Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we're going to have to modify the we're going to have to modify the payroll<00:04:52.240><c> system
• I’m Tom Williams, the Executive Director of the Employees’ Retirement System.
• the Tax Department's computerized tax administration system.
• the Tax Department's computerized tax administration system.
• </c> computerized Tax Administration system computerized Tax Administration system so<00:20:09.360><c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in and teach our students, they come in and can have their years of experience outside the school system
• Representative Dygert said, that we have some that are paid less, some that are paid more, it's a system
• I don't think I was aware that it would include some of the other divisions within the education system
• We need to see that as well, because we're lacking being able to get them to come into the school system
• and teach young people these trades, because... ...them to come into the school system and teach young

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 24, 25, and 26 by voice vote. It then heard a bill from Representative Galavis concerning transportation reimbursement for one Idaho charter school, Answer Charter School. Galavis explained that the school’s reimbursement is being calculated from an old, limited bus use rather than from its current full transportation program, leaving it reimbursed at about 50% instead of the 70–90% typical for other districts and charters. Members raised questions about where the $40,000 fiscal impact would come from and whether it would affect other transportation reimbursements; those questions were deferred for further explanation at a later hearing. The committee voted to introduce RS 33-448. The committee also discussed RS 33-448, described as a fix for career ladder placement for career technical education professionals and qualified pupil service staff. Supporters said the proposal would allow industry professionals such as welders and electricians, as well as school psychologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, to move more fairly through the career ladder after demonstrating proficiency, rather than being stuck for up to four years. They said the fiscal note is difficult to estimate because the number of affected employees could vary, but the overall impact was expected to be low. Members asked whether the proposal overlapped with other legislation on employee classification, and sponsors said it did not because it addresses career ladder placement rather than job definitions. Representative Pickett then moved to introduce RS 33-433, which was also supported as a way to help attract experienced tradespeople into classrooms. He and others argued that the state needs more flexibility to bring in people with deep industry experience without forcing them through unnecessary recertification barriers. The committee approved RS 33-433 by voice vote. The chair concluded by noting that the committee would meet earlier the next day to hear several difficult RSs and that there would likely be many questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• close to getting rid of the STAAR test. ...continue to strengthen the A through F accountability system
• in the state, as well as ensuring that years later we have a public accountability system.
• We need a test measuring system that's as good as our public accountability system.
• requires... the agency to notify school districts when there will be changes to the accountability system
• bill is that the first two exams will not be figured into A through F ratings or the accountability system

Bills: HB8, HB26, HB192

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• very close to getting rid of the SAR test, continuing to strengthen the A through F accountability system
• state as well as, uh, years later being able to uh make sure that we have a public accountability system
• but a test measuring system.
• That's as good, uh, as our public accountability system, and with that I'd be happy to answer any questions
• I think I would argue that it's probably more the system.

Bills: HB8, HB26, HB192

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• services, the services provided by the Kentucky State Police, Medicaid services, and the justice system
• This system is designed to create a method whereby we reduce revenues only when we know we can reasonably
• c> State Police Medicaid services the State Police Medicaid services the justice<00:03:27.720><c> system
• Etc</c><00:03:29.640><c> um</c><00:03:29.959><c> um</c><00:03:30.519><c> this</c><00:03:30.720><c> system
• </c><00:03:31.040><c> is</c> justice system Etc um um this system is justice system Etc um um this system

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00 Roll Call 00:10 HB 1 Discussion 00:40 HB 1 Vote 02:22, 958, all

