Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> for</c><00:32:21.799><c> the</c><00:32:21.960><c> 500</c><00:32:22.360><c> foot</c><00:32:22.679
• ><00:32:31.960><c> there</c><00:32:32.080><c> was</c><00:32:32.279><c> a</c><00:32:32.840><c> there</
• c><00:32:32.960><c> was</c><00:32:33.080><c> an</c><00:32:33.360><c> effort</c><00:32:33.919><c> to</
• ><c> remember</c><00:32:36.519><c> when</c><00:32:36.679><c> I</c><00:32:36.799><c> wasn't</c><00:32:
• :32:39.960><c> get</c><00:32:40.120><c> larger</c><00:32:40.519><c> planes</c><00:32:41.159><c> into<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 540, which would make the most recent state building codes supersede county codes beginning in 2028 and limit county changes without State Building Code Council approval. Grassroot Institute testified in support, while IBEW Local 1260 strongly opposed the bill as written, warning it could let counties weaken state minimum standards and create problems for fire code and sprinkler requirements. Members discussed the need for consistency in building codes and the impact of the State Building Code Council’s status, and the chair said the measure would be deferred indefinitely. The committee also heard SB 626 on disaster preparedness, which would prohibit planting large trees along evacuation routes and require HEMA to identify and remove obstructive trees. Testimony included comments from DLNR, HEMA, and others, with HEMA opposing the measure. The chair said more coordination was needed between DLNR and HEMA and deferred the bill. SB 692, regulating retail and wholesale spray paint sales and assigning jurisdiction to the Department of Law Enforcement, drew opposition from the Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi, which said the bill would impose costly storage and reporting burdens on small retailers and raise identity-theft concerns. The committee deferred that measure as well. In a separate decision-making segment, the committee considered SB 9 on fireworks and recommended passage with amendments. The amendments narrowed or removed several sections, increased certain penalties from $500 to $1,000, adjusted forfeiture allocations, accepted an Attorney General amendment, added an appropriation for community safety education programs, and changed the effective date to July 1, 2077. The motion to pass with amendments was adopted by a vote of 2-1. Later, in a joint hearing, SB 1102 on the aircraft rescue firefighting unit drew support from DOT but opposition from the Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association, which asked that the bill be held. SB 41, establishing Hawaiʻi Disaster Drill Day on August 8, received support from HEMA and a public testifier. SB 1570, addressing Molokaʻi air service disruptions and a possible runway expansion, drew strong public support from Molokaʻi residents and service providers, while the Attorney General raised separation-of-powers concerns about the emergency declaration language and DOT noted the high cost and feasibility issues of runway expansion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are<00:32:10.000><c> there</c><00:32:10.120><c> anything</c><00:32:10.440><c> further</c><00:32:10.680
• ><c> everybody</c><00:32:33.080><c> if</c><00:32:33.160><c> they</c><00:32:33.280><c> wanted</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:44.720><c> plays</c><00:32:44.960><c> nice</c><00:32:45.200><c> in</c><00:32:45.280><c> the
• <00:32:46.520><c> I</c><00:32:46.560><c> think</c><00:32:46.800><c> right</c><00:32:46.960><c> now</c
• 32:22.480><c> that</c><02:32:22.640><c> amount</c><02:32:22.920><c> of</c><02:32:23.000><c> time.

