Transcript Highlights:

• number<00:02:24.160><c> of</c><00:02:24.480><c> students</c><00:02:24.879><c> who</c><00:02:25.200><
• a number<00:02:30.400><c> of</c><00:02:30.560><c> different</c><00:02:30.800><c> agencies</c><00:02:
• shared<00:02:34.560><c> some</c><00:02:34.720><c> data</c><00:02:35.040><c> with</c><00:02:35.200><c
• </c><00:02:36.080><c> Um</c><00:02:36.400><c> as</c><00:02:36.640><c> well</c><00:02:36.800><c> as</c
• are</c><00:02:47.760><c> very</c><00:02:48.319><c> uh</c><00:02:48.480><c> hopeful</c><00:02:48.959>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:03 Roll Call: 00:00:09 Agency Updates: 00:01:44 Juvenile Justice Advisory Board Update: 00:03:36 Department of Juvenile Justice Update: 00:23:10, 958, all

Summary: The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council approved the minutes from its November 8, 2024 meeting and welcomed new member Representative Nick Wilson. The council also heard an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on a school attendance awareness campaign aimed at reducing truancy referrals to court, and a member requested a future, more detailed presentation on truancy trends. The council then received an update from the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board from Dr. David Frink and Elsie Berger. They described the board’s membership, meeting schedule, public access, annual report and three-year plan, and its role in helping Kentucky remain compliant with federal juvenile justice requirements so the state can receive Title II funding. They said the board reviews grant applications for community-based services, substance use, and early intervention programs, with about $584,000 in federal funds this year and a little over $600,000 expected next year. Members asked about participation, board vacancies, and how to engage with the board, and the presenters emphasized the importance of statewide representation and community input. The Department of Juvenile Justice then provided a broader update through Commissioner Randy White and Deputy Secretary Mona Wamik. White said DJJ is under an ongoing U.S. Department of Justice investigation focused on conditions in detention facilities, including use of force, isolation, abuse, mental health care, and special education, and said the department has cooperated with repeated information requests and site visits. He also reviewed recent legislative and administrative changes, including 2023 Senate Bill 162, regional detention planning, facility segregation requirements, staffing and salary investments, improved staffing levels, reduced mental health vacancies, and training efforts related to security threat groups. He said DJJ has made progress but continues to work on staffing, safety, and facility improvements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, do we not have anything in statute that allows for them?
• While we could not do this, it is because the statute did not say we could.
• Like I said, this most of what you're seeing Here has been in statute for a few years, and so I have
• So, understanding that we are expanding existing statute, that this has already been a thing, can you
• tell us how much money the existing statute has saved the state of Oklahoma, and the The taxpayers so

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• It is bringing paralysis, which is already allowed under statute, and allows the paralysis practice to
• It combines current rules and statutes for more oversight by this body.
• our county boundaries are waterways which can meander over time since 1907 and subsequently through statute

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• in how we refer to the science of reading, how we refer to high-quality teachers, and makes the statutes
• So this new statute.
• It's just more defined in statute. You're recognized for a follow-up. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• It's just there's not the mandatory teeth in the current statutes.
• This takes existing language and puts it under one statute where our schools and counselors can look

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• It is bringing paralysis, which is already allowed under statute, and allows the paralysis practice to
• It combines current rules and statutes for more oversight by this body.
• Since 1907 and subsequently through statute, how we have determined county boundaries has been very,

