Transcript Highlights:

• . >> The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. >> [clears throat] >> Mawmani
• ; The clerk will call the name of the member<00:20:18.120> participating<00:20:19.040> remotely
• member participating remotely. member participating remotely.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 3404, a public safety bill to increase penalties for impersonating a peace officer. The author explained that the bill raises the base offense from a gross misdemeanor to a felony, creates tougher aggravated offenses for impersonation involving unauthorized access, misleading orders, or a vehicle resembling a squad car, adds a new aggravated offense for impersonation while armed with a firearm, and establishes sentencing consequences when a person commits another serious crime while impersonating an officer. The bill also includes a duty-to-identify requirement for Minnesota peace officers, with an exception for undercover work. Several members spoke in support, tying the bill to the June 14, 2025 events and emphasizing the danger of using police impersonation to gain trust and access. Supporters said the measure is needed to protect the public, restore confidence in law enforcement, and deter pranks or deliberate deception that could lead to serious harm. Testimony from law enforcement groups and 19 suburban cities was cited as backing for the bill, and the author thanked stakeholders and staff for helping shape the final version. After discussion, the author requested a moment of silence before the vote. The House then took a roll call vote and passed the bill 134-0, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• locations and retain the same process for venue changes, and the the introduced bill does not mention remote
• You guys do that when you have remote meetings right now where the video where it's taped and you guys
• our, uh, in the last 2 or 3 years since, um, we went back from the COVID times where we were all remote
• In the past I've had some people ask, pushing back, well, could your, could your consultants remote in

Transcript Highlights:

• on-site visit, um—but we also have a number of employees around the state that uh fall under our remote
• Um, so the main purpose of all of our policies, whether it's the remote work policy, the telework policy
• are you see are you in working remotely are you see are you in some<00:47:06.200> days<00:47:
• work policy that the under our remote work policy that the state<00:47:52.319> has<00:47:52.520
• <00:48:45.680> work policies whether it's the remote work policies whether it's the remote

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met under a new Senate power-sharing arrangement with co-chairs, began with member and staff introductions, and then received a jurisdiction overview from Senate counsel. The overview explained that the Labor Committee’s jurisdiction has not changed from the previous biennium and covers fair labor standards, minimum wage, workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, and related agencies and boards such as the Department of Labor and Industry, Bureau of Mediation Services, PERB, and the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals. It also noted that some topics, including paid leave, fall under other committees, while earned sick and safe time remains within Labor and Industry jurisdiction. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach and Josiah Moore then gave a detailed Department of Labor and Industry presentation. They reviewed the department’s funding sources, emphasizing that workers’ compensation funds and construction codes/licensing revenues make up most of the budget, while the general fund is a small share. They described the department’s major divisions, including workers’ compensation, construction codes and licensing, labor standards, nursing home workforce standards, and OSHA consultation and compliance, and highlighted practical examples of their work. Examples included return-to-work assistance for an injured worker, compliance training that reduced penalties for self-insurers and claim administrators, and use of the Special Compensation Fund when an employer lacked workers’ compensation insurance. The labor standards section highlighted enforcement actions involving unpaid overtime, pregnancy and parental leave retaliation, wage deductions, and child labor violations, along with totals for 2024 collections and inquiries. The presentation also noted the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s adopted rules, the expansion of construction licensing exams statewide, and OSHA consultation programs such as Min-SHARP and MINSTAR, including a Minnesota employer that recently achieved MINSTAR status. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• supporting folks in this room um remote supporting folks in this room um remote interpreters<02:
• <03:06:36.840> as Gap in services with video remote as Gap in services with video remote as
• we that was also prev VRI video remote we that was also prev VRI video remote interpreting<03:15
• of our community members are the remote of our community members are the remote interpreting<03:
• them if we're thinking also about remote them if we're thinking also about remote situations<03:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 702, which would change how extra or special duty pay for retired police officers is treated for retirement and work-limit purposes. Supporters argued the bill would let retirees work more special-duty hours, helping municipalities fill traffic-detail and similar assignments without added state cost, and said it would not prohibit retirees from working but would simply stop those hours from counting toward the return-to-work threshold. Opponents argued the change would be inconsistent with the retirement system’s 2011 reforms, could increase pension liabilities, and would treat the same compensation differently for active employees and retirees. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect current and future retirees, the role of municipalities, and whether the policy amounted to “policing for profit.” The subcommittee ultimately voted 3-2 to recommend inexpedient to legislate (ITL) on HB 702, sending it to the full committee with that recommendation. The committee then discussed House Bill 581, which would create a Group Three retirement plan for new state employees hired after the bill’s effective date. The chair outlined a housekeeping amendment to delay implementation, moving the effective date to January 1, 2026, and noted a sponsor amendment addressing health insurance group inclusion and medical and surgical benefits so those benefits would not be put at risk for the new group. Testimony and discussion focused on the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution, with supporters citing Michigan examples and arguing the bill would help recruit and retain employees while giving them more flexibility. Opponents said the change could weaken retirement security and increase unfunded liability, though supporters responded that the bill still requires employer contributions toward accrued liability and is intended to keep the state on track to pay off its unfunded liability by 2039. The transcript ends with continued discussion of the bill and no final vote shown on HB 581.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, there are business models where companies are saying, well, we'll have a remote operator sitting
• Um, there are business models where companies are saying, well, we'll have a remote operator sitting
• Um, there are business models where companies are saying, well, we'll have a remote operator sitting
• Um, there are business models where companies are saying, well, we'll have a remote operator sitting
• Um, there are business models where companies are saying, well, we'll have a remote operator sitting

