Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:02.000><c> And</c><00:32:02.240><c> I</c><00:32:02.480><c> think</c><00:32:02.559><c> that
• that dynamism<00:32:05.600><c> that</c><00:32:05.840><c> dynamism</c><00:32:06.399><c> is</c><00:32:
• ,</c><00:32:08.720><c> back</c><00:32:08.880><c> in</c><00:32:09.039><c> the</c><00:32:09.200><c> 90s
• do a study<00:32:12.080><c> of</c><00:32:12.320><c> how</c><00:32:12.480><c> much</c><00:32:12.640><
• </c><00:32:18.720><c> Well,</c><00:32:19.279><c> of</c><00:32:19.519><c> course,</c><00:32:19.679><c>

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that were in conflict.<00:32:01.520><c> And</c><00:32:01.760><c> so</c><00:32:02.480><c> if</c><00:32
• ><c> it</c><00:32:07.720><c> has</c><00:32:07.960><c> to</c><00:32:08.040><c> do</c><00:32:08.200><c>
• Um the<00:32:19.560><c> A1</c><00:32:20.160><c> basically</c><00:32:20.720><c> is</c><00:32:21.040><c
• And<00:32:33.960><c> basically</c><00:32:34.480><c> it</c><00:32:34.600><c> just</c><00:32:34.800><c>
• </c><00:32:38.960><c> allows</c><00:32:39.400><c> them</c><00:32:39.600><c> to</c><00:32:39.920><c> some

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:32:19.039><c> I</c><00:32:19.440><c> am</c><00:32:19.600><c> in</c><00:32:19.919><c> support</c
• c> I</c><00:32:21.919><c> urge</c><00:32:22.080><c> everyone</c><00:32:22.320><c> to</c><00:32:22.480
• </c><00:32:27.840><c> It</c><00:32:28.159><c> is</c><00:32:28.320><c> unfortunate</c><00:32:28.960><c
• <00:32:30.519><c> more</c><00:32:31.519><c> in</c><00:32:31.840><c> a</c><00:32:32.320><c> situation<
• 32:35.919><c> Paris</c><00:32:36.320><c> climate</c><00:32:36.919><c> agreement</c><00:32:37.919><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c> exhaust</c><00:32:13.519><c> that</c><00:32:13.639><c> list</c><00:32:14.039><c> before</c><00:32:
• <00:32:15.720><c> to</c><00:32:15.960><c> hire</c><00:32:16.159><c> and</c><00:32:16.320><c> train</c
• </c><00:32:25.880><c> deadline</c><00:32:26.279><c> up</c><00:32:26.440><c> from</c><00:32:26.760><c>
• ><c> and</c><00:32:28.000><c> what</c><00:32:28.080><c> is</c><00:32:28.200><c> a</c><00:32:28.320><c
• ><c> would</c><00:32:35.679><c> be</c><00:32:36.120><c> a</c><00:32:36.320><c> a</c><00:32:36.440><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> about</c><00:32:03.039><c> just</c><00:32:03.279><c> a</c><00:32:03.440><c> few</c><00:32:03.600>
• :32:09.120><c> the</c><00:32:09.279><c> senate</c><00:32:09.919><c> pres</c><00:32:10.559><c> speaker
• program and<00:32:45.279><c> to</c><00:32:45.679><c> continually</c><00:32:46.320><c> push</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:48.320><c> a</c><00:32:48.559><c> decrease</c><00:32:48.880><c> in</c><00:32:49.120><c> 25
• Um<00:32:57.039><c> and</c><00:32:57.519><c> that</c><00:32:57.760><c> is</c><00:32:57.919><c> a</c><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to review tax expenditures, elect a chair and clerk, and hear updates on two credits due for periodic review: the career and technical education (CTE) center tax credit and the research and development (R&D) tax credit. Members first organized the meeting, then heard from Jennifer Ramsey of DRA, who explained the purpose of the tax expenditure review process and summarized the CTE and R&D credits. She said the CTE credit allows donations to CTE centers for a credit against business profits tax, is capped at 25% of a taxpayer’s liability, has a $500,000 aggregate limit, and was extended in SB 98 to fiscal year 2031. She also noted DRA could not provide detailed financial data because of statistical disclosure limits when too few taxpayers claim the credit. Committee members pressed for more historical and aggregate information, arguing they needed numbers to judge whether the credit is effective and worth continuing. The committee then heard from Chrissy Vanderhook of the Department of Education on the CTE credit. She described New Hampshire’s CTE system as serving 26 secondary centers and seven post-secondary centers, with industry partners providing internships, work-based learning, equipment, employee time, and other in-kind support that can qualify for the credit. She said the department reports annually to legislative leaders and that fiscal year 2025 credit activity was down about 48% from FY24, partly due to staffing changes and outreach issues. Members asked whether the program extends to community college-level programs, and she said it can, though she was not sure how broadly it is used that way. The committee also discussed a new Granite Patron of the Arts credit, which DRA said went into effect July 1 and is included in the tax expenditure report even though it is not yet listed in the statute. For the R&D credit, Ramsey explained that it offsets business profits tax and can carry forward to business enterprise tax, is based on incremental research spending, and currently has a $7 million annual aggregate cap. She said the cap has not yet been reached but could require proration as early as fiscal year 2026 if not increased. She noted there were 271 taxpayers claiming the credit in fiscal 2024 and that a proposal last session to raise the cap to $10 million and increase the per-company limit did not advance. Mark Liberty of BEA said the credit is an important recruitment and retention tool, especially for life sciences, aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing, but acknowledged BEA does not track direct revenue return. Andrea Hchvaria of New Hampshire Life Sciences argued the R&D credit is critical for startups and cited growth in applicants from 71 in 2008 to 248 in 2024, with qualified wages rising substantially over that period. Committee members repeatedly asked for more objective economic-impact data, but DRA said it only tracks who claimed the credit and the amount claimed, not broader business outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:22.559><c> think</c><00:32:22.679><c> as</c><00:32:22.799><c> many</c><00:32:22.960><c> of
• :32:29.159><c> we</c><00:32:29.639><c> our</c><00:32:29.760><c> members</c><00:32:30.120><c> largely<
• ><c> bill</c><00:32:38.440><c> um</c><00:32:38.600><c> that</c><00:32:38.760><c> townships</c><00:32:
• ><c> in</c><00:32:39.919><c> it</c><00:32:40.720><c> and</c><00:32:41.120><c> that</c><00:32:41.480><
• :32:47.760><c> 230</c><00:32:48.440><c> million</c><00:32:48.840><c> per</c><00:32:49.039><c> year</c

