Transcript Highlights:

• Next you see $2.6 million in IT hardware.

Summary: The Senate Finance and House Appropriations committees heard the Idaho Transportation Department budget presentation from Legislative Services Office analyst Brooke Dupree, who reviewed the department’s four divisions, staffing levels, major funds, and recent appropriation trends. She highlighted the department’s large reliance on reappropriation, the continuous appropriation of the Strategic Initiatives Program Fund, and several enhancement requests, including $15.5 million for deferred maintenance, funding for State Highway 16 operations and maintenance, $4.9 million for roadside tree removal, $4.7 million for new equipment, a $275 million general fund transfer for safety/capacity and road/bridge maintenance, and smaller requests for aeronautics improvements and replacement items. She also noted the governor’s recommendation differed from the request, especially by not recommending the $275 million transfer and by proposing cash transfers back from the Strategic Initiatives Fund. Members questioned the analyst and then Director Scott Stokes about the impact of the proposed reductions, the continuous appropriation language, and whether general funds were being eliminated in the transportation budget. Stokes explained that the governor’s recommendation would pull back $45 million in FY 2026 and eliminate the FY 2027 transfer, and that the continuous appropriation language was a request to keep the fund continuously appropriated. He also said ITD would adjust project schedules if funding changed and would provide a list of affected safety and capacity projects to the committee. During questions to the director, members asked about workforce retention, the State Street property/disaster cleanup project, ITD’s delayed full transition to Luma, the TechM/TECM bonding program, and the mix of in-house versus contracted work. Stokes said retention had improved after pay adjustments, the State Street project had spent only a few million so far with hazmat removal bid under $1 million instead of the earlier $8 million estimate, and the project’s total cost was now estimated at roughly $60 million to $70 million with about $41 million appropriated. He said ITD remains on its existing finance system for now because of federal reimbursement needs, that prior TECM projects were fully bonded and contracted and the next bonding decision would come in July, and that ITD contracts out larger projects while using its own crews for smaller maintenance tasks like tree removal. The meeting ended with general comments about the importance of transportation investment and notice that the committee would meet the next day on rescissions, cash transfers, and statewide decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next you see $2.6 million in IT hardware.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation on the Idaho Transportation Department from Legislative Services analyst Brooke Dupree and then from Director Scott Stokes. The presentation outlined ITD’s four divisions and major funding sources, including the State Highway Fund, Aeronautics Fund, and the Transportation Expansion Congestion Mitigation (TECK) and Garvey bonding programs. The analyst also reviewed appropriation trends, noting the effect of reappropriations and the continuous appropriation of the Strategic Initiatives Program Fund, and compared the department’s request with the governor’s recommendation. ITD’s requested enhancements included $15.5 million for deferred maintenance on state buildings, funding for State Highway 16 operations and maintenance, $4.9 million for roadside tree removal, $4.7 million for new equipment, a $275 million general fund transfer for safety, capacity, road, and bridge work, and smaller requests for airport improvements and aeronautics maintenance. Members asked about the Highway 16 funding, the continuous appropriation language, the impact of the governor’s decision not to recommend the $275 million transfer, and the department’s equipment and maintenance priorities. The director explained that much of the work is contracted, that the agency is prioritizing pavement and bridge condition, and that the department is prepared to move projects quickly if funding returns. In questioning, legislators also raised concerns about the reduction in strategic initiatives funding, the department’s workforce retention, the State Street property project, and why ITD remains on its existing finance system rather than fully transitioning to LUMA. Stokes said the State Street project has had modest spending so far, with about $41 million appropriated and an estimated total cost of $60 million to $70 million, and that the agency is still housed at the Chinden campus. He also said workforce retention has improved somewhat after prior pay adjustments, and that the LUMA decision was driven by federal reimbursement and system integration concerns. The committee took no vote on the budget in this segment and adjourned with notice that rescissions, cash transfers, and statewide decisions would be taken up the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Steering columns, the hardware underneath the bottom of the car where the tires are directly linked to