Summary: The Appropriations and Revenue Committee met with a quorum and welcomed several new members. The main item of business was House Bill 1, which would reduce the individual income tax rate from 4% to 3.5% beginning January 1, 2026. The chair described the bill as the final step in a deliberate, multi-year process to lower income taxes while forcing regular legislative choices about whether to increase spending, hold it steady, or reduce it further. In explaining support for the bill, the chair emphasized that tax reductions should only occur when the Commonwealth can reasonably cover its expenses, pointing to major state priorities such as foster and adoptive services, Kentucky State Police, Medicaid, and the justice system. The chair argued that cutting revenues without corresponding spending reductions is not serious policy and urged members to demand specific spending cuts from anyone proposing faster tax reductions. The committee voted on the bill and approved it unanimously, 11-0. House Bill 1 was reported favorably to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> it's</c><00:31:59.919><c> going</c> ear 21 in the system that's it's going ear 21 in the system
• </c> showing both of those um in the system showing both of those um in the system so<00:37:03.359><c
• ; on-board diagnostic systems; body, chassis, bumper height; fuel system; tires and wheels.
• ; on-board diagnostic systems; body, chassis, bumper height; fuel system; tires and wheels.
• ; on-board diagnostic systems; body, chassis, bumper height; fuel system; tires and wheels.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 119-FN, which would allow rental companies registering a rental fleet to choose New Hampshire as their base jurisdiction under the International Registration Plan. The DMV witness said the state already has this capability under the IRP and did not support the bill, adding that no additional staffing should be needed. Committee questions focused on whether the bill would change where registrations are done, what implementation would require, mileage tracking, decals, and inspection requirements. A representative of the Motor Transport Association also said the bill was unnecessary because the option already exists, while noting some related truck-registration and property-tax issues. The chair then closed the public hearing on HB 119-FN with no further speakers. The committee next heard House Bill 612, which would let youth operators renew up to 30 days before turning 21 and receive a temporary license so they can transition to a standard horizontal license without an extra DMV trip. The sponsor and DMV director strongly supported the bill, describing a long-standing problem where early online renewals can trigger another vertical youth license, forcing a duplicate transaction and fee after the birthday. The DMV said the change would reduce confusion and workload, and estimated a one-time system update cost of $48,000. Members asked about whether the proposal was effectively a 30-day extension, how law enforcement would view the temporary status, and whether the system could handle printing and mailing the new horizontal license; the director said the DMV could manage it and that the bill was the best approach. The chair closed the hearing after no one else testified. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 209, which would exempt new vehicles from inspection in the second year after purchase, effectively allowing two years before the next inspection. The sponsor argued the bill would save taxpayers money and reduce unnecessary trips for owners of new vehicles. Supporters said newer vehicles are already maintained through warranties and routine service. Opponents, including the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association and a service manager from a dealership, argued the bill was not limited to truly new cars, would weaken safety by delaying inspections on vehicles that can still develop tire, brake, and other defects, and could raise costs for everyone else if inspection volume drops. The Motor Transport Association clarified that commercial motor vehicles remain subject to annual federal inspection requirements. No vote was taken in the transcript, and the hearing remained open with testimony continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> new system in 2024. new system in 2024.
• The uh so, right now uh our system<00:20:46.840><c> is</c><00:20:47.400><c> uh</c> system is uh system
• an old system.
• Upgrading our current system would make it comparable to the Orion system.
• Upgrading our current system would make it comparable to the Orion system.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But don't forget better our systems.
• system, MMIS.
• </c> with Optum to make uh our system with Optum to make uh our system stronger<01:02:44.559><c> and<
• No system is going to do that.
• system is what it learns.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would include on-site system.
• </c> training, support aligning the system training, support aligning the system with<00:03:01.519><c
• One of given a new system to do this.
• </c> explored alternative funding systems. explored alternative funding systems.
• </c> people abuse the system like that? people abuse the system like that? Mr.<01:31:46.480><c> Ro.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:49.760><c> How</c> for our community water systems? How for our community water systems?
• And I say that because on line six, water systems and so we really want to water systems and so we really
• </c> systems. So, yes. systems. So, yes. Oh.<00:22:02.240><c> Thank</c><00:22:02.640><c> you.
• ,</c> drain and that goes into septic systems, drain and that goes into septic systems, which<00:23:11.880
• And that system that we get as a result?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , which is vital to our tourism system.
• </c> taken a toll on our our our trail system taken a toll on our our our trail system which<00:06:31.520
• So which is vital to our tourism system.
• ,</c> those being shortchanged by the system, those being shortchanged by the system, saying<00:27:38.559
• </c><04:22:19.279><c> It's</c> through the court system. Period. It's through the court system.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three transportation bills. SB 154 would add the Snow Traveler Foundation to the list of charitable organizations authorized to offer multi-use decal plates through the existing Department of Safety program. Senator David Roford said the bill would create a non-tax funding source for snowmobile trail maintenance, especially after flood damage, and Dan Gold of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association said the foundation would accept tax-deductible donations for projects such as upgraded trail signage. He explained that the association’s 96 volunteer clubs maintain about 7,000 miles of trails and that the sign program is costly. No opposition was presented, and the hearing was closed after questions from members about the foundation’s status and fundraising goals. SB 271 would expand eligibility for veteran license plates to include veterans with a general discharge under honorable conditions. The sponsor’s representative said the change would recognize service members who are already eligible for many veterans benefits but are excluded from plates under current law. Supporters included Phil Grizzo, who argued that general discharges often reflect service that was otherwise honorable, and Kevin Grady of the State Veterans Advisory Committee, which said it strongly supported the bill and was also considering broader statutory cleanup to standardize the definition of veteran across state law. Committee members asked whether the change should be limited to plates or applied more broadly, but the sponsor said broader changes would be a separate policy question. The public hearing was then closed. SB 273, titled “Cheryl’s Law,” would update New Hampshire’s move-over requirements for motorists approaching stopped or standing vehicles on the roadside, including stranded vehicles and those with warning signals. Senator Donovan Fenton said the bill was intended to save lives and honor Staff Sergeant Jesse Cheryl and Brigadier General John Pogo, both of whom died in roadside incidents. He said the measure would require drivers to slow down, change lanes if safe, and move over for roadside vehicles, with the intent of education rather than punishment. Committee members asked about enforcement, the lack of a fiscal note, whether the bill applied statewide, and whether the language could be read as weakening the move-over requirement; the sponsor said it applied to all roads, did not change fines, and was meant to clarify and broaden safety obligations. The hearing continued with additional questions, and the sponsor said state police and other safety stakeholders supported the approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• CMS will no longer support our old system after October 1, 2025.
• If you've been here a while, you've heard me say that our system, how our system runs, is the biggest
• say that our system how our system<00:59:58.160><c> runs</c><00:59:58.599><c> is</c><00:59:58.720><c>
• </c> strengthening our rest bit care system strengthening our rest bit care system ultimately<01:09:36.040
• </c> undermining the very people this system undermining the very people this system is<01:43:54.760>

