Video & Transcript : 'support demonstration' :

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NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Oct 8th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • He's a certified peer support worker and a certified family peer support worker.
  • And our staff are certified peer support workers. We also have family peer support workers.
  • They don't have to wait long to connect with a peer support worker or a family peer support worker.
  • We provide the support to folks who pick up the call, and we also provide support to the Department of
  • Supporting youth and supporting them in times of both tragedy... and then reforming them in their own
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Jun 24th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Department of Justice supports the merger and the Federal Trade Commission supports the merger, but the
  • So I am going to support the bill. And I am going to support the bill.
  • And I am going to support the bill.
  • Natalie Spivak with Housing California, in support. VAC with Housing California in support.
  • I don't support that. I don't support that at all.
Summary: The committee heard several bills from Senator Umberg and Senator Allen, with testimony from supporters and opponents before roll-call votes were taken once quorum was established. SB 253, the annual State Bar fee bill, would keep fees unchanged while requiring two-year notice for substantial changes to the bar exam, including vendor changes, and returning to an older delivery method for the upcoming exam; it was presented as a response to recent State Bar problems and the February bar exam failure. SB 25, the Pre-Merger Notification Act, would require certain merger parties to provide California’s attorney general the same Hart-Scott-Rodino materials filed federally, so state antitrust review can occur in parallel with federal review; supporters said this would reduce delay and uncertainty, while members questioned whether it would add another layer of review. SB 36 would strengthen price-gouging enforcement after the January 2025 Southern California firestorms by requiring rental-listing platforms to report suspected gouging, expanding consumer and prosecutor remedies, and allowing warrants in housing-related cases; supporters said it would close loopholes, while opponents from business groups raised concerns. All three bills were later approved on roll call, with SB 36 and SB 413 placed on call before final passage and SB 253 and SB 25 moving forward on committee votes. The committee also heard SB 413, which would streamline access to juvenile case files in certain civil cases brought by or on behalf of the youth who is the subject of the file, allowing attorneys to use heavily redacted records without first petitioning the juvenile court. Supporters, including Los Angeles County counsel and county associations, said the current petition process is costly, slow, and routinely granted, creating delays in civil litigation and court congestion. Opponents, including the Youth Law Center, argued the bill would weaken longstanding juvenile confidentiality protections by bypassing judicial review and could expose sensitive information unnecessarily. After discussion about redactions, sealing, and the scope of access, the bill was passed on a do-pass-as-amended vote. Finally, Senator Wahab presented SB 436, which would extend the notice period for nonpayment of rent from three days to 14 days. Supporters, including tenant advocates, legal aid groups, and several local governments, argued the change would reduce unnecessary evictions, give renters more time to obtain assistance or a paycheck, and help prevent homelessness. Opponents, including apartment associations, property owners, and the California Association of Realtors, said the bill would burden landlords, especially small owners, and could unintentionally affect commercial leases; members also raised concerns about repeated late payment and the lack of stronger guardrails. The author said she would work on clarifying commercial coverage and safeguards, and the bill remained under discussion as the hearing continued.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee May 13th, 2026

Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • that we want to support.
  • would support them.
  • LGBTIQ+ young people, particularly those without family support or supportive schools, are more likely
  • LGBTI young people, particularly those without family support, supportive schools, are more likely to
  • CBHA supports the efforts to make online spaces safer for young people, and we support stronger safeguards
Keywords: 988, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Revenue Jan 27th, 2026

Joint Committee on Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • Are they, you know, mostly small businesses that are employing people within the city and supporting
  • They very much support our town, so we'd love to have this.
  • to do But we need your help, so we need your support to do this.
  • I hope that you will support it. Thank you so much. Thank you for your testimony.
  • Here to testify remotely in support, we have Scott Rodman, Michael Callender, and Ben Sonega.
Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 17 miscellaneous and late-file bills, with testimony focused on several local tax and policy measures. The first major item was H. 4687 for Watertown, which would make permanent a temporary tax classification adjustment allowing the city to maintain a 50% minimum residential factor and a 175% commercial shift. Watertown officials and legislators said the change is needed because the city’s commercial growth has triggered an old statutory formula that would otherwise push a larger share of the tax burden onto homeowners, especially seniors and fixed-income residents. They said the current temporary relief expires in fiscal 2027 and warned that, without permanent action, residential tax bills could rise sharply; committee members asked about the regional business impact, commercial taxpayers such as Alexandria Real Estate, and Watertown’s stabilization and free cash balances. The committee also heard H. 4435, a Charlemont bill authorizing a tax on commercial recreation services. Town officials said the measure would help a small rural town with a large tourism and recreation economy cover increased police, fire, and EMS costs caused by visitors, while reducing pressure on local property taxpayers. A committee member questioned whether the proposal fit within existing tax law and whether it was more like a tax on entry than on services; town witnesses responded that it would apply to recreation-related services such as guides and lifts and was modeled on the meals and rooms tax. Finally, testimony was taken on H. 4722, which would promote fair tax treatment for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including electric school buses and trucks, by capping sales and excise taxes at the level of comparable diesel vehicles. Supporters said the bill would remove an unintended tax penalty, help school districts and transportation providers afford electrification, and remain revenue-neutral. Representative Gentile also testified in support of H. 4722 and H. 4755, a Sudbury bill to amend the town’s means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption so the local program can continue without requiring a new special act if it lapses. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and questions.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • Waiving in support.
  • Stuart Rimmel and Broward County waiving in support. Thank you, Sir.
  • Hurley from Collier County. >> Waiving in support.
  • in support and then excuse me that this is a tough one.
  • And with that, I'd ask for your support today and continued support.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm testifying in support of S. 1061 today.
  • We’re in strong support of this bill.
  • I'm here today in support of a friend and in support of Bill H. 1845, with the goal of making GPS tampering
  • I ask you to support this bill.
  • Thank you, Liz, for your support.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing opened with procedural remarks and acknowledgments of Rosh Hashanah, followed by testimony on several criminal justice bills before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. A major focus was S. 1061, the “Raise the Age” bill, which would gradually move 18- to 20-year-olds into the juvenile justice system. Supporters included youth and young adult advocates, former juvenile court Judge Jay Blitzman, ACLU and CPCS representatives, Roca, United Way, Citizens for Juvenile Justice, and Senator Brendan Crichton. They argued that young adults are still developmentally immature, that juvenile court services improve education and rehabilitation, and that adult-system involvement leads to higher recidivism and racial disparities. Committee members asked practical questions about how the bill would work, and witnesses explained that it would expand access to juvenile court diversion, probation, and DYS services for the covered age group. The chairs also noted a notice issue, clarifying that the hearing had been posted seven days in advance rather than the usual ten. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to revise accomplice and joint venture murder liability and sentencing. Representative Sam Montaño and Senator Liz Miranda supported the reform, arguing that current law can impose life sentences on people with limited or no knowledge of a killing and that the doctrine contributes to racial bias and disproportionate punishment. A law professor, a former defendant, and advocates from the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls described cases where people were punished far beyond their actual role and said the bill would better align charges and sentences with individual culpability. Related testimony also supported a proportionality-focused reform to reduce the harshness of joint venture sentencing. Several other public safety and criminal justice bills drew testimony. Senator Robin Kennedy supported a bill redefining strangulation in domestic violence law, saying the current “substantial pressure” standard is too vague and that strangulation is often lethal without visible injury. District Attorney Ryan and a retail business executive backed a bill on organized retail theft, saying it would give prosecutors more flexible charging options and better address coordinated theft rings. Representative Vieira and the family of Kiana Barros urged action on Kiana’s Law, which would improve restraining-order notification and enforcement after Barros’s daughter was killed after an order was not served. The hearing also included support for the HALO Act, which would create a 25-foot safety zone around first responders and penalize harassment or obstruction, and for a bill to enhance courthouse security by creating specific protections for judges and their families. No votes were taken during the hearing."} 0}]}
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We joined support groups.
  • So I totally support that.
  • No, I wouldn't support that. Okay. Even if... No, I wouldn't support that. Okay.
  • You have a safe and supportive environment. We're happy to support the effort.
  • So, in support. Good evening.
