Video & Transcript Research : 'Governor involvement'
Page 29 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- What sparked the governor to want to put this on the call?
- The governor and I haven't talked to the governor. Okay.
- Lieutenant Governor has...?
- No, the governor.
- This has been placed on the governor by the call.
Keywords:
redistricting, Senate procedures, public input, Texas Legislature, amendments, Texas Senate, congressional districts, legislative procedures, legislative transparency, Senate rules, public hearings, committee procedures, hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes
Summary:
The meeting centered around the discussion of congressional redistricting, where the committee established the procedures to ensure a fair and transparent process. Led by Senator King, the session focused on adopting a resolution that authorized a special committee dedicated to congressional redistricting and allowed for regional hearings to gather public input via videoconferencing. Concerns were raised about ensuring adequate notice for public participation, especially from marginalized communities potentially affected by proposed changes. Disagreements emerged regarding the timeline for regional hearings and how to address the implications of the redistricting process on minority districts. Overall, participants acknowledged the complex nature of redistricting and the importance of engaging constituents in the legislative process.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Senators Tan Parker, Brent Hagenbuch, and Adam Hinojosa Jan 29th, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm glad that the trucking industry is involved.
- I'm glad that the trucking industry is involved.
- Involved and help fight this. Bob, you've been fighting this for what, 16 years?
- We've got a lieutenant governor that talks about this publicly.
- We've got a governor that talks about boys and young men being human trafficked.
Summary:
Texas senators, representatives, the Texas Trucking Association, DPS, and Bob’s House of Hope held a Capitol press event focused on human trafficking awareness, with an emphasis on the often-overlooked trafficking of boys and young men. Speakers said Texas remains among the worst states for stopping trafficking and argued that public awareness must expand beyond the common assumption that victims are only girls and women. Several participants described trafficking as modern-day slavery and stressed that it affects people across all backgrounds, including in border and highway communities.
The event highlighted a new awareness campaign in partnership with the trucking industry, including decals and posters to be placed on trucks statewide to encourage drivers and the public to “see something, say something.” Texas Trucking Association leaders said the industry’s large statewide footprint gives it a major role in spotting suspicious activity and educating drivers. Bob Williams of Bob’s House of Hope said his organization opened the first U.S. safe house for sex-trafficked boys and young men and cited studies suggesting boys may make up a substantial share of trafficking victims, though the problem is underreported.
Lawmakers and DPS officials said the state should continue giving law enforcement more tools to combat trafficking and praised the partnership with private industry and victim services. No formal vote or legislative action was taken at the event; the main action was the launch of the awareness campaign and the public rollout of the truck decals, with participants posing for photos with the first truck carrying the new messaging.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriation and Revenue. (2-4-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- I've been involved in a lot of business transactions both on the lending and on the borrowing side and
- I've been involved in a lot of business transactions both on the lending and on the borrowing side and
- <00:14:26.240>
has beginning working with the governor has beginning working with the governor - Uh, so some travel and things involve production materials for training materials that is reimbursable
- And I give great credit to the governor, to this body, for looking at an industry that is critically
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:04
Economic Development Projects Funding 00:01:25
Blue Oval SK 00:05:20, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum to hear a recap of the 2021 special session legislation, Senate Bill 5, and then receive testimony from the Secretary of Economic Development on the Blue Oval SK project and related economic development issues. Staff explained that Senate Bill 5 appropriated five amounts from the budget reserve trust fund for a project tied to a minimum $2 billion investment: $350 million for forgivable loans through the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, $10,639,600 to pay off a Hardin County loan tied to 47 tracts of property, $20 million for Bluegrass State Skills Corporation training grants, $5 million for KCTCS training grants, and $25 million for a KCTCS on-site training center. Staff also noted there were no job-related requirements in the bill itself.
