Transcript Highlights:

• Sarn and there isn't an S-B-B-S-B-B-SARN? Ms. Madam Chair, ...via Arnal v.
• Sarn and there isn't an S-Burf available.
• We wanted $25 million for these S-Burfs, as we call them, but we got $5 million.
• We wanted $25 million for these S-Burfs, as we call them, but we got $5 million.
• I've voted for S-Burfs since I've been here in the legislature. They need to be built.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2307, as amended by a strike-everything amendment, which would require the Department of Health Services to contract with an out-of-state facility when a person found dangerous and incompetent under a court commitment order cannot be placed in an Arizona secure mental health facility. Supporters, including the sponsor and Senator Angus, said the measure was a temporary stopgap to prevent dangerous individuals from being released because Arizona lacks secure behavioral health beds. Opponents raised due process, disability rights, family access, cost, and interstate-legal concerns, and DHS said it had no fiscal estimate and little experience with such contracts. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 6-5. The committee then took up House Bill 2083, which updates diabetes-related insurance coverage to include items such as continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, smart insulin pens, and certain injectable medications. Supporters said the bill reflects modern diabetes care and can prevent serious complications, while an insurer representative warned that putting the coverage in statute could create state-mandated costs and raised concern that the language might be read to include GLP-1 drugs. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 11-1. House Bill 2673, dealing with mental illness screening and treatment for incarcerated people, would require sheriffs to ensure prisoners showing symptoms of mental disorder are examined within 24 hours and, if appropriate, referred for evaluation and treatment. Representative Hernandez said she intended to revise it into a study committee-style measure after stakeholder feedback, and a family member testified about her son’s death after untreated psychosis in jail. Opposition focused on competency and civil-commitment concerns, costs, and the burden on jails, but the committee passed the bill 12-0. House Bill 2923, which revises timelines and notice procedures for judicial review of court-ordered mental health treatment, also passed 12-0 after supporters said it would clarify outdated language and improve communication with families and guardians; opponents argued it shifted burdens onto patients and could prolong confinement. The committee next passed House Bill 2251, as amended, which expands licensed midwives’ authority to dispense certain medications and devices, adds reporting and oversight requirements, and creates an advisory committee. The sponsor said the amendment narrowed the medication list, clarified transfer-of-care triggers, strengthened oversight, and added sentinel-event reporting after stakeholder discussions with medical groups. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2914 on electronic monitoring in resident rooms at nursing care and assisted living facilities, with the sponsor’s statement emphasizing the bill as a protection against abuse or neglect and noting similar laws in other states; the transcript cuts off before testimony or a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• What about the LLCs or the S-Corps that are owned by these natural people?
• They practice law under a professional limited liability corporation or an S corp.
• mean so many things that I have a real concern that it is not clear that an individual who owns an S
• mean so many things that I have a real concern that it is not clear that an individual who owns an S
• So those would not be assets of an LLC or an S corp or a C corp, depending on the type of filer, but

Bills: HB99 , HB49 , HB164 , SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136

Committee: House House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 99, which would make changes to the Medical Malpractice Act, especially around punitive damages. The chair and sponsor said the bill would not be voted on that day and that public comment would wait until Monday, when a fuller presentation and any recommended substitute would be considered. Dr. Brooke Baker, a physician-lawyer, gave a long presentation on physician wellness, malpractice stress, and the effect of litigation on staffing and burnout, while also discussing hospital ownership structures, private equity, and rural hospital vulnerability. She argued that punitive damages are often pled too broadly in New Mexico, that the amendment language was unclear about which entities would be capped, and that better oversight and internal quality systems—not punitive damages—are the better tools for addressing bad actors and unsafe care. Committee members from both sides asked extensive questions about the patient compensation fund, indemnification, corporate structures, the effect of caps on insurance and recruitment, and whether the bill would protect physicians’ personal assets. No vote was taken on HB 99, and the committee recessed before moving to the next bill. The committee then returned to House Bill 49, a public safety measure increasing penalties for felons who possess firearms. The sponsors and law enforcement witnesses said the bill is aimed narrowly at serious violent felons who are already prohibited from having guns, and that it would align state sentencing with federal law and give police and prosecutors a stronger tool against repeat violent offenders. An amendment was offered to narrow the bill further, add destructive devices, and make the offense a second-degree felony rather than escalating to first degree on repeat offenses. The amendment was adopted without opposition. Public testimony on HB 49 was largely opposed. The Law Office of the Public Defender argued the bill criminalizes possession without a new act of violence, that current law already punishes felon-in-possession conduct, and that New Mexico has repeatedly increased penalties without evidence of reduced gun crime. The ACLU of New Mexico also opposed the bill, saying increased penalties are not a proven deterrent. The transcript cuts off as additional online opposition testimony was beginning.