Committee: Joint Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> The</c><00:32:25.760><c> National</c><00:32:26.240><c> Institute</c><00:32:26.720><c> of</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:40.080><c> is</c><00:32:40.399><c> at</c><00:32:40.640><c> elevated</c><00:32:41.279><c> risk
• AAA<00:32:45.600><c> estimates</c><00:32:46.320><c> 60</c><00:32:46.720><c> tow</c><00:32:47.120><c>
• ><01:32:05.520><c> it</c><01:32:05.679><c> a</c><01:32:05.840><c> little</c><01:32:05.920><c> further
• </c><01:32:06.239><c> I</c><01:32:06.400><c> want</c><01:32:06.480><c> to</c><01:32:06.560><c> go</c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association on the importance of general aviation airports in Kentucky and their economic and public-safety role. Witnesses said the state has more than 50 general aviation airports that support jobs, agriculture, tourism, medical transport, disaster response, and law enforcement, and they urged continued support for aviation infrastructure and workforce development. They asked the legislature to again provide $200,000 per general aviation airport for operating and basic infrastructure costs, to route the money through the Kentucky Department of Aviation for accountability, to revisit a special-purpose governmental entity audit requirement they said is too costly for small airports, to create a long-term appropriations process for the roughly $100 million in unmet capital needs, and to fund the Arrow Act for aviation education and scholarships. Members asked about a dedicated aviation fuel tax and about local training partnerships, simulators, and school or community college programs; the witnesses said they preferred an appropriations-based solution and offered to help connect interested communities with aviation education resources. The committee then took up “Troy’s Law,” sponsored by Representatives White and Flannery, which would allow tow trucks to use blue lights while stationary and actively removing vehicles or debris from highways. Sponsors and tow operators said the bill is intended to improve worker safety after the deaths of tow operators Troy Cwell and Hubert Mosley in highway hit-and-run incidents, and they emphasized that tow operators often work in dangerous conditions at night, in bad weather, and near fast-moving traffic. They said the proposal would not apply while driving or towing and noted that other states have adopted similar measures. Witnesses from the towing industry, including Bubba Johnson and Barbara Maguire, supported the bill as an added layer of protection and described tow operators as first responders who help motorists in emergencies. Representative Flannery and other members expressed support for the safety goal and invited further discussion, but no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• 32:03.960><c> uh</c><00:32:04.080><c> change</c><00:32:04.399><c> the</c><00:32:04.600><c> defective<
• > on</c><00:32:17.600><c> Vice</c><00:32:17.799><c> chair</c><00:32:17.960><c> for</c><00:32:18.120><
• 32:20.080><c> 159</c><00:32:21.080><c> house</c><00:32:21.320><c> draft</c><00:32:21.600><c> one</c><
• seeing<00:32:28.799><c> none</c><00:32:29.120><c> the</c><00:32:29.200><c> recommendations</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:31.120><c> we</c><00:32:31.399><c> adjourn</c><00:32:32.279><c> thank</c><00:32:32.480><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology met on March 12 in Room 224 at the Hawaii State Capitol and heard testimony on several labor, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, collective bargaining, and related measures. On House Bill 202, which would revise the definition of the adequate reserve fund for calendar year 2026 and beyond, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations strongly supported the bill, saying it would protect the solvency of the Unemployment Insurance trust fund. The department explained that the reserve standard had been lowered from 1.5% to 1% in 2010 and argued that restoring it would better prepare the fund for future shocks. Questions focused on whether the change would affect employers’ costs and whether the trust fund had recovered fraud losses from the pandemic; the department said some fraud had been recovered and additional fraud tools were now in place. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes and a defective date, and adopted the recommendation. The committee also heard House Bill 477 on the Hawaii Employment Security Law, which the department supported as a modernization of the UI system but asked to amend for clarity, especially on registration-for-work language. The committee accepted those requested amendments and recommended passage with amendments. It then took up House Bill 1026 and House Bills 1027 through 1039, covering emergency appropriations for public employment cost items and collective bargaining for units 1 through 14. Testimony from the Budget and Finance director, United Public Workers, the University of Hawaiʻi, HGEA, UHSC, and others was generally in strong support, with one opposition noted on HB 1038. The committee moved all of those measures together and recommended passage with amendments. In its later decision-making agenda, the committee approved several previously heard bills with technical amendments and defective dates, including House Bill 423 on workers’ compensation, House Bill 480 on workers’ compensation, House Bill 162 on collective bargaining arbitration procedures, House Bill 164 on indebtedness to the state, and House Bill 1152 on tax administration. House Bill 214, relating to government and school resource officers, drew discussion about labor shortages and whether the bill should help train existing school resource officers into law enforcement roles; the committee still passed it with amendments. House Bill 874 on child performers was amended to require trust accounts for certain minors’ earnings and place oversight with DLIR’s Wage Standards Division, and House Bill 159 on qualified community rehabilitation programs was passed with amendments after the committee blanked the $850,000 cap for further discussion. All recommendations were adopted without recorded opposition, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• rights<00:32:21.600><c> case</c><00:32:21.840><c> is</c><00:32:22.159><c> ultimately</c><00:32:22.559
• I<00:32:24.799><c> want</c><00:32:24.960><c> to</c><00:32:25.039><c> focus</c><00:32:25.279><c> the</
• that<00:32:32.399><c> while</c><00:32:32.720><c> people</c><00:32:32.880><c> in</c><00:32:33.039><c>
• :32:37.120><c> is</c><00:32:37.360><c> not</c><00:32:37.519><c> provided</c><00:32:37.840><c> to</c><
• <c> it</c><00:32:39.760><c> would</c><00:32:39.919><c> be</c><00:32:40.000><c> in</c><00:32:40.159><c

