Transcript Highlights:

• the Coast Guard, you know, that I think I told somebody how much money would the government have wasted
• :57:08.840><c> have</c> much money would the government have much money would the government have wasted
• 09.760><c> those,</c><01:57:10.520><c> you</c><01:57:10.640><c> know,</c><01:57:10.760><c> dorm</c> wasted
• building those, you know, dorm wasted building those, you know, dorm rooms<01:57:11.360><c> and</c><

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened, heard a prayer and pledge, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the prior journal. The chamber received House messages, including referral of Senate Confirmation 89 for Rex Jones to the Underground and Aboveground Storage Tank Trust Funds Management Board, and concurred in Senate Bill 231 after a 30-0 vote. Several local House bills were referred to the Committee on Local Legislation. During personal remarks, Senator Coleman-Madison recognized Women’s History Month and highlighted Alabama native Mary Ellen Jolly and her book, "Accidental Activist," praising women who support the legislature. The Senate then processed committee reports, including favorable reports on multiple Finance and Taxation General Fund bills (SB 143, 144, 145 with substitute, 152, 153, 154, 162, 226 with substitute, and 146 with substitute and one abstention), as well as confirmations for Nancy Sandford, Marty Abrams, and Jim Page to the University of North Alabama Board of Trustees, all of which were confirmed. Committee reports also advanced several county and municipal and local legislation measures, including SB 292, HB 351, HB 141, HB 273, HB 504, HB 488, SB 343, and SB 346. On the floor, SB 333 on class two municipalities passed after adoption of its BIR and committee amendment, and HB 308, a proposed constitutional amendment for Mobile County, passed after the Senate tabled the committee amendment, adopted a substitute amendment by Senator Figures, and approved the certification resolution. SB 334 for Shelby County, SB 339 for Crenshaw County, and HB 507 for Covington County also passed, with certification resolutions adopted where required. The governor returned SB 228 with an executive amendment, and the Senate concurred 33-0. The Rules Committee report set the special order calendar for the next legislative day, listing bills including SB 91, SB 280, SB 181, SB 237, SB 326, SB 255, HB 77, HB 104, HB 110, HB 271, HB 362, HB 332, HB 429, SB 211, HB 125, HB 122, HB 124, SB 140, SB 199, and SB 332. Senator Singleton spoke at length criticizing the handling of minority-sponsored bills and questioning several measures, and after debate the Senate adopted the special order calendar 34-0. SB 91 was then carried over at the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• not be able to get a good picture of where all those dollars are going unless we find out where the waste
• where</c><01:49:32.520><c> that</c><01:49:33.080><c> that</c><01:49:34.000><c> uh</c><01:49:34.080><c> waste
• </c><01:49:34.760><c> or</c> find out where that that uh waste or find out where that that uh waste or

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so if we don't have the best kind of coordination, then we can be wasting some money.
• of coordination, then then we<01:07:11.240><c> can</c><01:07:11.720><c> be</c> we can be we can be wasting
• :07:14.040><c> direct</c><01:07:14.359><c> you</c><01:07:14.480><c> to</c><01:07:14.720><c> I</c> wasting
• I'll direct you to I wasting some money.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by taking roll for the Joint Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee and noting that 20 topics had been submitted for discussion, including one late addition. Members were asked to number the topics for reference, and the chair explained that each presenter should give a brief overview before the committee returned to the dais for questions and possible ranking or action. No votes were taken during the portion provided. The first topic was a request from the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming to have TRIP, a third-party transportation research organization, present a report on Wyoming’s highway system. The report is intended to identify transportation needs and 25 priority projects, and the committee generally supported hearing the report and methodology directly from TRIP. The next topic combined two similar railroad safety proposals. Representative Chestek described a bill addressing train length, wayside detectors, and track inspections, citing the East Palestine derailment and concerns about reduced inspection frequency. Committee members raised questions about federal preemption and enforcement authority; Chestek said states can be more protective of safety where federal rules leave gaps, and WYDOT said it would need additional expertise and staffing to administer such a program. No public testimony was offered on the railroad topic. The committee then heard two proposals from the Wyoming Military Department. One would study Tricare subsidies for mental health providers by comparing Tricare reimbursement rates with other insurers, gathering de-identified data on eligible members and provider participation, and then returning to the committee with findings before any legislative recommendation. Members discussed whether the issue might fit better in Labor, Health, and Social Services, but the military department said it believed the committee had a strong connection to the topic. The second military topic would study Service Group Life Insurance for state active duty, comparing state and federal death benefits for Guard members to identify any shortfalls. The committee also briefly discussed a VSO program review raised by Representative Neff, focusing on the number of veterans service officers and retention, but no action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• This means not wasting time and money on a career that isn't a great fit.
• This means not wasting<00:32:11.120><c> time</c><00:32:11.440><c> and</c><00:32:11.760><c> money</c><
• 32:11.919><c> on</c><00:32:12.159><c> a</c><00:32:12.320><c> career</c><00:32:12.559><c> that</c> wasting
• time and money on a career that wasting time and money on a career that isn't<00:32:13.039><c> a</c>