Transcript Highlights:

• the reason why I support this um<00:22:10.200><c> uh</c><00:22:10.400><c> this</c><00:22:10.679><c> s<
• Congress has used Article 5's procedures to propose 33 constitutional amendments.
• <00:31:53.720><c> has</c><00:31:53.880><c> used</c><00:31:54.240><c> article</c><00:31:54.600><c> 5's<
• /c> m<00:38:45.680><c> so</c><00:38:45.920><c> s</c><00:38:46.560><c> trying</c><00:38:46.760><c> to<
• /c> m so s trying to m so s trying to um<00:38:49.079><c> understand</c><00:38:49.440><c> you</c><00:

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1295 HD2, relating to clean energy, and then on Senate Concurrent Resolution 140 and Senate Resolution 158, which seek an Article V Convention of States application. HB 1295 drew brief supportive testimony from listed supporters and one witness who said the bill would help future generations and address pollution, runoff, watershed planning, and cleaner energy alternatives. No committee action or vote was taken on the clean energy bill during the portion provided. Most of the hearing focused on SCR 140 and SR 158. Supporters argued the resolutions would let states, including Hawaii, propose constitutional amendments to address federal overreach, fiscal responsibility, deficit spending, term limits, and the balance of power between Washington and the states. Several supporters said state legislators are closer to the people and that Article V gives states a legitimate role in proposing amendments; some also cited debt, executive orders, and the need for long-term reforms. One witness from Convention of States Action said the movement is active nationwide and that the convention process would still require ratification by 38 states. Opponents, including representatives of Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Common Cause, Americans for Democratic Action Hawaii, and individual testifiers, warned there are no real guardrails on a convention and that it could open the door to broader constitutional changes. They said the effort is unnecessary, risky, and potentially harmful to environmental protections, social safety net programs, and civil rights, and argued that federal action is sometimes needed during recessions and emergencies. Committee members asked questions about whether the proposal was merely procedural and whether the states should act without Congress; the discussion ended with continued questioning, and no vote or final committee action is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's spelled P-E-R-S-A-U-D-A-M-O-R-A. I'm the executive director of Silver State Voices.
• This is Oscar Williams, O-S-C-A-R-W-I-L-L-I-A-M-S from Reno, Nevada.
• This is Oscar Williams, O-S-C-A-R-W-I-L-L-I-A-M-S from Reno, Nevada.
• My name is Damon Schilling, S-C-H-I-L-I-N-G, with Intermountain Health.
• B-O-S-B-Y. Perfect. Perfect. We got it. Thank you so much for joining us.

Bills: AB568 , SB90 , SB133 , SB147 , SB229 , SB233 , SB240 , SB245 , SB280 , SB378 , SB393 , SB417 , SB434 , SB494 , SB495 , AB62 , SB104 , SB119 , SB132 , SB193 , SB262 , SB422 , SB431 , SB435 , SB468 , SB503

Committee: Assembly Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Back to H. 3342, S. 2197. We have a panel. We have in person.
• I appreciate you allowing me to testify before you today in support of H. 3342 and S. 2197, an act to
• We support H-3342 and S-2197. H-3342 and S-2197.
• MACC urges flexibility, and we support H-3342 and S-2197. Thank you. Thank you very much.
• I'm speaking in favor of H. 30342 and S-2197, both enact to modernize misle meetings, town meetings,

