Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, I am still concerned, as I was last year, about the restrictions on activity that are reminiscent

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism Committee of Reference

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the operating reserve account than what we've seen in this year's budget, where you're accounting restricted

Bills: HB2 , SB48 , SB64 , SB100

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance

Transcript Highlights:

• media platform has committed an antitrust violation or failed to meet certain requirements before restricting

Summary: The Government and Operations Committee met and first heard C.S. for HB 4003, relating to the City of Marco Island in Collier County. Representative Benaroch said the bill addresses how city council vacancies are filled: if a vacancy occurs more than one year before a general election, the council must call a special election within 130 days or the governor must do so; if the vacancy occurs within one year of a general election, the council has 60 days to appoint a qualified replacement or the governor must appoint. The bill was reported favorably with a roll-call vote. The committee then considered HB 91 on candidate qualification, sponsored by Representative Tant. The bill requires candidates to swear they have been registered in the relevant party for 365 consecutive days before qualifying, and clarifies who may challenge that oath and where such challenges must be filed. An amendment changing the effective date to upon becoming law was adopted. Representative Tant and others argued the bill would clarify election law and prevent abuse of the challenge process; a county clerk waived in support. HB 91, as a committee substitute, was reported favorably. The committee next took up three proposed committee bills extending public-record exemptions. PCB GOS 26-06 preserves exemptions for certain aquaculture records held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, with Representative Gentry citing theft concerns involving harvest locations and production records; it was reported favorably. PCB GOS 26-07 preserves exemptions for information received by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles related to potential violations involving title certificates, licenses, and inspection providers; it also passed favorably. PCB GOS 26-08 extends exemptions tied to investigations involving social media platforms and antitrust or speech-restriction issues, with Representative Greco noting the underlying law has been enjoined by the courts; it too was reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate bill back then included specific restrictions that stated that the transferred land can only

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• local government obtain an underwriting assessment demonstrating the rent reduction for income-restricted

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and took up a series of pending bills, voting to report several measures to the full Senate. SB 250, SB 375, HB 3093, SB 2419, SB 2605, SB 3029, HB 22, and HB 1392 were all reported favorably and recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. SB 1957 was also reported out, but with one recorded no vote from Senator Paxton. The committee also adopted committee substitutes and reported them favorably for SB 1944, SB 2452, SB 2675, HB 2525, and SB 867, each with the recommendation that the original bill not pass but the substitute do pass and be printed. SB 867 received the most discussion. Chairman Bettencourt explained that the committee substitute narrowed the bill’s application to housing finance corporation projects within the creating local government’s boundaries, clarified definitions related to HFC users, multifamily development, rent, and public benefit, adjusted underwriting and deadline provisions, and addressed tax exemption and payment-in-lieu-of-taxes issues. He also noted that an attorney general opinion request had been sent regarding HFC-related concerns and urged the committee to move the bill forward. Near the end of the meeting, Senator West asked to be recorded as voting in line with his recommendations on the bills, except for SB 1957, on which he wanted to be shown voting against it. After that, the committee had no further business and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• to a single decided to restrict towns to a single school<00:32:51.679><c> district</c><00:32:52.320>
• Nobody stipulates that you have to do it in the least restrictive manner, but I thought it was really
• Nobody stipulates that you have to do it in the least restrictive manner, but I thought it was really
• Nobody stipulates that you have to do it in the least restrictive manner, but I thought it was really
• They put in place restrictions to it.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These sections also include modifications to conditions under which a health care agent may restrict
• ><00:51:08.640><c> care</c><00:51:08.960><c> agent</c><00:51:09.480><c> May</c><00:51:09.880><c> restrict
• </c> a health care agent May restrict a health care agent May restrict visitation<00:51:11.760><c> for
• </c><01:04:50.599><c> like</c> proximity and Zoning restrictions like proximity and Zoning restrictions
• So if we're talking about limitations, I think there needs to be restrictions.