Summary: The joint hearing focused on access to gender-affirming care in California, with members of the Senate and Assembly budget subcommittees hearing first from the Department of Justice, Department of Managed Health Care, and Department of Health Care Services. State officials described California’s legal protections against discrimination, privacy protections, shield laws, and Medi-Cal and commercial plan coverage requirements for medically necessary gender-affirming care. They also outlined ongoing litigation and advocacy against federal actions and proposed rules that could restrict care, including challenges to executive orders, HHS declarations, and federal reimbursement rules, as well as a temporary restraining order protecting care at Rady Children’s Hospital. Committee members pressed the agencies on why some hospitals that had stopped providing care had not been sued, how the state measures network adequacy and equitable access, whether the $15 million previously allocated for gender-affirming care had been used, and what additional statutory changes might be needed. DMHC and DHCS said they regulate health plans rather than providers directly, rely on complaints and independent medical review to address denials or delays, and do not track utilization or have a specific provider category for gender-affirming care. DOJ said it is focused on the federal government as the source of pressure on hospitals and providers, while members discussed possible shield-law expansions and, if federal rules are finalized, the possibility of state-only funding to preserve access. The second panel featured a physician, clinic leaders, parents, and a transgender teen describing how families navigate care and the effects of hospital closures and insurance barriers. Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy gave a history of transgender health care, described puberty blockers and hormones as established treatments, and said minors need parental consent for medical interventions. J.M. Jaffe of Lyon Martin Community Health Services said community clinics are absorbing patients after hospital programs closed and asked for $26 million in state funding to expand capacity. Parents and youth testified about delays, out-of-network referrals, lost coverage, and the emotional strain of uncertainty, while also urging the Legislature to stabilize access and protect continuity of care.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We joined support groups.
  • ...source has demonstrated this, that if a parent is supportive and involved, that young person has a
  • So I totally support that.
  • No, I wouldn't support that. Okay. Even if... No, I wouldn't support that. Okay.
  • You have a safe and supportive environment. We're happy to support the effort.
Summary: The joint hearing focused on access to gender-affirming care in California, with opening remarks from the subcommittee chairs emphasizing the importance of protecting transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex Californians and asking for decorum during public comment. The first panel from the Department of Justice, Department of Managed Health Care, and Department of Health Care Services described existing state protections, including nondiscrimination rules, privacy protections, shield laws, and Medi-Cal and commercial coverage requirements for medically necessary gender-affirming care. State officials also outlined ongoing litigation against federal actions and against hospital decisions to end or restrict care, including the Rady Children’s case and challenges to federal proposed rules and declarations affecting Medicaid, Medicare, and provider participation. Members questioned state agencies about why some hospitals that had stopped providing care had not been sued, how network adequacy is measured, whether the state can track actual access to gender-affirming care, and what legislative changes might strengthen protections. DMHC said it monitors complaints and independent medical reviews but does not track gender-affirming care as a separate provider category or collect utilization data, while DHCS said Medi-Cal continues to cover medically necessary care and that the state is preparing for possible federal rule changes. Finance staff said the previously approved $15 million for gender-affirming care was still being implemented through Covered California. The second panel featured a physician, clinic leaders, a parent, and a transgender teen describing how care is delivered and the effects of hospital closures and federal pressure. Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy described the history and medical basis for gender-affirming care, said minors need parental consent for medical interventions, and argued that care should be individualized and supported by families. Providers and families testified that hospital closures and insurance barriers have disrupted continuity of care, forced patients to travel farther, and shifted demand to community clinics that lack sufficient funding and contracting support. Several witnesses asked the Legislature to provide new funding, strengthen insurance enforcement, and stabilize access to care for transgender youth and families.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Education Committee, June 1, 2026 - PM

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, and while I believe Senator Scott is correct that the WEA was supportive of the separation at its
  • Um, and while I believe Senator Scott is correct that the WEA was supportive of the separation at its
  • Um, right now when we have any need for any additional supports in our schools, we are being asked to
  • Um, right now when we have any need for any additional supports in our schools, we are being asked to
  • And again, our goal is for those students to come back into there with a plan, a demonstrated plan that
Keywords: 916, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • to that, which we're fully in support of.