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The hearing of the Minnesota Senate Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability focused on federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, especially ICE and CBP operations, and their alleged constitutional and civil-rights impacts. Opening remarks from both parties emphasized the need for calm, cooperation, and public safety, though they sharply differed on the causes of the current situation. Republican members argued that violent criminal undocumented immigrants should be removed and that state and local officials should cooperate with federal authorities. Senator McEwen and other Democrats described the federal presence as abusive and terrorizing, citing deaths, family separations, and community fear, and called for accountability and truth-telling. The chair also held a moment of silence for Renee Mlin Good and Alex Prey before testimony began. Testimony from the ACLU of Minnesota and the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota described what they said was a large-scale federal enforcement operation, including Operation Metro Surge, with widespread alleged violations of the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Tenth, and other constitutional amendments. Witnesses cited alleged racial profiling, warrantless arrests, excessive force, denial of counsel, detention out of state, and failure to comply with court orders. They referenced specific cases involving Susan Tinure, Abdi Khadir Nure, Victor Manuel Diaz, and others, as well as reports of journalists and community members being threatened or detained while documenting ICE activity. The witnesses also said the federal government’s lack of transparency makes it difficult to know how many people have been detained or deported and argued that the harm extends to both immigrants and citizens. Committee members asked questions about ICE entering homes without judicial warrants, federal claims about constitutional limits, and access to counsel for detainees moved out of state. The witnesses said that out-of-state detention, poor locator systems, paid phone access, and lack of privacy make legal representation difficult or impossible, and that civil-rights remedies often come too late because people are removed before cases are resolved. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the committee moved from opening statements into testimony and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• at a single<00:32:01.279><c> site</c><00:32:01.519><c> with</c><00:32:01.679><c> a</c><00:32:02.000>
• 10.000><c> are</c><00:32:10.320><c> also</c><00:32:11.200><c> um</c><00:32:11.440><c> keen</c><00:32:
• Further<00:32:20.799><c> comment</c><00:32:21.039><c> to</c><00:32:21.200><c> the</c><00:32:21.399><c
• Um Senator Mchuan,<00:32:23.840><c> thank</c><00:32:23.919><c> you</c><00:32:24.080><c> for</c><00:32
• 32:49.919><c> I</c><00:32:50.159><c> would</c><00:32:50.240><c> be</c><00:32:50.399><c> open</c><00:32

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; And<00:32:00.559><c> let</c><00:32:00.720><c> me</c><00:32:00.880><c> just</c><00:32:01.039>
• &gt;&gt; Is<00:32:10.080><c> this</c><00:32:10.320><c> information</c><00:32:10.799><c> on</c><00:32:
• &gt;&gt; Yes.<00:32:13.600><c> So</c><00:32:13.760><c> that's</c><00:32:13.919><c> a</c><00:32:14.000
• These<00:32:14.960><c> would</c><00:32:15.039><c> be</c><00:32:15.279><c> all</c><00:32:16.159><c> uh
• </c><00:32:23.039><c> I</c><00:32:23.120><c> I</c><00:32:23.440><c> don't</c><00:32:23.519><c> know</

Keywords: Call to Order 00:17 Department of Corrections 01:35 Community Transitional Services 06:47 Administrative Office of the Courts 23:06 Department of Criminal Justice Training/ KSP 45:49 Adjournment 59:14, 958, all