Summary: The committee heard House Memorial 23, which asks the Motor Vehicle Division and the Regulation and Licensing Department to study whether New Mexico should reestablish a statewide motor vehicle safety inspection program. The sponsor and expert witness argued that modern vehicles are far more complex than when the old program ended in the 1970s, and cited studies from Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Carnegie Mellon, and an international inspection organization suggesting safety inspections are associated with fewer fatalities. They said the study should examine feasibility, costs, where inspections would be conducted, what vehicles would be covered, and whether small businesses could be certified to perform inspections, similar to Bernalillo County’s emissions model. Several members raised concerns about added costs, burdens on rural drivers, possible lawsuits against inspection businesses, and whether the memorial was drafted as a study of benefits rather than a balanced look at pros and cons. Some questioned whether the Regulation and Licensing Department had the capacity to take on the work and whether the program would effectively become another mandate or fee. Supporters emphasized that unsafe vehicles endanger not only drivers but others on the road, and noted that the study could also consider subsidies for low-income drivers and the impact on areas with higher traffic density. The committee discussed how inspections might work, including whether they would cover physical components like tires, brakes, steering, and axles as well as electronic safety systems such as lane assist and collision avoidance. The presenter said commercial vehicles already face separate inspection requirements and that tribal lands and pueblos would not be covered. After public comment, the committee voted to pass the memorial on a roll call vote, with several members voting yes and others voting no; one member explained her no vote as opposition to added regulation and costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• DOPL is requesting replacement items, IT hardware, and a program transfer exemption for this year.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then introduced three RS measures. RS 33021 would lower cosmetology licensing requirements by reducing education hours from 1,600 to 1,000 and apprenticeship hours from 3,200 to 2,000, with supporters saying it would reduce barriers to entry and make Idaho more competitive; one member asked for more evidence of hardship from current law. RS 32964 would reinstate an open-book Idaho law exam for professional land surveyors, restoring a 60-question jurisprudence test that previously had a 100% pass rate; supporters said it would help surveyors apply Idaho law correctly, while members asked for more examples of problems caused by the change. RS 32928 would let cosmetology students take their exam after completing 80% of their education hours rather than waiting until all hours are finished, while still requiring full completion before licensure; members again asked for more information on the need for the change. Representative Tanner also presented on JFAC’s budget process and urged the committee to pay attention to fiscal notes, agency fund balances, and the growth of dedicated funds, using DOPL as an example. He said the legislature should review whether fees and staffing levels are appropriate and whether some boards could be consolidated or made more efficient, while still considering functionality and oversight. Members discussed DOPL’s use of dedicated funds, staffing, fleets, and licensing boards, with some expressing concern about over-consolidation and others supporting closer oversight of spending. A Legislative Services budget analyst then walked the committee through available budget resources, including the Base Budget Builder, Legislative Budget Book, Legislative Fiscal Report, Fiscal Source Book, and Fiscal Facts, and offered to provide fund balance reports. Members clarified that the committee’s role is policy-focused rather than setting budgets directly, though budget information can inform policy decisions. The vice chair also announced that rule review would begin the following Thursday, with 76 pages of pending rules to be handled in sections, and the committee adjourned after announcing floor session the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brandy's house, her internet was several times faster than in any of our previous visits, without any hardware