Bills: HF1937, HF2407, HF1678, HF1477, HF2040, HF1840, HF257

Keywords: PACE, elderly, Medicaid, health services, long-term care, community-based services, support person, healthcare, patient rights, assisted living, community support, caregiver respite, financial eligibility, Minnesota Statutes, HF1477, residential program licensing, community residential setting, small group home, licensed capacity six or fewer, rental licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> through our Carver County Library System through our Carver County Library System I<00:47:22.559
• </c><01:14:48.639><c> and</c> permits for expanding Trail systems and permits for expanding Trail systems
• </c> highquality off-road vehicle system highquality off-road vehicle system making<01:18:45.320><c>
• </c><01:28:55.199><c> already</c> of trails with disrupt systems already of trails with disrupt systems
• </c> on Forest lands or actual Trail systems on Forest lands or actual Trail systems or<01:30:45.360>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> installed capacity of these systems installed capacity of these systems which<00:45:39.400><c> are
• </c> facilities uh State uh University system facilities uh State uh University system campuses<00:46
• <00:53:10.240><c> for</c><00:53:10.640><c> which</c> systems for which systems for which the<00:53:12.680
• </c><01:18:51.600><c> is</c> going forward our Energy System is going forward our Energy System is moving
• </c> upgrade the utilities internal systems upgrade the utilities internal systems to<05:06:44.120><c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1315, Cabaldon, advanced driver assistance systems, do pass out on an A roll call.
• , advance driver assistance systems.
• SB 1279, Gonzalez, speed safety systems, do pass. That's out on an A roll call.
• SB 833, McNerney, critical infrastructure AI systems, holding committee.
• SB 222, Wiener, residential heat pump systems, due pass. That's out on a roll call.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its August 13, 2026 suspense-file hearing on Senate bills, with the chair opening by thanking staff and recognizing consultant Jennifer Swenson’s retirement after 30 years in the Legislature. The committee explained that it was weighing the fiscal impact of 293 bills and that some would move forward while others would be held because of cost, duplication, or competing budget priorities. The committee then took up the suspense file in alphabetical order and acted on a large number of measures, sending many to the Assembly floor as due pass or due pass with amendments. Examples included bills on battery recycling, wildfire resilience loans, mobile home park disaster assistance, price gouging, veterans’ property tax exemptions, housing and insurance issues, energy and utility regulation, election procedures, criminal justice, health care, education, housing, environmental protection, and artificial intelligence. Many bills were amended to narrow scope, delay implementation, add reporting requirements, clarify definitions, or reduce costs; others were held in committee. Among the notable actions, several bills were advanced on roll calls while others were held, including measures related to water quality, utility rate information, juvenile detention, CARE Court, and various housing and energy proposals. The committee also moved a number of sunset and technical cleanup bills, and several members requested to be added as principal or joint authors on amended measures. At the end of the hearing, the chair noted that the committee had moved a large number of bills to the Assembly floor, usually with amended language, and that the amended versions would be posted online. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• areas to be investigated, such as the ongoing pandemic responses within the New Hampshire healthcare system
• So, the systemic, um,... bloodstream.
• But as you're right, if you hit the circulatory system, you immediately get systemic distribution. ..
• But with the advent, the safety reporting systems have been around for some time.
• I think that's enough because that's the best known... ...the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting Systems