Summary: The Public Safety and Judiciary Committee met without a quorum, so approval of the January 3, January 20, and February 3 minutes was postponed. The committee then heard an update from the Department of Corrections on halfway house and Recovery Kentucky funding and operations. Deputy Commissioner Hillary Daily said DOC contracts for up to 1,752 halfway house beds and 780 Recovery Kentucky beds, with 16 halfway houses and 13 Recovery Kentucky centers statewide. She reported 6,329 admissions in fiscal year 2025, average daily populations of 1,041 in halfway houses and 494 in Recovery Kentucky, and explained that Recovery Kentucky placements are more restrictive, generally excluding violent and sex offenders, while halfway houses serve probationers, parolees, and sex offenders who need treatment. She also described programming such as MRT, parenting, adult basic education, and trauma-focused services, and said some facilities offer supervised visitation. Daily said no new funding request was included in the current budget, though DOC has sought rate increases in prior cycles. Community Transitional Services director Barbara Stum also testified in support of halfway houses as re-entry and substance abuse treatment centers. She said CTS primarily serves men coming out of prison or returning to prison who need treatment, and that halfway houses provide security, accountability, treatment, employment support, and help with home placement. Stum said the state moved substance abuse treatment into the community in 2010 to avoid sending people back to prison for treatment, and argued halfway houses are the least expensive form of incarceration. She cited daily rates of $33.61 for CTS beds and DOC figures of $37.33 to $44.33 per day, compared with higher prison and jail costs, and said reimbursement has not kept pace with inflation since the last increase in 2019. She said staffing and supplies are the main pressure points, with counselor pay below market rates, and noted two counselor vacancies. A former resident, Michael Bird, testified that CTS helped him recover and re-enter the community successfully. The committee also received an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on implementation of the video arraignment/video conferencing system. AOC officials Zach Ramsey and Charles Buyers said the system is now fully implemented in all courtrooms and is used for video arraignments and other Zoom-based court proceedings. Buyers described the pandemic-era transition from older, inconsistent equipment to improvised laptop/webcam setups, then to a more integrated vendor-supported system with touchscreen controls and a judicial support specialist position for training and operation. He said 324 courtrooms are already up to the current standard, with 128 remaining on an older bundle, and that there are no technical barriers to continued use. AOC said it is seeking $3.8 million in recurring annual funding to keep the systems upgraded and current, and plans to upgrade 46 systems in fiscal year 2026 across 15 counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:02.320><c> you</c><00:32:02.559><c> weren't</c><00:32:02.880><c> involved,</c><00:32:03.519><c
• &gt;&gt; Well,<00:32:07.200><c> I</c><00:32:07.679><c> you</c><00:32:07.840><c> have</c><00:32:07.919
• </c><00:32:10.240><c> Uh</c><00:32:11.440><c> uh</c><00:32:11.679><c> we</c><00:32:11.919><c> are</c>
• So our developers<00:32:24.399><c> are</c><00:32:24.559><c> coming</c><00:32:24.720><c> to</c><00:32:
• c> a</c><00:32:25.919><c> blended</c><00:32:26.399><c> rate</c><00:32:26.720><c> of</c><00:32:26.880>

Bills: HF2986 , HF3555

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: virtual power plant, VPP, distributed energy resources, DER, demand response, load management, grid modernization, peak demand, peak shaving, battery storage, energy storage, solar photovoltaic, solar panels, electric vehicles, smart thermostats, heat pumps, aggregator, public utilities commission, PUC, rate recovery

Transcript Highlights:

• We're<00:32:10.640><c> not</c><00:32:10.799><c> going</c><00:32:10.880><c> to</c><00:32:11.039><c> do
• 32:13.279><c> don't</c><00:32:13.440><c> have</c><00:32:13.600><c> no</c><00:32:13.760><c> problem</c
• Let's<00:32:19.840><c> slow</c><00:32:20.080><c> them</c><00:32:20.240><c> down</c><00:32:20.399><c>
• you</c><00:32:23.279><c> can</c><00:32:23.440><c> continue</c><00:32:23.760><c> to</c><00:32:23.919>
• KDE doesn't<00:32:28.480><c> want</c><00:32:28.640><c> to</c><00:32:28.720><c> do</c><00:32:28.880><c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard House Bill 132, which would change home and hospital instruction funding so schools can be reimbursed sooner when students miss school for short-term mental health-related stays. Representative Nick Wilson said current law requires a student to be out five days before funding begins, leaving schools unpaid when they provide instruction during 2- to 4-day absences. The committee gave HB 132 favorable expression unanimously. The committee then heard House Bill 193, a cleanup bill on dual credit scholarships. Representative J.T. Payne and KHEAA’s director explained that the bill consolidates academic and CTE dual credit scholarships into one statute to reduce administrative confusion, since the programs have been funded together in recent budgets. HB 193 passed unanimously with favorable expression. House Bill 241 drew the most discussion. The committee first adopted a substitute, which members said changed the bill to give the Commissioner of Education discretion, rather than a mandate, to grant calamity days. The bill and substitute centered on virtual instruction and Cloverport Virtual Academy: supporters said the school was a pilot project that needed more time and that a prior agency effort to cap virtual instruction would have effectively shut it down, while opponents argued the substitute would reward a low-performing virtual model and extend NTI/virtual learning too broadly. Testimony from an Oldham County parent criticized NTI quality and opposed adding more virtual days. No final vote on HB 241 was included in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 08.200><c> while</c><00:32:08.399><c> we</c><00:32:08.559><c> stand</c><00:32:08.880><c> by</c><00:32
• :10.480><c> uh</c><00:32:10.600><c> in</c><00:32:10.799><c> support</c><00:32:11.200><c> of</c><00:32
• /c><00:32:13.320><c> did</c><00:32:13.519><c> not</c><00:32:14.440><c> add</c><00:32:14.960><c> is</c
• :32:21.960><c> an</c><00:32:22.200><c> appeal</c><00:32:22.600><c> or</c><00:32:22.799><c> judicial</
• review is<00:32:23.840><c> sought</c><00:32:24.279><c> of</c><00:32:24.519><c> one</c><00:32:24.679>