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met to adopt its 2025-2026 rules and hear three bills. The committee first adopted the rules on a roll call vote, then heard AB 1303 by Assemblymember Valencia, which would clarify that a Social Security number is not required to apply for California Lifeline and would restrict sharing subscriber information with immigration enforcement absent a court warrant or subpoena. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable Californians, including undocumented residents, domestic violence survivors, unhoused people, and identity theft victims, access essential communications services; there was no opposition. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to Judiciary. The committee next heard AB 1271 by Assemblymember Bonta, which would require broadband providers to report pricing and speed-performance data to the Department of Consumer Affairs and make the information publicly available, with privacy protections and a standardized reporting template. Supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and help consumers, local governments, and the state understand what broadband service Californians are actually receiving; testimony highlighted disparities in speed and pricing in low-income communities. The bill was amended in committee and passed on a due pass as amended motion to the Committee on Business and Professions. Finally, the committee heard AB 693 by the chair, Assemblymember Boerner, which would consolidate broadband and digital equity functions into a new Department of Broadband and Digital Equity and create an 11-member commission with decision-making authority. Supporters said the current split between agencies creates delays and coordination problems, while members discussed governance, geographic representation, and whether the proposal would require follow-up constitutional or statutory changes. The bill passed 9-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Afterward, the committee added AB 1303 and AB 1271 as later add-ons, both of which were also reported out, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2012, a portion of UGRI surplus, is mitigation.
• First of all, on your financials, for ’24, under surplus funding, it’s showing up on your income.
• I guess you spent $515,000 out of surplus in ’24.
• In ’25, you budgeted another $589,000 out of surplus. You had about $3.3 million.”
• “You budgeted another $589,000 out of surplus. You had about $3.3 million.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness hearing convened in Kerrville with quorum, public testimony limited to three minutes and invited testimony to 10 minutes. Leaders from both chambers, along with the lieutenant governor and speaker, framed the hearing as an unprecedented joint effort focused on learning from the July 4 flood, honoring victims, and identifying actions to reduce future loss of life. The committee also heard opening remarks about decorum, logistics, and the intent to continue work in future sessions. The first panel included Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, Emergency Management Coordinator William B. Thomas IV, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, Upper Guadalupe River Authority representative William Rector, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk, and Real County Judge Bella Rubio. They described the flood as sudden and catastrophic, with Kerr County reporting 108 deaths and two missing. Local officials emphasized that they received no timely warning of the scale of the event, that responders and volunteers acted heroically under extreme conditions, and that communications, cell coverage, and rural emergency resources were strained. Several witnesses said the county’s existing alert systems were limited by geography, sparse broadband, and the speed of the flood. Testimony focused on possible improvements, including real-time flood gauges and predictive monitoring, stronger rural emergency management staffing and training, better interoperability and alerting tools such as IPAWS, CodeRED, WENS, and sirens, and expanded broadband and radio coverage. Kerrville asked for a flood warning system before next summer and state help for stormwater, floodplain, and disaster recovery funding. UGRA described its past and current flood-warning and mitigation efforts, including gauge funding, a new software-based flood prediction project, and consideration of additional retention dams. Kendall and Real counties highlighted successful or needed alerting and evacuation practices, while also stressing the difficulty of funding and maintaining such systems in small rural counties. Members asked detailed questions about the timeline of the flood response, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and whether regional consolidation or additional infrastructure could improve future preparedness.

Transcript Highlights:

• community or private servers, even if this requires them to use other reasonably attainable software or hardware
• We used to be able to buy a video game and play it forever, as long as the hardware still worked.
• We used to be able to buy a video game and play it forever, as long as the hardware still worked.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 1159, which would update California student data privacy law for educational technology and college-level platforms. The author and supporters argued that students’ personal information is being collected and used far beyond educational purposes, including sensitive health and demographic data, and said the bill would limit misuse and add stronger privacy protections. Support came from privacy, labor, education, and civil rights groups, while opposition from college store and industry representatives focused on narrowing the definition of “operator,” preserving institution-related communications, and concerns about the bill’s private right of action. Members raised questions about how the bill would affect scholarships, financial aid, adult students, consent, and litigation; the author said the bill includes a right to cure and notice to the Attorney General. The committee voted 4-0 to pass the bill to Appropriations, with the measure placed on call. The committee then took up AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for social media accounts on platforms with specified addictive design features and create a youth safety commission. The author, pediatric and safety advocates, and several public supporters argued that social media companies intentionally design compulsive features that harm youth mental health, sleep, and development, and that the bill is a necessary product-safety response. Opponents argued the bill is overbroad, may be ineffective, raises First Amendment concerns, and could cut off vulnerable youth from important online support networks. Members focused heavily on possible amendments, especially a non-addictive feed option for younger users and strengthening the commission; the author said he was open to those changes and to further work with the committees. The bill was moved to Judiciary on a 5-0 vote and placed on call. At the end of the excerpt, the author began presenting a third measure, AB 2076, which would strengthen California’s Parents’ Accountability and Child Protection Act by adding nitrous oxide to the list of age-verified dangerous products, banning purchase with gift cards or store credit, and increasing penalties for large sellers. The author described nitrous oxide as increasingly accessible to minors online and cited enforcement gaps in the current law, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• community or private servers, even if this requires them to use other reasonably attainable software or hardware
• We used to buy a video game and could play it forever, as long as the hardware still worked.
• We used to buy a video game and could play it forever, as long as the hardware still worked.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• first resource dictated in the loading order, EE is a resource that is on par with these pieces of hardware
• EE is a resource that is on par with these pieces of hardware.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on how CPUC-overseen energy efficiency programs are budgeted and evaluated, with a focus on whether ratepayer-funded programs are delivering sufficient value. The chair framed the issue as not whether energy efficiency works, but how to measure success as programs have shifted from simple measures like lighting to more complex retrofits, electrification, and equity-oriented offerings. CPUC staff outlined the statutory framework, the four-year budget cycle, recent spending of about $795 million in 2025, and the use of the Total System Benefit (TSB) goal metric and the Total Resource Cost (TRC) test for cost-effectiveness, noting that some programs, such as equity and market-support offerings, are exempt from TRC requirements at the program level. Utility, regional network, implementer, and public-interest witnesses largely agreed that energy efficiency remains important for affordability, reliability, and decarbonization, but differed on how to evaluate it. PG&E and SoCal Regional Energy Network representatives emphasized portfolio-level management, the value of third-party implementers, and the need to keep cost-effectiveness at the portfolio or segment level rather than the individual program level. The Energy Coalition argued that the current TRC framework undervalues efficiency because it counts participant costs without fully capturing participant benefits, and urged changes to the metric and to how savings are credited. CalTF staff similarly said programs should receive credit for all savings they influence and that current rules can disadvantage efficiency relative to other demand-side resources. The Public Advocates Office countered that ratepayer-funded programs should produce benefits greater than costs, supported TRC as a useful check, and raised concerns about the growing share of budgets going to programs that have not demonstrated cost-effectiveness. Committee members repeatedly said the math was difficult to explain to constituents and pressed witnesses on whether participant costs should be included in TRC, how TSB is calculated, and whether a simpler or more consistent framework should be used across programs. CPUC staff said the relevant issues are already in two open proceedings, with the budget application proceeding expected to conclude in roughly Q2 or Q3 of the following year and broader policy questions remaining in a separate rulemaking. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with general agreement that the portfolio should remain accountable, but continued disagreement over the best metric and how to balance affordability, equity, and grid benefits.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a new hardware store.
• Do all these entities—the housing units, facilities, laundromats, hardware stores—receive energy from

Transcript Highlights:

• Impulse is a trusted distributor of technical hardware and software, medical products and supplies, maintenance

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• leverages space with its Phantom Cloud microdata center constellation by shifting the industry from a hardware-centric

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then recognized several visiting groups at the Capitol, including OBGYNs and trainees for Women’s and Reproductive Health Day, environmental advocates for Environmental Day, Arizona Maha Coalition members, nurses for Arizona Nurses Day, aerospace industry representatives for Aerospace Day, and guests for International Mother Language Day and other district visitors. Several proclamations and recognitions were read, including International Mother Language Day, Arizona Aerospace Day, and a recognition of Israeli Supreme Court Justice Daphne Barak-Erez. The chamber also welcomed the Doctor of the Day and a newly appointed commissioner, and the President Pro Tem made temporary committee appointments. The main floor business was a Committee of the Whole on several SNAP-related bills. SB 1002, concerning SNAP/TANF public welfare verification, received a floor amendment from Senator Kavanagh and was advanced with a do pass recommendation. SB 1331, relating to SNAP military employment and training, also advanced do pass. SB 1333, relating to a SNAP error rate forensic audit, was amended by the Health and Human Services Committee and advanced do pass after Senator Gonzalez spoke in opposition, arguing the bill did not address the underlying federal error-rate problem and could increase state costs. SB 1334, concerning SNAP work requirement waivers and exemptions, advanced do pass despite Senator Gonzalez’s opposition, in which she argued the bill would restrict Arizona’s flexibility, especially in rural and tribal areas, and could harm older adults and people with disabilities. SB 1368, concerning SNAP purchase restrictions, was then taken up; Senator Gonzalez began speaking in opposition, but the transcript cuts off before the debate or final action on that bill is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• DOPL is requesting replacement items, IT hardware, and a program transfer exemption for this year.