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to open meeting law, municipal meetings, town meetings, and remote participation. Senator Rausch supported S. 2205 and S. 2206, and House companion H. 3382, saying they would make remote participation in public bodies permanent and streamline open meeting law and public records complaint processes to reduce burdens on local officials. Committee members and the senator discussed concerns about complaints being weaponized, the role of the Attorney General, and whether public testimony should be presumed allowed unless a chair limits it with justification. The senator said the bills do not change public records fees and are meant to improve process and transparency. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 3342 and S. 2197, which would modernize municipal meetings, town meetings, and local elections by allowing permanent remote or hybrid participation. Supporters included Wayland officials, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, MAPC, MACC, and others, who argued that hybrid and remote options increase participation, help parents, caregivers, people with disabilities, and residents with travel or work constraints, and have worked well during the pandemic-era extensions. Municipal officials emphasized that a mandate would be costly and difficult for smaller communities because of staffing, technology, room design, cybersecurity, and uneven internet access, especially in western Massachusetts. Committee members asked about equal access, funding, and whether local discretion should remain; the chair said the committee wants a permanent solution beyond emergency rules but must balance access with local capacity. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3328, which would allow remote participation to count toward quorum for statewide appointed bodies such as commissions on women and LGBTQ issues. Supporters argued this would improve regional equity and make it easier for people outside Greater Boston to serve, while committee members noted it is a separate issue from municipal meetings and may be easier to address than broader local-government changes. Another bill, H. 4351, was supported by Rep. Brandy Fluker Reed, who described it as creating an Office of Freedmen Affairs to address longstanding racial wealth disparities affecting descendants of enslaved Americans. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3299 from Common Cause and MASSPIRG in favor of guaranteed hybrid access for public meetings with public participation components, with advocates saying it would improve transparency, accessibility, and civic engagement.

Transcript Highlights:

• other questions or comments<00:08:36.479><c> seeing</c><00:08:36.760><c> none</c><00:08:36.919><c> s<
• move wa do you comments seeing none s move wa do you have<00:08:37.839><c> a</c><00:08:38.120><c> a</
• /c><00:14:22.480><c> we're</c><00:14:22.560><c> going</c><00:14:22.639><c> to</c> regard to that uh s
• du we're going to regard to that uh s du we're going to wait<00:14:23.279><c> okay</c><00:14:23.560><
• /c> correct s correct s Dam<00:38:45.359><c> so</c><00:38:45.560><c> you</c> Dam, so you got on this.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Primarily, the impact to the ERS and special legislation, so deferring S... following General funds need
• engage in socializing practices, be allowed outside of their cells, and be allowed to integrate... s
• /c> testimonies first up on our agenda is s testimonies first up on our agenda is s SP<00:04:01.640><
• /c><00:07:26.160><c> SP</c> that wish to testify in s SP that wish to testify in s SP 1612<00:07:28.199
• /c><00:25:28.840><c> SP</c> okay anybody else wishing t find S SP okay anybody else wishing t find S

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: On the deferred agenda, the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up SB 1364, which makes emergency appropriations for law enforcement personnel costs, and SB 1452, which relates to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The chair recommended both measures pass with amendments, including technical corrections and a committee-report effective date of July 1, 2077. For SB 1364, the amendments included specified general fund and transfer fund amounts for DAGS, the Judiciary, and the Department of Law. For SB 1452, the chair said the bill was being corrected to fix a drug-name error that had been replicated from a federal mistake. Both recommendations were adopted by vote, with Senator Dort excused. The committee then discussed SB 1612, a joint measure on fitness to proceed that would require and appropriate funds for a five-year pilot program involving the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Health, with interim and final reports to the Legislature. Testimony was mixed: the Judiciary and Department of Health were supportive, while the Office of the Public Defender and the Disability Rights Center opposed it, arguing it conflicted with best practices and the Clark consent order, and that people found not fit to proceed must be sent to the state hospital. DCR said its main concern was that the bill would still require patients to be housed in its facilities, which it said are not rehabilitative and are already strained by staffing shortages and limited access. The bill’s author argued the proposal was meant to create joint custody and reduce the high cost of state-hospital placement, but the committee did not take final action in the portion provided. In the joint hearing with Health and Human Services, the committees heard SB 1322, a broad rewrite of the state mental health code. The Attorney General supported the measure as a comprehensive cleanup and modernization effort, but many testifiers raised concerns. Queen’s Health System and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation supported the concept but warned about emergency-room impacts and asked for amendments; IHS supported the bill with a caveat about assisted community treatment procedures; and the Public Defender, Disability Rights Center, and others opposed parts of it, citing due process, privacy, HIPAA, counsel rights, liability immunity, and the reduction of an involuntary-treatment panel from three clinicians to one psychiatrist. The hearing also covered SB 951 on child protection, where the Department of Defense supported the bill and proposed technical amendments and MOUs with military components to clarify reporting and coordination procedures; DHS and the Attorney General said they were still working through possible changes. Finally, SB 228 on excited delirium was heard, with the Public Defender and Disability Rights Center supporting the bill and arguing the term has been misused and that better police de-escalation training is the real solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Acres that's you give them zero zero Acres that's you both<00:32:16.519><c> um</c><00:32:17.000><c> s<
• of the lose NE ban Diamond B both um s of the lose NE ban Diamond B out<00:32:19.080><c> of</c><00:32
• on one of these um condos fire okay we s on one of these um condos right<01:18:16.639><c> here</c><01
• /c> SCS uh from s SCS uh from s 42 42 42 sr27 sr27 sr27 sc54 sc54 sc54 sr36 sr36 sr36 sc59 sc59 sc59
• /c><01:28:24.600><c> cr47</c> sc51 sr33 s cr47 sc51 sr33 s cr47 sc76<01:28:27.199><c> and</c> sc76 and

