Transcript Highlights:

• So our vision at the department is to be the primary destination for venturesome travelers.
• And we really need to take that away Because you know, Riodoso is safe and it's open.
• If they have a new brewery that they opened, or you know, there's a new shop there.
• We're going to have a four-story hotel that will be opened up.
• This year in January, we have a 25 Match for anyone who opens up an account.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just that you're thinking it opens the door to further preemption in the future? Absolutely.
• It's just that you're thinking it opens the door to further preemption in the future? Absolutely.
• Senator Yarbrough, thank you for reaching out and having an openness about discussing this bill.
• I'm very open to that to make sure we make that... ...distinction, and that would be good.
• And so my door is always open. I think all the stakeholders know that.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1134, which would extend and clarify the use of qualified private providers and computer-based tools in the building permit and inspection process for residential solar energy systems. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce long delays in solar permitting and make the process faster and cheaper; Senator Pizzo questioned whether the problem was limited to specific local governments, and a late-filed amendment clarifying the word “application” was adopted. After brief testimony from an industry representative supporting the measure, the committee reported the bill favorably, with Senator Pizzo voting no. Next, the committee considered SB 784, dealing with issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers for plats and new development. The bill sets a 14-day timeframe, and an amendment was adopted that would allow use of a private provider if the deadline is missed and would bar fee collection if the local government fails to act within five business days. County representatives said they wanted to keep working on the bill and raised concerns about the private-provider language and the short deadlines, while several senators discussed whether the process should be handled earlier on the front end. The committee then reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1738 on transportation concurrency, which would let counties that previously opted out of concurrency opt back in by maintaining current levels of service. SB 1080, a local government land regulation bill, was described as a measure to speed development approvals by setting stricter timelines, limiting repeated information requests, and imposing penalties for noncompliance; local-government testimony opposed it as a loss of local control, while builders supported it. After debate, SB 1080 was reported favorably. SB 1260, which clarifies county constitutional officer budget procedures and creates an appeal process for clerks and supervisors of elections similar to sheriffs, was also reported favorably after members discussed possible adjustments to avoid burdening county budget negotiations. Finally, the committee took up SB 420, as amended by a strike-all, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting or funding DEI-related ordinances, policies, programs, offices, or contracts, and would expose officials to misfeasance/malfeasance claims and local governments to lawsuits. The sponsor said the amendment removed retroactive language, delayed the effective date, and added definitions and contract-certification requirements, but many senators and public speakers argued the bill was overbroad, vague, and would chill local efforts such as Black History Month, women-owned business programs, minority contracting, and community outreach. Supporters said it would ensure merit-based government action and consistency with state standards. The amendment was adopted, but the bill drew extensive opposition testimony and debate over its scope and potential conflict with federal and state law.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Florida preterm deliveries and primary C sections were agency calculated measures of focus in the
• Florida's rates, primary C sections have fluctuated but improved as well.
• So the shared care plan with primary care practitioner.
• is a percentage of long-term care participants who had a person center plan transmitted to their primary
• But in the past, both of these measures where the primary standardize dental measures used in Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• Next we have Eric Ab of the Hawaii Primary Care Association in support. that uh we are strongly requesting
• you very much next we have Eric ab thank you very much next we have Eric ab Hawai<00:04:37.840><c> Primary
• </c><00:04:38.280><c> Care</c><00:04:39.080><c> Association</c><00:04:40.080><c> in</c> Hawai Primary
• Care Association in Hawai Primary Care Association in support<00:04:42.479><c> Elizabeth</c> Elizabeth
• Next, we have Eric Abby of the Hawaiian Primary Care Association in support, Michael Galu Jr. of Pride