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:24.840><c> And</c><00:32:25.040><c> as</c><00:32:25.680><c> shifting</c><00:32:26.000><c> back</c
• > and</c><00:32:40.720><c> convincing</c><00:32:41.480><c> standard</c><00:32:41.920><c> of</c><00:32
• > needed</c><00:32:53.000><c> care</c><00:32:53.360><c> to</c><00:32:53.520><c> individuals</c><00:32
• And with<00:32:58.600><c> that,</c><00:32:58.800><c> I'll</c><00:32:58.920><c> take</c><00:32:59.120>
• 01:32:56.400><c> I</c><01:32:56.840><c> I</c><01:32:56.960><c> signed</c><01:32:57.280><c> a</c><01:32

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:32:09.120><c> be</c><00:32:09.279><c> able</c><00:32:09.519><c> to</c><00:32:09.919><c> perform<
• c><00:32:16.799><c> mix</c><00:32:17.120><c> June</c><00:32:17.360><c> and</c><00:32:17.600><c> July<
• <c> sometimes</c><00:32:19.039><c> other</c><00:32:19.519><c> o</c><00:32:19.760><c> words</c><00:32:
• :32:22.640><c> uh</c><00:32:22.720><c> or</c><00:32:22.880><c> at</c><00:32:22.880><c> least</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:24.799><c> Uh</c><00:32:25.120><c> with</c><00:32:25.360><c> us,</c><00:32:25.600><c> we</

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 525, which would have transferred administration of the program for the deaf and hard of hearing and the related board to OPLC. The chair said the sponsor was no longer interested in moving forward, and Representative Schmidt moved ITL. The motion passed 14-0 with two members absent, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. The committee then considered Senate Bill 182 on the maternal mortality review committee. The chair described a narrower amendment that would keep the name change, clarify operations so recommendations are returned to the appropriate entities, and expand contact with family members and close contacts, while dropping a proposed addition of a Department of Corrections member. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was then moved ITL and placed on the consent calendar. Senate Bill 185, dealing with OPLC investigations and backlog reduction, received an update from OPLC General Counsel Nicholas Fry. He described efforts to improve public communication, clear the complaint backlog, standardize intake and expert review, add automated responses and website updates, use weekly legal-viability reviews, create preliminary investigation protocols, and establish a process for law-enforcement referrals. Members asked about board involvement and criminal-conviction cases; Fry said boards are kept informed and that such matters can proceed either through complaints or application/background-check processes. Representative Groa requested a follow-up update in January, and the committee agreed to an oral report then if needed. The bill was then voted ITL unanimously and placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 349 on optometrists performing ophthalmologic laser procedures. Dr. Angelique Sawyer testified in support, saying the amendment adds more specific proctoring and qualification requirements, based on language requested after earlier hearings, and that similar systems exist in other states. Representative Sers confirmed that the new sections were the key additions, while Representative Schmidt said he remained open to the concept but wanted a thorough review and asked about a subcommittee. The discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended, with no vote recorded on HB 349.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:02.799><c> system</c><00:32:03.120><c> that</c><00:32:03.240><c> we</c><00:32:03.360><c> have<
• 32:07.200><c> kids</c><00:32:08.200><c> and</c><00:32:08.440><c> and</c><00:32:08.559><c> I</c><00:32
• /c><00:32:10.960><c> think</c><00:32:11.200><c> that</c><00:32:11.360><c> that's</c><00:32:11.559><c>
• I'm saying<00:32:13.240><c> um</c><00:32:14.039><c> but</c><00:32:14.279><c> I</c><00:32:14.559><c>
• I</c><00:32:14.679><c> just</c><00:32:15.039><c> I</c><00:32:15.159><c> do</c><00:32:15.360><c> not</