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard SR 18, which asks DLNR to transfer active agricultural land leases to the Department of Agriculture to support agriculture. DLNR, through Don Chang, opposed the resolution, saying the department has already been transferring parcels by mutual agreement and should not be required to transfer lands it does not consent to. Ranchers and agricultural advocates strongly supported the measure, arguing that the lands are active production areas, that partial transfers would undermine ranching operations, and that water infrastructure built by ranchers must be protected. Testimony from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and others emphasized the importance of preserving agricultural land for food production, wildfire management, and long-term ranch viability. Committee members pressed both sides on acreage, specific parcels, and whether negotiations were still ongoing, with DLNR later clarifying that some parcels remain under negotiation and that some proposed transfers have been narrowed or adjusted. Several specific ranches and parcels were discussed, including Batello, Diamond B, Delo, Nobriga, and Kapala Ranch. Witnesses described the operational importance of water systems, grazing areas, and access routes, and said that losing productive acreage would threaten business viability. Some members expressed concern that the proposal appeared to transfer productive land while leaving less useful land with ranchers, and urged the department to continue transparent negotiations and consider the practical impact on agriculture and conservation. A DLNR representative said some transfers were tied to other needs, such as transportation mitigation, and not to a broader effort to take more land. The Department of Agriculture later stated it supports the intent of the measure, but suggested its concerns would likely be addressed if the resolution were narrowed to the specific parcels at issue. The chair also announced that the related House bill on the same subject remains alive and will be heard by Water and Land on Thursday. After concluding SR 18, the committee moved on to SCR 51 and SR 33, which seek a working group to evaluate establishing and administratively placing an Office of Resilience and Recovery. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development indicated support for the concept, noting the office’s value in Maui wildfire recovery efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh there were s animals and livestock.
• You said 500. >> 500's. What's for an emergency?
• &gt;&gt; 500's.<00:29:25.279><c> What's</c> &gt;&gt; 500's. What's &gt;&gt; 500's.
• Oh, and add an s. Okay. Shall be accompanied by the or designate in um um um right.
• /c><01:24:29.360><c> on</c> idea of putting the apostrophe s on idea of putting the apostrophe s on there

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• Benjamin Fierro, who's here with us for H-13, S-176, and...
• Who is here with us for H-13, S-176, and S-177. Good morning, Mr.
• what about the additional school costs for every kid who might live in the community and so chapter 40 s