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you're making $16 an hour and you cannot afford housing that's even remotely close to where you
• So if you're making $16 an hour and you cannot afford housing that's even remotely close to where you
• We know that post-COVID, um, we are competing with remote physicians, right?
• We know that postcoavid um we are competing<01:23:25.280> with<01:23:25.520> remote<01:
• competing with remote physicians, right? competing with remote physicians, right?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, approving the prior meeting minutes with one abstention from a member who had been absent. It then received an update from DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver on the department’s rural health transformation grant submission. Weaver said the grant was submitted ahead of the deadline, reflected input from communities and providers statewide, and would now enter a CMS review and negotiation phase. She explained that the governor’s office will oversee the grant with DHHS, that some proposals may be limited by federal parameters, and that the department may need to hire some staff to administer the grant, within the grant’s administrative cap. Members also discussed DHHS budget pressures and staffing. The department’s CFO, Nathan White, reviewed the agency’s budget mix, noting that DHHS accounts for a large share of the state’s operating and general fund budgets, and explained projected general fund lapse estimates, which he said are currently just under $20 million for the department. He also described why lapse projections are difficult to predict in DHHS because many costs are driven by utilization and because some funds are statutorily non-lapsing. White reported that vacancy rates have risen, citing about 400 unfunded positions in the current biennium and the department’s hiring freeze, while emphasizing that direct-care positions are being prioritized. Committee members raised concerns that back-of-the-budget cuts and weak revenue collections could affect the department’s ability to manage lapse projections. The committee then heard from Division of Public Health Director Ian Watt on vaccine policy and federal changes. Watt said New Hampshire continues to support access to safe and effective vaccines, including through the universal purchase program and seasonal respiratory virus guidance. He explained a recent CDC change regarding the MMRV vaccine, which now discourages the combined shot for the first dose in children under four because of febrile seizure risk, while still allowing it for the second dose. Watt said New Hampshire’s school and child care vaccine mandates remain stable, with nine vaccines required for schoolchildren and 10 for child care, and that the state continues to review federal recommendations cautiously. He also said there have been no supply or funding disruptions affecting vaccine access, and that childhood vaccine funding through commercial insurers remains intact. Finally, the Permanent Subcommittee on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias presented its annual report. The subcommittee said it met about six times, heard presentations on state services, silver alerts, brain health awareness, and palliative/hospice care, and began work on updating the state’s Alzheimer’s plan, which had last been updated in 2015-2016. To gather more direct input, the subcommittee formed a needs-assessment work group to develop a survey for people living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers. It recommended integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia materials into chronic disease, aging, and public health outreach; embedding cognitive health into systems of care and the state health improvement plan; adding cognitive health measures to BRFSS; and continuing partnerships with aging and advocacy organizations. Members praised the report and suggested it should clearly identify the subcommittee and include page numbers in future versions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then when she had to vote remotely because of her illness, she'd send me a text and say, 'Great comments
• Then when she had to vote remotely because of her illness, she'd send me a text and say, "Great comments
• Then when she had to vote remotely because of her illness, she'd send me a text and say, "Great comments
• Then when she had to vote remotely because of her illness, she'd send me a text and say, "Great comments
• Then when she had to vote remotely because of her illness, she'd send me a text and say, "Great comments