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rather than restricting access, we should focus on education and clear lab labeling to ensure responsible
• In the past, they have been strong partners when there have been federal restrictions, such as the Hyde
• Historically, very few religions had a lot of medical restrictions to them, and my concern is that the
• /c><03:10:22.680><c> medical</c> religions had a lot of medical religions had a lot of medical restrictions
• to them and um my concern restrictions to them and um my concern is<03:10:27.760><c> that</c><03:10:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with House Bill 1462 on crisis services. Testimony from the Department of Law Enforcement, the Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Department of Health supported expanding behavioral health crisis services as an alternative to arrest or incarceration. Witnesses said additional crisis sites would help divert people in mental health crisis to appropriate care, and the Department of Health described its current crisis center in Ewa, including the need for renovations such as a padded room and the time required to get the facility operational. In response to questions, the department estimated the Ewa center’s budgeted cost at about $4.3 million, not including rent or startup repairs, and said a second site’s cost would depend on whether it was freestanding or attached to an existing facility. The committee then heard House Bill 700 on cognitive assessments. The Executive Office on Aging supported the bill’s intent but asked that it be amended to make assessments optional rather than mandated, to pilot the program first, and to allow flexibility in handling HIPAA-protected data. SHPDA also supported the measure but said it should not be mandatory and suggested that payers reimburse for assessments when requested by patients, families, or physicians. The Alzheimer’s Association and caregivers strongly supported standardizing cognitive assessments to improve early detection and access to newer treatments, while noting the existing opt-out provision. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the bill but asked that the age 65 threshold be removed because cognitive decline can begin much earlier for people with Down syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and related conditions. In response to a question, the Office on Aging said a pilot project could likely be done for about $150,000, with data security being the main added cost. The final bill discussed was House Bill 237 on peer support programs. Testimony from Family Hui Hawaii, Early Childhood Action Strategy, peer support workers, and families described peer-to-peer programs as a cost-effective way to reduce isolation, strengthen families, and provide long-term community support. Speakers said these programs help parents and caregivers navigate crises, child welfare involvement, addiction recovery, and other challenges, and can have lasting benefits for children’s development and family stability. Several witnesses tied the bill to broader state goals, including infant and early childhood mental health, trauma-informed care, and child welfare reform. Written testimony from about a dozen organizations and individuals was also noted in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the private equity restrictions bill that Senator Boldon carried that prohibits private equity companies
• And the private equity restrictions bill that Senator Boldon carried that prohibits private equity companies
• > assistance</c><00:02:30.960><c> programs,</c><00:02:31.960><c> as</c> Um, the private equity restrictions
• And try to attack it that way, not restrict the rights of the people that own the park, which I think
• the rights of the people that restrict the rights of the people that own<00:26:36.480><c> the</c><00

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2019, the legislature removed the weight loss restriction from the drug formulary.
• </c> restriction from the drug formulary. restriction from the drug formulary.
• You know, we currently restrict occupational and physical therapy to kids, to adults under the age of
• You know, we currently restrict occupational and physical therapy to kids, to adults under the age of
• You know, we currently restrict occupational and physical therapy to kids, to adults under the age of

Bills: HF4493 , HF3133 , HF4595 , HF4143 , HF4142 , HF3756 , HF4289 , HF1724 , HF2291 , HF4568 , HF4547

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: opioid use disorder, OUD, medication-assisted treatment, MAT, pharmacist prescribing, pharmacy practice, controlled substances, Schedule III, Schedule IV, Schedule V, DEA registration, Board of Pharmacy, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, buprenorphine, naltrexone, harm reduction, prescription authority, pharmacist intern, Minnesota pharmacy law

Transcript Highlights:

• 02.800><c> are</c> individual present presenters, you are individual present presenters, you are restricted
• </c><00:08:04.200><c> That's</c><00:08:04.480><c> been</c> restricted to 2 minutes.
• That's been restricted to 2 minutes.
• this product uh according to the apply this product uh according to the label<00:23:20.679><c> restrictions
• </c> label restrictions. label restrictions.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As one appellate court noted, the state has restricted the ability of developmentally disabled people
• And the property that would be restricted from selling would be the items that haven't been subject to
• Probation is the least restricted law-enforcement agency in the state of California.
• Probation is the least restricted a law enforcement agency in the state of California.
• The eligibility restrictions enacted under AB 2147 for convictions such as arson or murder are retained

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, with extensive testimony on firearms regulation, disability and sexual assault, mental health diversion, emergency response, and law enforcement masking. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as a response to the rise in ghost guns and 3D-printed firearms; supporters said barrels are a key component of untraceable guns, while opponents argued the bill burdens lawful gun owners and does little to stop criminals. SB 258 by Senator Wahab would eliminate the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability; supporters called it a needed closure of an archaic loophole, while disability-rights advocates opposed it unless amended, warning it could worsen misunderstandings about capacity to consent and harm disabled people’s autonomy. After debate, SB 258 passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, with several members voting aye and the bill held on call. Senator Umberg presented SB 398, which closes a loophole in the law prohibiting paying or offering money or other value to induce someone to vote or register to vote; there was little opposition, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations and was held on call. He also presented SB 27, a CARE Court cleanup measure that would allow certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial to be routed into CARE Court and would expand eligibility to some people with mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would improve access to treatment and reduce unnecessary incarceration, while county behavioral health directors and disability advocates warned it could blur the line between voluntary civil treatment and coercive criminal proceedings and expand CARE Court beyond its intended scope. SB 27 passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 36 from Senator Umberg, a price-gouging measure tied to wildfire-related emergency conditions that also expands search-warrant authority for certain misdemeanor investigations. Public defenders opposed the search-warrant expansion as unnecessary, while a late supporter from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spoke in favor; the bill was moved on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and held on call. SB 571 by Senator Arreguín would increase penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and related conduct during disasters; supporters cited post-fire looting and impersonation, while opponents argued longer sentences do not deter crime and that existing law is sufficient. The bill passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and was held on call. Finally, Senator Wiener presented SB 627, which would prohibit law enforcement from wearing extreme masks except in limited circumstances, aimed largely at masked federal immigration enforcement operations. Supporters said masked, unidentified officers create fear and undermine trust, while law enforcement groups argued the bill wrongly sweeps in local officers, is too broad, and should instead target federal agents or impersonators. Testimony was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final committee action on SB 627 is shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is the term leadership restricted to commissioners, or would it include supervisors, managers, assistant
• Is the term leadership restricted to commissioners, or would it include supervisors, managers, assistant
• Is the term leadership restricted to commissioners, or would it include supervisors, managers, assistant
• this isn't passed, it's still everything that you're fictitiously thinking about is not change restricted
• we just want to have change restricted we just want to have it<00:59:36.880><c> in</c><00:59:37.000>

Bills: HF1867 , HF1240

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: lottery, retailer contracts, Minnesota Statutes, contract qualifications, public integrity, criminal background, legislative auditor, public funds, state government, compliance, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• by HF 1627, as industry attempts to exempt products for commercial and industrial use from PFAS restrictions
• Industrial Products from<01:16:30.719><c> the</c><01:16:30.880><c> pasas</c><01:16:31.400><c> restrictions
• </c><01:16:31.920><c> under</c><01:16:32.199><c> amar's</c> from the pasas restrictions under amar's
• from the pasas restrictions under amar's law<01:16:33.520><c> the</c><01:16:33.679><c> legislature</c
• And finally, we believe as this legislation advances, Minnesota should further restrict reporting like

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• initially, and even this year, as we're looking at it, it continues to be cut in half due to the restrictions
• </c><00:20:48.360><c> by</c> the restrictions by the restrictions by Fara<00:20:50.520><c> I'm</c><00
• I certainly appreciate all of the efforts in the last legislation to put in place restrictions for pharma
• , but I think it's important to understand not all of them are following those restrictions.
• I think it's important to understand not all of them are following those restrictions.