The secretary said the Blue Oval SK incentive was structured as a $250 million forgivable loan rather than the state’s usual pay-as-you-go incentives, with clawback provisions tied to jobs, wages, investment, and changes in ownership or operations. He said the project had already exceeded the $2 billion investment threshold, that corporate guarantees were required from SK On and Ford, and that the agreement’s compliance period begins in December 2026 with payments starting in March 2027 and running through 2038. He said the state’s goal after the joint venture dissolution was to protect taxpayers, support affected workers, and preserve future job creation, while also ensuring the money would be repaid if performance targets are not met.
Members asked about the workforce impact, the training programs, and whether the jobs targets would be revised. The secretary said the project had about 1,850 workers at the site, with both production and salaried employees affected, and described state-led job fairs, a job portal, and other rapid-response efforts to help displaced workers find new jobs or training. He said Ford had agreed to continue discussions, invest an additional $2 billion in the site for energy storage solutions, and pursue roughly 2,100 new jobs, while the state sought to keep the company accountable for the full repayment obligation if jobs are not created. One senator raised broader concerns about mega-projects displacing small businesses and creating infrastructure burdens in surrounding communities.
TX
Texas 89th 1st C.S.
Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting Jul 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The governor has added the subject of congressional Why are we here today?
- We're here because the governor put this on the call.
- Governors in California and New Jersey have already indicated as much.
- The governor signed it into law, and it was a race-neutral process.
- May I ask, by the Lieutenant Governor. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am.
Summary:
The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting held its first regional hearing, focused on South and Central Texas, including Bexar County, Travis County, and the Rio Grande Valley. After establishing a quorum, the committee adopted its rules on a 6-3 roll-call vote, with Senators Alvarado and Miles voting no. Chair Phil King explained the regional-hearing format, the use of 2020 census data, the online testimony process, and the availability of written comments and future hearings. Several members then gave opening remarks, with Republicans emphasizing public input and Democrats arguing the special session and mid-decade redistricting were unnecessary and aimed at minority districts.
A major procedural issue arose over whether the committee should invite or subpoena the DOJ attorney who authored the July 7 letter that prompted the redistricting discussion. Senator Miles moved to subpoena the attorney; the motion was seconded but then set aside after the chair said the committee could not take formal action on a non-procedural matter during a regional hearing under the adopted rules. The chair said he would consult legal counsel about issuing an invitation, and members discussed the August 7 deadline referenced in the DOJ letter. The committee then moved on to public testimony.
Witnesses, including Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, law professor Ellen Katz, and Texas NAACP president Gary Bledsoe, argued that the DOJ letter misread the law and that the targeted districts were lawful opportunity or coalition districts. They said the Fifth Circuit’s Pettway decision was limited to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and did not declare coalition districts unconstitutional, and they cited Bartlett v. Strickland as warning against intentionally dismantling effective minority districts. Garcia and Bledsoe said the hearing was politically motivated and would harm Black and Latino representation; Katz said Texas would act illegally if it followed the DOJ letter’s instructions. Members asked questions about the legal status of coalition districts, the 2021 map-drawing process, and the difference between opportunity, coalition, and crossover districts. The hearing continued with additional public witnesses, including labor representative Emily Amps, who said workers and communities of color were being harmed by the proposed redistricting effort.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Press Conference: Update on Special Session Negotiations - 09/30/25
Transcript Highlights:
- We are waiting for the governor to do that.
- What I forward to the governor today.
- And now it's clear that the governor And now it's clear that the governor really<00:03:13.040>
included uh the fact that the governor included uh the fact that the governor is<00:03:36.560> <00:05:09.759>want, opportunity should the governor want, opportunity should the governor
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- But I agree that I do not think that we should exclude anyone involved in elections—most things, but
- When I got involved in politics, not by choice, but because someone had... to do it.
- I got involved with the Libertarian Party, obviously.
- The penalty involves the withholding of Chapter 19 funds.