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Summary: The House began with a quorum call and several introductions, including Wagner Student Council, Heartland Homeschool educators, Northwest Technology Center leadership students, Leadership Oklahoma Class 37, and guests from domestic violence and sexual assault service providers. The chamber then took up House Bill 3131 on homeless shelter standards. The bill, as amended, would set baseline health, safety, sanitation, incident reporting, and fiscal transparency standards for shelters receiving state-administered federal funds, with a limited board to help write rules and local officials notified of issues. Supporters said it was aimed mainly at smaller communities lacking resources, while opponents argued it added state oversight without collaboration or funding and could burden nonprofits and faith-based shelters. The bill passed 65-31. Members then passed several other measures: House Bill 3015 authorizing Service Oklahoma to issue and manage electronic credentials; House Bill 3472 on environment and natural resources; House Bill 3453 on eminent domain, shifting the burden of proof in court to the condemning authority while carving out utilities and oil and gas; House Bill 1638 expanding the Governmental Tort Claims Act definition of public trust to include trusts overseeing county jail facilities; House Bill 4128 on Game and Fish, adjusting bear hunting rules in selected eastern counties; and House Bill 4126 limiting liability for motocross and similar recreational tracks. House Bill 2710 created a 15-member committee to review future statewide radio system needs, and House Bill 2696, an open records bill for school district security and cybersecurity information, was amended and passed. House Bill 3552, giving child care providers flexibility to bridge subsidy reimbursement and tuition rates, also passed, though its emergency clause failed. Later, House Bill 3031 was amended to create a workforce development fund in the Department of Commerce and passed, but its emergency clause failed. House Bill 3544 was narrowed to regulate social AI companions and protect minors from harmful interactions, and passed unanimously. House Bill 3521 modernized money transmission law, updated fees, and added rules for digital asset kiosks. House Bill 4488 established a standardized appraisal process for first-party motor vehicle damage disputes under insurance law. House Bill 1746 allowed juvenile detention facilities for high-risk youth to adopt safety plans. Finally, House Joint Resolution 1069 updated constitutional county boundary language and county-seat references, including adding Cotton County to the Constitution and making other boundary cleanup changes; it passed 74-14. The House then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we not have anything in statute... ...can have when somebody has 30 misdemeanors?
• Do we not have anything in statute that allows for them?
• And the answer I was given by Abel why we could not do this is because statute did not say we could.
• So understanding that we are expanding existing statute, that this has already been a thing, can you
• tell us how much money the existing statute has saved the state of Oklahoma and the taxpayers so far?

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Summary: The House considered and passed a series of bills focused on public finance, securities, pharmacy regulation, criminal penalties, energy, housing associations, and Medicaid. Early votes included House Bill 4428, which requires public retirement systems to base proxy voting and related engagement on fiduciary, pecuniary factors, and House Bill 4429, which adds disclosure requirements for proxy advisors and excludes charitable organizations from the definition; both passed. House Bill 1170, also dealing with public finance and aligning definitions with the earlier retirement-system bill, passed the House, but its emergency clause failed. The chamber also adopted a motion to suspend House Rule 4.4J to allow food on the floor for the rest of the legislative day. Members then passed House Bill 3538, a negotiated pharmacy benefits manager measure that establishes a mandatory minimum dispensing fee for pharmacies and was described as intended to help independent pharmacies; it passed unanimously. House Bill 4124, allowing pharmacies to sell human ivermectin over the counter, also passed after extended debate. House Bill 3904, which changes Oklahoma Medicaid maternity payments to separate prenatal, delivery, and postpartum reimbursements, passed with broad support. House Bill 4106, lowering the felony threshold for repeated petty larceny from $1,000 to $900 and tying it to multiple offenses within 180 days, passed after amendment. The House also approved House Bill 2999, which would prohibit requiring public officials to sign nondisclosure agreements under certain conditions, and House Bill 3982, addressing temporary tags for new and used dealerships and commercial vehicles. House Bill 3464, an energy bill adding landowner protections, notice, decommissioning, and permitting reforms for wind, solar, and battery storage facilities, passed unanimously and its emergency clause also passed. House Bill 2588, requiring HOA board members to own property and physically reside in the association, passed as well. A major debate centered on House Joint Resolution 1077, a constitutional amendment to restructure how tobacco settlement funds are used: it would move TSET legacy functions to the Health Department, direct more funding toward Oklahoma’s Promise/OLAP and related education opportunities, and preserve the corpus while redirecting distributions. Supporters framed it as a long-term investment in education and workforce opportunities; opponents argued it would undermine public health funding and repurpose a voter-created trust. The resolution passed the House, and the special-election referral required for the constitutional amendment also received the necessary two-thirds vote. Later, House Bill 4440, which would move Medicaid expansion from the Constitution into statute and separate expansion from traditional Medicaid, also passed after substantial debate over health care access, provider rates, and the role of voters. Finally, House Bill 3462 on plumbing licensing was laid over after amendments were discussed, including changes to apprenticeship and out-of-state reciprocity.