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• H.R. 6945 addresses that uncertainty by making clear that states may not be restricted from choosing
• </c> clear that states may not be restricted clear that states may not be restricted from<02:24:16.319
• And actually, this bill says that nothing shall be construed to restrict TANF funding for these centers
• </c> nothing shall be construed to restrict nothing shall be construed to restrict TANF<04:23:08.080>
• </c><04:30:35.840><c> women's</c> move a bill restricting women's move a bill restricting women's reproductive

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe the bill restricts innovation and sends the wrong message to new businesses.
• I believe the bill restricts innovation and sends the wrong message to new businesses.
• It restricts executive three hospitals.
• It restricts executive flexibility<01:44:32.400><c> to</c><01:44:32.639><c> make</c><01:44:32.880><c>
• flexibility at a leadership, restrict flexibility at a time<02:01:15.040><c> when</c><02:01:15.599><

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><05:08:30.958><c> those</c><05:08:31.280><c> people</c> and this language restricts those people
• and this language restricts those people from<05:08:31.840><c> qualifying.
• But there's a restriction on that money that would be only for drinking water and not waste water.
• But there's a restriction on that money that would be only for drinking water and not wastewater.
• that there's a restriction on that money that would<05:55:13.280><c> be</c><05:55:13.920><c> only</c

Keywords: 10am HB 1 & HB 2, 928, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 1 and HB 2 reviewed comparison documents and worked through a long list of House and Senate positions, agreeing on some technical or already-enacted items while setting aside others for later discussion. Early on, members agreed to delete a House Bill 2 section tied to a bill already passed into law, and a representative explained a technical amendment to the EFA provisions clarifying enrollment-cap repeal language and compulsory attendance rules for EFA students. That amendment was discussed but a vote was postponed because not all members were present. The committee also noted that the overall EFA budget numbers had already been settled separately. Several items were either agreed to or held for further negotiation. Members agreed to delete sections already covered by other enacted bills, including BTLA-related language, and to accept a technical amendment changing "municipalities" to "political subdivisions" in a section affecting funding eligibility. They also agreed on some items involving workers’ compensation second injuries, certain pilot-program language, and some sections related to state loan repayment and other technical corrections. In contrast, they set aside or disputed items involving site evaluation, lottery-related provisions, opioid abatement, the Commission on Aging, Granite Advantage premium costs, renewable energy/offshore wind funding, special education funding, and several education trust fund and unique-fund provisions. The committee spent substantial time on policy disputes. The House side argued against keeping money in dedicated Fish and Game funds rather than increasing the main Fish and Game fund, while the Senate side defended its approach and raised concerns about fee impacts, including one tied to the fishing license. The members also discussed a housing appeals board proposal, with one member suggesting a possible compromise that would preserve some function while shifting duties and possibly sunsetting the arrangement later; the contracts for the positions were noted as running through June 30, 2028 and June 30, 2029. Another extended discussion concerned the child advocate records-access section, which one side wanted removed as policy that should go through the normal bill process, while another member asked to hold it and suggested a possible middle-ground, time-limited approach. Later, the committee agreed to remove sections already handled in other bills, including House sections 254 and 255, and discussed but did not resolve disputes over liquor licensing functions, cannabis-related language, cost containment, special education, and several fee and fund provisions. The Senate explained its position on the governor’s commission language, saying opioid abatement trust funds could not be used for that purpose and that the commission should continue to be funded through 5% of gross liquor profits; it also described renaming the body the Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention and expanding its scope to include problem gambling. The meeting ended with several major items still open for later negotiation.