Bills: HF1247 , HF628

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child care, aides, supervision, child care centers, staffing regulations, childcare, day care, licensed child care center, early childhood education, child care licensing, director qualifications, staff ratios, group size, staff-to-child ratio, substitutes, volunteers, assistant teacher, teacher qualifications, infant care, toddler age

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:32:09.760><c> by</c><00:32:09.919><c> those</c><00:32:10.039><c> who</c><00:32:10.159><c> are</c>
• on</c><00:32:10.600><c> their</c><00:32:10.720><c> luck</c><00:32:11.080><c> and</c><00:32:11.240><c
• :32:13.880><c> of</c><00:32:13.960><c> CJs</c><00:32:14.480><c> are</c><00:32:14.679><c> for</c><00:32
• in</c><00:32:34.960><c> 2014</c><00:32:35.840><c> the</c><00:32:35.960><c> Homestead</c><00:32:36.480
• revision<00:32:47.279><c> removed</c><00:32:47.679><c> the</c><00:32:47.799><c> 10%</c><00:32:48.440>

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:32:01.919><c> When</c><00:32:02.159><c> this</c><00:32:02.320><c> first</c><00:32:02.559><c> ca<
• 32:05.919><c> the</c><00:32:06.080><c> heads</c><00:32:06.320><c> of</c><00:32:06.480><c> the</c><00:
• </c><00:32:16.320><c> This</c><00:32:16.559><c> is</c><00:32:16.640><c> something</c><00:32:16.799><c
• This<00:32:29.200><c> resolution</c><00:32:29.600><c> protects</c><00:32:30.000><c> Jewish</c><00:32:
• And from the<00:32:32.399><c> bottom</c><00:32:32.559><c> of</c><00:32:32.640><c> my</c><00:32:32.720

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 77, which would allow comprehensive universities to pursue doctoral programs under a new approval process and, in the original bill, would also change who may serve on the EPSB board for small colleges and universities. The sponsor and Council on Postsecondary Education representative explained that the committee substitute removed the current statutory prohibition on comprehensive universities offering certain doctoral degrees, but added eligibility guardrails: a 77% first-to-second-year retention rate, a 56% six-year graduation rate, and three months of unrestricted cash reserves. They said the thresholds were based on national data placing institutions in roughly the top quartile, and that CPE would still review proposals for mission fit, workforce need, fiscal impact, and, where applicable, programmatic accreditation and legislative appropriations. EKU President David McFaden supported creating a pathway for comprehensive universities, said Kentucky is unusual in having an explicit statutory prohibition, and urged the committee to keep the standards attainable and durable. The committee approved the bill and adopted a title amendment, with the motion passing unanimously. The committee then heard Senate Joint Resolution 55, which addresses antisemitism on postsecondary campuses. Senator Tichenor said the resolution responds to a rise in antisemitic incidents after October 7, 2023, and would require campuses to notify students each semester of Title VI rights, complaint procedures, existing harassment policies, and available Jewish student resources. It would also direct campuses to disband student organizations found to provide material support to known terrorist organizations, report such matters to law enforcement, and collect and report antisemitism data to CPE for posting on its website. A guest speaker from the Kentucky Jewish Council described a sharp increase in reported incidents, including harassment, threats, vandalism, and hostile campus activity, and argued that schools have often done too little to respond. He said the resolution was amended to protect free speech while ensuring Jewish students receive the same protections as other protected groups. The transcript ends while testimony on the resolution was still underway, before any committee vote on SJR 55.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:14.120><c> was</c><00:32:14.279><c> the</c><00:32:14.480><c> fact</c><00:32:14.960><c> that</c
• the vast<00:32:16.200><c> majority</c><00:32:16.639><c> of</c><00:32:17.120><c> it</c><00:32:18.120><
• the flood of 2002<00:32:34.039><c> here</c><00:32:34.159><c> in</c><00:32:34.279><c> Roso</c><00:32:
• 34.799><c> and</c><00:32:35.240><c> for</c><00:32:35.440><c> those</c><00:32:35.559><c> of</c><00:32:
• <00:32:38.039><c> big</c><00:32:38.240><c> deal</c><00:32:38.559><c> that</c><00:32:38.760><c> was</c

