Transcript Highlights:

• of the conference committee over the next few days to build on the progress made and finalize a balanced

Summary: The House Budget and Senate Appropriations Conference Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to organize the conference and begin budget negotiations. Members unanimously adopted motions naming Representative Schof as chair and Senator DeSigley as vice chair. Staff then presented the initial side-by-side comparison of the TED conference budget materials, including spreadsheets, projects, proviso, back of the bill, implementing bill, and conforming bill, along with a House offer to the Senate. The House noted that gray rows reflected items already agreed to and black-highlighted rows showed changes in the House offer, which was described as a good-faith effort to move toward Senate positions. Senator Hooper said the Senate would review the offer and respond after working through the first proposal, noting that initial offers typically take time to evaluate. No public comment was offered. The committee announced it was on one-hour notice for the next meeting and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you represent nine school districts, you're balancing or juggling 27 budgets.
• And then the balance, I think we have 25 homeschool students, and the balance we've got 177 at Cob Brown
• And then the balance<00:59:26.480><c> we</c><00:59:26.720><c> have</c><00:59:27.200><c> um</c><00:59:
• </c><00:59:29.680><c> and</c><00:59:30.000><c> the</c><00:59:30.160><c> balance</c><00:59:31.200><c>
• uh</c> homeschool students and the balance uh homeschool students and the balance uh we've<00:59:31.760

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved corrected minutes from October 6 after members noted and fixed several transcription and spelling errors, including a clarification that a comment about SAU numbers came from former Senator Jim Rubin. The vote to approve the corrected minutes was moved, seconded, and adopted with one abstention. The main presentation came from Chuck Bates of the New Hampshire Association of School Business Officials (ASBO), who described the organization, its certification program, and the role of school business administrators. He explained that ASBO members handle accounting and financial management, facilities, food service, HR, information systems, transportation, and risk management. He also outlined the certification program, which includes 21 courses, most online, plus four in-person workshops unique to New Hampshire, and noted that many members are not certified because the state licensure requirement was removed. Bates then addressed the committee’s interest in SAU consolidation and county-wide restructuring. He said business administrators often manage multiple budgets, attend school board meetings, and serve as a visible point of contact for the community. He argued that consolidation would create operational and financial challenges, including staff and facility relocation, differing accounting systems, lack of a standardized chart of accounts, and uncertain return on investment. He said the biggest obstacle would be local control, especially in small towns that do not want outside decisions affecting school closures, class sizes, or student transportation. Committee members questioned him about the distinction between administrative and academic control, the size of district offices in larger cities, and what might reduce administrative costs; Bates responded that many administrative costs stem from legislation and that consolidation would be difficult to implement without local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to present to you a brief version of the Balanced Justice Defender Reform Plan of 2026.
• justice defender reform the balanced justice defender reform plan<00:53:00.160><c> of</c><00:53:00.319
• And again, what we've tried to balance is not having something that is so wide that people don't know
• And again, what we've tried to<01:44:29.520><c> balance</c><01:44:29.920><c> is</c><01:44:30.960><c>
• is not having something that to balance is not having something that is<01:44:32.320><c> so</c><01:44

