Transcript Highlights:

• :02:15.920><c> and</c><02:02:16.320><c> we</c><02:02:16.560><c> just</c><02:02:16.800><c> came</c><02
• :02:19.599><c> we</c><02:02:20.000><c> we've</c><02:02:20.320><c> been</c><02:02:20.480><c> at</c><02
• point<02:02:22.239><c> um</c><02:02:22.639><c> not</c><02:02:22.880><c> during</c><02:02:23.199><c>
• ><c> we've</c><02:02:24.800><c> been</c><02:02:24.960><c> at</c><02:02:25.119><c> a</c><02:02:25.280>
• 02:02:30.000><c> there</c><02:02:30.320><c> was</c><02:02:30.480><c> a</c><02:02:30.880><c> a</c><02:

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 11 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:02:02.560><c> less</c><02:02:02.880><c> visible</c><02:02:03.440><c> but</c><02:02:03.679><c>
• ><02:38:09.680><c> make</c> revised statutes.
• I think we have protection in the statute<02:53:54.960><c> for</c><02:53:55.359><c> sports</c><02:53:
• 55.760><c> officials</c><02:53:56.960><c> and</c><02:53:57.359><c> it's</c> statute for sports officials
• and it's statute for sports officials and it's working.<02:53:58.399><c> Um,</c><02:53:58.960><c> we

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1790 HD1, which would require law enforcement and oversight agencies to collect and report data on stops, use of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab, which would publish incident-level information and annual reports. Supporters, including the Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Justice Rising, and the Policing Project, said the bill would improve transparency, help identify disparities, and support better policy and accountability. OHA requested amendments to ensure Hawaiians are identified as a distinct category in the data, and the University of Hawaii’s Ashley Rubin said the Crime Lab would work with agencies to make implementation as seamless as possible. The Department of Law Enforcement supported the bill’s intent but asked for a longer timeline and culturally appropriate methodology, while HPD opposed the bill as written, saying it would require too many new data points, create a significant administrative burden, and rely on subjective perceptions of race and ethnicity; HPD also noted it is piloting an e-citation system that could help with data collection. Committee members questioned HPD about current manual processes and technology options. The chair reported 18 testimonies total: 15 in support, one in opposition, and two with comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1611 HD1, which would phase down the general excise tax on groceries and nonprescription drugs until a full exemption takes effect in 2034. The Department of Taxation offered technical recommendations, including clearer definitions for groceries and nonprescription drugs and a technical change regarding the county surcharge exemption. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, argued the GET on groceries is regressive and worsens food insecurity, especially for low-income households, and said the bill would provide needed relief. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical concerns, including a possible wholesale-tax enforcement issue once the exemption is fully phased in. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1611, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:09.520><c> um</c><01:02:10.000><c> not</c><01:02:10.240><c> to</c><01:02:10.400><c> most</
• 02:48.880><c> to</c><01:02:49.200><c> make</c><01:02:49.359><c> that</c><01:02:49.599><c> change.
• :02:56.639><c> to</c><02:02:56.880><c> adopt</c><02:02:58.080><c> um</c><02:02:58.480><c> and</c><02:
• 02:59.119><c> uh</c><02:02:59.280><c> next</c><02:02:59.520><c> Tuesday.
• 02:04:36.320><c> bill</c><02:04:37.599><c> uh</c><02:04:37.840><c> for</c><02:04:38.560><c> uh</c><02