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard several resolutions focused on health care access, Medicaid services, and regulatory reform. SR 6 urged the Director of Health to create a working group on health insurance reform to reduce prior authorization delays; testimony was generally supportive, with DHS, SHIPA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, the Hawaii Medical Association, and HMSA all offering comments or support. SHIPA said House Bill 250 would provide a better mechanism for the same goal, but the committee still moved forward with the resolution. SR 7 asked DHS Med-QUEST to cover behavioral health services for children in school-based settings, and SR 9 sought a program to incentivize community care foster family homes to accept people eligible under the Medicaid IDD waiver program. DHS supported the intent of both measures but raised concerns about regulatory limits. Testifiers on SR 9, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, argued the state should be more creative in expanding residential capacity, especially on the neighbor islands, while the chair questioned whether the barriers were state administrative rules or federal requirements. The committee also heard SC 14/SR 10 on a sunrise analysis for lactation consultant licensure. Supporters said lactation services can improve health outcomes and save costs, and that Medicaid coverage remains limited. After discussion, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations: SR 6 and SC 14/SR 10 were passed with technical, non-substantive amendments; SR 7 was deferred; and SR 9 was deferred for further work. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's an extremely slippery slope and opens a door that we just don't want to go through.
• This is not openable. Same thing with my headphones, my toothbrush, etc., right?
• This<03:28:02.960><c> is</c><03:28:03.200><c> not</c><03:28:03.760><c> openable.
• Same thing with my This is not openable.
• </c><04:05:56.160><c> the</c> the there are problems with opening the the there are problems with opening

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So exactly, this would be our casework after filing or when we open a case to work with a family. so
• ><00:32:16.279><c> a</c><00:32:16.480><c> case</c><00:32:16.720><c> to</c> after filing or when we open
• a case to after filing or when we open a case to um<00:32:17.440><c> work</c><00:32:17.639><c> with<
• maining the the primary purpose maintain maining the family<00:32:59.799><c> Unity</c><00:33:00.679>
• We did have, in all openness, a couple of different groups wanting exceptions, like except, and we heard

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met on House Bill 553, which concerns the definitions of child abuse and neglect in RSA 169-C, including psychological maltreatment and the rebuttable presumption of harm. The chair and members emphasized that the bill is intended to clarify definitions rather than create punishments, and they discussed concerns that had arisen after the bill’s earlier drafting. Representative Eimon stated his view that the bill is constitutional, citing case law, and members noted that amendment 114 would restore language refined by the prior study committee and address trauma-informed wording, especially around substance use disorder and newborns. A major portion of the discussion focused on whether the bill could be read to treat ordinary parental discipline or disagreements with a child—such as grounding, taking away car keys or a phone, or refusing gender-affirming care—as abuse or neglect. DCF Deputy Director Jen Ross explained that screeners look at the nature of the allegation and whether the parent’s conduct is likely to cause serious psychological or emotional harm; she said routine discipline or prudent parenting would not be screened in, while persistent ridiculing, terrorizing, bullying, isolating, threats, or similar conduct could qualify. She also said that denial of gender-affirming care, by itself, would not be treated as neglect, but the agency would consider the full context and any resulting harm or need for mental health care. DCF General Counsel Susan Larby added that the legislature’s earlier definition of psychological maltreatment and related policy already focus on pervasive emotionally abusive behavior, and that the bill is meant to make the statute more understandable and transparent, not to change the core neglect standard. She and other speakers said the goal is to identify serious harm and provide services, not to remove children for ordinary parental decisions. Lisa Massio of the Office of the Child Advocate said the bill and related placement language are intended to preserve family unity and fill gaps where courts have interpreted neglect too narrowly or inconsistently. Members also discussed a proposed concise analysis from Representative Maral and asked about CPSW qualifications and training; DCF said staff generally have backgrounds in human services, social work, psychology, or education and receive a 12-week Core Academy on policy, law, investigations, and family engagement. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and members indicated they wanted to continue refining the amendment before sending anything to the Office of Legislative Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to go ahead and open the hearing on HB 2089 with a briefing from Tracy Taylor.
• And we are going to open the public hearing on HB 1960. Did I say SB? HB 2089 is being closed.
• HB 1960 is opening. Tracy. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• It's much too open to interpretation. Reaching useful end of life.
• It's much too open to interpretation.