Transcript Highlights:

• educators, reading specialists, and administrators, I felt that it was important to clean up the statutes
• in how we refer to the science of reading, how we refer to high-quality teachers, and makes the statutes
• So this new statute, what it does is it does a base level of support of 60% for all students, and then
• It's just more defined in statute. You're recognized for a follow-up. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• It's just there's not the mandatory teeth in the current statutes.

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call, heard the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized the Doctor and Nurse of the Day. The main floor focus was House Bill 4420, the Strong Readers Act, which Speaker Hilbert described as a major literacy overhaul. The bill’s amendment was adopted without objection and would clean up and standardize the statute, create a new SRA funding formula, expand summer teacher credentialing academies with $3,000 stipends, add statewide benchmarking, notify parents within 30 days when students are below basic, and reinstate third-grade retention beginning with the 2027–2028 school year. Hilbert argued the bill is intended to address Oklahoma’s low reading outcomes, reward improvement rather than penalize schools, and align with science-of-reading practices. The House passed HB 4420 86-0, and the emergency clause also passed 86-6. Members then suspended the rules to hear untimely amendments on HB 3974, which was amended and passed 86-6 with its emergency clause approved. The bill concerns the Government Tort Claims Act and allows governmental entities that share incarceration costs to form an entity with liability protections; Hilbert said the late amendment responded to a recent court ruling that could have exposed cities and counties to unlimited liability in certain jail-sharing arrangements. The House also passed HB 3016, creating a two-year pilot screening project for early childhood reading issues through the Departments of Education and Health, by a vote of 82-7, and HB 3062, allowing retired municipal judges to carry statewide under specified conditions, by a vote of 83-3. Additional bills passed with little or no debate: HB 3021, a graduation requirements cleanup measure consolidating conflicting statutes, passed 82-8 and its emergency clause also passed; HB 3145, a language cleanup bill for commercial hunt areas, passed 92-0 after a question clarified it does not affect private landowners hunting feral pigs. HB 4128, another Game and Fish bill, was laid over until the afternoon. The House then recessed until 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:01.360><c> Daisy</c><00:02:01.840><c> Hartzfield</c><00:02:02.479><c> in</c><00:02:02.719>
• </c><00:02:19.440><c> And</c><00:02:19.840><c> George</c><00:02:20.319><c> A.
• </c><00:02:29.120><c> Seeing</c><00:02:29.360><c> none,</c><00:02:29.760><c> um</c><00:02:31.200><c>
• with<01:02:26.640><c> the</c><01:02:26.799><c> family</c><01:02:27.040><c> court</c><01:02:27.280><c
• </c><01:02:36.640><c> And</c><01:02:36.799><c> it</c><01:02:36.960><c> was</c><01:02:37.040><c> there