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard opening remarks and ground rules from Chair David Tarnas, including a request for two-minute testimony limits, clear speaking, Zoom etiquette, and respectful conduct. The first measure taken up was HB 2062, relating to gun violence prevention, which would appropriate funds for enforcement of gun violence protective orders and for public awareness campaigns. Judiciary submitted written testimony recommending technical changes to clarify that it does not enforce laws and instead should be funded for personnel to process temporary restraining orders and gun violence protective orders; the Department of Law Enforcement supported the bill and said it is well positioned to conduct public education. Support also came from county and advocacy witnesses, including Moms Demand Action, Giffords Gun Owners for Safety, HGEA, and a retired police officer, while opposition testimony argued the measure raises due process and Fifth Amendment concerns and that education, not enforcement, should be the focus. The chair noted 37 testimonies in support, 103 in opposition, and three comments; no vote was taken in the portion provided. Testimony on HB 2062 emphasized both public safety and constitutional concerns. Supporters described the bill as a way to increase awareness of an existing legal tool, prevent suicides and shootings, and help law enforcement and the public understand gun violence protective orders. Opponents, including gun owners and firearms groups, argued that red flag laws can be abused, lack due process, and should not be expanded through state funding. A county neighborhood safety witness suggested an amendment to allow public, private, and nonprofit consultants to assist with training and implementation. Members asked a few questions, but the agencies with written testimony were not present, so the chair referred members to their submissions. The committee then moved to HB 2061, relating to firearms, which appropriates money for the state gun buyback program and requires at least two buyback events in each county. Written support was noted from the Department of Law Enforcement, Hawaii County Council, the County of Kauai Prosecuting Attorney, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, with the latter emphasizing that buybacks are voluntary prevention tools that can reduce risk before crises escalate. Opposition came from the Mid-Pacific Pistol League, SDM Training Group/Bows and Bullets, and others; one witness argued buybacks are ineffective, costly, and can be vulnerable to misuse or black-market diversion, and suggested a year-round surrender option instead. The committee heard additional support from a retired police officer and from a gun violence survivor with Students Demand Action, but no final action or vote was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:02:07.920><c> I</c><02:02:08.159><c> did</c><02:02:08.400><c> want</c><02:02:08.560><c> to</c><02:
• Folks, it's<02:32:11.600><c> a</c><02:32:11.840><c> statute.
• </c><02:32:13.760><c> down</c> it's a statute.
• </c><02:32:16.240><c> We</c><02:32:16.399><c> can</c><02:32:16.560><c> change</c><02:32:16.800><c> statutes
• We can change statutes and<02:32:17.439><c> we</c><02:32:17.600><c> can</c><02:32:17.680><c> pull</c>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um this was<00:02:01.680><c> an</c><00:02:01.759><c> interim</c><00:02:02.159><c> bill</c><00:02:02.320
• </c><00:02:08.080><c> Um</c><00:02:09.039><c> our</c><00:02:09.360><c> host</c><00:02:09.599><c> our<
• ><c> that</c><00:02:24.160><c> an</c><00:02:24.400><c> ambulance</c><00:02:24.800><c> shows</c><00:02
• The rates<00:02:27.120><c> uh</c><00:02:27.200><c> the</c><00:02:27.440><c> Medicaid</c><00:02:27.840
• </c><00:02:31.840><c> We</c><00:02:32.000><c> haven't</c><00:02:32.239><c> seen</c><00:02:32.400><c>

Bills: HB0122 , SF0004 , SF0012 , SF0013 , SF0067 , SF0070 , SF0124

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, Medicaid, emergency medical services, ground ambulance, healthcare funding, reimbursement rates, military, national guard, reenlistment, extension bonus, Wyoming, Wyoming National Guard, recruitment

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota is 800,000. Nebraska is at a whopping 9 or 8 million.
• That statute works relatively well for those short-term events.
• We think that you should break up that statute into two different categories of inundated water land.
• Now, some counties probably are doing that already, but it's not in statute.
• But we would be looking at Century Code 57-02-27.26, and that is where you find the inundated water section