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered Senate Bills 470, 828, 730, and 1383. SB 470 would create a deferred retirement option program for police officers. The Employees Retirement System warned it could worsen the system’s $14.1 billion unfunded liability by stopping employer and employee contributions during the DROP period, and the Attorney General raised possible tax-qualified status, Internal Revenue Code, and age-discrimination concerns. Police and other supporters testified in favor, but the committees ultimately recommended deferring the bill indefinitely. SB 828 would expand workers’ compensation medical benefits for firefighters to cover an additional respiratory condition. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Hawaii Firefighters Association supported the measure, citing occupational exposure and health risks. The committees recommended passage with amendments, and the motion was adopted by both committees. SB 730, which concerns allowance on service retirements, drew support from the Department of Human Resources Development and the Department of Law Enforcement, but also comments from the Attorney General and ERS. DHRD said the bill could help recruitment and retention but requested more time to work on language with ERS, Budget and Finance, and the AG’s office. The committees postponed decision-making until Friday, February 7, at 3:15 p.m. in Conference Room 225. SB 1383, relating to fire protection, received broad support from the Governor’s office, Department of Defense, DLNR, Hawaiian Electric, and others. The committees agreed to pass it with amendments, including language suggested by the Hawaii Insurance Council on wildfire-related insurance issues and a committee report link to the Lina fire forward-looking report, phase three. The amended recommendation was adopted by both committees. Later in the meeting, the committees also heard SB 1360 and SB 1361 on ERS administrative and reporting matters, SB 340 on HLRB enforcement authority, and SB 997 on energy; SB 1360 and SB 1361 were presented as housekeeping measures, SB 340 drew disagreement between the Attorney General and HLRB over enforcement authority, and SB 997 was amended to incorporate prevailing-wage renewable energy rate language from SB 743 and then passed with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Sure.<00:32:26.399><c> Uh</c><00:32:26.799><c> Madame</c><00:32:27.200><c> Chair,</c><00:32:
• </c><00:32:31.120><c> of</c><00:32:31.279><c> the</c><00:32:31.519><c> level</c><00:32:31.760><c> of<
• > uh</c><00:32:39.919><c> reported</c><00:32:40.399><c> back</c><00:32:40.559><c> to</c><00:32:40.799
• ><c> Um</c><00:32:45.120><c> so</c><00:32:45.519><c> we</c><00:32:45.760><c> can</c><00:32:45.919><c>
• > too,</c><00:32:47.279><c> but</c><00:32:47.440><c> it's</c><00:32:47.600><c> going</c><00:32:47.679

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:06.399><c> know</c><00:32:06.519><c> you</c><00:32:06.600><c> can</c><00:32:06.760><c> go<
• whatever<00:32:16.200><c> you</c><00:32:16.320><c> want</c><00:32:16.519><c> and</c><00:32:16.639><c
• <00:32:20.519><c> at</c><00:32:20.639><c> the</c><00:32:20.720><c> end</c><00:32:20.880><c> of</c><00
• :32:21.000><c> the</c><00:32:21.159><c> day</c><00:32:21.760><c> um</c><00:32:22.039><c> with</c><00:
• <00:32:22.639><c> said</c><00:32:23.240><c> when</c><00:32:23.440><c> you</c><00:32:23.880><c> and</c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Public Works and Highways Committee heard testimony on House Bill 375, which would allow municipalities to designate certain road segments for ATV travel, create maps and signage for those routes, set seasonal limits, and require certain equipment on ATVs such as lights, a horn, flashers, and directional signals. The sponsor, Rep. Dan Maguire, said the bill is intended to support tourism and give towns a structured, optional way to permit ATV use on roads, not to override existing uses. Members asked about possible overlap with agricultural vehicle rules, golf carts, speed limits, and whether the bill could allow ATV use on busier roads or expressways; the sponsor said he did not intend to interfere with existing lawful uses and believed golf carts would only be included if they met the relevant statutory requirements. NHDOT State Maintenance Engineer Alan Hennessy said the department had concerns with language exempting municipalities and the Bureau of Trails from the permitting process, arguing that the existing permit system provides needed review, public notice, and signage requirements. He also raised questions about road funding and maintenance if ATVs were allowed on state highways. Fish and Game Captain Michael Eastman testified that his commission opposed the bill as written, citing concerns about the ATV definition, the distinction between ATVs, UTVs, and other OHRVs, and the potential impact on state highways and road maintenance. He said towns can already open roads to OHRV use under existing law, and he noted that accident data for road use would generally be handled by local police or State Police rather than Fish and Game. Craig Reny, chief of the Bureau of Trails, said the current Bureau of Trails/DOT permit process for highway crossings and connectors works well and is used to ensure safety through engineering review. He said his bureau was not taking a position on the bill but wanted to clarify that existing procedures already address many of the issues the bill appears to cover. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• at<00:32:10.960><c> this</c><00:32:11.120><c> point</c><00:32:11.360><c> when</c><00:32:11.600><c> I<
• ><00:32:13.279><c> come</c><00:32:13.519><c> up</c><00:32:13.679><c> and</c><00:32:14.000><c> we</c><
• </c><00:32:16.320><c> We</c><00:32:16.559><c> have</c><00:32:16.720><c> dealt</c><00:32:16.960><c> with
• </c><00:32:55.360><c> in</c><00:32:55.600><c> the</c><00:32:55.760><c> budget</c><00:32:56.399><c> and
• </c><00:32:56.640><c> I</c><00:32:56.960><c> think</c><00:32:57.360><c> um</c><00:32:57.600><c> we</c