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses held a brief hearing on several housing and planning bills. Testimony focused on Senate Bill 176 and House Bill 313, which would update Chapter 40R smart growth zoning incentives and double municipal payments for adopting qualifying zoning districts, and Senate Bill 177, a technical correction to Chapter 40S so starter-home districts created under Chapter 40Y would also qualify for school cost reimbursement. Benjamin Fierro, representing the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts, strongly supported the bills, arguing that the current incentives are too modest, that starter homes are needed for young and first-time buyers, and that the school reimbursement fix is necessary to align the statutes. Nally Soto of the Massachusetts Housing Coalition also supported the bills, saying the higher incentives would help municipalities approve more housing and address the housing shortage. Representative Kassner testified on House Bill 303, a remote community development planning bill modeled on Executive Order 418. She said it would restore and expand statewide comprehensive planning for land use, transportation, housing, open space, infrastructure, and climate resilience, with regional planning agencies playing a key role. Committee members asked about how Chapter 40S reimbursement is calculated and how the planning bill would interact with existing regional planning commissions. One member also spoke in support of the housing bills and described local challenges with affordability, land costs, and compliance with the MBTA Communities law. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chair closed testimony after a final call for additional witnesses and announced that the committee would continue working on the bills and hold one more hearing in September on additional measures and late-filed bills. The committee then adjourned by motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, it's coming through that new S-4HANA. Is that what it's called? S-4HANA. Yes. There's a new...
• That new S-4HANA, is that what it's called? S-4HANA. Yes, there's a...

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES

Summary: The committee met with prayer and approved the January minutes, then heard a series of Arkansas Legislative Audit reports. Reports with findings were presented for the Department of Human Services, Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Department of Corrections, and Department of Veterans Affairs, along with a special report on law enforcement racial profiling policy compliance. Several reports without findings were also filed without objection. For DHS, auditors reported apparent thefts involving false benefit claims in disaster nutrition assistance and Medicaid, a nearly $610,000 altered warrant cashed by a California auto body shop, and multiple asset-control issues, including missing equipment, inventory discrepancies, and improper sales tax paid on exempt vehicle purchases. Members questioned DHS about the warrant fraud and whether other agencies or California officials had been notified. For Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, auditors cited missing museum receipts and problems with change funds at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium; department officials said they are considering cashless payment options and provided an update on the museum loss investigation. For Corrections, auditors reported unauthorized personal fuel-card purchases totaling about $4,500 and a delayed disaster recovery test for critical IT systems. Department officials said staffing has been increased for fuel-card oversight and that a full production disaster recovery test is scheduled soon. For Veterans Affairs, auditors found improper pay for employees who were not working, duplicate vendor payment, and numerous overtime approvals that were not properly authorized; the department said it has tightened overtime approval procedures. The special report said only 203 of 383 law enforcement agencies had responded regarding racial profiling policies, and the Attorney General had notified the remaining agencies that they were not in compliance. The committee requested a list of nonresponding agencies and adjourned, with the next meeting scheduled for March 12.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we will consider S. 347, the Brownfield Reauthorization Act of 2025.
• Next, we will consider S. 351, the Strategies to Eliminate Waste and Accelerate Recycling Development
• I will now call up S. 347, the Brownfield Reauthorization Act of 2025.
• Finally, I will call up S. 351. I'm going to hold.

Bills: SB347 , SB351

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Keywords: brownfields, brownfield cleanup, site remediation, environmental cleanup, contaminated property, redevelopment, revitalization, CERCLA, Superfund, EPA grants, state response programs, environmental justice, disadvantaged communities, small communities, local government grants, nonprofit eligibility, community engagement, Alaska Native tribes, Regional Corporations, Village Corporations

Transcript Highlights:

• Thanks. you next measure s sp245 relating to you next measure s sp245 relating to ownership<01:01:38.839
• I'll make this quick, Chair, we... agenda s SP 328 to taxation establishing agenda s SP 328 to taxation
• /c><01:20:47.400><c> SP</c> questions moving on to S SP questions moving on to S SP 329<01:20:49.040>
• /c><01:36:26.679><c> SP</c> to S SP to S SP 328<01:36:28.520><c> uh</c><01:36:29.520><c> an</c><01:36
• /c><01:38:21.400><c> SP</c><01:38:21.560><c> 184</c> one measure s SP 184 one measure s SP 184 uh<01:

Summary: The Agriculture and Environment hearing on January 27, 2025, took up multiple measures, beginning with a proposed constitutional amendment, HB 559, to recognize a right to clean water and air, a healthful environment, climate, native ecosystems, and beaches. The Attorney General’s Office testified with concerns that the amendment’s broad language could create challenges for future legislatures and environmental enforcement, while the Climate Commission and DLNR supported it. Environmental and advocacy groups, including Climate Protectors Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and others, strongly supported the measure, arguing it would strengthen decision-making and protect Hawaii’s natural resources. Committee members raised questions about how the amendment would interact with existing constitutional protections and recent litigation, and the AG’s office said the proposal could lead to broad judicial interpretation and possible liability issues. The hearing then moved on without a recorded vote on this bill. The committee next heard SB 552, which would establish a healthy soils program in the Department of Agriculture and require annual reporting and funding. The Climate Change Commission supported the bill, and the Department of Agriculture said it stood on its submitted testimony but noted existing commissions and the greenhouse gas sequestration task force already address similar objectives, suggesting SB 552 may duplicate current efforts. Agricultural and environmental advocates, including the Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and others, supported the concept of a consolidated healthy soils program, saying it would better organize existing efforts, improve access for producers, and support conservation practices. The Agribusiness Development Corporation said it would support either DOA or ADC administering the program, and committee discussion focused on implementation, program overlap, and whether the bill should better integrate existing compost reimbursement and related efforts. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was SB 678, which would create an Agricultural Development Food Security Special Fund, dedicate a portion of the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to it, and appropriate funds equal to 3% of the state budget for agriculture. The Department of Agriculture strongly supported the bill, saying the funding would align with its goals and help support farmers and ranchers. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Department of Budget and Finance raised concerns that the proposed special fund may not meet statutory criteria. Farm and industry groups generally supported the measure but suggested changes, including adding uses related to local food sourcing, distribution, and biosecurity. Committee members questioned the scale of the appropriation, noting it could amount to roughly $250 million and a major increase in DOA’s budget, and discussed whether the department could realistically implement such a large program. The hearing ended with testimony counts noted for the measures heard, and the chair indicated the committee would reconvene later for any unfinished business.

Transcript Highlights:

• The S&P over the three years has an analyzed return of 23.4%.
• And the S&P was 13% over the last 10 years.
• that would exist in the S&P 500.
• P 500's not paying out $250 million dollars a month in annuities.
• James Kessler: ...to make them quite an incentive, but 0.5's nothing.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• on to<00:39:36.319><c> the</c><00:39:36.480><c> next</c><00:39:36.720><c> bill</c><00:39:37.000><c> s<
• /c><00:39:37.280><c> SP</c> to the next bill s SP to the next bill s SP 1422<00:39:39.400><c> um</c><
• Niko S. on behalf of Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center. As Mr.
• /c> um anyone else wishing to testify on S um anyone else wishing to testify on S sp1 sp1 sp1 1431<00
• cbin Bill and currently on the year's s cbin Bill and currently on the board<01:15:55.760><c> of</c><

Committee: House Health

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on several bills. On SB 1441, which would repeal the transfer of the Oahu Regional Health Care System from HHSC to the Department of Health, the Department of Health said it strongly supports the measure and requested clarifying amendments. HHSC/Oahu Region also supported the bill and said it had no objection to the department’s amendments. In response to questions, witnesses said the agencies have been working on an MOU to support transfers of long-term care patients to Leahi, with the current goal being about 10 to 15 patients, but transfers would occur only as space and staffing allow; one patient was reportedly being admitted at the time, and the process was described as slow and case-by-case. The committee then heard SB 1443 on payment rates for state hospital patients and related Department of Health services. The hospital administrator said the bill would allow rates above Medicaid for community or foster-home placements if patients cannot be placed at Leahi or elsewhere, and would set Medicaid-level reimbursement for outside medical services used by state hospital patients. He said at least one provider was interested in offering services at that rate and that the population involved is largely non-ambulatory long-term care patients. Members asked about availability and training, and the witness said special training could be provided. SB 1322, a broad mental health bill, drew mixed testimony. The Department of Law Enforcement supported giving crisis-intervention-trained officers more discretion to transport people to medical care instead of arresting them. The Attorney General supported the bill but recommended revisions to emergency-transport language and restoring liability protections. HHSC and Queens Hospital supported the overall goal but sought amendments to preserve the mental health emergency worker role in decision-making and to avoid negative impacts on emergency departments. The Disability Rights Center and ACLU opposed parts of the bill, arguing that it weakens due process, reduces protections in involuntary treatment and transport, and should retain a three-person treatment panel rather than reduce it to one. A Queens representative said the current program works well and reported that more than 90% of MH1 cases once went to hospitals, but that figure has dropped to about 60-70%, with about 20% now diverted to community settings or the behavioral health crisis center. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 09:37.079><c> session</c><00:09:37.519><c> assigned</c><00:09:37.839><c> police</c><00:09:38.040><c> s<
• /c> 376 dfn 2022 session assigned police s 376 dfn 2022 session assigned police s training<00:09:38.760
• /c> on non- FEMA reimbursable expenditures s on non- FEMA reimbursable expenditures s sp402<03:11:04.000
• S SP 402<03:11:36.160><c> and</c><03:11:36.359><c> S</c><03:11:36.600><c> SP</c> 402 and S SP 402 and
• c><03:11:53.319><c> I</c><03:11:53.479><c> also</c> are with S sp42 and S sp49 I also are with S sp42