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and opening remarks from NDSU President David Stewart, who emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission of statewide service through teaching, research, and extension. He highlighted the university’s role in agriculture, water, soil health, and community outreach, and pointed to examples of research commercialization such as Lilac Agriculture’s work on nitrogen-fixing microbes for crops. He also said he is still early in his tenure and intends to spend time listening and learning across the state. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study estimated that North Dakota could develop about 1.3 million additional irrigated acres, with major potential in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau. Testimony stressed the economic benefits of irrigation for crop yields, value-added processing, dairy, and potato production, while members also discussed water availability, aquifers, downstream water use, and the need for more flexible permitting. The drainage portion of the study found significant economic benefits from legal drains, and staff explained that the impacts were calculated through increased productivity and related input purchases. Greg Lardy then gave NDSU’s required agriculture update, saying agriculture accounts for more than $41 billion in annual economic activity, one in five jobs, and about 25 percent of state GDP. He reviewed the role of SBAR, the statewide research-extension network, new crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI and weather-network tools, and Extension’s county partnerships and youth programs. He also outlined NDSU’s priorities for the next session: restoring proposed budget cuts, increasing operating support, and addressing deferred maintenance. Members asked about storage shed construction, NDSU’s relationship with Grand Farm, and whether NDSU could help with water-related research tied to drainage and aquifers. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor on water and data centers, who described graduate fellowships, a water workforce certificate program, and research on data center cooling, water use, and “Legendary Harvest” concepts that would reuse waste heat for greenhouse or aquaculture production. Questions focused on whether the cooling systems were closed-loop, who would own any related production facilities, and whether the project was still only a feasibility study. Finally, North Dakota AgTech described its NSF-funded “engine” project, saying it has brought millions in federal investment to the state, supported startups and on-farm trials, and is focused on commercialization, workforce development, and helping producers lower input costs and improve profitability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. oh<02:00:11.639><c> did</c><02:00:11.800><c> she</c><02:00:12.040><c> close</c><02:00:12.360
• </c><02:00:16.520><c> like</c> are<02:00:26.119><c> you</c><02:00:26.280><c> on</c><02:00:26.480><c>
• </c><05:02:02.718><c> version</c><05:02:03.638><c> or</c><05:02:03.920><c> us</c><05:02:04.080><c> as
• code<05:02:10.920><c> to</c><05:02:11.120><c> that</c><05:02:11.280><c> code</c><05:02:11.558><c> so
• ><c> got</c><05:02:13.638><c> to</c><05:02:13.718><c> get</c><05:02:13.798><c> into</c><05:02:13.958>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 216, which Representative Carol Maguire described as a fix to a workers’ compensation/retirement “glitch.” The bill would remove the current limit that only one year of workers’ compensation time can be credited as retirement service time. Maguire argued the limit is arbitrary and affects only a very small number of grievously injured workers, while committee members asked about the fiscal impact, available data, and whether the change could affect workers’ compensation rates or incentives. Mark Kavar of the New Hampshire Retirement System said Labor could not provide data on how many people exceed a year on weekly indemnity benefits, so the fiscal note used a conservative estimate that could be scaled down; he also explained that workers’ comp is not earnable compensation, which is why service credit stops after a year, and noted that many long-term cases move into disability retirement or lump-sum settlements. The committee closed the hearing, entered executive session, and voted ought to pass on HB 216 by a 13-0 roll call, sending it to consent and noting it would also go to Finance. The committee then acted on House Bill 85, adopting Amendment 0037 and then voting ought to pass as amended by another 13-0 roll call. The bill was described as allowing second-year respiratory therapy students to work under supervision using the skills they have already learned, with support from the Hospital Association and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 267, the animal chiropractors bill. Members said the bill had been approved previously but was vetoed because of a defect; the problem has now been corrected, and the bill is intended to reduce delays caused by requiring veterinary referrals before chiropractors can treat animals. The committee voted ought to pass 13-0 and placed the bill on consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:05:35.199><c> and</c><02:05:35.360><c> D,</c><02:05:36.639><c> um</c><02:05:36.880><c> it</c><02:
• defined and the the way things were defined and the statutes<02:08:36.079><c> that</c><02:08:36.400>
• </c><02:08:38.000><c> I</c> statutes that things got put under.
• 02:09:10.639><c> uh</c><02:09:10.880><c> or</c><02:09:11.119><c> a</c><02:09:11.520><c> um</c><02:09:
• <02:15:27.440><c> we</c><02:15:27.520><c> remove</c><02:15:27.840><c> a</c><02:15:28.000><c> a</c><02

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's<01:02:05.839><c> not</c><01:02:06.079><c> an</c><01:02:06.319><c> attack</c><01:02:06.480><c> on
• Accountability<01:02:10.000><c> is</c><01:02:10.240><c> not</c><01:02:10.319><c> the</c><01:02:10.480
• of liberty.<01:02:11.680><c> In</c><01:02:11.839><c> fact,</c><01:02:12.000><c> it's</c><01:02:12.240
• </c><01:02:14.240><c> And</c><01:02:14.480><c> so</c><01:02:14.640><c> we</c><01:02:14.799><c> would<
• :02:37.680><c> drugs</c><01:02:39.040><c> and</c><01:02:39.359><c> drunk</c><01:02:39.680><c> driving