  • CDE is definitely in support of continuing funding for supportive inclusive practices.
  • In support of continuing funding for supportive inclusive practices, but we also feel that it is critical
  • Lastly, support the students' support and special rate for block grant, both its discretionary and nature
  • We are supportive of the administration's proposal to equalize funding across SELPAs and support the
Keywords: 988, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (02/10/2026)

Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so, I will support the amendment and I will support the underlying bill because I can see it as only
  • Um, so I will support the amendment.
  • I Um so I will support the amendment.
  • Zman. >> As I said, I will not be supporting this. As I said, I will not be supporting this.
  • </c> support the ITL motion. support the ITL motion.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 02/04/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Now, with the privilege provided to me by my ancestors, I proudly support this resolution.
  • NOW, WITH THE PRIVILEGE PROVIDED TO ME BY MY ANCESTORS, I PROUDLY SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION.
  • So, I'm proud to pass and support this resolution, not only as a time of reflection, but as a renewed
  • Supporters of this bill claim that it is compassion.
  • SUPPORTERS OF THIS BILL CLAIM THAT IT IS COMPASSION.
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, received messages and substitutions from the Assembly, and welcomed two new members, Senators Erik Bottcher and Jeremy Zellner. The chamber then adopted the resolution calendar and took up a privileged resolution sponsored by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in New York. Senators Bailey, Baskin, Sanders, Scarcella-Spanton, Brisport, Parker, Cleare, Comrie, and others spoke in support, emphasizing Black history as American history, the importance of education and remembrance, and the contributions of Black New Yorkers and historical figures. The resolution was adopted, and the leader opened it for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved to the bill calendar and passed several measures, including bills on civil procedure, urban development, labor, and public service law. One labor bill was substituted from the Assembly and passed. Several energy and utility-related bills drew debate, with supporters arguing they would improve affordability, utility rate-setting, and consumer protections, while opponents said they would not meaningfully lower costs and instead reflected broader policy choices. Senator Walczyk voted no on one utility bill, and Senators Tedisco and others criticized the package; Senators Mayer and Harckham defended the measures as needed reforms to utility regulation and return-on-equity standards. Most bills were approved by wide margins, including one public service bill that passed 53-9 and another that passed 61-1.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Education Policy and Administration (01/29/2026)

Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> support ITL and House Bill 1122. support ITL and House Bill 1122.
  • </c><04:55:24.718><c> with</c> wholeheartedly support this bill with wholeheartedly support this bill
  • Um, I will not support the motion.
  • I can't support that. Thank you.
  • </c> that reason, I'll be supporting the ITL. that reason, I'll be supporting the ITL.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee held a hearing on House Bill 1571, which would direct the Department of Education to review and revise statewide academic standards and curriculum and make an appropriation. Representative Kristen Noble, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to update outdated standards, especially in math, and to have the department create a list of high-quality curriculum and materials aligned to the revised standards. She noted she would likely amend the bill to change a requirement that districts “shall” select from the list to “may,” and said a misplaced crossed-out section would need to be restored and moved by amendment. She also said assessments would need to be updated to match any new standards. Testimony from Marie Banfield strongly supported the bill and the move away from a mandate, arguing that current standards are outdated and that Common Core and related standards have not improved student outcomes. She criticized the math standards for emphasizing multiple strategies and written explanations over computation, and said stronger standards would better support students, including those with learning or communication challenges. She also argued that New Hampshire should follow examples such as Massachusetts, which she said used rigorous standards successfully. Nate Green of the Department of Education did not take a position on the bill but explained that the bill would affect statewide academic standards, state assessments, and potentially federal compliance. He distinguished academic standards from minimum standards in statute, said any standards revision would require work with content experts, State Board approval, and then a corresponding assessment update that could take about two years. He estimated assessment development costs could range from about $200,000 to $500,000 for minor revisions and $1 million to $2 million for a wholesale new set of standards. He also said the bill would apply to public and charter public schools, not private or homeschool students, and that the department does not currently provide a statewide list of curriculum materials because curriculum decisions have historically been local.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session - 04/22/26

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Please<01:27:45.560><c> support</c> Please support Please support the<01:27:47.600><c> Republican</c>
  • . support. support.