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered three judicial confirmations for the First Circuit family court. The first nominee, Maria F. Penn, was introduced for confirmation to a six-year term as a district family court judge. Testimony from family law attorneys and the Hawaii State Bar Association was strongly supportive, emphasizing her courtroom demeanor, preparation, knowledge of family law, respect for litigants and counsel, and ability to manage emotionally difficult family court matters. Judge Penn also spoke about her background, including her legal career, prior service as a PDM family court judge, and her view that family court requires both legal judgment and empathy. The chair noted that the committee would not vote that day and would take up votes the next morning. The second nomination was Wilson Aunga for a district family court judgeship. Supporters described his character, community involvement, and suitability for family court, including testimony from the Honolulu prosecutor, longtime friends, classmates, community members, and others. Speakers highlighted his work with youth, his leadership in the prosecutor’s office, his calm and impartial temperament, and his commitment to education and public service. The chair reported 105 supporters, no opposition, and one comment from the Hawaii State Bar Association. Additional testimony continued from members of the public, including a speaker discussing mental health and personal support for Aunga. Throughout the hearing, the chair enforced a two-minute limit on oral testimony and explained that the committee was short on time and would recess as needed. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair announced that voting would occur the following day in the same room.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay.<00:02:03.079><c> H</c><00:02:04.119><c> 476</c><00:02:05.119><c> pass</c><00:02:05.439><c> with
• Chair vai.<00:02:07.680><c> Vice</c><00:02:07.840><c> chair</c><00:02:08.080><c> vzai.
• </c><00:02:11.280><c> Senator</c><00:02:11.599><c> Elante.</c><00:02:12.319><c> Hi.
• </c><00:02:14.160><c> Senator</c><00:02:14.480><c> Enoe.</c><00:02:15.120><c> Hi.
• </c><00:02:16.800><c> Senator</c><00:02:17.120><c> Kedani.</c><00:02:17.760><c> Hi.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up a long decision-making agenda on numerous House bills, largely in the tax, appropriations, public safety, agriculture, and land-use areas. Early action included HB 476, which passed with amendments after discussion of tax impacts and a committee report change; HB 796 also passed with amendments to protect several individual income tax credits from the bill’s effect. Other measures were advanced with amendments or without changes, including HB 1059, HB 1145, HB 1173, HB 1439, HB 800, HB 934, HB 990, HB 101, HB 106, and a series of bills in the 1026–1055 range, many of which were passed unamended or with technical/effective-date changes. Several bills were deferred, including HB 1147, HB 807, and later items on the agenda. The committee also approved a number of policy and agency-structure changes. HB 430 was amended to create or expand an internship/workforce development program with reporting requirements; HB 505 and HB 506 were amended to adjust appropriations and FTEs; HB 774 added an appropriation section for two FTEs; HB 1052 limited use of universal service fund money; HB 1296 shifted a reporting requirement from BNF to the Department of Defense; and HB 1064 moved the State Fire Council and Fire Marshal Selection Commission to the Department of Law Enforcement and set the fire marshal salary. HB 427 made major biosecurity-related changes, including moving the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity in 2026 and adding new appropriations. HB 830 was amended to allow third-party historic preservation reviewers under ethics and conflict rules, with a two-year sunset and committee-report comments on vacancies. Public safety and regulatory bills also moved forward. HB 302 on cannabis drew opposition from Senator Awa, who said it would shut down a medical provider in his district; the bill nevertheless passed with amendments adding criminal penalties, enforcement authority, and a 2027 effective date for cultivator licenses. HB 306 on water code penalties passed unamended, HB 860 on liability for road resurfacing passed with amendments to limit liability to the work actually performed and eliminate joint and several liability, and HB 141 on public land leases passed with technical amendments. HB 1159 establishing a commercial harbor emergency evacuation working group passed as is, and HB 1482 on hemp passed with amendments exempting existing permit holders and certain retailers, aligning THC limits, and setting a far-future effective date. Most votes were adopted without recorded opposition, though several members noted reservations on specific measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• policies<02:02:07.280><c> adopted</c><02:02:07.840><c> by</c><02:02:08.000><c> the</c><02:02:08.239>
• education consistent with the Kentucky Revised<02:02:12.960><c> Statutes.
• </c><02:02:14.080><c> The</c><02:02:14.320><c> roles</c><02:02:14.639><c> of</c> Revised Statutes.
• are to carry<02:02:17.840><c> out</c><02:02:18.320><c> and</c><02:02:18.560><c> administer</c><02:02
• ><c> not</c><02:02:21.840><c> to</c><02:02:22.159><c> create</c><02:02:22.639><c> de</c><02:02:22.800