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate convened for opening day of the 94th legislative session, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and remarks honoring the late Senator Carrie Dike, whose seat was left empty. Leaders from both parties described her as a unifying, hardworking public servant and noted the chamber’s grief at her death. A quorum was established by roll call of members from all districts. The Senate then elected Bobby Joe Champion and Jeremy Miller as co-presiding officers by a vote of 65 ayes and 1 pass, and they were sworn in. In their remarks, both emphasized cooperation, open dialogue, and working forward together despite a projected budget deficit and other difficult issues ahead. The chamber also elected Thomas Bodin as Secretary of the Senate by 66 votes, and then approved a slate of other officers—including assistant secretaries, engrossing secretary, sergeant at arms, assistant sergeant at arms, and chaplain—by one roll call with 66 votes. Senate Resolution No. 1, which set the temporary organization of the Senate and memorialized the organizing agreement between the two caucuses, was adopted by a vote of 66 ayes and 0 nays. The resolution covered temporary leadership structure, staff and appointments, committee memberships and schedules, adoption of temporary rules from the prior session with updated committee names, and procedures for resolving future issues. After adoption, the Senate set aside time for members to speak in tribute to Senator Dike, with several senators offering personal remembrances and condolences to her family and staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who's got the remote clicker? Do I have it? I see the remote walking in... Do I have it?
• I see the remote walking in with a peach tie. Here it comes in a black dress.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely. Aye. Aikam votes aye.
• The clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely. Acom votes no.
• The clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely.
• The clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely. Acom votes no.
• The clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely. Acom.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul remotely.
• 53.680> Paul Stewart appearing with us from St Paul Stewart appearing with us from St Paul remotely
• 56.920> that<00:00:57.640> I<00:00:57.760> believe<00:00:58.199> we've remotely
• um so with that I believe we've remotely um so with that I believe we've um<00:00:59.399> made
• <00:05:14.800> from<00:05:15.120> Olivia joined us remotely from Olivia joined us remotely

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:22:47.720> to<02:22:47.880> the I chose to participate remotely to the I chose
• to participate remotely to the best<02:22:48.200> of<02:22:48.359> my<02:22:48.520>
• Do you believe that we as legislators should be able to participate and vote remotely?
• I would not participating remotely I would not object<02:26:35.359> to<02:26:35.520> it
• <02:31:44.640> participation certainly allowing remote participation certainly allowing remote