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy met to review its mission, approve prior minutes at a future meeting, and discuss materials related to COVID-19 vaccination guidance. Members examined a pediatric vaccination handout from a private pediatric practice and compared it with New Hampshire DHHS and AAP/AAFP immunization guidance, focusing on how COVID-19 vaccine recommendations are presented for children and adults. Committee members also discussed the scope and accuracy of the committee’s endnotes and supporting documents. The main business was a draft letter urging the governor to direct state agencies to stop recommending COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Members revised the letter paragraph by paragraph, including changing wording about age ranges for children, clarifying references to the American Academy of Pediatrics, and adding discussion of vaccine safety concerns, alleged suppression of safety data, and federal investigations. They also debated whether to reference specific reporting systems such as VAERS and V-safe, and whether to include examples from other states, including Tennessee, Arizona, Minnesota, and Florida, as evidence of broader concern about mRNA vaccines. After the edits were completed, Representative Villio moved to accept the letter as amended, Representative Leroy seconded, and the committee approved it by voice vote 4-0. The chair said the revised letter would be finalized and distributed later in the week. The meeting then adjourned at approximately 11:57 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• rest of our workforce is site-dependent, so those people who actually have to be in our correction systems
• , in our health care hospitals, or doing field work, if they work. ...systems, in our health care hospitals
• Most of our jobs are described and determined by our classification system. So we have a process.
• And determined by our classification system.
• And then that data is collected in our HR management system, and that's where we get the numbers, the

Summary: The Joint Committee on Employment Relations met on May 8, 2026, to review goals and objectives for the 2027–2029 master collective bargaining cycle and to hear updates on higher education and Washington Management Service bargaining. OFM’s Jenny Sheehan outlined the state workforce, noting that most employees are represented, the workforce remains heavily governed by civil service rules and CBAs, and the state is entering bargaining under a constrained hiring and budget environment. She described the bargaining timeline, the role of the June revenue forecasts in determining whether targeted compensation increases can be funded, and the state’s goals of affordability, maintaining labor relations, supporting equity, and addressing non-economic issues such as AI use, leave, immigration-related workplace concerns, and union access in a hybrid work environment. Sheehan also reviewed the 2025–2027 bargaining cycle, including the prior WPEA ratification issue and the requirement that tentative agreements be submitted by October 1 for financial feasibility review and possible legislative funding. She said the 2025–27 agreements cost about $1.2 billion in general funds and $1.7 billion total, excluding the later-funded WPEA agreements. In response to a question, she explained that paid family and medical leave is not bargained over directly because it is governed by statute and ESD rules. She then presented on Washington Management Service bargaining, explaining that only certain WMS employees are eligible to bargain, that representation remains small, and that current WMS contracts are handled through addenda to existing agreements. She also described interest arbitration for certain groups, including ferries and public safety-related employees, and said arbitration awards still must be financially feasible and submitted by October 1. The committee also heard from Western Washington University and the University of Washington on higher education bargaining. Western described its locally bargained contracts, the importance of local bargaining for workload, tenure, grievance, and safety issues, and the impact of the state fund split on budget planning. Western said it has no state funding for student compensation and has requested inclusion of student employees in the wage base. UW outlined its large workforce and the different bargaining frameworks under RCW 41.56 and 41.80, emphasizing that state funding and tuition make up only a portion of its budget and that the fund split and health care cost increases significantly affect compensation planning. UW also highlighted its request for state funding for academic student employee compensation, saying rising costs are reducing the number of positions and affecting class sizes and the academic pipeline. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members discussed the upcoming bargaining and arbitration timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a broken upside-down tax system that we have been stuck with for 90 years.
• that we have, and the B&O is the old system that we have.
• that we have, and the B&O is the old system that we have.
• that we have and the B&O is the old system that we have.
• They can see that the system is rigged against them, and they want us to make progress.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders announced and defended a new “Millionaire’s Tax” bill, saying it is intended to raise revenue from the highest earners while reducing reliance on sales tax and B&O tax and funding education, health care, community safety, and other state needs. They said the proposal is a starting point and will likely change as they continue talks with the governor, business groups, local governments, and other stakeholders. They also said the bill is not subject to cutoff because it affects state revenue, and that the Senate hearing is scheduled first in Ways and Means, with the House expected to follow after the Senate version moves over. The leaders described the bill as narrowly targeted at roughly 30,000 individual payers, with the first $1 million of income taxed at zero and the rate matching the state capital gains tax above that level. They argued the measure is not a broad income tax and rejected claims that it creates a marriage penalty, saying the structure mirrors the capital gains tax and uses Washington’s capital gains definitions. They also said the bill includes credits and deductions to address pass-through businesses, including dollar-for-dollar credits for B&O and public utilities taxes and an election allowing some businesses to pay the tax at the entity level. A major part of the discussion focused on how the bill would use revenue. Leaders said about 5% would go to counties for public defense costs tied to a new Supreme Court mandate, while the rest would support tax relief and new spending. They said the package would expand the Working Families Tax Credit, increase the small business credit, end the B&O surcharge a year early, and exempt some hygiene and grooming products from sales tax, with the tax-relief share estimated in the 20% range. They also said the necessity clause is needed because of structural budget problems and federal policy changes, and they expressed confidence that voters and lawmakers have become more open to taxing high earners, citing the capital gains tax vote and broader public concern about inequality and federal cuts.