Bills: HB1960 , HB2194 , HB2089

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: HB1960, renewable energy, clean energy, solar, wind, battery storage, energy storage, excise tax, property tax exemption, local investment, county revenue sharing, local taxing districts, school districts, Department of Revenue, Department of Commerce, model ordinance, siting, permitting, tribal consultation, tribal capacity grants

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the primary duties of the chair is to preserve orderly discussion of matters before the House.
• Speaker, members, about 6 months ago, my son Terry had An open heart surgery.
• HB number 1522 by Gerde's relating to notice of a meeting held under the Open Meetings law.
• Members, HB 1522 requires local taxing entities that are subject to the Open Meetings Act to post their
• We believe that everybody should have the basic ability to open their tap and get some water.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we'd like to open up the floor to any questions that you may have.
• They have openings for the naming committee if you want to make up really interesting names. them are
• 46.959><c> have</c> correct I didn't hear a ding they have correct I didn't hear a ding they have openings
• for the naming committee if you openings for the naming committee if you want<00:12:48.560><c> to</c
• > are</c> Question: In the dialogue that you have had with insurance companies, what has been the primary

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• John Newman Catholic Church opens us in prayer.
• And then came the memos, all opening with the same three words: "Here is a memo."
• You clicked open and you were instantly transported from the case at hand to Aristotle.
• And then I would tell them at the end, your primary job this year is to help me keep that oath.
• Without fail, Jeff opened his balcony to us at the end of those days.

Summary: The Supreme Court of Texas held a ceremonial investiture for two new justices, James Sullivan and Kyle Hawkins. Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock opened the session with welcoming remarks and led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the National Anthem sung by Trooper Alena Gallardo. The event included an invocation by Father Dean Wilhelm, emphasizing the importance of justice and the rule of law. Governor Greg Abbott praised the new justices, highlighting their qualifications and the significance of their appointments to the court. Justice Samuel Alito administered the oath of office to Justice Hawkins, while Judge Thomas Griffith administered the oath to Justice Sullivan. Both justices expressed gratitude for their appointments and acknowledged the support of their families, mentors, and colleagues. The ceremony also honored former justices Jeff Boyd and Nathan Hecht, with heartfelt tributes reflecting on their contributions to the court and the legal community in Texas. The event concluded with a benediction by Reverend Greg Davidson, encouraging the justices to work diligently and honorably in their new roles.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're going to have an opening discussion around the slate of individuals that I think could add
• And we're going to have an opening discussion around the slate of individuals that I discussion around
• Hopefully, you've opened them up on your computers or you have them printed out like me.
• And so this list is pretty comprehensive, and we want to open the floor to all commissioners to chime
• And we went back to our primary list that we were working on for the last couple years.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The commission met to continue work on planning a Cape Verdean Cultural Center in Massachusetts, with a focus on finalizing membership and preparing for a feasibility study. After roll call and introductions, members reviewed and unanimously approved the November 25 minutes. The chair described the commission’s mandate, including monthly meetings, cultural institution visits, listening sessions, and hiring a consultant to conduct the feasibility study. Members also discussed the historical importance of the project in light of Cape Verde’s 50th anniversary of independence and the 250th anniversary of the United States. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a draft nomination criteria document for expanding the commission. The criteria emphasized geographic, generational, gender, and sector diversity, along with needed expertise in areas such as arts and cultural programming, history, museum work, architecture, fundraising, nonprofit governance, higher education, language preservation, community organizing, economic development, legal issues, and communications. Members highlighted several organizations and institutions as important designees, including Bridgewater State’s Pedro Pires Institute, Mili Mila, the Schooner Ernestina Morrissey Advisory Board, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The criteria document was amended to explicitly include Cape Cod, and then approved unanimously. The commission then reviewed a slate of 16 additional nominees to fill the remaining seats, discussing gaps in legal expertise, Taunton representation, and other regional needs. Members noted that some nominees could also support a separate Cape Verdean associations body rather than serve on the commission itself. After discussion, the body approved forming a three-member nominating committee consisting of the chair, Commissioner Monica Vega, and Commissioner Manny Lopes to narrow the list and report back. Commissioners also agreed to schedule another meeting later in the month to vote on final appointments, and the meeting adjourned after those action steps were set.