Transcript Highlights:

• This has to do with siting and the proximity to water bodies and tighter restrictions on hydrogeological
• to water bodies and uh and uh proximity to water bodies and uh and uh tighter<02:01:54.639><c> restrictions
• /c><02:01:55.360><c> on</c><02:01:55.920><c> hydro</c><02:01:57.000><c> geological</c> tighter restrictions
• on hydro geological tighter restrictions on hydro geological analysis.<02:01:59.760><c> Um</c><02:02
• a little stricter and the restrictions a little stricter and make<02:05:28.480><c> our</c><02:05:28.880

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through several HB 2 budget amendments, focusing first on energy-related transfers and then on judicial funding. For the energy item, members discussed moving remaining money from the renewable energy fund into the general fund for the biennium, with later-year amounts going to the general fund rather than ratepayers. They noted the proposal was based on prior House Bill 111 language, that the exact amount was still being worked out with the Department of Energy, and that some language about “incentive payments” was being removed or clarified. Amendment 1211H was moved and adopted on a 5-4 vote. The committee then considered amendment 1040 on the governor’s scholarship fund, which would eliminate the program and sweep uncommitted funds. Members supporting the program argued it helps New Hampshire students afford in-state college and should be reworked rather than repealed; opponents said the remaining balance was limited and the program should be ended. Amendment 1040 was defeated 4-5. The committee then turned to a judicial council request tied to a Franklin Pierce criminal justice clinic that had previously used ARPA funds. Supporters said the clinic cleared 323 cases in nine months, provided training for future attorneys, and could reduce more expensive assigned-counsel costs by helping the public defender system handle cases more efficiently. The amendment would add $100,000 to the judicial council line for that purpose. There was some confusion over the line item and whether the request should be attributed to the judicial branch or judicial council, which was corrected during discussion. Members also discussed a larger issue: the judicial council’s budget request appeared lower than intended because of a possible clerical error in how prior-year funding was calculated, especially after the last budget combined HB 1 and HB 2 funding. The committee compared the public defender line and assigned counsel line, noting that if public defender funding is cut, more cases would shift to assigned counsel, which is more expensive. No final vote on the judicial council amendment is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> customers</c><01:57:02.880><c> Cy</c><01:57:03.280><c> City</c><01:57:03.639><c> Schools</c> restricts
• our customers Cy City Schools restricts our customers Cy City Schools from<01:57:04.520><c> implementing
• It imposes an unnecessary state-level restriction with that three-fifths majority vote to enter into
• I could say that to move forward with this type of legislation is going to restrict the ability of energy
• the ability of uh Energy restrict the ability of uh Energy Services<02:29:45.240><c> companies</c><02

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee held public hearings on House Bill 471 and House Bill 373. HB 471 would create a temporary commission to study growth, traffic, planning, and land use issues in a group of southern New Hampshire towns, with possible recommendations on regional planning commission boundaries or coordination. Representative Perez said the bill was requested by Londonderry residents and local officials, and Eric Power of Brookline testified in support, saying the towns share corridor and development issues that cross regional planning commission lines. Several members questioned whether existing law already allows towns to form regional planning commissions under RSA 364:6, whether the bill should be broader, and whether the town list should include additional communities. The hearing closed with testimony counts reported as two in support and three opposed on remote sign-in, plus one opposed and one in support on the blue sheet. HB 373, sponsored by Representative Diane Powers, would revise RSA 41:11-a on town property leases. Powers said current law is too restrictive because leases over five years require repeated town votes, which she argued is impractical for long-term arrangements. She cited examples from Hampton and Brookline, including long-term road and property leases, and said she had found multiple similar cases. The bill would keep select board authority for leases under one year, allow a legislative body to authorize a specific longer lease by a three-fifths ballot vote, and preserve the existing five-year blanket leasing authority with a three-fifths vote, while keeping existing leases valid if authority is later rescinded. Eric Power testified in support, describing recurring lease renewals in Brookline and saying longer terms are needed for projects such as housing, cell towers, and solar arrays. Members asked about the change from a simple town vote to a three-fifths threshold and whether the bill duplicates existing mechanisms; Powers said the higher threshold was intended because the leases involve long-term commitments. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described.