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><02:02:02.960><c> goes</c><02:02:03.199><c> into</c><02:02:03.599><c> each</c><02:02:04.199><c> one
• as you<02:02:05.760><c> would</c><02:02:06.079><c> expect</c><02:02:06.480><c> in</c><02:02:06.639><
• the</c><02:02:38.199><c> vested</c><02:02:38.920><c> status</c><02:02:39.400><c> and</c><02:02:39.560
• > set</c><02:05:02.400><c> in</c><02:05:02.679><c> statute</c><02:05:03.119><c> and</c><02:05:03.280>
• <c> do</c><02:05:03.480><c> not</c> they are set in statute and do not they are set in statute and do

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures. A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions. Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service. The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• and<02:02:27.280><c> to</c><02:02:28.480><c> put</c><02:02:28.719><c> that</c><02:02:29.119><c> on</
• c><02:02:29.440><c> the</c><02:02:29.599><c> other</c><02:02:29.840><c> side</c><02:02:30.239><c> in<
• in the special<02:02:30.960><c> education</c><02:02:31.599><c> aid</c><02:02:32.320><c> and</c><02:02
• </c><02:02:37.360><c> We</c><02:02:37.679><c> may</c><02:02:37.840><c> then</c><02:02:38.159><c> have
• foundation<02:02:41.679><c> or</c><02:02:41.920><c> their</c><02:02:42.159><c> base</c><02:02:42.800

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:36.880><c> Schools</c><01:02:37.200><c> are</c><01:02:37.359><c> shut</c><01:02:37.599><c>
• If<01:02:38.160><c> they're</c><01:02:38.400><c> carting</c><01:02:38.720><c> their</c><01:02:38.960>
• 01:02:41.119><c> it's</c><01:02:41.280><c> a</c><01:02:41.440><c> tough</c><01:02:41.599><c> thing</c
• ><c> statute</c><02:09:22.639><c> alto</c><02:09:22.880><c> together</c> we just repeal the statute alto
• together we just repeal the statute alto together and<02:09:23.360><c> leave</c><02:09:23.520><c> it

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:47.120><c> Chairman,</c><01:02:47.440><c> and</c><01:02:47.520><c> thank</c><01:02:47.760>
• Um<01:02:50.000><c> do</c><01:02:50.200><c> you</c><01:02:50.600><c> or</c><01:02:50.760><c> members<
• your your cars<01:02:54.440><c> at</c><01:02:54.760><c> 20</c><01:02:55.040><c> miles</c><01:02:55.320
• ><c> an</c><01:02:55.440><c> hour</c><01:02:55.800><c> in</c><01:02:56.280><c> in</c><01:02:57.000><c
• on the roads<01:02:57.640><c> at</c><01:02:57.800><c> all</c><01:02:58.440><c> now?

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: House Transportation opened public hearings on three Senate bills and discussed a fourth scheduling issue. On SB 499, which would change Traffic Safety Commission reporting requirements, the sponsor’s representative said the bill would require annual aggregated data on the causes of traffic collisions in New Hampshire and recommendations to address them. Members asked about the added Trauma Medical Review Committee seat, and a representative explained that it is a longstanding state board of emergency and trauma professionals; the bill had already been amended and passed unanimously earlier in the process. On SB 500, concerning restroom access for certain commercial motor vehicle operators, the sponsor and trucking-industry supporters said the measure arose from concerns raised by female truck drivers and was intended to require larger commercial facilities with available public or employee restrooms to allow truck drivers to use them when there are no public safety concerns. Supporters from the New Hampshire Motor Transport Association said driver shortages make it important to recruit and retain women, and that lack of bathroom access is a significant barrier. Committee members asked about the scope of the problem and whether the issue affected male and female drivers differently. The committee then heard SB 559, which would reduce the minimum allowable speed limit on locally controlled roads. Supporters, including bicyclists and the Bike-Walk Alliance, testified that lower speeds improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, citing personal crash experiences and national guidance supporting lower urban speed limits where warranted by traffic or engineering studies. They emphasized the bill would not mandate lower limits statewide but would give towns local discretion. Members questioned whether the group would support 15 mph limits and how congestion and travel-time concerns were weighed. A Department of Transportation official testified neutrally, saying the agency had no formal position but had concerns about public perception and possible spillover to unnumbered state roads. The chair also noted an earlier scheduling problem that prevented immediate executive action on a bill until later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have statutes to control what we do.
• The legislature passes the statutes; we administer the exemptions.
• Levy touched on earlier that is in statute that we need to adhere to.
• You know, these are homes on Minnesota Key that were built in the 1950s and 1960s.
• You know, these are homes on Minnesota Key that are built in the 50s and 60s.