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:07 26RS BR 8 - AN ACT relating to machine gun conversion devices: 00:01:33 Department of Public Advocacy Update: 00:51:33 26RS BR 126 - AN ACT relating to boating under the influence: 01:23:46 26RS BR 60 - AN ACT relating to grooming: 01:33:23, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August 29 minutes, and then heard testimony on a bill relating to machine gun conversion devices, often described as Glock switches or auto sears. Representative Jason Nemis presented the bill with Louisville police Chief Paul Humphrey and Lt. Drew Fox, arguing the measure would mirror existing federal law, make possession of these devices unlawful under Kentucky law, and give state and local law enforcement authority to seize and prosecute them without relying solely on federal agencies. They said the devices are small aftermarket or 3D-printed parts that convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons and emphasized that the bill would not affect lawful gun ownership. The presenters cited rising seizures and public-safety concerns, saying LMPD and Jefferson County seizures increased sharply from 2023 to 2024 and that the average age of possession had dropped. They argued the devices are used offensively, are inaccurate and dangerous, and have been linked to violent crime. Two Alabama legislators, Representatives Philip Ensler and Russell Bedsole, testified in support based on Alabama’s recent enactment of a similar law. They said local police and prosecutors there had been unable to act effectively because the devices were handled mainly by federal authorities, and they described bipartisan support, immediate enactment, and reported confiscations after passage. Members asked about the bill’s penalty level, the source and manufacture of the devices, the scope of the definition of “conversion device,” and whether the bill could create constitutional problems given ongoing federal litigation over machine gun restrictions. The sponsors said the penalty would be a Class C felony and that the bill was intended to cover only the device attached to the firearm, not tools like 3D printers. They acknowledged that if federal machine gun laws were ultimately struck down, the state law would also be unenforceable. Some members supported the bill as common-sense public safety legislation, while Representative Roberts opposed it on Second Amendment grounds, arguing Kentucky should focus on expanding gun rights rather than adding restrictions already covered by federal law.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:17:13.040><c> that</c> important those checks and balances that important those checks and balances
• And so we need those checks and balances, and we may disagree about where the lines are, but I hope we
• can all agree that we need those balances.
• So, members, I think we do have a good balanced bill here, and I hope that you will support it.
• bill here and we do have a good balanced bill here and I<02:18:46.479><c> hope</c><02:18:46.559><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you remind us what the funding of the existing balance is?
• </c> similar if in any year uh the balance similar if in any year uh the balance exceeds exceeds exceeds
• So, as of right now, the fishing game fund ending balance at the end of the biennium is $1.337 million
• So, it was in that phase of the process and apparently they did not need them to balance their budget
• Um, and I could use them balancing our budget.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first revisited HB 781, the cell phone bill, after previously retaining it. On reconsideration, members moved to OTP the bill, and it passed unanimously. The committee then moved into the budget tracking packet and adopted an amendment to HB 2 to add the same cell phone policy language, also unanimously, and separately reduced HB 1 by $1 million to match the policy change. Members noted the cell phone language had already been stripped of grant funding language in the House version and that the policy and funding pieces were being aligned across the budget bills. The committee then took up a Department of Education technical amendment to HB 2 on charter school grants, which made timing and administrative changes without altering grant amounts, and adopted it unanimously. Members also discussed but held other education-related items, including adequacy grants, pending broader decisions on overall education funding. Another HB 2 item concerning E-911/state police radio communications prompted a longer discussion about whether E-911 surcharge funds were being used for purposes that should instead be general-funded. After debate over whether to leave the current practice in place or split the funding 50/50 between E-911 and general funds, the committee adopted a joint HB 1/HB 2 change to shift the funding source to a 50/50 split and delete the HB 2 language authorizing the prior use; the motion passed 7-0. The committee also discussed but did not act on several lottery-related provisions, including the video lottery terminal amendment, the increase in maximum ticket price from $30 to $50, and related tax split changes, with members planning to hear from the Lottery Commission on Monday. The meeting ended with the committee beginning review of new amendments in the tracking packet, including a Department of Education request related to Public School Infrastructure Commission grant administration, but no action was taken on that item in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• middle of it, I can see why the frustration is coming out with the people that have done that to balance
• </c><01:22:56.040><c> done</c><01:22:56.520><c> that</c><01:22:57.520><c> to</c><01:22:57.760><c> balance
• </c> people that have done that to balance people that have done that to balance that<01:22:59.000><c
• uh back when they need and if those use uh back when they need and if those two<01:29:33.840><c> balance
• out net effect is a zero two balance out net effect is a zero Bill<01:29:38.000><c> thank</c><01:29:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a balanced step forward that supports residents, providers, and communities while keeping the
• This<00:19:01.840><c> is</c><00:19:02.160><c> balanced</c><00:19:02.799><c> step</c><00:19:03.120><c>
• be to balance the need to transition<01:20:58.400><c> with</c><01:20:58.640><c> the</c><01:20:58.880
• Balancing the behavioral needs and physical needs of two people is more than twice as much work.
• Um balancing the behavioral needs time.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We worked very hard on balancing everyone's concerns.
• It took a while to address everyone's concerns and get it balanced, and I'd be happy to take any questions
• /c><00:13:03.920><c> very</c><00:13:04.240><c> hard</c><00:13:04.639><c> on</c><00:13:05.120><c> balancing
• </c> We worked very hard on balancing We worked very hard on balancing everyone's<00:13:06.240><c> concerns
• and I'd be happy to take get it balanced and I'd be happy to take any<00:13:20.160><c> questions,</c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I can understand sort of the balancing act between not holding the property too long and getting
• </c><03:45:47.040><c> balance</c> have two hands.
• So on balance uh balance have two hands.
• So on balance uh balance in<03:45:47.680><c> most</c><03:45:47.840><c> cases</c><03:45:48.479><c> uh<
• So on balance they're uh pay.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on House Bill 1087 and House Bill 123, both related to firearms. HB 1087 was introduced as a Second Amendment measure, but after questions from the chair and discussion with law enforcement, the sponsor agreed it should be set aside and referred to a study committee for further review, rather than advanced as written. The New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association testified in opposition to the bill as written, while also indicating support for the sponsor’s proposed amendment or a study approach. The bulk of the discussion centered on HB 123, which would require the return of firearms after a not guilty verdict or dismissal. The sponsor and several members described the bill’s purpose as speeding up the return of property, but law enforcement and judicial branch witnesses raised concerns about federal law, the need to ensure a person is still legally eligible to possess firearms, and the bill’s 24-hour return requirement. Witnesses from the State Police and judicial branch explained the current process, including background checks through the state police gun line, and said the existing procedure already aims to return firearms promptly while allowing time to verify disqualifying information. Members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, including removing language that would bar background checks and instead tying return of firearms to completion of the check within a set time frame. Judicial branch and State Police witnesses said a process that requires a background check and return within a reasonable period, with notice if there is a delay or denial, would better address safety and legal concerns. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee closed the public hearing and indicated it would continue working on the language before executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this bill balances that scale.
• </c><00:47:02.400><c> Unbeknownst</c><00:47:03.200><c> to</c> balance their budgets.
• Unbeknownst to balance their budgets.
• House Bill 1697 is one of those pieces of legislation that helped create some balance, but I suspect
• House Bill 1697 is one of those pieces of legislation that helped create some balance, but I suspect