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee conference first returned to Senate Bill 210 on cyberbullying. Members discussed whether to keep the bill focused on prevention and school action or instead add a study committee. House members said they were willing to remove the open enrollment portion and return to the original intent of the bill, while Senate members argued that bullying is already addressed in existing law and DOE guidance but that the legislature still needs to take action. Several members emphasized that bullying and related mental health harms are occurring in schools and that parents, teachers, and students are asking for stronger accountability now, not just another study. Others said the current bullying statute is not being implemented properly and that revising language without enforcement changes would not solve the problem. The House side noted that the amended bill would require additional reporting from districts, including information about police being called to schools, and would address parent notification issues. Despite those points, the Senate position remained that the House and Senate were not in agreement and that the bill should revert to the original version. The committee ultimately agreed to a non-concur report, with members indicating consent for that action. The meeting then briefly turned to Senate Bill 206. Members said the issue had already been addressed because a cell phone use policy amendment had been added to HB2 during the budget conference, making further discussion unnecessary. Because the chambers still needed to choose one of the formal conference options, the committee agreed to file a non-concurrent report on SB 206 as well, with consent from the House-side members.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; It<00:32:16.320><c> is</c><00:32:16.480><c> all</c><00:32:16.640><c> just</c><00:32:16.799><
• &gt;&gt; Yes.<00:32:18.080><c> Um</c><00:32:18.880><c> would</c><00:32:19.200><c> it</c><00:32:19.760
• ><c> want</c><00:32:27.679><c> to</c><00:32:28.080><c> put</c><00:32:28.320><c> a</c><00:32:28.480><c
• Uh I I'm<00:32:34.080><c> I'm</c><00:32:34.399><c> not</c><00:32:34.559><c> sure</c><00:32:34.640><c>
• ><c> to</c><00:32:36.559><c> seed</c><00:32:36.960><c> some</c><00:32:37.200><c> of</c><00:32:37.279>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then moved into a work session on its remaining bills. The main discussion centered on House Bill 477, which would establish a commission to study safety and security procedures at the New Hampshire State House. Members debated whether a new commission was needed, with several speakers arguing that security is already being reviewed through the bipartisan Joint Facilities Committee and existing security staff, including an outside consultant’s review. Others raised concerns that members do not always know how to report safety or behavioral issues and suggested better communication to the full membership about who to contact and what information can be shared. The House clerk then explained the structure and authority of the Joint Facilities Committee under RSA 17-E, noting that it is a bipartisan legislative committee made up only of elected officials, with publicly listed members, defined duties, and the ability to meet in nonpublic session on sensitive matters such as security. The clerk said members can bring concerns to the committee, its chair, or their caucus leadership, and that some safety briefings are already given to all members when appropriate. Several members said they preferred keeping security matters limited to a need-to-know basis and opposed creating a new commission that could force public discussion of sensitive procedures. The committee then voted on HB 477. Representative Sheen moved ITL, Representative Turkot seconded, and the motion passed 12-0, with Representative Wall voting no. The bill was sent to consent. After that, the committee began discussion of House Bill 314, which would prohibit the use of federal, state, or local funds for lobbying activities, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:14.000><c> And</c><00:32:14.240><c> if</c><00:32:14.480><c> we</c><00:32:14.799><c> lose</
• And so people<00:32:22.640><c> will</c><00:32:22.880><c> be</c><00:32:23.120><c> lined</c><00:32:23.519
• So,<00:32:31.360><c> um</c><00:32:32.640><c> I</c><00:32:32.960><c> think</c><00:32:33.919><c> that</
• this</c><00:32:41.840><c> thing</c><00:32:42.240><c> goes</c><00:32:42.559><c> down</c><00:32:43.919
• > next</c><00:32:49.600><c> year</c><00:32:50.080><c> in</c><00:32:50.320><c> a</c><00:32:50.559><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 155 continued discussion of a compromise over business tax relief, small-business filing thresholds, and nursing home funding. Representative Sweeney proposed raising the filing threshold to $400,000 and creating a trigger for future Business Enterprise Tax reductions if business tax revenues produce a $200 million biennial surplus, with the Department of Revenue Administration commissioner able to exclude one-time or non-sustainable funds. Supporters said the proposal would provide a clear policy direction, immediate relief to about 4,500 small and micro businesses, and a future path back to the BET’s original 0.25% rate. Opponents, led by the Senate side, argued the trigger language was premature, better handled in a budget year with more revenue data, and inappropriate to decide in a short conference committee meeting. The Senate also emphasized that the tax policy should not be locked in without a fuller public process, while House members argued the trigger would not take effect until a future biennium and was therefore a prudent way to signal New Hampshire’s direction on taxes. A separate point of discussion involved nursing homes: the House said its report would include $2.5 million for nursing homes with non-lapsing language, and senators stressed the importance of that funding for the health care system and county property taxpayers. One senator warned that triggers could encourage revenue underestimation and noted bond rating concerns about a structural deficit. Several motions were made to accept the Senate position with the $400,000 threshold and related amendments, but the first motion failed on a party-line style split, with the Senate voting yes and the House voting no. A second House motion to accede to the Senate position while also including the nursing home funding, the threshold increase, and the future trigger language was also rejected by the Senate. The meeting ended with the report filed without agreement on the trigger language, and the transcript then notes a separate reconvened committee of conference on HB 751 being postponed until 12:30 the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:21.440><c> that</c><00:32:21.840><c> needs</c><00:32:22.159><c> to</c><00:32:22.399><c> be
• </c><00:32:24.159><c> is</c><00:32:24.480><c> no</c><00:32:24.799><c> language</c><00:32:25.200><c> in
• 00:32:33.200><c> in</c><00:32:33.519><c> the</c><00:32:33.760><c> house</c><00:32:34.720><c> that</c>
• we have<00:32:36.000><c> discussed</c><00:32:36.960><c> um</c><00:32:38.000><c> uh</c><00:32:38.159>
• :32:41.279><c> they</c><00:32:41.600><c> are</c><00:32:41.919><c> willing</c><00:32:42.559><c> to</c>