- But I do want to point out that Governor, well, no, Governor Greg Abbott, but when he was Attorney General
Keywords:
HB 817, Texas Election Code, majority vote, majority threshold, ranked-choice voting, preferential voting, instant runoff voting, vote reassignment, ballot ranking, election administration, public office election, Election Code Section 2.0215, runoff elections, plurality vs majority, voting systems, education reform, budget allocation, teacher retention, student performance, accountability measures
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/11/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- The former Governor, Governor Sununu, was very interested in our state's iconic symbols, and the area
- the former<01:41:44.520>
governor <01:41:44.840>governor <01:41:45.119>cunu <01: - 41:45.719>
he <01:41:45.840>was <01:41:46.239>uh former governor governor cunu he - was uh former governor governor cunu he was uh very<01:41:46.840>
interested <01:41:47.159> - uh and the executive Council governor uh and the executive Council being being being involved<05:15:
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
House Floor Session Jan 23rd, 2026 at 09:00 am
North Dakota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The other thing that was brought out, even over the Senate, was that the board would be involved with
- He told us he wanted the legislature to be involved since day one.
- Speaker, your committee to notify the Governor has returned. Let the committee be received.
- Your committee to notify the Governor has notified the Governor and mentioned that the House is complete
- Speaker, your committee to notify the Governor has notified the Governor and mentioned that the House
Keywords:
presidential physical fitness test, physical education, fitness assessment, student fitness, school curriculum, graduation requirements, elementary school, middle school, high school, public schools, nonpublic schools, superintendent of public instruction, exceptions, disability accommodations, North Dakota studies, computer science, cybersecurity, health education, concept-based fitness class, school standards
Summary:
The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several rural health-related bills. Senate Bill 2401, as amended, required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and also added language allowing criminal history background checks for the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. Supporters emphasized the role of nutrition in reducing chronic disease, and the bill passed 92-0.
The House then considered Senate Bill 2402, which expanded pharmacists’ limited prescriptive and therapeutic substitution authority for certain low-acuity conditions and clarified related lab-test and communication requirements. Members discussed examples such as motion sickness, cold sores, lice, hypoglycemia, COVID and flu testing, emergency access to medications and supplies, and limits excluding certain drug classes; the bill passed 91-1. Senate Bill 2403 created a temporary medical facility emergency operating loan option through the Bank of North Dakota for qualifying rural hospitals facing severe financial distress, with extensive debate over the targeted nature of the aid, anti-gifting concerns, repayment terms, and the hospital’s turnaround plan; it passed 80-12.
Senate Bill 2404 appropriated funds for NDIT to address federal digital accessibility requirements and for the Public Service Commission’s litigation efforts related to transmission costs, with a backup loan authorization available if needed; it passed 92-0. At the close of the session, leaders thanked members and staff for their work on the rural health transformation package, a committee notified the Governor and the Senate that the House had completed its business, absent members were excused, and the House adjourned sine die.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session - Part 3 - 05/17/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- For a moment, here's what the governor has the opportunity to do, Mr.
- The governor can make one phone call tonight and solve this issue.
- I would like to say thank you to all the staff involved.
- I would like to say thank you to all the staff involved.
- I would like to say thank you to all the staff involved.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Governor Patrick just mentioned a moment ago, what an incredible success. working with obviously our
- Thank you, Governor. And again, just What an incredible hero you have here.
- So DPS was involved in that task force. Are you aware? That sounds right.
- Lieutenant Governor, would you mind tapping that gavel for me, just make it this real.
- After consuming those beverages, Deshawn was involved in an accident that took his life.