Bills: HF3650 , HF2238

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: student career pathways, education framework, experiential learning, employer engagement, career technical education, HF2238, Minnesota, workforce development, construction trades, youth skills training, youth apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, construction training, career and technical education, CTE, child labor laws, minor labor, labor exemption, workforce pipeline, skilled trades

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not going to waste any of the legislators' time on this.
• I'm not going to waste<00:26:21.279><c> any</c><00:26:21.520><c> of</c><00:26:21.600><c> the</c><00:26
• :22.000><c> legislaturator's</c><00:26:22.720><c> time</c> waste any of the legislaturator's time waste

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2485, which would require cardiovascular screening for student athletes. The Department of Education and Department of Health said they support the bill’s intent but noted that many screenings are already part of existing school-entry and well-child exams. The Attorney General’s office asked for clarifying language on who performs the screenings, where results go, how “positive findings” are defined, how referrals would work, and whether funding would be appropriated if DOE must hire health professionals. The American Heart Association strongly supported the bill, citing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes and arguing that sports physicals are an effective opportunity for early detection. No vote was taken, and the committee moved on after testimony. The committee then heard HB 89, concerning a school psychologist working group and possible licensing or credentialing of school psychologists. The Department of Education and Board of Psychology supported the measure. The Hawaii Psychological Association said it supports licensing school psychologists but asked to be included in the working group, arguing it is an important stakeholder. The Hawaii Association of School Psychologists opposed including HPA, saying the issue is between school psychologists and DCCA and that HPA is not part of their organization. Testimony and discussion focused on the long-running disagreement over whether school psychologists should be regulated under the Board of Psychology or another mechanism, and on title protection and scope of practice. No action was reported during this portion. The committee also took up HB 2445, relating to standardized emergency responses for immigration enforcement at or near schools. The Department of Education said it already issued internal law-enforcement guidance and questioned whether the bill was necessary, while also raising concerns about the bill’s 1,000-foot buffer language and the limits of school authority over activity off campus. The Board of Education echoed those concerns and suggested the bill may need clearer definitions. Supporters, including the White Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and an attorney testifying on Know Your Rights training, argued that recent federal changes have increased ICE activity near schools and that a law is needed to ensure clear, public protocols, staff training, and family protections. A student testifier said the measure was a top priority of the state student council. The transcript ends during testimony, with no vote or final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• While we recognize there may be some levels of fraudulent waste that may get wrung out of the system,
• there may be some levels<01:08:46.200><c> of</c><01:08:46.319><c> fraudulent</c><01:08:46.960><c> waste
• ><01:08:47.279><c> that</c><01:08:47.480><c> may</c><01:08:47.680><c> get</c> levels of fraudulent waste
• that may get levels of fraudulent waste that may get wrung<01:08:48.160><c> out</c><01:08:48.279><c>