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.240><c> book</c><00:32:00.639><c> that</c><00:32:00.840><c> if</c><00:32:01.240><c> if</c><00:32:
• /c><00:32:02.799><c> do</c><00:32:03.200><c> it's</c><00:32:03.399><c> not</c><00:32:03.639><c> new</
• it's the<00:32:04.639><c> element</c><00:32:05.080><c> by</c><00:32:05.200><c> Sir</c><00:32:05.480>
• :32:07.919><c> people</c><00:32:08.320><c> being</c><00:32:08.559><c> able</c><00:32:08.799><c> to</c
• 00:32:13.240><c> in</c><00:32:13.440><c> workpl</c><00:32:14.159><c> morale</c><00:32:14.600><c> and<

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:04.080><c> to</c><00:32:04.320><c> slip</c><00:32:04.640><c> that</c><00:32:04.799><c> in.
• Maybe<00:32:05.360><c> someone</c><00:32:05.679><c> can</c><00:32:05.840><c> explain</c><00:32:06.240
• &gt;&gt; You<00:32:07.120><c> know,</c><00:32:07.440><c> it</c><00:32:07.679><c> was</c><00:32:07.919
• The reality<00:32:11.679><c> is</c><00:32:12.559><c> if</c><00:32:12.880><c> if</c><00:32:13.360><c>
• c> to</c><00:32:16.000><c> pull</c><00:32:16.320><c> that</c><00:32:16.559><c> out,</c><00:32:17.360>

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This<00:32:22.559><c> includes</c><00:32:23.279><c> $275</c><00:32:24.320><c> million</c><00:32:24.880
• </c><00:32:31.039><c> federal</c><00:32:31.360><c> funds</c><00:32:31.679><c> each</c><00:32:32.000><
• This<00:32:36.000><c> budget</c><00:32:36.399><c> increases</c><00:32:37.039><c> 43.5</c><00:32:38.399
• :21.600><c> a</c><01:32:21.840><c> lot</c><01:32:21.920><c> more</c><01:32:22.159><c> than</c><01:32:
• </c><01:32:26.000><c> Maybe</c><01:32:26.320><c> come</c><01:32:26.560><c> have</c><01:32:26.719><c>

Keywords: Several minutes after the convene vote and before the introduction failed to properly steam. This version was pulled from a local back up., 958, all