Bills:
SJR57, SCR8, SB8, SB14, SB24, SB108, SB112, SB125, SB213, SB251, SB315, SB318, SB371, SB378, SB379, SB472, SB487, SB502, SB513, SB565, SB621, SB650, SB689, SB707, SB710, SB761, SB763, SB815, SB854, SB875, SB896, SB916, SB925, SB958, SB961, SB965, SB973, SB987, SB990, SB995, SB1006, SB1018, SB1019, SB1024, SB1026, SB1146, SB1194, SB1198, SB1253, SB1330, SB1343, SB1362, SB1379, SB1497, SB1498, SB1527, SB1532, SB1547, SB1596, SJR36, SJR12, SJR57, SCR22, SCR12, SCR8, SB565, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB14, SB1006, SB504, SB925, SB995, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB815, SB1379, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB241, SB304, SB621, SB1023, SB1024, SB686, SB112, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB670, SB502, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1362, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB987, SB1539, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB985, SB965, SB1119, SB1505, SB24, SB1194, SB1253, SB1215, SB1532, SB1302, SB856, SB650, SB583, SB673, SB213, SB681, SB1172, SB1252, SB378, SB1343, SB608, SB487, SB955, SB957, SB988, SB990, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120, SB251, SB958, SB761, SB541, SB315, SB379, SB1018, SB1737, SB266, SB1415, SB1527, SB125, SB599, SB1330, SB53, SB916, SB896, SB1352, SB973, SB785, SB710, SB472, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB414, SB1062, SB1547, SB961, SB1038, SB513, SB578, SB711, SB746, SB942, SB1404, SB1448, SB1738, SB108, SB8, SB318, SB507, SB533, SB689, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB1198, SB1146, SB763, SB667, SB1059, SB617, SB1567, SB503, SJR37, SB16, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB1209, SB1210, SB1470, SB264, SB924, SB1029, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1569, SB1697, SB1376, SB1228, SB519, SB878, SB1350, SB462, SB1535, SB827, SB1585, SB207, SB1207, SB1619, SB1396, SB920, SB1484, SB1273, SB1741
Keywords:
central bank digital currency, CBDC, Federal Reserve, digital dollar, digital currency, cashless payments, financial privacy, cybersecurity, government surveillance, financial surveillance, money laundering, terrorism financing, illicit finance, banking policy, monetary policy, payments system, commercial banks, Texas Legislature, concurrent resolution, federal reserve digital currency
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Apr 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So I had no involvement either as a professor as a citizen that all in the in the redistricting process
- I feel it's important to be involved and give back to my community because I live and work in Manatee
- We've also been able to do so collaboration, Swiss a local high schools, get the students involved and
- Another controversial nomination from Governor DeSantis for our local colleges in northwest Florida as
- It's crazy to date to 2025 of which the governor has made to that for another term which will end in
PA
Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Jul 11 2026)
Pennsylvania Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The next order of business is communications, communications from the Governor.
- The next order of business is communications from the Governor.
- , and I move that the Senate return the nominations to the governor.
- The ayes have it, and the nominations will be returned to the governor.
- The ayes have it, and the nominations will be returned to the governor.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine administrative business, including approval of the June 1, 2026 journal and several leave requests. The chamber then took up a series of bills and committee referrals, with House Bill 1042 initially sent to Appropriations and later re-referred to Rules and Executive Nominations after committee action. Several other measures were either passed, held over in their order, or re-referred, including House Bills 36 and 513 to Appropriations and various Senate and House bills set aside for later consideration.
The most substantive floor debate centered on House Bill 96, where Senator Yaw offered Amendment A4096 to clarify the legal effect of historic tax sales of unseated lands. The amendment would treat certain historic tax-sale deeds as conveying full fee simple ownership, including severed subsurface rights, unless those rights were separately assessed, and would require documentary proof for claims of redemption. The amendment passed 36-14. The Senate also adopted Amendment A4183 to House Bill 1862 after a ruling that Senator Rothman had no conflict of interest and was required to vote; that amendment passed 46-4. Later, Amendment A4173 to House Bill 2559 was adopted 49-1, and House Bill 2559 then passed as amended.
Several bills received final passage by unanimous 50-0 votes, including House Bills 482, 1102, 1830, 1860, and 2426, while House Bill 1862 and House Bill 96 were advanced as amended. The Senate also returned a slate of gubernatorial nominations to the governor on motion of the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee. During petitions and remonstrances, Senator Tartaglione urged action to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, arguing the budget should not ignore low-wage workers. The session also included recognition remarks for Ed Sheehan’s retirement and a submission to the record on the Treaty of Paris. The Senate then recessed until July 12, 2026, at noon, and several bills were signed in the presence of the Senate before recess.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 4/16/26
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The governor is not involved in that process at all.