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we're not going to waste that.
• we're</c><02:15:18.960><c> not</c><02:15:19.119><c> going</c><02:15:19.199><c> to</c><02:15:19.280><c> waste
• Now we're not going to waste that. Yeah. Now we're not going to waste that.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then adopted the previous day’s journal and excused absent senators. The chamber recognized visiting members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and adopted a Senate resolution designating February 10, 2026, as Alpha Phi Alpha Day at the Alabama State Capitol. Senators offered remarks praising the fraternity’s service, civic outreach, and historical significance, and the House later sent over a matching resolution, which the Senate adopted. The Senate also heard a Black History Month presentation highlighting Benjamin Banneker, Dr. Charles Drew, Ralph Bunche, and Carter G. Woodson. The Senate then processed a large number of House messages and confirmations. House bills and resolutions were referred to committees, including measures on juvenile offenders, administrative rules, state income tax, local legislation, ad valorem tax, multi-member boards, license plates, criminal procedure, and food banks. The Senate confirmed several appointments, including multiple Alabama Army National Guard promotions, Mike Suo to the Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees, and Christy Andrews to the Alabama Securities Commission, each by roll call with no opposition. In motions and resolutions, the Senate adopted numerous commemorative and honorary resolutions, including observances for National Blood Donor Month, Diabetes Month, Booker T. Washington Day, the Alabama Community College Football Study Commission, and recognitions for individuals and organizations such as the Baldwin County Fair, Sheriff Derek Cunningham, William Riley Hawkins Jr., and Clifford Ray Miller. Senator Barfoot’s resolution urging federal funding for the state logging efficiency grant fund was adopted after adding all senators as co-sponsors, and a resolution honoring Sheriff Derek Cunningham was read at length and adopted. The Senate also adopted the Rules Committee’s special order calendar for the next legislative day, which prioritized several bills on libraries, taxation, retired state employees, municipalities, transportation, coal-impacted communities, income tax, the Alabama Space Authority, cosmetology and barbering, security, entertainment incentives, and health. In local legislation, the Senate passed several local bills, including measures for Mobile County, class 2 municipalities, public transportation, Jefferson County, and the town of Morris.

Transcript Highlights:

• like for something that is dubious to be able to even measure the success of it, I would rather not waste
• ><00:36:23.920><c> would</c><00:36:24.000><c> rather</c><00:36:24.240><c> not</c><00:36:24.480><c> waste
• c><00:36:24.720><c> a</c><00:36:24.960><c> dime</c><00:36:25.280><c> on</c> it, I would rather not waste
• a dime on it, I would rather not waste a dime on it. it. it.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• comfort in knowing that you guys are very wise in how you’re spending the money and you’re not just wasting
• , and treat own power, make its own water, and treat its<01:30:31.040><c> own</c><01:30:31.199><c> waste
• </c><01:30:32.000><c> All</c><01:30:32.159><c> within</c><01:30:32.480><c> the</c> its own waste water
• All within the its own waste water.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August minutes, and heard a brief announcement from Senator Richardson about the Missing in America Project interring unclaimed veterans’ remains at the Western Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Hopkinsville. He read the names of several veterans being laid to rest with military honors, and the chair thanked the volunteers involved in the effort. The main presentation was an update on Kentucky’s urban search and rescue program from the Department of Military Affairs and Kentucky Emergency Management. Officials said the program is being built around two regional task force hubs, a helicopter aquatic rescue team, an incident support team, and a rescue aid fund for local search and rescue units. They reported that the $8.3 million appropriated for the program in the 2025 budget was fully executed, that $482,670 of the rescue aid fund went to 29 local teams, and that $493,592 has already been allocated in the current year to 36 teams. They also described warehouse and equipment purchases, staffing with full-time and part-time personnel, and a new training site on state property for collapsed-structure and multi-agency exercises. Officials said the program has already been used in recent disasters, including flood response and urban search and rescue operations in several parts of the state, and claimed the effort has impacted more than 1,500 citizens through rescues, evacuations, and related assistance. They said the helicopter aquatic rescue team is fully operational, the task force roster should be finalized by January, incident support should be online by April, and the full program should be deployable by June 30 or July 1, 2026. Members asked about statewide response times, K-9 search capabilities, and the long-term cost of the program, including concerns about reliance on federal matching funds. The presenters said K-9 assets will be part of the task force, that pre-positioning during forecasted storms can reduce response times significantly, and that they would provide more detailed budget information later.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the sad thing about that is you waste the money, but also the children that they're serving think
• about<01:16:05.199><c> that</c><01:16:05.360><c> is</c><01:16:05.520><c> you</c><01:16:05.679><c> waste
• c><01:16:05.920><c> the</c><01:16:06.080><c> money,</c><01:16:06.239><c> but</c> about that is you waste
• the money, but about that is you waste the money, but also<01:16:06.800><c> the</c><01:16:06.960><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that the federal funds designated for this much-needed task of improving reading instruction are not wasted
• improving reading instruction<01:46:44.960><c> are</c><01:46:45.119><c> not</c><01:46:45.280><c> wasted
• ,</c><01:46:46.080><c> the</c><01:46:46.320><c> wearing</c> instruction are not wasted, the wearing instruction
• are not wasted, the wearing of<01:46:46.719><c> face</c><01:46:46.960><c> coverings</c><01:46:47.360