  • </c> in supporting our language. in supporting our language.
  • </c> uh, [snorts] the Housing and Support uh, [snorts] the Housing and Support Services<02:19:36.880>
  • </c> support it. Thank you. support it. Thank you.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Jan 15th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our vision is to support all students.
  • Parents need a support system.
  • I didn't know what to do, how to support you and supporting our students with disabilities and our families
  • I didn't know what to do, how to support you and supporting our students with disabilities and our families
  • It's specifically for supports with under IDEA.
Summary: The committee held its first meeting and received an overview of the Pre-K-12 education appropriations jurisdiction and base budget. Staff explained that education funding is driven largely by enrollment and per-student formulas, with most money coming from state and local sources. The presentation highlighted the major budget areas: early learning, the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), non-FEFP K-12 programs, federal programs, and the State Board of Education. Members asked about instructional materials funding and how scholarship students who return to public schools are counted and funded; staff explained that instructional materials remain in the base and that funding depends on survey timing, with districts ultimately funded through the enrollment count process. The committee then reviewed federal IDEA funding for students with disabilities. Department of Education officials explained how IDEA Part B funds are split between state set-asides and local educational agencies, and noted that Florida ranked fourth nationally in total IDEA Part B funding and received a 95% state determination for meeting IDEA requirements. They also described the bureau’s responsibilities, including monitoring, dispute resolution, instructional support, and the Hope Florida unit for ages 3 to 5. Members asked for more information on student performance outcomes and how the state measures success beyond compliance, and the department agreed to provide follow-up data. The final major topic was the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS), including associate centers, multidisciplinary centers, and specialized centers for deaf/hard of hearing and visually impaired students. Presenters described services such as child find, family support, assessments, professional learning, accessible instructional materials, and technical assistance. Committee members focused on whether families and schools have equal access to services across the state, how IEP disputes and reevaluations are handled, and whether more support is needed for parents, teachers, and rural districts. FDLRS representatives said they do not write IEPs but help connect families to districts, provide training and assessments, and support compliance and data collection; they also emphasized staffing and resource needs, especially for low-incidence disabilities and multilingual family outreach.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

06/12/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are here strongly in support of this measure.
  • That is absolutely something that we should support.
  • We are in support of this initiative, and we ask you to support it as well.
  • So we're here to stand in support of protecting our military families and ask that you support this.
  • I support school choice.
Bills: HCR2048
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Environment Committee Meeting - 2025-04-01

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Malax Band and the Leech Lake Band are fully supportive of it.
  • I certainly appreciate the good conversation and your support. Thank you.
  • We're asking that you support this bill for tree farmers just like us.
  • I support the Christmas tree farmers.
  • I want to make sure we're not also supporting something we don't support. So thank you very much.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Another pillar is sustainable funding, to continue to support a robust crisis system.
  • The remaining are supported by community-based organizations.
  • That's how they've supported themselves. They're their comfort.
  • By the late 1980s, more than 100 volunteers were supporting our mission.
  • Grants will focus on outreach, not operational support.