- The governor is not involved in this process at all. Thank you, Madam Chair.
- not<00:47:57.840>
involved <00:47:58.200>in That the governor is not involved in That - the governor is not involved in that<00:47:58.520>
process <00:47:59.000>at <00:47:59.120 - The the governor is not involved<00:48:25.440>
in <00:48:26.280>this <00:48:26.480>process
Bills:
HF4252
Keywords:
higher education, student aid, financial aid, grant programs, scholarships, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, community college, technical college, postsecondary institution, college affordability, student fees, athletic facilities, competitive athletics, developmental education, remedial courses, pregnant students, parenting students, priority registration
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- That's Texas history era when 13 senators walked out to block a bill granting the governor wartime powers
- I know the lieutenant governor did. You're saying they were upset about this.
- I don't think the governor can break quorum.
- So there's a step before the courts get involved.
- The governor. And who sets the calendar for every day? I'm not sure.
Bills:
HB18
Keywords:
HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Is that something that you would be involved in?
- , but you're going to be maybe more involved.
- , but you're going to be maybe more involved.
- And then please address yourself for the record. involved, but you're going to be maybe more involved
- Obviously, Governor Kehoe's encouragement of wanting business growth here.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Jan 30th, 2026 at 08:35 am
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And I'm not talking about a Democratic governor. I'm talking about any governor.
- And what has happened in emergency funding is it's not that governors haven't needed this.
- You know, Governor Lujan Grisham was fighting 126 forest fires at one time last year.
- At that point, the governor will be, and right now, we don't know what those numbers are.
- And so, again, open to that amendment in order to get a better outcome from the governor.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- I know one of the questions with these maximums and in the pay grades: the Lieutenant Governor does not
- And that involves the loss of funding and money when we spend $400 million on another program.
- But your department estimated 37,000 people or students would be involved this year.
- But that still involves 440,000 other children and teachers in this state.
- Okay, any questions involving the transfer? ...of the governor's letter. Okay.
Summary:
The committee first considered the Lieutenant Governor’s Office budget and personnel request. Office representatives said they wanted to move the office to the state pay plan to better align salaries with other constitutional offices and remain competitive, noting that OPM had approved the positions and grades. Senators questioned the size of the requested increases and the office’s workload, and after discussion the motion to adopt the proposal failed on an 8-8 tie. The committee then voted to expunge that vote and returned to the regular agenda.
The committee approved a series of Governor’s letters involving position transfers and appropriation adjustments across several agencies. These included changes for AETN, the Department of Health and Nursing Board/Dietetics Board, multiple DHS divisions, DFA shared services and budget management, and the Department of Public Safety shared services division. Most of these items involved moving positions and associated salary appropriations between divisions, with no major opposition and motions passing.
A lengthy discussion followed on the transfer of child nutrition and related nutrition programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture. Education and DFA officials explained that the programs fit better under Agriculture because the funding and commodities are tied to USDA programs, and they clarified that both state and federal funding and all related positions would move. Senators raised concerns about the math in the letters, the split between state and federal funding, and whether all program resources were being transferred. After the explanation, the committee approved the Education side of the transfer and then approved the Agriculture companion letter.
The committee also discussed the Educational Freedom Account program budget. Officials said the $309 million request matched current participation and included a $70 million reserve in case applications increase. Several senators expressed concern about the program’s growth and its effect on public education funding and adequacy, while others noted that the program’s rules and funding levels could be adjusted through the State Board and future legislative action. The committee then approved a Public Safety classification change and a member amendment changing a title at East Arkansas Community College from assistant to the president to assistant to the chancellor, with no change in positions or appropriation.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- I know one of the questions with these maximums and in the pay grades: the Lieutenant Governor does not
- if she decides to do a raise in the future or just to be able to give the future next lieutenant governor
- And that involves the loss of funding and money when we spend $400 million on another program.
- But your department estimated 37,000 people or students would be involved this year.
- Okay, any questions involving the transfer? ...of the governor's letter. Okay.