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• realize that this bill should be amended were it to be put into statute, that it doesn't make sense to waste
• into statute that it doesn't make sense into statute that it doesn't make sense to<00:31:21.279><c> waste
• 22.000><c> amending</c><00:31:22.399><c> it</c><00:31:22.559><c> when</c><00:31:22.799><c> we</c> to waste
• our time amending it when we to waste our time amending it when we know<00:31:23.039><c> we</c><00:31

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up Senate Bill 268, a bill related to biological sex and related classifications. Members opposing the bill argued it was unnecessary, poorly drafted, and a personal attack on a small group of people, while supporters said it was needed to protect girls and women and to avoid repeated floor debate on a measure they viewed as proper. Several members also discussed the bill’s definition of biological sex, the lack of guidance on what information could be required to make determinations, and concerns about unintended consequences. The committee voted on a motion to retain the bill and approved it by a 10-8 roll call vote, with the bill retained. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 189, described by supporters as a housekeeping measure requested by the Secretary of State and the Department of Health and Human Services concerning fetal death records. Supporters said the bill was narrow, time-sensitive, and ready to pass, while opponents argued it needed further work and that the committee should not use retention to reopen the bill for broader changes. Some members said they wanted to add or explore additional provisions related to fetal death reporting, while others objected that such changes were outside the bill’s scope and poor procedure. After debate, the committee voted to retain Senate Bill 189 as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• water and sewer, stormwater, public roads, municipal offices, public schools, public safety, solid waste
• :49:37.200><c> public</c><00:49:37.520><c> safety,</c><00:49:38.480><c> solid</c><00:49:38.800><c> waste
• ,</c> schools, public safety, solid waste, schools, public safety, solid waste, public<00:49:39.520><