Summary: The committee opened by approving the minutes from January 15th. It then considered several RS introductions related to occupational licensing. RS 33021, presented by Rep. Ehlers, would reduce cosmetology licensing requirements by lowering education hours from 1,600 to 1,000 and apprenticeship hours from 3,200 to 2,000, with supporters saying it would lower barriers to entry and improve Idaho’s competitiveness with other states. Members asked for more evidence of hardship from the current standards, but the RS was introduced. The committee also introduced RS 32964, presented by Rep. Manwaring, which would reinstate an open-book jurisprudence exam for professional land surveyors. He said the exam had previously been open book, had a 100% pass rate, and was intended to ensure surveyors know Idaho law in daily practice. Members asked about how the test would be structured and whether similar open-book testing should be considered for other licenses, but the RS was introduced. Rep. Tanner then gave a presentation on JFAC and budget oversight, focusing on the need for accurate fiscal notes, review of DOPL spending, and scrutiny of dedicated funds, staffing, fleets, and board consolidation. A budget analyst from Legislative Services walked the committee through budget resources, including the base budget builder, Legislative Budget Book, Fiscal Report, Fiscal Source Book, and Fiscal Facts, and offered to provide fund balance reports. Members discussed the committee’s role as policy-focused rather than budget-setting, while also noting the value of understanding budget data without overstepping JFAC’s role. Finally, the committee heard RS 32928, also related to cosmetology licensing, which would allow students to sit for their exam after completing 80% of their education hours rather than waiting until all hours are finished. Supporters said it would make the process easier without changing the requirement to complete all hours before licensure. The RS was introduced, and the committee adjourned after announcing that floor session would begin the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the categories of common supports include human resources, payroll, and technology, including hardware

Bills: HB1662, HB1683

Keywords: education agencies, administrative independence, superintendent, education reform, agency authority, education, school boards, district adjustments, administrative boundaries, educational governance, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The categories of common supports include human resources, payroll, and technology, including hardware

Summary: The House Education Committee held public hearings on two bills. House Bill 1662 would move several education-related boards and commissions—the State Board of Education, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership, and the Charter School Commission—toward operational independence from OSPI by July 1, 2027, including separate administrative services, asset and employee transfers, and transition planning by OFM. The prime sponsor and supporters said the bill would improve transparency, fiscal accountability, and agency flexibility, while OSPI-related testimony emphasized that small agencies need more nimble administrative support. No one testified in opposition; the hearing record noted 2 pro, 1 con, and 5 other sign-ins, and members were told the bill was substantively the same as the version passed the prior year except for date changes. The committee then heard House Bill 1683, which would require most school districts with 2,000 or more students to elect at least some school board members from director districts rather than entirely at-large, with larger districts needing more district-based seats and districts under 2,000 students exempt. The sponsor and supporters argued the change would improve geographic and demographic representation, especially for lower-income communities and communities of color, and would help ensure school boards reflect the students and families they serve. Opponents, including a school directors association representative, said the bill would be an unfunded mandate, reduce local control, and create added election costs and recruitment challenges; one witness also suggested the bill should consider broader proportional-representation options. Staff noted that 23 districts would currently be out of compliance, and the hearing record showed 12 pro, 163 con, and 2 other sign-ins. No executive action was taken on either bill during this portion of the meeting. At the end of the hearing, the chair reminded members that several bills heard that week would be on next Thursday’s executive session agenda, urged prompt amendment requests, and announced that the committee would adjourn to caucuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this bill allows that continued maintenance, the acquisition, software, hardware, right, all of

Bills: HB322, HB331, HB673, HB 1147, HB 1154, HB2488

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, first responders, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, benefits, compensation, presumption of disability, emergency services, healthcare, Medicaid, mental health, substance abuse, treatment access, cost, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• Capitol grounds will have screening continue, and there's also this bill accounts for a number of hardware
• </c><00:47:46.520><c> a</c><00:47:46.560><c> number</c><00:47:46.920><c> of</c><00:47:47.120><c> hardware
• </c> bill accounts for a number of hardware bill accounts for a number of hardware changes<00:47:48.760

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we are behind in our software and hardware configurations to keep up with that Spillman uh technology
• 00:40:57.440><c> our</c><00:40:57.680><c> software</c><00:40:58.079><c> and</c><00:40:58.319><c> hardware
• </c> are behind in our software and hardware are behind in our software and hardware configurations<00