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Summary: The Committee on Finance and Tax met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from the Property Appraisers Association of Florida on ad valorem valuation, exemptions, and the property tax process. Lauren Levy reviewed the legal and historical framework of Florida property taxation, including Save Our Homes, the 10% cap on non-homestead assessments, portability, tangible personal property exemptions, TRIM notices, and the distinction between taxable value and millage rates. He emphasized that property appraisers are independent constitutional officers who assess just value, administer exemptions, and are overseen by the Department of Revenue, with values and exemptions generally determined as of January 1 and subject to challenge through the Value Adjustment Board or circuit court. Mike Twitty described the mass appraisal process in Pinellas County, explaining how property appraisers value large numbers of parcels using the same core approaches as fee appraisals but with statistical testing, field reviews, aerial imagery, and technology. He discussed the importance of budget, staffing, and the January 1 valuation date, and noted that recent hurricanes caused significant damage, increased petitions, and required new procedures to help property owners with value reductions and FEMA-related issues. Paul Polk focused on Department of Revenue oversight, explaining sales ratio studies, uniformity measures such as COD and PRD, time adjustments, sales qualification reviews, and in-depth studies that can lead to corrective action if assessment standards are not met. He also noted that the Department reviews property appraiser budgets to preserve independence from county pressure. Senators asked about the supersized homestead concept, DOR review and rejection standards, value trends, and the impact of storms and new construction on taxable value. Twitty and Polk said value growth has been driven by a mix of new construction, market appreciation, cap resets, and storm-related adjustments, while noting that some counties saw market value decline even as taxable value rose. They also said some property tax relief proposals would be easier to implement than others depending on how local tax bills are structured, especially where law enforcement millage is separately identified. No votes were taken on legislation, and the committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are<00:02:06.479><c> you</c><00:02:06.640><c> ready</c><00:02:06.719><c> for</c><00:02:06.880><c> the
• If so, all<00:02:10.399><c> those</c><00:02:10.640><c> in</c><00:02:10.879><c> favor,</c><00:02:11.440
• The eyes<00:02:18.480><c> appear</c><00:02:18.800><c> to</c><00:02:19.040><c> have</c><00:02:19.120><
• </c><00:02:19.680><c> The</c><00:02:19.920><c> eyes</c><00:02:20.400><c> do</c><00:02:20.640><c> have
• The eyes do have it.<00:02:21.040><c> And</c><00:02:21.200><c> you</c><00:02:21.360><c> have</c><00:02

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's already something<02:01:34.639><c> that's</c><02:01:34.960><c> in</c><02:01:35.199><c> statute.
• </c><02:01:35.679><c> It's</c><02:01:35.840><c> just</c> something that's in statute.
• </c><02:01:59.920><c> there's</c><02:02:00.639><c> some</c><02:02:00.960><c> people</c><02:02:01.280>
• :02.639><c> and</c><02:02:02.800><c> we</c><02:02:02.960><c> may</c><02:02:03.119><c> see</c><02:02:03.360
• </c><02:02:18.320><c> where</c><02:02:18.560><c> these</c><02:02:18.880><c> folks</c><02:02:19.119><c

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:41.120><c> the</c><00:02:41.840><c> committee</c><00:02:42.319><c> testimony</c><00:02:43.000
• we heard that<00:02:45.000><c> um</c><00:02:46.000><c> there</c><00:02:46.200><c> has</c><00:02:46.360
• ><c> been</c><00:02:46.599><c> a</c><00:02:46.760><c> lot</c><00:02:47.040><c> of</c><00:02:47.440><c
• :56.040><c> statute</c><00:02:56.800><c> that</c><00:02:57.400><c> kind</c><00:02:57.519><c> of</c><00
• :02:57.680><c> brings</c> create um a statute that kind of brings create um a statute that kind of brings