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee opened its hearing with a procedural discussion about a forthcoming Monday hearing, and the chair confirmed that any amendment deemed non-germane would be made public in advance and included in the calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 6, which would replace the word “citizen” in the Right-to-Know law with “any person,” allow requesters to specify the format of records, and expressly reference preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority of a public body as disclosable material. The sponsor said the bill was intended to clarify existing law, remove uncertainty after a Rochester-related dispute over requester eligibility, and make records easier to obtain electronically unless doing so would be impossible, unusual, unduly burdensome, or harmful to recordkeeping integrity. Testimony was mixed. Cordell Johnston, speaking for himself as a municipal attorney, opposed most of the bill, especially the requirement that records be delivered electronically or by mail, arguing that out-of-state or out-of-country requests can be fishing expeditions that impose significant burdens on towns and clerks. He said local residents already can obtain records at town hall and that many municipalities voluntarily email records as a courtesy, but should not be required to mail large volumes of material. He also said the preliminary-draft language was unnecessary because such drafts are already covered when circulated to a quorum or majority. Representative Alexander raised concerns about the breadth of “any person,” potential abuse by bad actors, and the cost to municipalities, while Representative Peternell asked about whether the bill should account for nonresident property owners and business owners. The sponsor responded that limiting requesters by residency would not meaningfully stop abuse and said he did not know the bill’s fiscal impact, though he suggested it might improve efficiency. Yil Biset of the ACLU of New Hampshire testified in support of HB 6, calling it a modest and reasonable transparency measure. He said the preliminary-draft language was acceptable and consistent with existing exemption language in the public-meeting and documents statutes, and he said he was not aware of foreign-bot document requests occurring in New Hampshire. He also noted that current law already requires electronic disclosure when records exist electronically and can reasonably be provided that way. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And depending on the facility, 30 to 45 minutes on-site time depending on how remote the facility is.
• And then number remote the facility is.
• So are we talking about a 30-minute response time here, or are we talking about somebody who is remote
• Um, and when seconds matter, remote supervision is no supervision.
• Um, and when seconds matter, remote supervision is no supervision.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled several referred administrative regulations, including a package from the Board of Respiratory Care described as a substantive housekeeping update to its regulations and incorporated materials. There were no questions from members, and the committee also heard from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, which was present in case questions arose but did not require action. Members then took up an amendment to the state health plan for facilities and services, specifically 900 KAR 5:02. Wesley Duke explained that a previously proposed criteria related to mega-voltage requirements, originally suggested by the Kentucky Hospital Association, was now being removed because the association no longer considered it necessary. The committee moved to accept the agency amendment, with a motion and second, and approved it without opposition. The committee next considered Senate Joint Resolution 23, a “food is medicine” resolution sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer. Supporters from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Hospital Association described the initiative as a voluntary, statewide effort already adopted by 52 hospitals, aimed at improving patient health while supporting Kentucky farmers and local food systems. Members discussed access to healthy food, grocery-store availability, school nutrition, and the need to reduce barriers to local procurement; the resolution was adopted unanimously after a roll call vote, with one senator briefly explaining a late vote due to weather. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 12, which would allow mid-level practitioners to serve as the leader of a Level IV trauma center under physician direction. The sponsor and witnesses from Appalachian Regional Healthcare argued the change would help address rural trauma-care shortages, align with national standards, and improve access without changing scope of practice or other trauma-center requirements. Several members raised questions and comments about rural access, liability, costs, and the broader health impacts, but no vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, they stay at their local school districts and then they are able to take these classes remotely with
• Um, they stay at their local school districts and then they are able to take these classes remotely with
• Um, they stay at their local school districts and then they are able to take these classes remotely with
• Um, they stay at their local school districts and then they are able to take these classes remotely with
• Right now we have a person on staff that can test remotely, and she's a qualified examiner.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > member Okay, Representative Myers, am I correct that you've got folks watching from some remote
• Okay, Representative Myers, with that, House File 791 is laid over. remote location yes I think uh this
• bill remote location yes I think uh this bill initially<00:04:05.120> came<00:04:05.319> to

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, we did not call the members who are voting remotely.
• In the case of a are voting remotely.
• Thus, they are not counted remotely.
• The chief clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Jaw.
• The chief clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Green. Green. Yes.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• according to the way this bill is drafted, to allow for some exemptions in areas where fields might be remote
• , where there's no electricity that gets to those fields. ...in areas where fields might be remote, where
• put the infrastructure in to have these units being charged and available and accessible at these remote
• shall provide exemptions for communities and sport activities in which fields and facilities are remote