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• environmental needs that we have in the state, particularly with water quality, groundwater, subsurface waste
• 15.760><c> subsurface</c> water quality, groundwater, subsurface water quality, groundwater, subsurface waste
• </c><02:33:19.640><c> And</c><02:33:20.640><c> to</c> waste treatment is just growing.
• And to waste treatment is just growing.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through a series of budget amendments, mostly to House Bill 2 and related House Bill 1 changes, with members discussing whether to reduce or preserve funding for various programs. Early actions included approving an amendment to House Bill 219 that delays implementation of renewable energy-related provisions to 2027, and approving an amendment that removes a $150,000 appropriation tied to a housing-related database while allowing use of housing fund money for the project. The committee also approved an amendment affecting magistrates so they could continue pretrial and other judicial support work, while noting they would not handle bail and that the change reflected separate legislation already signed by the governor. Members then approved a series of administrative savings items in the Department of Administrative Services, including eliminating a long-vacant computer analyst position and reducing overtime and recruiting/subscription-tool budgets. They also approved an amendment cutting marketing and administrative support for the paid family leave program, with members emphasizing that the program itself would continue. A proposed cut to the WorkInvest NH program was discussed at length, with some members arguing it benefits workers and employers and others noting the cost is borne by employers; the committee ultimately set that item aside without taking action. The committee also debated and then approved a modest reduction to a BEA regional planning grant, despite objections that regional planning commissions provide valuable municipal support. The most extended discussion centered on the State Library. Representative Sweeney said he did not want to pursue a full cut of the library and instead favored a more targeted approach, noting that some federal funding for library services such as interlibrary loans and the Libby system may be at risk. Members discussed alternatives, including unfilled positions and other partial reductions, but no final action on the full library cut was taken in the portion provided. The committee also paused on some other items to gather more information before voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• to six weeks, by which time the peaches are long gone and I don't have the opportunity to turn that waste
• The peaches I don't sell would be waste.
• to six weeks, by which time the peaches are long gone and I don't have the opportunity to turn that waste
• The peaches I don't sell would be waste.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Here we are in the state of Minnesota; we had an $18 billion surplus, and we wasted it in a lot of sense
• Minnesota we had an $18 billion Surplus<01:36:35.480><c> and</c><01:36:35.800><c> we</c><01:36:36.800><c> wasted
• <c> in</c><01:36:37.840><c> a</c><01:36:38.000><c> lot</c><01:36:38.159><c> of</c> Surplus and we wasted
• it in a lot of Surplus and we wasted it in a lot of sense<01:36:39.679><c> because</c><01:36:39.920>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that we're, you know, not more than one of us is doing the work that needs to be done, so we're not wasting
• </c><00:08:42.479><c> so</c><00:08:42.640><c> we're</c><00:08:42.760><c> not</c><00:08:42.919><c> wasting
• </c><00:08:43.640><c> the</c> be done uh so we're not wasting the be done uh so we're not wasting the

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that their sole job is to manage fisheries, why are we going to be redundant and why are we going to waste
• that their sole job is to manage fisheries, why are we going to be redundant and why are we going to waste
• that their sole job is to manage fisheries, why are we going to be redundant and why are we going to waste
• So, one of our neighbors is dumping a lot of green waste, a lot of tree-trimming debris.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees first heard SB 1146, which would appropriate funds to the University of Hawaiʻi to develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan for debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai Watershed. Testimony was largely supportive from DLNR, a UH student, and a special improvement district representative, while one speaker suggested the work should be coordinated with existing efforts to avoid duplication. Committee discussion focused on the multi-jurisdictional nature of the watershed, existing debris-trap work that captures only about 20 to 30 percent of debris, the role of the university in capstone projects and recommendations, and the relationship to the existing Geni project and other community efforts. Members also asked about costs, tracking progress, and the difference between water-quality improvements and the larger debris problem. The committees then voted to pass SB 1146 with amendments, including blanking out the appropriation and deferring the effective date to July 31, 2050. The motion passed in both committees, with votes recorded in support and no opposition noted during the decision-making. The committees also heard SB 321, which would deem certain fee simple privately owned lands transferred to adjacent property owners or community associations if specified conditions are met. Testimony was in support from several individuals, but members raised concerns about the lack of input from counties and the state, and about how the bill might affect roads already used by the public or maintained by local governments. After discussion, the committees voted to advance SB 321 unamended to the next committees, with the measure adopted in both committees despite one recorded no vote in the Water and Land committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a waste of time because I had sheets of paper that were coming home to me.
• we need to be Media stuff is not where we need to be it's<01:53:13.520><c> a</c><01:53:13.679><c> waste
• 14.159><c> time</c><01:53:14.480><c> because</c><01:53:14.760><c> I</c><01:53:14.920><c> had</c> it's a waste
• of time because I had it's a waste of time because I had sheets<01:53:15.440><c> of</c><01:53:15.679