Bills: SB2697 , SB2399 , SB2665 , SB2851 , SB3102 , SB2521 , SB3157

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: SB2697, Hawaii transportation, motor vehicle law, road shoulder, shoulder lane, shoulder driving, high occupancy vehicle lane, HOV lane, vehicle registration, expired registration, out-of-state vehicle, vehicle tax delinquency, impoundment, vehicle seizure, public auction, county finance, Department of Transportation, law enforcement, antique motor vehicle, traffic penalties

Summary: The joint hearing of the Transportation and Labor and Technology committees considered HB 2097, which would allow administrative driver’s license revocation hearings to be held by interactive conference technology such as Zoom and permit electronic exchange of evidence. DOT and the Administrative Driver’s License Revocation Office supported the bill, saying Zoom hearings have worked well since 2021 and save time and money. Both committees passed HB 2097 with technical and nonsubstantive amendments. The Transportation Committee then heard HB 1163 on commercial driver licensing, HB 2113 on funding vegetation removal from the Kaola Stream drainage way, HB 2283 on port pilotage, HB 1588 on a noise detection camera program, and HB 2333 on airport special districts and aeronautics penalties. DOT asked for HB 1163 to use “non-domiciled” language to match federal rules, and the committee passed it with amendments. For HB 2113, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity said the project would likely need about $1 million, and the committee passed the bill with amendments while noting the funding would be reflected in the committee report rather than the measure itself. HB 2283 drew broad support from maritime and labor interests, but the committee deferred it, saying the Senate version was already moving and would be used instead. HB 1588 received support from DOT and several community and health-related testifiers who said noise from traffic is a serious problem, but the committee expressed concern about enforcement language and re-referred the bill to Judiciary/Ways and Means while still passing it forward. HB 2333 was supported by DOT and airline interests; after questions about airport loitering and sleeping rules, the committee passed it as is. In the final decision-making, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on HB 1163, HB 2113, HB 1588, and HB 2333, and deferred HB 2283.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:32:03.120><c> on</c><02:32:03.359><c> this</c><02:32:03.520><c> measure</c><02:32:03.760><c>
• the house<02:32:08.479><c> we</c><02:32:08.720><c> have</c><02:32:08.880><c> myself</c><02:32:09.280>
• </c><02:32:17.280><c> Um</c><02:32:17.600><c> may</c><02:32:17.760><c> we</c><02:32:18.000><c> roll</
• :32:20.000><c> at</c><02:32:20.319><c> 3:30</c><02:32:20.960><c> room</c><02:32:21.280><c> 329.
• </c><02:32:24.560><c> And</c><02:32:25.439><c> um</c><02:32:26.319><c> may</c><02:32:26.560><c> we</c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.519><c> on</c><00:32:01.679><c> that</c><00:32:01.840><c> a</c><00:32:02.080><c> little</c><00:32
• I drove or I<00:32:03.440><c> rode</c><00:32:03.600><c> with</c><00:32:03.760><c> a</c><00:32:04.000>
• But um we<00:32:14.240><c> spent</c><00:32:14.640><c> our</c><00:32:14.960><c> time</c><00:32:15.360>
• </c><00:32:17.440><c> Highway</c><00:32:17.760><c> 212</c><00:32:18.320><c> because</c><00:32:18.559>
• I really<00:32:22.720><c> wanted</c><00:32:22.960><c> to</c><00:32:23.200><c> see</c><00:32:23.440><c