Transcript Highlights:

• So at this time, the chair will open the executive session on House Bill 488 relative to limiting conflicts
• session on House will open the executive session on House Bill<00:10:39.440><c> 488</c> Bill 488 Bill
• The full committee work session was very open. We listened to each other.
• </c><00:21:33.919><c> We</c> committee work session was very open.
• We committee work session was very open.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• increase their connection to the community and enable and empower those that speak Haitian Creole as the primary
• this decrease that the voter turnout is maybe in relation to an increase in Haitian residents whose primary
• welcoming folks that have had the opportunity to become naturalized citizens, folks that have their primary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a congratulatory resolution honoring Anna Karaz on her 100th birthday. It then took up and passed several local bills, including a measure authorizing bilingual ballots in English and Haitian Creole for the town of Randolph. The sponsor spoke in support, describing the bill as a home rule petition intended to improve access, civic participation, and voter turnout for Randolph’s growing Haitian Creole-speaking population. The bill was read a third time and passed to be engrossed. The Senate also passed a bill authorizing the Milford Select Board to appoint a highway surveyor. It received a Ways and Means report on House No. 4683, relative to teacher preparation and student literacy, recommending amendment by substitution of the text in Senate document No. 2924; the chamber suspended the rules to consider the order forthwith and adopted it. The Senate further suspended rules to process several Senate petitions and local matters, and then enacted bills amending the Provincetown charter, establishing the appointed town clerk position in Avon, and authorizing Westwood to reissue and grant certain alcohol licenses. Later, the Senate referred a House petition concerning retirement benefits for Valeria Dorazio to the Committee on Public Service after suspending Joint Rule 12. It then adopted an amendment substituting a new draft for a Plymouth bill, changing it to validate and confirm certain acts and proceedings of Plymouth officials, and passed the bill to be engrossed. The session also included remarks congratulating Sweet Paws Rescue on its 15th anniversary and upcoming facility move, followed by a motion to adjourn in memory of Gerard W. Moynihan, which was adopted after a moment of silence. The Senate adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll open up. Testimony on Senate Bill 1313 is now underway.
• I encourage you to open them up, take a look, and you can see this video.
• And I haven't opened this yet, but I will. I can't open packaging very well; I'm always afraid.
• Very well, we'll open testimony on Senate Bill 30.
• So it leaves open a list, and it’s a list that says "or other things."

Bills: SB30 , SB517 , SB1313 , SB1314 , SB1316 , SB1541 , SB1698 , SB1845 , SB1860 , SB2420 , SB2429 , SB 30

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, elections, election audit, county elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Roll call is open for your vote. Have all members voted?
• Roll call is open for your vote.
• Roll call is open for your opposed nay.
• Current law Kentucky's Open Records Act.
• Voting is open for your vote. Have all members voted?

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:17:38.000><c> and</c> nursing homes available and open and nursing homes available and open and
• </c> practices uh which is not the primary practices uh which is not the primary jurisdiction<02:02:36.880
• As I said in my opening comments, some might have chosen the easier route by shifting costs.
• As I said in my opening crossroads.
• There are 53,000 job openings.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This has long been a a primary<00:31:57.440><c> uh</c><00:31:57.679><c> priority</c><00:31:58.080><c>
• for</c><00:31:58.320><c> the</c><00:31:58.480><c> Wyoming</c> primary uh priority for the Wyoming primary
• </c><01:33:03.360><c> to</c> throwing Wyoming's gates wide open to throwing Wyoming's gates wide open
• So all right, we have I'll open it up to public comment. We have three chairs up here.
• </c> have I'll open it up to public comment. have I'll open it up to public comment.