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to a healthy work life balance I'm happy to take<03:06:02.439><c> any</c><03:06:02.880><c>
• He said there are already checks and balances in the process to ensure the integrity of that process,
• He said there are already checks and balances in the process to ensure the integrity of that process,
• He said New Hampshire does it right, that there are already checks and balances in the process and in
• Each will have, you know, a negative on the other, which really shows checks and balances.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an introductory organizational session for the House Legislative Administration Committee. Chair Greg Hill and Vice Chair Vanessa Sheen welcomed members, introduced the new clerk and committee staff, and described the committee as generally nonpartisan and focused on bills on their merits. They also noted that many bills are handled on a consent calendar after discussion, and that the committee often works closely with staff, House counsel, and the House clerk on procedural matters. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on committee operations and expectations: how committee reports should be prepared and submitted, the use of electronic submissions, scheduling hearings, and the need for clear bill placards at the witness table for livestream viewers. Members discussed the committee’s calendar, including a proposed conflict with the governor’s budget address, and ultimately settled on moving the remaining hearings to February 19. The chair also emphasized advance notice for absences or amendments, and said executive sessions can be scheduled as time allows under current rules. House Clerk Paul Smith testified about his role as a nonpartisan officer and said he would be providing informational testimony on a bill affecting a law he sponsored years ago, as well as on a forthcoming PSLF-related bill for legislators. He also spoke about legislative customs, precedents, and the value of parliamentary procedure. The chair concluded with guidance on decorum: arrive on time, avoid interruptions during testimony, keep food out of the room, use electronic devices discreetly, and route questions through the chair for clarification rather than debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some checks and balances, and then an agency's authority allows it to sort of fill in the details to
• and then an some checks and balances and then an agency's<01:09:57.719><c> authority</c><01:09:58.320
• with the benefit payments and the expenses, and this equation must balance in the long term.
• </c> investment income need to be in balance investment income need to be in balance with<03:40:41.520
• </c> expenses and this equation must balance expenses and this equation must balance in<03:40:47.080>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held an orientation for new and returning members of the House committee on agencies and administration, with introductions from members and staff. Chair Carol Maguire outlined her expectations for hearings: keep questions focused on the bill, be respectful to witnesses, and use the committee’s orientation opportunities to learn about the jail staff, retirement system, and Office of Professional Licensure. Members also discussed related assignments on other bodies, including the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules and the Joint Committee on Employee Classification, and noted that some members already serve on those panels. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Building Code and the committee’s upcoming workload. Members explained how the state code is intended to provide a common baseline while allowing limited local options, and why municipalities must formally adopt and publish any local amendments. They reviewed several anticipated bills: a consolidation bill to gather building-code enforcement materials in one place, a bill to update the state energy code, a bill to restrict municipal adoption of building-code changes, and a bill to update the electrical code. Members also discussed how building codes apply to older homes and commercial buildings, and why code updates are important for safety and clarity. The chair said the committee had 36 bills currently scheduled, including many early bills that must move by March 6 because they will be heard by two committees. She said the committee would use subcommittees for harder bills, with three subcommittees this year: pensions, licensing, and likely state building code. She also outlined the hearing schedule, including lighter bills on February 12 and the expectation of executive sessions later in the month. No votes were taken during the orientation, but members were told that public hearings do not require a quorum and that hard copies of bills would be distributed by committee staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure it's a difficult decision as to how the state would balance all of that.
• </c><00:25:24.720><c> Uh</c><00:25:24.960><c> but</c><00:25:25.200><c> we</c> would balance all of that
• Uh but we would balance all of that.
• And then we have a remaining balance, you’ll see towards the bottom there, of about $3.3 million or so
• </c><01:32:38.000><c> the</c><01:32:38.320><c> budget</c> challenge of balancing the budget challenge