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So<01:02:00.400><c> this</c><01:02:00.640><c> is</c><01:02:00.799><c> really</c><01:02:00.960><c> a</
• c><01:02:19.280><c> the</c><01:02:19.520><c> idea</c><01:02:19.680><c> of</c><01:02:19.760><c> a</c><
• </c><01:02:27.760><c> prod</c><01:02:28.160><c> do</c><01:02:28.400><c> produce</c><01:02:28.720><c>
• /c><01:02:32.079><c> produce</c><01:02:32.400><c> a</c><01:02:32.640><c> lot</c><01:02:32.720><c> of<
• ><c> uh</c><01:02:35.040><c> or</c><01:02:35.359><c> by</c><01:02:35.680><c> you</c><01:02:35.839><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a Senate message on HB 179, relative to hazardous waste accident fees. Members reviewed the Senate amendment, which would cap the daily non-payment penalty at no more than $1,000 per day and limit the cumulative penalty to 25% of the cost, with no additional daily penalty if the responsible party is following an agreed payment plan. Members discussed the change from the committee’s earlier version, which had allowed penalties up to 100% of the damages, and agreed the revised language was reasonable. The committee voted to concur with the Senate amendment and indicated the bill could be placed on consent. The committee then recessed SB 302, requiring background checks for solid waste facility owners, because a late request for an additional change had not yet been fully reviewed. It next voted on SB 229, relative to the sale of uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat. Supporters said the bill would expand retail access to these meats, support New Hampshire farms, and improve food security. Members also noted the Department of Agriculture did not object, that the bill would remove a sunset and keep more workable inspection rules in place, and that the animals involved are largely from closed herds. The committee voted unanimously to pass SB 229 and agreed to place it on consent. Finally, the committee considered SB 50, establishing a committee to study the regulation of private animal boarding facilities. Members described disturbing testimony about missing, injured, or dead dogs and the lack of clear oversight, licensing, or even a reliable list of kennels in the state. They discussed possible study topics including licensing, inspection authority, standards, penalties, and protections for both pet owners and boarding operators, including disclosure of medical conditions. The committee voted unanimously to pass SB 50 and also agreed to place it on consent. After the executive sessions, the committee heard a presentation from the New Hampshire Food Alliance on the state’s first food and agriculture strategic plan, introduced by director Nicole Cardwell, with participation from advisory committee members including Rep. Bixby and Commissioner Sean Jasper.

Transcript Highlights:

• collected<02:02:02.560><c> as</c><02:02:02.800><c> part</c><02:02:02.960><c> of</c><02:02:03.040><c>
• Also,<02:02:06.080><c> as</c><02:02:06.239><c> written,</c><02:02:06.560><c> the</c><02:02:06.639><c>
• <02:02:07.679><c> the</c><02:02:07.920><c> proposed</c><02:02:08.320><c> legislation</c><02:02:08.960
• and sold<02:02:11.840><c> during</c><02:02:12.159><c> the</c><02:02:12.400><c> same</c><02:02:12.639
• Products<02:02:17.760><c> purchased</c><02:02:18.159><c> in</c><02:02:18.320><c> one</c><02:02:18.560

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator um we we will address those<00:02:58.320><c> at</c><00:02:58.920><c> probably</c><00:02:59.320
• </c><01:02:01.600><c> The</c><01:02:01.720><c> Senate</c><01:02:02.080><c> did</c><01:02:02.240><c> not
• </c> Moving<01:02:05.880><c> on</c><01:02:06.040><c> to</c><01:02:06.120><c> the</c><01:02:06.240><c>
• State<01:02:09.120><c> health</c><01:02:09.360><c> plan</c><01:02:09.760><c> actuarial</c><01:02:10.440
• :02:50.600><c> had</c><01:02:50.800><c> added</c><01:02:51.160><c> for</c><01:02:51.560><c> the</c><01