Bills: HB0117 , HB0126

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: informed consent, abortion, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, fetal heartbeat, termination of pregnancy, medical emergency, Wyoming legislation, rights of minors, healthcare regulations, parental consent, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Commission on Judicial Selection has reported a troubling decline in qualified applicants for open
• </c> qualified applicants for open qualified applicants for open judgeships,<00:32:51.200><c> particularly
• </c><00:50:27.680><c> up</c> non-certifications in order to open up non-certifications in order to open
• My understanding is one of the primary points of the amendment is that it provides for the eventuality
• points of the is one of the primary points of the amendment<00:53:57.920><c> is</c><00:53:58.160><c>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee met late on Friday evening to discuss the Public Safety and Judiciary budget agreement, beginning with a brief exchange among members about concerns that the executive branch had been delaying the committee’s work by waiting to approve legislative decisions. Members emphasized that the legislature should retain its independence while still allowing normal collaboration with the governor’s office. The committee then moved through several outstanding policy items and adopted them without opposition, including the A38 amendment addressing data-sharing concerns involving disability-related information, a study of firefighting services by the state fire marshal, and an A46 amendment governing access to unredacted portable recording system data in collision investigations, with guardrails on disclosure and use. The committee next reviewed the spreadsheet and budget targets. Fiscal staff explained the judiciary side of the agreement, including funding for court operating costs, a one-time Justice Partner Access Program appropriation, forensic exam rate increases, guardian ad litem funding, public defense, human rights, the competency attainment board, the cannabis expungement board, and fee increases for civil filings and motions. On the public safety side, staff described the target as well as the discretionary items funded, including nonprofit security grants, BCA staffing changes, fire marshal initiatives, a 10-year arson statute of limitations, prosecutor training grants, legal representation for children, E911 funding for critical infrastructure, Philando Castile Training Fund support, corrections-related savings from the Stillwater phased closure and sentence-to-serve elimination, a mandatory minimums task force, a victims of crime account transfer, a decommissioning study, in-service use-of-force training, and extensions of several expiring appropriations. The committee also noted a correction to a spreadsheet label related to the Stillwater closure item. After the spreadsheet walkthrough, the committee took testimony from Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and State Court Administrator Jeff Shorban on behalf of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Hudson thanked the committee for its work and said the agreement covers some unavoidable costs, including insurance, lease expenses, forensic examiner pay, and the new access system, but argued it does not adequately address the judiciary’s most urgent problem: staffing and judicial compensation. She said court employees are leaving for better-paying jobs, judicial salaries are frozen for two years, and applicant pools for judgeships have declined, especially in greater Minnesota. She also said the judicial branch was not meaningfully consulted on the budget target and urged lawmakers to recognize the courts as a constitutional obligation rather than a discretionary program.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:13:19.360><c> so</c><00:13:19.560><c> we're</c><00:13:19.800><c> definitely</c><00:13:20.160><c> open
• </c><00:13:20.480><c> to</c><00:13:21.120><c> you</c> um and so we're definitely open to you um and so
• to</c><00:13:32.440><c> you</c><00:13:32.560><c> know</c><00:13:33.199><c> having</c> am definitely open
• to you know having am definitely open to you know having conversation<00:13:33.959><c> around</c><00
• </c> while IT addresses buyer primary while IT addresses buyer primary Obstacle<01:12:40.239><c> of</

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• care of Palmer while we quickly tried to find a daycare that we could afford and with any immediate openings
• care of Palmer while we quickly tried to find a daycare that we could afford and with any immediate openings
• care of Palmer while we quickly tried to find a daycare that we could afford and with any immediate openings
• This experience was both eye-opening and impactful, and it took place outside of the regular school day
• </c><01:24:44.480><c> school</c> his primary school his primary school teacher<01:24:46.400><c> this<

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all