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 10 minutes that we spent on these sentences in this bill was devoted to considering the delicate balance
• 10 minutes that we spent on these sentences in this bill was devoted to considering the delicate balance
• 10 minutes that we spent on these sentences in this bill was devoted to considering the delicate balance
• </c><01:04:35.520><c> individual</c> while appropriately balancing individual while appropriately balancing
• So, in conclusion, policies related to the removal of material from school libraries need to balance

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 763, an early bill concerning AED access at athletic events and venues. Representative Morris offered amendment 0743H to clarify the bill by removing charter schools from the language and tying AED placement to American Heart Association guidance, emphasizing that AEDs should be readily accessible within a reasonable walking distance rather than mandated on every field. The amendment and then the bill as amended both passed 17-0, and the bill was reported out as Ought to Pass with Amendment. The committee then considered House Bill 781, requiring school districts to adopt cell phone-free education policies, and a related bill, House Bill 131. HB 781 was amended to include charter public school boards, cover other personal electronic communication devices, require at minimum restrictions on student personal cell phones during class instruction, allow superintendent-approved exceptions for medical or language needs, protect students with medical needs or disabilities under Section 504, and set an effective date of July 1, 2025. Some members argued the amendment was too prescriptive and limited local control, while supporters said it still left districts flexibility outside classroom instruction. The amendment passed 16-1, and the bill then passed Ought to Pass as Amended 16-1. HB 131, described as a mirror bill, was then retained by a 17-0 vote. House Bill 398, a title bill requiring Holocaust and genocide studies to include impacts on people with disabilities, was moved to ITL after Representative Selig reported the genocide commission believed the topic was already being covered. That motion passed 17-0. The committee also agreed to hold several bills for later consideration, including HB 754, HB 1221, HB 360, and HB 699, citing the need for more review or missing copies. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools. Supporters argued the bill would preserve individual choice while preventing statewide or districtwide mandates in future public health emergencies, and cited a Department of Health and Human Services letter saying masks remain effective but decisions should be based on individual choice and risk assessment. Opponents emphasized local control and the need for districts to respond to different public health conditions. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 361 was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• and it would be ruled out of balance and it would be ruled out of order.<00:27:00.240><c> Um,</c> order
• This would allow $68,000 from the early childhood education balance to the general fund, and this will
• It would have the checks and balances in place.
• . balances. balances.
• </c><03:36:05.240><c> in</c> It would have the checks and balances in It would have the checks and balances

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One thing to consider, it does, if there is a balance, it rolls over, it accrues.
• One thing to consider, it does, if there is a balance, it rolls over, it accrues.
• If there is a balance, it rolls over; it accrues.
• House Bill 1455 simply states, "Let's have a balanced approach.
• Thank you. have a balanced approach. Let's educate have a balanced approach.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said this bill implements that amendment and is a determination by the General Court balancing the
• This bill is a small step in the direction of writing that balance.
• </c><02:30:20.120><c> um</c><02:30:21.040><c> I</c> direction of writing that balance um I direction
• of writing that balance um I take<02:30:21.399><c> your</c><02:30:21.640><c> points</c><02:30:22.200>
• that patient also that we're balancing that patient privacy<02:40:56.600><c> that's</c><02:40:57.160