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 627, which concerns Department of Education school safety funding and staffing. DOE said the bill would restore two positions and related funding that had been removed from the governor’s budget: a targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager and a security technology manager. DOE described ongoing work on school vulnerability assessments, fire suppression measures, security camera research, panic buttons, and active shooter prevention training. Testifiers from DOE, the Department of Law Enforcement, fire services, HSTA, and an individual witness all supported the bill, with the individual citing a past school shooting experience as a reason to increase school resource officers and safety measures. Members asked about the positions’ duties, how the request differed from existing security funding, and the status of active shooter training; DOE said it would provide more information on training statistics. The committee then took up HB 249, relating to Executive Office on Early Learning family child interaction learning programs. The Early Learning Board, EOEL, Commit to Kids, Early Childhood Action Strategies, Partners in Development Foundation, and others testified in support. EOEL said it currently spends about $800,000 annually on FCI program contracts and supports expanding state funding for FCIL programs, including infant and early childhood mental health, if the appropriation covers the broader scope. Testifiers emphasized that FCIL programs are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and help families and children, with one provider sharing a long-term example of a parent and child benefiting from the program. Members asked how many programs are supported, whether FCIL exists on all islands, and whether the request was in the governor’s budget; EOEL said the expansion was requested by the office but not included in the governor’s budget. HB 429, concerning pre-K expansion, drew broad support from the Lieutenant Governor, EOEL, HSTA, and community groups. Supporters said the Ready Keiki initiative has already opened more than 50 classrooms and would add another 50 over the next two years, including Hawaiian immersion classrooms. EOEL said it currently administers 72 public pre-K classrooms across 74 campuses and that the bill’s funding was included in the governor’s budget request. Testimony stressed kindergarten readiness, affordability for working families, equity across islands, and inclusion classrooms. Members asked about national quality benchmarks, with EOEL stating Hawaii meets 10 of 10 benchmarks and that only five states had done so at the time referenced. The Lieutenant Governor also described construction and delivery efforts, including refurbishing existing classrooms, modular options, possible use of state buildings, and even collaboration with libraries to expand child care access. Finally, the committee heard HB 439 on J-1 teacher licensure. DOE supported the bill, while the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposed it, arguing licensure standards are not place-based and should remain rigorous and uniform for all educators. The Attorney General’s office offered technical comments, including replacing “educators” with “teacher” and clarifying the bill’s language on issuance and renewal conditions. Several organizations and individuals testified in support, including school, cultural, business, and educator groups. One witness, a teacher from the Philippines, said J-1 educators are highly qualified and described the rigor of teacher preparation in the Philippines. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We tried the Ombudsman thing; that was six months of wasted time, and then we're not going to pay a lot
• can't believe that clarification is needed on this, but apparently it is, and they agreed with that. wasted
• time um and then we don't we're wasted time um and then we don't we're not<00:54:14.119><c> going</c
• with no witnesses, the judge was going to be yelling at me, why aren't you, you know, why are we wasting

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened with a hearing on CACR 7, a proposed constitutional amendment to explicitly state that defendants are innocent until proven guilty in all cases and suits brought by the state. The prime sponsor argued the amendment would strengthen due process, prevent government overreach, and extend the presumption of innocence beyond criminal cases into civil and administrative matters such as forfeiture and family court proceedings. In testimony and questioning, the sponsor cited New Hampshire constitutional provisions, historical examples, and concerns about courts shifting burdens onto individuals. Committee members raised questions about the amendment’s wording, its relationship to existing law, and whether it would have practical effect if current statutes already place the burden on the state. The hearing was then closed without further witnesses. The committee next moved to executive session on House Bill 480, which establishes a procedure for restoring competency and creates a pilot forensic liaison position in Merrimack or Strafford County to assist with that process. After discussion about prior concerns, including an email from the Disabilities Rights Center and whether enough members were present, the committee voted to adopt Amendment 2025-61H and then voted ought to pass as amended. The amendment passed unanimously, and the bill passed on a 10-1 roll call, with Representative Andrew voting no. The chair noted the bill would not go on consent and that no minority report was planned. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 666-FN, which would add restitution for violations of library-use confidentiality and expressly include library cards and membership status among confidential records. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen privacy protections after a local dispute and to provide a remedy and deterrent for improper disclosure. Committee questions focused on whether the restitution penalty would apply to accidental disclosures, how the bill interacts with existing exceptions such as court orders or investigations, and whether the language was consistent with current confidentiality law. The hearing remained open at the end of the transcript.