Summary: The Finance Division 2 hearing took testimony from the director of New Hampshire Police Standards and Training on the agency’s budget request and operations. He described the agency’s role in setting hiring, education, certification, and discipline standards for police, corrections, probation and parole, and court security officers, and noted that the agency runs the full-time, part-time, corrections, and court security training programs. He also outlined the agency’s staffing, facility, and budget request for FY 2026-27, including a request to keep funding level with the governor’s recommendation while shifting funds to support an IT manager position by defunding a vacant administrative slot. The agency requested several statutory changes in Chapter 106, including clarifying the definition of police misconduct, allowing a temporary member on the Conduct Review Committee, clarifying reporting requirements for misconduct allegations, and codifying the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. The director also reviewed new responsibilities added in recent years, including crisis intervention training, statewide accreditation, the Conduct Review Committee, and increased annual in-service training requirements. He explained that crisis intervention funding is carried in a continuously appropriated, non-lapsing account and that some budget lines were reclassified, including software and janitorial services, to reflect actual spending needs. Members asked about national standards, the different academy tracks, crisis intervention funding, maintenance and contract changes, temporary positions, and the court security training program. The agency said it coordinates with national peers through IADLEST, that the part-time and corrections academies are longstanding programs, and that the new court security academy can be delivered either as a full academy or as in-service training depending on resources. The director also said the agency has been running extra full-time academies because of high vacancy rates, but expects to return to three full-time academies this year, with two corrections academies and one or possibly two part-time academies. He also explained the current approach to misconduct records and public disclosure, saying sustained findings under RSA 106-L are heard by the council and published, replacing the older, less standardized exculpatory list process.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to start with S. SP41 and all. Senator Bzel, it's great to see you.
• We're going to start with S. SP41 and all. Senator Bzel, it's great to see you. Thank you.
• good afternoon thank you Mr chair and s good afternoon thank you Mr chair and thank<00:11:10.920><c>
• /c><00:11:59.279><c> um</c> you thank you very much go ahead s um you thank you very much go ahead s
• /c> testify an opp opposition to S testify an opp opposition to S sp14<01:17:04.040><c> uh</c><01:17:

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• culture and the on transportation and culture and the Arts<00:01:42.640><c> on</c><00:01:42.880><c> S<
• 44.280><c> is</c><00:01:44.439><c> to</c><00:01:44.640><c> pass</c><00:01:44.880><c> with</c> Arts on S
• SP 1095 is to pass with Arts on S SP 1095 is to pass with amendments<00:01:46.000><c> cherle</c><00:01

Summary: The Committee on Transportation, Culture and the Arts met for decision-making on Senate Bill 1095, which relates to license plates. The bill would remove the current decal size restriction for special number plates, expanding the allowable decal size from 3 inches by 3 inches to 4 inches by 4 inches. The chair explained that the change is intended to make it easier for community organizations to obtain specialized license plates without needing repeated legislative changes, and to reduce implementation and procurement burdens on counties. The committee recommendation was to pass the measure with amendments, including a preamble reflecting that intent. There was no discussion from members before the vote. The motion carried, and the measure was adopted with five votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to start with Senate Bill S-28C by Senator Skoufis: an act to amend the labor law in relation
• Next is Senate Bill S. 6078 by Senator Parker: an act to amend the workers' compensation law in relation
• Next is Senate Bill S 8677 by Senator Ryan: an act to amend the labor law in relation to eligibility