Summary:
The committee first considered the Lieutenant Governor’s Office budget and personnel request to move that office onto the state pay plan and increase salaries for its positions. Office representatives said the request was intended to make pay competitive with other constitutional offices and state agencies, that OPM had approved the grades, and that the office did not plan to max out any positions. Members questioned the size of the increase and the office’s workload. A motion to adopt the proposal failed on a tie vote, and the committee then voted to expunge the vote before moving on.
The committee then approved a series of Governor’s letters and related personnel transfers, including cuts for Arkansas Educational Television Network, transfers within the Department of Health and several DHS divisions, and a DFA shared services reorganization. The committee also approved moving child nutrition and related nutrition programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture, with department officials explaining that the programs fit better under Agriculture because the grants come from USDA and the transfer would include the positions and funding tied to the programs. Members raised questions about how the appropriations and positions were split between state and federal funding, and about the broader implications of the transfer, but the committee ultimately approved both the Education and Agriculture sides of the move.
The meeting also included extended discussion of the Educational Freedom Account program. Members questioned the $309 million appropriation, whether it matched current participation, and whether future demand could require additional funding. Department officials said the amount covered current participation and that the governor had set aside an additional $70 million in case applications increased, but that any amount beyond the appropriation would require returning to the committee. Some members argued the program’s growth could threaten funding for public schools and adequacy, while others noted that the program is governed by rules under the LEARNS Act. The committee also approved a technical title change at East Arkansas Community College from assistant to the president to assistant to the chancellor.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (02/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- critical infrastructure by the governor critical infrastructure by the governor by<00:14:20.320>
- It better than the governor.
- <00:37:34.520>
by very well for everybody involved by very well for everybody involved by - <00:51:21.359>
with attorney would have to be involved with attorney would have to be involved - lastly um we see a lot of this involved lastly um we see a lot of this involved in<01:07:27.480>
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing on HB 733-FN, a bill on third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors financing lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, and contributes to litigation abuse, higher insurance costs, and what he called a “tort tax.” He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with specific references to foreign-entity restrictions, consumer-protection guardrails, and reporting requirements. He also noted a few technical fixes to the draft, including adding the word “knowingly” and restoring a section that had been omitted.
Committee members questioned how the bill’s foreign-entity language would work, including whether a governor or the Department of Safety would designate countries of concern, and whether the bill would bar foreign parties from using litigation funding. Cole and others clarified that the bill was intended as a reporting measure, not a ban on litigation funding itself, and that the goal was to disclose who is funding lawsuits and to what extent. Representative Sal asked whether the bill would prevent a litigant from getting outside financing; Cole answered no, emphasizing disclosure rather than prohibition.
Brandon Grat of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau testified that the bill’s enforcement provisions were too limited. He said the draft appears to give the Attorney General only a civil-penalty remedy, likely too small to deter violations, and not the broader Consumer Protection Act tools such as injunctions, restitution, or investigation authority. He also raised concerns about whether the Attorney General or Insurance Department would have proper jurisdiction, given that the product may be financial or insurance-related. Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the department sees possible benefits from transparency because disclosure of litigation funding could help insurers assess risk, improve underwriting, and potentially ease hard-market pressures, especially for nonprofits and child care providers. He also said the bill’s language likely needs further work to clarify agency authority and suggested involving the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and banking regulators.
Opposition testimony came from the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association. Marissa Chase and Samantha Hering argued the bill is one-sided because it requires disclosure only on the plaintiff side and not from defendants or insurers. They said New Hampshire already has court rules and discovery procedures that cover relevant disclosures, making the bill unnecessary, and questioned whether the existence of a funding contract is even relevant in litigation. The hearing ended with the committee continuing to discuss possible revisions and enforcement options, but no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- And so once we did that, we immediately let the governor know.
- The governor included some core reductions in his budget so that our overall governor-recommended budget
- The governor included some core reductions in his budget so that our overall governor-recommended budget
- I mean, there was someone from IT that was somewhat involved.
- We got more involved when there was a problem later on.