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs heard testimony on House Bill 606, as amended, a bill aimed at preventing physicians from denying medically necessary sterilizing or fertility-affecting treatment based on a patient’s age, number of children, marital status, or a doctor’s speculation about future reproductive intentions. Representative Ellen Reed, the sponsor, described the bill as a response to her own long experience with PCOS, heavy bleeding, and repeated refusals by doctors to perform a hysterectomy despite her clear wishes. She said the amendment narrows the bill to medically necessary care, adds definitions for “medical condition” and “appropriate reproductive care,” and removes earlier provisions about voluntary sterilization referrals. She also said the bill does not target religious objections, and that doctors could still refuse for medical, payment, or existing religious reasons not addressed by the bill. Committee members asked about religious freedom, informed consent versus waivers, and the scope of the new definitions. Reed responded that religion was not added to the list of prohibited reasons for denial, and that the amendment is intended to protect doctors when patients sign informed consent or waivers. She explained that “appropriate reproductive care” includes procedures such as hysterectomy, oophorectomy, orchiectomy, salpingectomy, and endometrial ablation, and that the bill now focuses on medically necessary treatment rather than elective sterilization. She said the change was intended to make the proposal narrower and more tailored after earlier concerns. Several witnesses supported the bill with personal accounts of being denied hysterectomies or other procedures despite serious symptoms. Representative Lauren Selig described a decade-long effort to obtain a hysterectomy after years of cycle problems and migraines, saying doctors dismissed her concerns and treated her symptoms as normal. Jade Flad also testified in support, saying she had long been told to simply endure her cycle problems and noted that her husband was offered a vasectomy without similar barriers. The sponsor said online support was strong and that there was little or no written opposition testimony. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, Don Kepke, on behalf of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance
• variety of stakeholders: labor, public leaders, and the business community, with the goal of finding balance
• There is the balance between holding facilities accountable and what the state needs in terms of these

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pas and I have tried to come up with some solutions to try to balance this out. It's difficult.
• all are aware, on May 8th, sent out a press release on potential strategies... ...strategies on balancing
• Um, yeah, I don't know if we fully have an answer to that, but making the numbers balance currently has

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to see it through, but we also need to be balancing our ability to take on and fund new projects
• Boston; the administration has been highly effective at distributing MVP resources in a regionally balanced
• climate impacts we're all experiencing, the program's flexibility and its track record of regional balance

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on S.2542, the Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill aimed at climate resilience, water infrastructure, conservation, and related permitting reforms. Secretary Rebecca Tepper and administration officials described the bill’s major investments in flood control, coastal resilience, DCR roads/bridges/dams and parks, drinking water and wastewater upgrades, PFAS remediation, land conservation, food security infrastructure, and expanded Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness funding. They also explained proposed streamlining measures for environmental permitting, flood risk disclosures, a Connecticut River Resilient Commission, and a new Resilience Revolving Fund to provide low-cost financing for municipal resilience projects. Committee members asked about affordability, useful life of projects, how the revolving fund would be capitalized, and how the bill would help communities such as Lawrence, Methuen, and coastal towns; officials said the fund would initially use existing trust resources, not new fees, and could later support special obligation bonds once it has a track record. Several witnesses supported the bill but urged larger authorizations or additional provisions. Boston Harbor Now asked for more funding for MVP and the state’s resilient coast plan, and supported permitting reforms for nature-based and hybrid solutions. The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance urged inclusion of drought-management language from separate bills, plus a statewide flood buyout program and a water reuse commission. Green Roots called for dedicated funding for outdoor and indoor air quality monitoring and indoor air quality improvements, especially in environmental justice communities affected by traffic and airport pollution. Conservation and forestry advocates requested more funding for urban tree canopy, local nurseries, and workforce training, while also raising concerns about PFAS impacts and the need for clearer municipal reforestation language. Agriculture and water infrastructure groups focused on food security and drinking water needs. The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership and the Mass Food System Collaborative backed the food security infrastructure grant program and farmland protection funding, warning that the program needs continued support in fiscal 2027 and that farmland loss is accelerating. The Massachusetts Waterworks Association said the bill does not go far enough on drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, citing large statewide capital needs and PFAS compliance costs, and asked for recurring funding and broader eligibility for climate resilience grants. A Product Stewardship Council representative also urged funding for a waste reduction needs assessment, citing growing landfill constraints and rising disposal costs. No votes were taken during the hearing."}{