Summary: The hearing focused on California’s 988 suicide and crisis lifeline and the broader crisis response system, with members and witnesses emphasizing both the system’s life-saving role and the risks posed by funding gaps, rising demand, and uneven local implementation. Opening remarks highlighted the personal impact of suicide and the need to strengthen crisis response so calls are answered quickly and linked to appropriate care rather than defaulting to 911, emergency rooms, or law enforcement. State officials described the AB 988 five-year implementation plan, which sets goals around public awareness, equitable access, high-quality call/chat/text response, and better integration with ongoing behavioral health services. State agencies reported progress on infrastructure, coordination, and related behavioral health investments. CalHHS said California has expanded mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilization units, and youth behavioral health supports, and is preparing additional public awareness and grant programs tied to Proposition 1. DHCS explained that 988 is funded through a federal SAMHSA grant and the AB 988 surcharge, while Medi-Cal separately funds mobile crisis services; officials said the mobile crisis benefit is active in 53 counties and that statewide expansion remains a work in progress. Cal OES described the statewide technical buildout, including network infrastructure in all 11 crisis centers, interoperability with 911, and a pilot of next-generation routing and call-handling tools. The 988 California Consortium said call volume continues to rise sharply, missed calls remain a major concern, text/chat capacity is limited, and centers need more stable funding, better reimbursement, and stronger feedback loops with the state. County and community witnesses stressed that local systems need more flexible, sustained support to match the demand. Lake County described a peer-led rural mobile crisis model that has reduced law enforcement holds and increased housing placements, but said county-run mobile crisis teams still cannot reliably access 988 surcharge dollars and face reimbursement problems from Medi-Cal and commercial plans. Santa Clara County reported strong performance metrics, rapid call answer times, and a broad continuum of mobile crisis services, but said staffing and funding are strained and commercial reimbursement remains slow. The Mental Health Association of San Francisco said the peer-run warm line complements 988 by offering non-emergency support and warm handoffs, but recent budget changes forced cuts to Spanish-language service, federation support, and hours. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; members mainly asked questions about surcharge levels, budget timing, coordination among agencies, data collection, and how to improve collaboration with frontline crisis centers.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Fiscal Committee (10/17/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:44:59.200><c> the</c> evidence there is to support the evidence there is to support the allegations
  • </c> enough scrutiny on the supporting enough scrutiny on the supporting evidence<00:45:15.599><c> for
  • 28.400><c> that</c><01:04:28.720><c> there</c> trying to demonstrate that that there trying to demonstrate
  • </c><01:08:32.319><c> and</c> and it's based on habitat um support and and it's based on habitat um support
  • </c> support his decision." support his decision."
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The committee first adopted the September 5 minutes and then approved the remaining consent calendar items after removing several bills for separate consideration, including 25-252, 25-248, 25-251, and 25-253. The committee then took up 25-252 from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, where members asked about the arts tax credit program, staffing, and volunteer coordination. Department representatives said the program had recently been authorized, forms had been finalized, three of six laid-off staff had been rehired through a federal grant, and the agency was now trying to recruit participants. Members also discussed whether tax-credit-raised funds could count as federal match; the department said they could not, because federal rules require state dollars. The item was adopted. The committee next considered 25-248 from the Department of Safety, which was described as a technical correction moving funds from equipment to hardware and software after consultation with the Department of Administrative Services. A member asked about “buy American” waivers, and the department said it would follow up with more information. The item was adopted. The committee then approved 25-251 from the Department of Administrative Services, which included discussion of ongoing problems with Anthem’s retiree health plan mail-order pharmacy. Department staff said many issues were tied to implementation changes and prescription renewal rules, that some complaints were being resolved through the vendor and the retiree health office, and that the contract would be rebid in the coming year, likely causing further changes. On 25-253 from the Department of Health and Human Services, members questioned the department’s September 5 health alert and whether it diverged from CDC guidance. DHHS said the alert was an annual evidence-based guideline for respiratory virus season and immunizations, largely aligned with CDC recommendations, and that some differences reflected timing and population-specific guidance. The item was adopted. The committee then heard 25-237 from the Department of Justice on the annual litigation fund request. Attorney General John Formela said the request was about $4.3 million, roughly 40% below last year and below the five-year average, with major costs tied to YDC civil and criminal litigation and some DHHS class actions. A member criticized the large increase over the budgeted $350,000 and said the budgeting approach should be corrected in the next cycle. Another member asked about YDC settlement reductions; the attorney general said confidentiality limited specifics, but explained that under the new statute the office had accepted well over half of administrator awards, rejected some, and negotiated lower amounts in others while still resolving most cases. The item remained under discussion at the end of the excerpt.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Finance (04/15/2025)

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • :26.240><c> statewide</c> this individual supports the statewide this individual supports the statewide
  • </c><00:42:39.240><c> educational</c> typically support educational typically support educational opportunities
  • We've been doing that without support of the general fund.
  • </c> Plymouth, and small business support Plymouth, and small business support like<01:17:41.040><c>
  • </c><01:18:04.560><c> a</c> allocation of funding to support a allocation of funding to support a housing
Keywords: 1191, senate, all