Bills: SF0032, SF0010, SF0001, HB0001

Keywords: 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety, mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, Wyoming, budget, funding, education, wildfire prevention, healthcare, community colleges, grants, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• We have our hardware well past, you know, whether it's, Our hardware, well past, you know, whether it's
• the key part of the specials is there's a million dollars there at one time to help us with the hardware
• DoIT hasn't budgeted for anything that may be needed from our case management system or our hardware

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first heard an Aging and Long-Term Services Department budget presentation comparing the LFC and executive recommendations. The main differences were in the Aging Network, Adult Protective Services, Program Support, and Long-Term Care Division, especially the executive’s proposed $10 million infusion into the Kiki Savadra Senior Dignity Fund and $6.2 million for expanding New Mexico Care. LFC staff explained that the committee recommendation was lower in general fund and fund-balance use, while the executive emphasized rising senior population needs, meal and transportation costs, and the cost savings of keeping older adults at home. The secretary also reviewed the department’s special requests, including the conference on aging, outreach, emergency preparedness, and the Kiki fund, and described New Mexico Care’s growth, its evaluation results, and the department’s plan to separate Kiki into its own accounting fund. Members largely focused on senior services, rural meal delivery, transportation, caregiver support, and the Kiki fund. Several members urged stronger support for non-metro aging providers and for New Mexico Care, citing its role in keeping seniors out of nursing homes and the program’s reported savings and outcomes. Questions also covered eligibility, background checks for caregivers, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer’s screening, and whether Kiki funds can support home modifications such as ramps. The committee then voted to adopt the LFC recommendation with one executive language change: adding the executive’s page 14 language allowing an additional 12.5% distribution for initial payments to aging network providers at the start of FY27. Representative Dow opposed the motion. The committee then moved to the Attorney General’s budget. LFC staff explained that the office’s budget relies heavily on the Consumer Settlement Fund, with both recommendations reducing general fund revenue while increasing settlement-fund use, and that performance measures were in consensus. The Attorney General said the office was not seeking more general fund, but wanted greater ability to use funds it recovers. He highlighted major consumer and public safety work, including litigation against major social media and AI platforms, a case involving Snapchat and child exploitation/extortion, the statewide crime gun intelligence center, efforts to address oilfield theft, work on missing and murdered Indigenous persons, and efforts to protect federal funds coming into New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• this transfer, are we to understand that there's an implicit agreement that you would not buy this hardware
• would<00:17:37.520><c> not</c><00:17:37.760><c> buy</c><00:17:38.280><c> this</c><00:17:39.280><c> hardware
• </c> would not buy this hardware would not buy this hardware if<00:17:42.000><c> I</c><00:17:42.240><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the March 21 minutes and then took up a consent calendar, withdrawing several items before adopting the remainder. It also moved item FIS 25103 to the table by a 6-4 vote after Senator Gray argued the Executive Council had not yet acted on a prior $5 million approval and that the committee should avoid adding to the rainy day fund draw. The committee then approved item 25106 for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources/State Library after hearing that the department expected about a $400,000 lapse to return to the state. A major discussion centered on New Hampshire Police Standards and Training (item 2577). Senator Gray questioned whether a proposed equipment purchase could be delayed to the next biennium in light of the state’s deficit and rainy day fund use. The agency said the equipment was needed now for scenario training, vendors had already been identified, and delaying would likely increase costs and force continued reliance on unpaid volunteer help. The committee ultimately approved the item. The committee also approved Department of Energy item 2587 after hearing that federal weatherization funds are drawn down on a reimbursement basis, and item 2588 after similar testimony that weatherization work must be completed and inspected before reimbursement, limiting how quickly funds can be expended. Item 250094 had been withdrawn. Later, the committee discussed Senator Carson’s request for an LBA review of the YDC claims settlement fund, with members expressing concern about administrative costs, attorney fees, settlement-loan payoffs, and the need for more detailed reporting. The committee voted to direct LBA to conduct the audit described in Senator Carson’s memo, with the additional request that the review include the term over which attorney fees are paid. The meeting then moved on to an HHS staff item, where members began questioning the timing of dashboard data and reporting delays.