Summary: The House convened with 97 members present, declared a quorum, approved excusing absent members, and suspended the rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The journal for February 25, 2026 was approved. The clerk also reported that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 98 and 122 and requested concurrence. The House then received second-reading reports on a range of bills, including measures on prison educational programs, respiratory care, dietitians, wildlife depredation, temporary structures, military families, civil rights, local boards of education, light pollution, controlled-substance prescribing licenses, youth health services, class sizes for exceptional children, the athletic trainer compact, limited commercial driver’s licenses, and Senate Bill 145 relating to the Department of Agriculture and Alcohol Beverage Control. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including the main budget bills House Bill 500 and House Bill 504, along with measures on workforce investment, data centers, domestic violence, guardians ad litem, domestic relations, health delivery and “food is medicine” initiatives, state personnel, open records, and fish and wildlife resources. House Bill 500 and House Bill 504 were taken from the Rules Committee and placed on the orders of the day. House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill, was then taken up for third reading and explanation. Members presented extensive floor explanations of House Bill 500 and House Committee Substitute 1, describing it as a “good first draft” of the executive budget. Supporters said the proposal emphasizes restrained spending growth, base reductions with exemptions for key areas, employee salary increments, and deposits to the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future one-time investments. They highlighted funding for K-12 education, postsecondary aid and workforce training, Medicaid and behavioral health, public health infrastructure, pensions, veterans, public safety, economic development, tourism, and state technology and facility maintenance. The budget substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the discussion continued with detailed descriptions of the bill’s provisions; no final passage vote was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• :51.840><c> of</c><00:32:52.080><c> this</c><00:32:52.399><c> very</c><00:32:52.720><c> long</c><00:32
• We want to<00:32:54.240><c> thank</c><00:32:54.480><c> God</c><00:32:54.720><c> that</c><00:32:54.960
• ><c> he</c><00:32:55.200><c> has</c><00:32:55.360><c> given</c><00:32:55.600><c> us</c><00:32:55.760>
• Okay,<02:32:09.040><c> seeing</c><02:32:09.439><c> none,</c><02:32:10.240><c> all</c><02:32:10.479><c
• I.<02:32:12.479><c> All</c><02:32:12.640><c> oppose</c><02:32:13.040><c> say</c><02:32:13.280><c> no.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the the two<00:32:06.559><c> members</c><00:32:06.960><c> of</c><00:32:07.440><c> um</c><00:32:07.919
• 32:21.679><c> of</c><00:32:22.080><c> of</c><00:32:22.399><c> which</c><00:32:22.840><c> sometime</c>
• I</c><00:32:24.399><c> don't</c><00:32:24.480><c> think</c><00:32:24.559><c> it</c><00:32:24.799><c>
• 29.279><c> that</c><00:32:30.159><c> um</c><00:32:30.960><c> they</c><00:32:31.279><c> could</c><00:32
• and and<00:32:36.880><c> um</c><00:32:37.120><c> see</c><00:32:37.360><c> what</c><00:32:37.600><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:32:33.679><c> of</c><01:32:33.840><c> our</c><01:32:34.080><c> committee,</c><01:32:34.400><c> the
• </c><01:32:41.040><c> Uh</c><01:32:41.360><c> but</c><01:32:41.520><c> I</c><01:32:41.760><c> do</c><
• somewhat</c><01:32:48.639><c> of</c><01:32:49.120><c> of</c><01:32:49.600><c> is</c><01:32:49.760><c>
• ><c> it</c><01:32:55.440><c> is</c><01:32:55.679><c> at</c><01:32:56.000><c> this</c><01:32:56.239><c
• :32:57.679><c> of</c><01:32:57.760><c> the</c><01:32:57.920><c> questions</c><01:32:58.239><c> I</c>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> that's</c><01:32:08.639><c> her</c><01:32:08.880><c> her</c><01:32:09.199><c> problem</c><01:32:
• I was<01:32:10.080><c> certainly</c><01:32:10.400><c> like</c><01:32:11.239><c> not</c><01:32:12.239>
• 32:13.679><c> I</c><01:32:13.840><c> heard</c><01:32:14.080><c> in</c><01:32:14.239><c> the</c><01:32
• </c><01:32:17.040><c> I</c><01:32:17.199><c> was</c><01:32:17.280><c> up</c><01:32:17.360><c> in</c><
• I was up in the gallery.<01:32:18.159><c> So</c><01:32:18.400><c> I</c><01:32:18.960><c> I</c><01:32:

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:01.880><c> best</c><00:32:02.039><c> to</c><00:32:02.240><c> avoid</c><00:32:02.519><c> it</c>
• 00:32:15.480><c> the</c><00:32:15.679><c> last</c><00:32:15.919><c> year</c><00:32:16.240><c> why</c>
• you</c><00:32:16.639><c> asking</c><00:32:16.960><c> for</c><00:32:17.240><c> 150</c><00:32:18.200><
• </c><00:32:28.440><c> budget</c><00:32:29.200><c> those</c><00:32:29.320><c> are</c><00:32:29.519><c>
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Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met for an organizational opening session in which the chair, Ken Weyler, called the committee to order and members introduced themselves. The introductions established the committee’s leadership and membership, including Vice Chair Dan McGuire, ranking member Mary Jane Wallner, deputy ranking member Karen Eil, clerk Jerry Griffin, and other members from both parties. Many members briefly described prior legislative service and professional backgrounds, with several noting prior experience on Finance or related budget committees. Chair Weyler then outlined committee procedures and expectations. He emphasized that Finance handles spending bills and fiscal notes, that bills will generally be heard by the full committee and then referred to the appropriate division, and that executive sessions may be used to save time when positions are clear. He reviewed rules on attendance, dress, phones, paperwork handling, committee replacements, conflict of interest and recusal, and the process for testimony, including that members should listen without debating witnesses and that sponsors of bills must recuse themselves from questioning witnesses on their own bills. He also described the committee’s structure and workload, noting three divisions and the role of legislative budget staff. Weyler said the committee would likely see bills from many policy committees that have fiscal impacts, and he encouraged policy committees to find offsets within their own areas rather than assume new spending will be added. No bills were heard and no votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.