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee discussed HB 694, focusing on how to set fair market rates for lease renewals involving state agencies and political subdivisions. Members and the New Hampshire Association of Counties worked through draft language defining fair market value, including how appraisals, depreciation, and building deficiencies should be considered. Testimony emphasized that market value and appraised value can differ significantly, and that the bill should allow flexibility rather than require a rigid formula. The group also debated what expenses should be included in lease terms. After discussion of examples such as utilities, custodial services, insurance, maintenance, and newer needs like communications or internet service, members agreed not to create an overly specific list. They settled on language stating that additional expenses, including but not limited to utilities and custodial services, would be negotiated separately. The final amendment was revised to apply to lease renewals for land, buildings, or space between a political subdivision and the State of New Hampshire, with renewals at fair market rate unless otherwise agreed by the lessor. The subcommittee agreed to have the amendment drafted at OLS and then closed the public subcommittee meeting on HB 694.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; I<00:02:12.400><c> know</c><00:02:12.480><c> you've</c><00:02:12.720><c> got</c><00:02:12.800
• ><c> going</c><00:02:14.239><c> to</c><00:02:14.400><c> kind</c><00:02:14.480><c> of</c><00:02:14.560
• for local<00:02:45.040><c> municipalities</c><00:02:46.000><c> to</c><00:02:47.200><c> uh</c><00:02:
• </c><00:02:49.920><c> It's</c><00:02:50.160><c> a</c><00:02:50.400><c> lot</c><00:02:50.480><c> of</c
• </c><00:02:54.720><c> uh</c><00:02:54.879><c> lucrative</c><00:02:55.360><c> for</c><00:02:55.519><c>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:15 Department of Insurance Update 00:01:39 Department of Financial Institutions Update 00:37:07 Insurance Industry Update 00:54:50 Credit Union Industry Update 01:10:53, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September 16 minutes, and then received an update from Insurance Commissioner Sharon Clark and staff on the Department of Insurance. Clark reviewed department activity, including growth in premium volume and licensing, consumer complaints and recoveries, and a rise in fraud referrals. She said the department has 66 open fraud cases and described common schemes such as staged auto accidents, inflated repair or cleanup charges, and roofing scams. She also said the department’s investigators often prepare strong cases but face reluctance from local prosecutors, especially in Fayette and Jefferson counties, to pursue them. Clark reported favorable workers’ compensation news, saying rates will decrease 9.7% next year for the 20th straight year. She contrasted that with a difficult property insurance market driven by storms, reinsurance costs, inflation, labor shortages, and litigation, but said Kentucky’s market remains relatively stable, citing the Kentucky Fair Plan’s small number of policies. She then warned of significant 2026 health insurance premium increases on the exchange: 16.1% for Molina, 23% for Anthem, and 37% for WCare, after CareSource withdrew. She said the rates were reviewed by actuaries and found fair, but that the biggest pressure point is the scheduled expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, which she said could leave about 90% of exchange enrollees facing a compounded increase. Members questioned Clark about fraud prosecution, the number of people in commercial versus public coverage, and the impact of expiring subsidies. Clark said the prosecution issue is mainly with Commonwealth attorneys and that rural counties are more cooperative than urban ones. She also said the health market is individually rated and that older enrollees would be hit harder, while the loss of tax credits could push some people out of the marketplace. One member asked about the attorney general’s recent opinion on SB 188, the PBM bill; staff said attorneys were still reviewing it. Clark closed by noting that Kentucky’s fraud and towing/storage legislation has become a model for other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:16.560><c> I</c><00:02:16.879><c> I</c><00:02:16.959><c> I</c><00:02:17.280><c> I</c><00:02
• </c><00:02:20.400><c> is</c><00:02:20.640><c> is</c><00:02:21.120><c> happening</c><00:02:21.440><c>
• ><c> schools</c><00:02:23.200><c> um</c><00:02:23.360><c> even</c><00:02:23.599><c> to</c><00:02:23.760
• ><c> I</c><00:02:26.879><c> I</c><00:02:27.360><c> don't</c><00:02:27.599><c> see</c><00:02:27.840><c
• So we can take<00:02:44.879><c> some</c><00:02:45.120><c> steps</c><00:02:45.440><c> forward</c><00:02