Transcript Highlights:

• that went into the prisons, ordered by the legislature to investigate the deaths within the prison system
• I spent many, many years in the 14 prisons... ...the prison system.
• I'm a product of the State University System.
• attend a place where you have, you know, an R1 designation or a nationally recognized university system
• I think it should be a model for what we do for our entire public education system within the state of

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several executive appointments, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his long law-enforcement career, social work background, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, reclassifying juvenile detention and probation officers as officers under statute, adding beds to move youth from detention into residential programs, and increasing per diem funding. Members asked about detention “dead time” and the need to get adjudicated youth into programming sooner. Public testimony included support from Barney Bishop and Christian Minor, and the committee voted unanimously to approve Walsh’s nomination and forward it to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee for the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background as CEO of CDR Health, her education, and extensive nonprofit and board service, including leadership roles with the Florida Grand Opera, the Homeless Trust of Miami-Dade County, FAU, and the Hope Florida Foundation. Senators questioned her about free speech issues involving FAU faculty, her relationship with the new FAU president, student diversity, AI and workforce planning, and her prior role on Hope Florida. She also answered questions about her company’s work at the Everglades detention center and the bidding process for state contracts. Public testimony opposed her nomination, citing concerns about her business ties, Hope Florida, and detention-center contracts. Debate split largely along partisan lines, and the committee approved her nomination on a recorded vote. Afterward, the committee took up the remaining nominations in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, and approved them as a group by voice/recorded vote for forwarding to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• that went into the prisons, ordered by the Legislature to investigate the deaths within the prison system
• I spent many years in the 14 prisons... ...in the prison system.
• I'm a product of the State University System.
• I think it should be... ...a model for what we do for our entire public education system within the state
• is really important to me personally, and I think my fellow trustees agree, is that the university system

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several gubernatorial appointees, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his law enforcement background, social work training, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, seeking statutory recognition and training standards for juvenile detention and probation officers, and increasing bed capacity so adjudicated youth can move from detention into residential programming sooner. Members asked about the impact of detention “dead time” and the need for more beds; Walsh said DJJ is evaluating ways to let youth begin programming earlier while in detention. Public support was noted, and the committee voted unanimously to confirm Walsh and forward his nomination to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee to the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background, service on multiple boards, and prior service on FAU’s board pending confirmation, emphasizing governance, accountability, and strategic planning. Senators questioned her about FAU’s handling of faculty social media controversies, the university’s relationship with its new president, student and faculty engagement, AI planning, diversity, and her role on the Hope Florida board and with CDR Health’s state contracts, including work related to the Everglades detention center. Public testimony included strong opposition from one speaker who criticized her ties to state contracts and Hope Florida, while another senator spoke in support, citing her community service and business experience. The committee voted 5-2 to confirm her, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. Afterward, the committee considered the remaining nominees in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, en bloc. No separate votes were requested, and the committee approved the group of nominees by voice roll call to be forwarded to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.