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with routine procedural business, including adoption of resolutions congratulating Yolanda Kruger on her 100th birthday and two orders extending the Public Health Committee’s reporting deadline on House documents 4984 and 4988. The chamber then moved through a series of local bills and calendar items, passing to engrossment measures including authorization for the town of Hudson to grant an additional wine and malt beverage license, authorization for Cohasset to grant five additional liquor licenses, and an amendment to the Plymouth town charter. It also advanced several other bills on second reading, including a land conveyance for Barnstable County and Bourne, a bill requiring automated external defibrillators at sporting events, and a bill preparing apprentices through training and hiring in Massachusetts. The House took up House 3417, designating June 16 as Domestic Workers’ Rights Day. Representative Sousa spoke in support, describing domestic workers as essential but often invisible workers and arguing that the designation would raise awareness of rights and protections under the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. The bill passed to engrossment by roll call, 156-0. The House also passed House 4992, authorizing Barnstable County and Bourne to convey certain parcels of land, and later passed House 4994, the Paths Act, which would require a phased-in apprentice-hours requirement on large public construction projects, condition bidding on participation in approved apprenticeship programs, and create a commission to study apprenticeship participation. The chamber then debated House 4993, the Preston Settles Every Minute Counts Act, requiring AEDs and trained personnel at sporting facilities and events. Representative Decker urged passage, citing the death of a young athlete and the need to close safety gaps outside schools. Representative Frost offered amendments to create a state fund to help communities pay for AEDs and to allow exemptions for remote fields without permanent power, arguing the bill could otherwise burden municipalities; both amendments were defeated on roll call. The bill itself then passed to engrossment by roll call, 154-1. The House also enacted a bill allowing Hingham to use municipal property for a center for active living, and the session ended with an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas her teaching portfolio examines climatology, physical geography, and remote sensing.
• climatology, physical examines climatology, physical geography,<00:07:43.520> and<00:07:43.640> remote
• <00:07:44.960> And geography, and remote sensing. And geography, and remote sensing.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Representative Tom Stevens of Waterbury, who reflected on the Sermon on the Mount as a call to resist exclusion, greed, and coercion and to focus on blessing and care for those in need. After the devotional, the chamber suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 313, relating to transforming Vermont’s career and technical education system, and committed it to the Committee on Education. The House also adopted HCR 241, a concurrent resolution congratulating University of Vermont Distinguished Professor and Vermont State Climatologist Dr. Leslie Ann Dupigny-Giroux on receiving the Manny L. Bhaumik Award for Public Engagement with Science, with members offering remarks about her climate work and public service. On the action calendar, the House passed Senate Bill 157 on recovery residence certification in concurrence with proposal of amendment, and Senate Bill 239 on the child abuse and neglect reporting working group in concurrence with proposal of amendment. During discussion of S. 239, a member explained that the House amendment was a technical correction adding the Vermont School Counselor Association and the Agency of Education as stakeholders for the working group to consult. The House also concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment to House Bill 410, which concerns the calculation of recidivism and other criminology measures; the Judiciary Committee said the Senate change was a clarifying wording revision and supported it. The chamber then moved through announcements, including recognition of visiting family members, a UVM intern, and notice of a caucus discussion on permitting modernization. A member also invited colleagues to view Vermont Railways’ train in Montpelier. The House completed its orders of the day and adjourned until the next morning at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it may be an avatar in remote networks.
• Um it may be an avatar<00:05:28.000> in<00:05:28.160> remote<00:05:29.000> networks.
• 30.200> I<00:05:30.440> I<00:05:30.640> I<00:05:30.720> don't avatar in remote
• I I I don't avatar in remote networks.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Baker votes aye.
• The clerk will call the names of the members<00:12:50.000> participating<00:12:50.800> remotely
• <00:12:52.160> Baker members participating remotely.
• Baker members participating remotely. Baker Baker<00:12:55.120> votes<00:12:55.519> I.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• removing language or references to peacetime, public health emergency, and COVID, and decoupling from remote
• c><00:14:22.560> perum<00:14:23.160> pum<00:14:23.680> from<00:14:23.959> remote
• moment decoupling perum pum from remote moment decoupling perum pum from remote voting<00:14:26.120

Keywords: 1187, senate, all