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> And<00:32:04.320><c> this</c><00:32:04.720><c> I</c><00:32:05.039><c> believe</c><00:32:05.440><
• Next,<00:32:12.399><c> tuition</c><00:32:12.880><c> waiver</c><00:32:13.279><c> for</c><00:32:13.519>
• &gt;&gt; Yes.<00:32:26.880><c> Good</c><00:32:27.039><c> morning,</c><00:32:27.360><c> uh,</c><00:32:
• </c><00:32:33.760><c> waiver</c><00:32:34.080><c> for</c><00:32:34.240><c> foster</c><00:32:34.559><c
• It's been another<00:32:37.200><c> good</c><00:32:37.360><c> year</c><00:32:37.600><c> for</c><00:32:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met on December 19, 2025, approved the draft minutes from the November 21 regular meeting, and received a DHS commissioners update. Patricia Tilly reported on the state’s rural health transformation application, saying CMS had provided only one question and positive feedback, that the final federal award amount was still pending, and that DHS was preparing an accept-and-expend item for fiscal review using an up-to amount. She also said the new Hampstead YDC facility remains on track, with substantive construction expected by late summer 2026 and move-in likely in early January 2027. In response to questions, she confirmed the playground/outdoor activity area had been in the original design and was added when funding became available. Henry Litman, Medicaid director, discussed the Senate Bill 248 study committee report on palliative and hospice care. He explained the distinction between palliative care, which can be provided while a patient still seeks curative treatment, and hospice care, which involves electing not to pursue curative services. He said the committee’s work pointed to a need for better education for providers and the public, and described ongoing conversations with the Foundation for Healthy Communities and Home Health and Hospice about developing materials and possibly addressing how palliative services are bundled. He also said the study committee itself did not generate future legislation, though members could pursue it separately. Litman then answered questions about Medicaid eligibility and long-term services and supports, including delays in processing, the backlog from pandemic-era redeterminations, and efforts to speed reviews. He said the department is using temporary staffing funded in part by last session’s legislation, working with the New Hampshire Healthcare Association, counties, and UNH Law to streamline policy and training, and relying more on electronic asset verification while still guarding against improper asset transfers. He emphasized the goal of balancing faster access to benefits with compliance and fraud prevention. Robert Rodler followed with the annual tuition waiver update for children in foster care or guardianship. He reported 82 applicants and 65 waivers granted, including 35 for USNH schools and 30 for the community college system, and noted a correction would be issued for inaccurate continuing/new student figures in the report. Senator Gray said he intends to pursue a separate budget appropriation for these tuition waiver costs in the future so the funding would be clearly identified and easier to track. No additional votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that<00:32:31.200><c> to</c><00:32:31.440><c> me</c><00:32:32.080><c> says</c><00:32:32.399><c> that
• of<00:32:36.559><c> their</c><00:32:36.799><c> duty</c><00:32:37.360><c> before</c><00:32:37.679><c>
• 32:44.240><c> they're</c><00:32:44.480><c> not</c><00:32:44.720><c> provided</c><00:32:45.039><c> this
• c> So</c><00:32:46.320><c> that</c><00:32:47.039><c> uh</c><00:32:47.200><c> language</c><00:32:47.600
• > that's</c><00:32:50.640><c> why</c><00:32:50.799><c> I</c><00:32:50.960><c> support</c><00:32:51.200

Keywords: 958, all