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Free Conference Committee on the 2026 General Assembly budget met to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 500. Leaders opened by thanking the other chamber’s work, asking members to turn microphones on and off to avoid feedback, and stressing the need to clearly note decision points so both chambers record the same actions. Staff then walked through the bill page by page, explaining that the committee was comparing only House and Senate differences, not the governor’s proposed budget. The discussion covered a wide range of appropriations and language items, including next generation non-911 services, school safety reporting tools, restored funding for brain injury, epilepsy, veteran service, homeless veterans, and rocket docket programs, debt service changes, rural infrastructure, disaster aid caps, Attorney General and Medicaid fraud funding, agriculture and county fair grants, auditor and pension-related appropriations, school facilities and SEEK funding, and numerous education programs. Members also discussed charter-related funding such as Star Academy, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, school resource officers, school-based mental health providers, AP/IB exams, Governor’s Scholars and Entrepreneurs, and several pilot or initiative programs in economic development, energy, and labor. Several items were described as technical corrections or restorations of language and funding, while others reflected differences in amounts or how funds would be distributed. There were several questions and comments from members about wording such as “implement and carry out,” the absence of the governor’s budget from the comparison document, and whether SEEK funding should be tied to teacher raises. The chair and other members emphasized that the committee’s role was to reconcile the two chambers’ budgets, not to adopt the governor’s proposal. Members also raised concerns about opioid settlement funds and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library match rate, with one senator urging restoration of the House language. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the meeting primarily consisted of explanation, questions, and discussion of proposed budget differences.

Transcript Highlights:

• So just<01:02:18.480><c> to</c><01:02:18.720><c> make</c><01:02:18.799><c> that</c><01:02:19.119><c>
• </c><01:02:24.880><c> I</c><01:02:25.119><c> have</c><01:02:25.280><c> is</c><01:02:26.079><c> should
• ><c> months</c><01:02:29.839><c> into</c><01:02:30.160><c> the</c><01:02:30.319><c> school</c><01:02:
• for the<01:02:39.839><c> remainder</c><01:02:40.160><c> of</c><01:02:40.240><c> the</c><01:02:40.480
• </c><01:02:43.839><c> at</c><01:02:44.079><c> 6</c><01:02:44.319><c> months</c><01:02:44.640><c> and<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to approve the November 21, 2025 minutes, making several clerical corrections before adopting them as amended. The edits included adding the date, correcting a misspelled name, clarifying references to a scholarship fund representative’s title, removing an incorrect “DOE” reference, and fixing a few wording errors. The minutes were approved with one abstention from members who were absent. The bulk of the meeting focused on organizing the commission’s work under SB 57 and identifying which special education cost issues should be prioritized for research and reporting. Members discussed a long list of topics, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, increases in referrals since school closures, interventions before referral, costs of non-medically necessary services in IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal and state requirements, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, dispute resolution, Medicaid and insurance use, graduation rates, and adult learning participation. Several members emphasized the need to combine or narrow topics and to gather better data before the report due July 1, 2026. Representative Ames highlighted HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid payments when state appropriations fall short, and explained that the Education Funding Committee recommended interim study. He argued that local districts are bearing too much of the cost and that the state and federal governments should provide more support. Other members raised concerns about rising special education identification rates, possible overidentification, school climate and mental health factors, bullying, staffing, speech therapy access, and residential placements. One member cautioned that DOE website numbers may be inflated or at least difficult to interpret because of how students are counted. Department of Education staff then explained how special education data and costs are monitored. They said student counts are tied to IEPs and SASIDs in the state system, districts are checked through both desk audits and on-site monitoring, and billed services are compared against IEP requirements. They also described IDEA funding, noting that most DOE special education staffing is federally funded, with a large share of federal money flowing through to local education agencies and the remainder supporting administration, monitoring, and training initiatives. Members discussed whether more staff and more robust oversight would improve accuracy and accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:02:28.319><c> So,</c><00:02:28.480><c> the</c><00:02:28.640><c> governor's</c><00:02:29.040><c>
• From that<00:02:37.120><c> pool,</c><00:02:37.680><c> the</c><00:02:37.920><c> finance</c><00:02:38.319
• <00:02:39.200><c> $7.5</c><00:02:39.760><c> million</c><00:02:40.319><c> investment</c><00:02:41.599>
• c><00:02:46.879><c> that</c><00:02:47.040><c> are</c><00:02:47.200><c> critical</c><00:02:47.519><c>
• The the cabinet<00:02:49.840><c> currently</c><00:02:50.319><c> we</c><00:02:50.480><c> have</c><00:02

