve recurring interpretation problems that have caused expense and uncertainty for camp owners, and he praised work with the Fire Marshal’s office to reach a workable compromise. Representative Schmidt asked about cabin sizes and whether larger cabins with multiple occupants would still be safe; the senator explained that camps typically use counselors, drills, and supervision, and that the people behind him could answer more detailed questions. The transcript cuts off before the hearing concludes or any vote is taken on SB 95.

Transcript Highlights:

• These<00:21:06.480><c> hearings</c><00:21:06.799><c> are</c><00:21:06.960><c> held</c><00:21:07.200><
• </c><00:21:09.200><c> There</c><00:21:09.440><c> is</c><00:21:09.679><c> not</c><00:21:09.840><c> an<
• ><00:21:11.200><c> point</c><00:21:11.919><c> and</c><00:21:12.159><c> the</c><00:21:12.320><c> rules
• The<00:21:15.440><c> respondent</c><00:21:15.919><c> has</c><00:21:16.159><c> the</c><00:21:16.400><c
• very</c><00:21:38.000><c> similar</c><00:21:38.320><c> to</c><00:21:38.559><c> a</c><00:21:38.720><c>

Summary: The committee approved the minutes of its June 10, 2025 meeting and then heard testimony on House Bill 198, “Angela’s Law,” sponsored by Representative Samara Hein. The bill would add a new aggravating circumstance in death-penalty cases when an offender abuses the corpse of a kidnapping or murder victim by engaging in deviate sexual intercourse, sexual intercourse, or sexual contact. Representative Hein and the victim’s parents described the case that prompted the proposal, saying the current law did not allow the conduct to be treated as an aggravating factor because the sexual act occurred after death. They emphasized that the bill would not require a death sentence or life without parole, but would give judges and juries another sentencing factor to consider. Doug and Angela Kerr gave emotional testimony about their daughter’s murder and said the current sentencing options were inadequate given the facts of the case. Several members expressed sympathy and supported the bill’s purpose. Senator Wheeler said the measure would signal that the Commonwealth will not tolerate such conduct, and Representative Petrie said he supported the concept but urged careful drafting so the language would not be too narrow or unintentionally reach co-conspirators or others whose conduct differed from the principal offender. The committee then received an informational presentation on KRS Chapter 202C from Judge Lisa Payne Jones and Shauna Mitchell of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health. They explained that 202C was enacted in 2021 to address a gap in Kentucky’s civil commitment laws for defendants found incompetent to stand trial after serious offenses. The presentation outlined the process: a Commonwealth’s attorney must file a petition for qualifying offenses, an evidentiary hearing must be held quickly, and if the respondent is found by a preponderance of the evidence to have committed the offense, a commitment hearing follows with a higher burden of proof. They also described the 2024 amendment changing the commitment criteria from requiring all four factors to only one, and noted the statute’s review-hearing schedule and the availability of later review if circumstances change or new evidence emerges.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:21:04.360><c> those</c><00:21:04.480><c> are</c><00:21:04.640><c> certainly</c><00:21:05.039><c>
• we think<00:21:16.480><c> there's</c><00:21:16.760><c> a</c><00:21:17.360><c> um</c><00:21:17.840><c
• ><c> participation</c><00:21:20.320><c> if</c><00:21:20.480><c> we</c><00:21:20.760><c> go</c><00:21:
• </c><00:21:26.640><c> lot</c><00:21:26.760><c> of</c><00:21:27.039><c> there's</c><00:21:27.200><c> a
• </c><00:21:32.200><c> tax</c><00:21:32.520><c> code</c><00:21:32.840><c> or</c><00:21:33.159><c> or</

Committee: Senate Taxes