Committee: Senate Labor

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Labor, chaired by Senator Jessica Ramos, met for its sixth meeting of the 2026 session and considered seven bills. The committee advanced bills on the minimum wage for employees with disabilities (S-28C), modular construction work (S.2225), COVID-19-related workers’ compensation death benefits (S.6078), withholding of workers’ compensation benefits based on attachment to the labor market (S.6376), paid sick leave eligibility (S.8677), mandatory disclosures in job advertisements (S.8877), and construction reporting pay-up (S.9843). Several members voiced support for the bills, and Senator Rhoads gave extended remarks in favor of S.6078, describing it as a needed reopening of the filing period for families who missed the deadline during the pandemic. Most measures were reported out of committee with little opposition. S-28C was reported to the Disabilities Committee, S.6078 and S.6376 were reported to Finance, and S.8677, S.8877, and S.9843 were reported to the calendar. The committee took voice votes on each bill, with some recorded abstentions or absent-without-recommendation responses noted, but no roll-call vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're a subchapter S corporation and you have two people and they're deadlocked, they simply go to
• But in any event, this is another one that merely makes LLCs consistent with subchapter S corporations
• This helps move it through quicker, I guess, in the same manner as subchapter S corporations.
• This helps move it through quicker, I guess, the same manner as subchapter S-Corp's.
• Same as subchapter S. You guys can't get along, can't get resolved, then I'll dissolve it.

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and first took up several bills in executive session. It voted House Bill 3144, relating to injunctions, due pass by an 8-4 vote; House Bill 3160, relating to preliminary injunctions and judicial proceedings, due pass by a 9-4 vote; House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2254, relating to post-conviction relief, due pass after adopting a technical committee amendment and substitute, by an 8-5 vote; House Bill 2206, relating to commercial activities, due pass by a 12-1 vote; and House Bill 2256, relating to minimum prison terms, due pass by a 9-4 vote. Members raised questions on HB 3160 about whether probate commissioners should be included in the bill’s language, and on HB 2254 about whether it was the same measure previously used to speed up the process. In public hearing, the committee heard House Bill 1711, the Uniform Interstate Deposition Discovery Act, which the sponsor and the Attorney General’s office said would streamline out-of-state depositions and subpoenas, reduce legal fees, and make Missouri’s process consistent with more than 40 other states. No opposition testimony was offered. The committee also heard House Bill 1713, which would simplify dissolution of deadlocked LLCs by allowing a judge to order dissolution more quickly, with the sponsor arguing it would reduce delay and litigation; no witnesses opposed it. House Bill 2427 would add judicial positions in St. Charles County, with the sponsor and members discussing the county’s rapid growth, docket pressure, staffing, and the need to reconcile differences among pending versions of the bill. No witnesses testified for or against that measure. The committee then heard House Bill 3086, which would create an additional associate circuit judge position in Miller County. The sponsor and a local attorney testified that Miller County’s caseload, tourism-related population spikes, municipal cases, and lack of commissioners justify moving up the statutory population threshold for a second associate judge. Members asked about treatment court staffing, courtroom space, senior judges, and whether similar arguments might apply in other counties. Finally, House Bill 3072 would allow the Industrial Labor Commission to modify attorney fee arrangements in permanent total disability cases when an attorney retires or dies and a new lawyer must take over; the sponsor said it would clear up an oversight and help manage ongoing medical issues. The committee also heard House Bill 2968, a cleanup bill to align circuit descriptions with prior recircuiting changes and to authorize a previously budgeted circuit judge position in the 25th Circuit. Testimony from the Judicial Conference explained that the bill would remove outdated geographic language and resolve ambiguity about the election date for the new judge. The meeting concluded after the public hearing on HB 2968, and members were told the next Judiciary meeting would be held the following Tuesday at noon in Hearing Room 3.