Keywords: Call to Order: 00;15 Approval of Minutes: 01:22 Update on Generator replacement: 01:52 Update on Sheriff Fees: 13:28 Adjournment: 25:22, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its fourth budget subreview session focused on personnel, public retirements, and finance. Members approved the minutes from the prior meeting and then heard from Finance Cabinet staff on two main items: a $7.5 million request related to generator systems and a sheriff’s fees budget request. The generator request was described as a preventive, life-cycle replacement and capacity-enhancement effort for 26 generators serving Frankfort-area state buildings, intended to protect continuity of government and expand beyond basic emergency power to support continuity of services. Members asked detailed questions about how many generators would be replaced, the cost per unit, the scope of the study, and whether the work could be phased. Staff said the $7.5 million would cover a full evaluation and any resulting engineering/replacement work, but the exact number of replacements was not yet known. They estimated the initial study would cost about $500,000 to $750,000, would take six to nine months once funded, and would produce building-by-building recommendations. Staff also said typical generator life cycles vary widely, often around 15 to 20 years but sometimes longer depending on run hours and usage. The committee then reviewed sheriff’s fees, with the Division of Local Government explaining that the state reimburses counties for several statutory sheriff-related costs, especially court security, which accounts for more than 90% of the claims. Staff said the current budget base is about $20 million, while actual spending has been running above $23 million, leading to a $3.5 million growth request to align the base with projected spending and reduce the need for non-general fund expenditure (NGE) adjustments. Members asked about claim volume, county participation, reimbursement controls, and whether the request reflected growth or underfunding; staff said all 120 counties submit claims, volumes have been fairly steady, and reimbursements are governed by statute and signed monthly certifications. No votes were taken on the requests, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And all state and local statutes, codes, rules, regulations, and other official documents enacted after
• And all state and local statutes, codes, rules, regulations, and other official documents enacted after
• All state and local entities are urged to review their statutes, codes, rules, regulations, and other
• What it does is reinforce how statutes are meant to function through clear definitions and consistent
• That happened in Minnesota with what 5892, the bill that Senator Riccelli sponsored.

Bills: HB1759 , HB2632 , HB2574 , HB2235 , SGA9267

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: designation, commemoration, December 12, local observance, cultural significance, citizenship, immigration, terminology, rights, legal status, election, ballot, candidates, deceased, voting law, public records, concealed pistol licenses, firearm purchases, transfers, exemptions

Transcript Highlights:

• > need</c><02:02:02.480><c> a</c><02:02:02.800><c> second</c><02:02:03.280><c> because</c><02:02:03.599
• c><02:02:11.719><c> wants</c><02:02:12.040><c> to</c><02:02:12.239><c> say</c><02:02:12.800><c> I</c>
• <c> that's</c><02:02:13.920><c> fine</c><02:02:14.760><c> but</c><02:02:14.920><c> if</c><02:02:15.079
• 02:02:21.119><c> Sheed</c><02:02:22.000><c> that</c> am<02:02:25.320><c> I'm</c><02:02:25.840><c> vote
• need</c><02:02:28.599><c> a</c><02:02:28.719><c> second</c><02:02:29.000><c> let's</c><02:02:29.159><