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee conference first returned to Senate Bill 210 on cyberbullying. Members discussed whether to keep the bill focused on prevention and school action or instead add a study committee. House members said they were willing to remove the open enrollment portion and return to the original intent of the bill, while Senate members argued that bullying is already addressed in existing law and DOE guidance but that the legislature still needs to take action. Several members emphasized that bullying and related mental health harms are occurring in schools and that parents, teachers, and students are asking for stronger accountability now, not just another study. Others said the current bullying statute is not being implemented properly and that revising language without enforcement changes would not solve the problem. The House side noted that the amended bill would require additional reporting from districts, including information about police being called to schools, and would address parent notification issues. Despite those points, the Senate position remained that the House and Senate were not in agreement and that the bill should revert to the original version. The committee ultimately agreed to a non-concur report, with members indicating consent for that action. The meeting then briefly turned to Senate Bill 206. Members said the issue had already been addressed because a cell phone use policy amendment had been added to HB2 during the budget conference, making further discussion unnecessary. Because the chambers still needed to choose one of the formal conference options, the committee agreed to file a non-concurrent report on SB 206 as well, with consent from the House-side members.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:00:14.159><c> Uh,</c><02:00:14.560><c> thank</c><02:00:14.840><c> you</c><02:00:15.840><c> so
• </c><02:00:17.040><c> And</c><02:00:17.199><c> do</c><02:00:17.360><c> you</c><02:00:17.520><c> have<
• </c> I<02:00:21.440><c> don't,</c><02:00:22.000><c> but</c><02:00:22.239><c> I'm</c><02:00:22.560><c>
• You're<02:00:26.480><c> welcome</c><02:00:26.639><c> to</c><02:00:26.719><c> reach</c><02:00:26.880><
• </c><02:00:46.400><c> I</c><02:00:46.560><c> I</c><02:00:46.880><c> don't</c><02:00:47.040><c> think<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to continue its review of recommendations for New Hampshire’s family court, with the chair emphasizing a collaborative approach and noting that the group would focus on the origins of the family division, recurring problems identified in earlier reports, and comparisons with other states. Members discussed organizing testimony into three broad topics: the court hearing process and pro se litigant preparation, mediation/arbitration/counseling, and the interaction of domestic violence issues with family court and related criminal proceedings. The chair also noted that the subcommittee would not meet again for two weeks and encouraged members to review materials from Judge Michael Mace and NCSL research on other states’ family court systems. Attorney Heather Culp, senior administrator for the judicial branch’s circuit court, testified about New Hampshire’s ADR programs. She explained that the Office of Mediation and Arbitration, created by statute in 2007, oversees more than 12 statewide ADR programs across the Supreme, Superior, and Circuit Courts, including family division programs such as divorce-parenting mediation, neutral case evaluation, guardianship, termination of parental rights, and voluntary adoption mediation. She said the divorce-parenting mediation program is the largest family division ADR program, with about 3,400 mediation sessions in 2023 out of roughly 6,700 cases, and that most cases involving minor children are referred to mediation soon after the first appearance session. Culp described the family division process as beginning with a first appearance session led by a case manager, who provides information, helps with paperwork, and schedules mediation, usually within 30 to 45 days. She said mediation is strongly encouraged in parenting and divorce cases, but there is no requirement to reach agreement, and parties may settle some issues while leaving others for court. She also explained that mediation is prohibited or limited in certain domestic violence cases: cases with active civil protection orders may proceed only with both parties’ consent and possible safeguards, while cases involving criminal protective orders are not sent to mediation. Mediators in court-referred family cases are contracted with the court and must be certified by the executive branch’s mediator certification board; mediators do not communicate with judges, except through a brief ADR report noting whether the case settled or what the next procedural step is. Members asked about referrals, timing, and the meaning of “neutrals,” and Culp said the court uses in-house contracted neutrals for family division ADR and does not refer divorce-parenting cases to outside providers.