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.160><c> on</c><01:02:00.400><c> page</c><01:02:00.720><c> 2274</c><01:02:01.760><c> or</c><01:02:
• could<01:02:35.680><c> then</c><01:02:35.920><c> say</c><01:02:36.640><c> um</c><01:02:36.799><c> not
• </c><01:02:37.119><c> only</c><01:02:37.280><c> can</c><01:02:37.440><c> you</c><01:02:37.599><c> not
• <c> possession</c><01:02:38.400><c> of</c><01:02:38.559><c> a</c><01:02:38.720><c> firearm,</c><01:02
• Um<01:02:47.760><c> I</c><01:02:48.079><c> worked</c><01:02:48.400><c> with</c><01:02:48.880><c> the<

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:02:03.360><c> for</c><00:02:03.600><c> nomination</c><00:02:04.079><c> based</c><00:02:04.320><c
• I don't have<00:02:25.280><c> any</c><00:02:25.520><c> other</c><00:02:26.319><c> signed</c><00:02:26.720
• ><c> Miss</c><00:02:29.640><c> Khipi</c><00:02:30.640><c> on</c><00:02:30.959><c> Zoom.
• Is<00:02:31.840><c> there</c><00:02:32.000><c> anybody</c><00:02:32.319><c> else</c><00:02:32.400><c>
• So, it would have<01:02:03.119><c> um</c><01:02:04.000><c> already</c><01:02:04.400><c> many</c><01:02

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard multiple gubernatorial nominations to island burial councils, with testimony focused on the importance of filling vacancies so the councils can reach quorum and fulfill their kuleana to protect iwi kūpuna and burial sites. For GM 674, Kavuna Khalipi was introduced as OHA’s nominee for the Molokaʻi burial council, with OHA, SHPD, and several community members testifying in support and describing her cultural grounding, community service, and experience in mālama ʻāina. Testifiers also stressed that burial councils are essential for protecting ancestral remains and that prolonged vacancies have left sacred sites vulnerable. Khalipi herself said she was honored to serve but expressed concern about accepting the appointment without quorum, saying she did not want to waste a term if the council could not function effectively. The chair explained the Senate advice-and-consent process and the consequences of inaction, and after discussion Khalipi asked to pull her nomination from the committee. The chair then deferred decision-making on GM 674 until April 10 at 1 p.m. to clarify the process and avoid unintended rejection. The committee then heard testimony on GM 676, Dane Maxwell for the Maui and Lānaʻi burial council, GM 677, Noani Parisa, GM 678, Caroline Hartman, and GM 679, Benedict Duman. Supporters, including SHPD and OHA, highlighted each nominee’s cultural knowledge, preservation work, genealogy, and experience with burial or historic preservation matters. Testimony repeatedly linked the nominations to the need for functioning burial councils, especially in light of the 2023 Maui fires and long-standing vacancies. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated votes would be taken at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> want</c><02:00:05.000><c> to</c><02:00:05.080><c> make</c><02:00:05.200><c> it</c><02:00:05.320>
• ><c> every</c><02:00:11.280><c> board</c><02:00:11.560><c> meeting</c><02:00:11.800><c> in</c><02:00:
• To<02:00:22.040><c> reiterate,</c><02:00:22.800><c> this</c><02:00:22.960><c> bill</c><02:00:23.160><
• eliminate<02:00:24.080><c> financial</c><02:00:24.440><c> disclosure</c><02:00:25.160><c> or</c><02:
• Regents will<02:00:27.680><c> still</c><02:00:28.000><c> file</c><02:00:28.200><c> disclosures</c><02

Keywords: 910, house, all