Transcript Highlights:

• So I'll just close by saying we are at an important historical moment.
• The science is clear on this: excess sugar and refined carbohydrates are the primary drivers of something
• which is kind of an interesting day, what we will do is at this point, I am going to go ahead and close

Bills: SB 25 , SB25 , SB314

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: attorney ad litem, indigent parents, parent-child relationship, legal representation, Texas Family Code, court procedures, nutrition, health standards, food labeling, education, dietary guidelines, medical education, food safety, school meals, child nutrition, food additives, public health, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are the primary pests that destroy stands.
• </c> with these closed and open landfills. with these closed and open landfills. and<00:56:01.599><c>
• </c><01:04:56.559><c> discussions</c> think we're going to close discussions think we're going to close
• So, I'm going to close out HB &gt;&gt; All right.
• </c> identified 493 tons of primary identified 493 tons of primary batteries.<03:56:42.720><c> So</c>

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we work very closely with state agencies across the enterprise in all of these efforts.
• </c> primary strategies here. primary strategies here.
• </c><01:26:15.040><c> Fraud</c><01:26:15.320><c> against</c> I'll close with this.
• Fraud against I'll close with this.
• Uh, at least force no final payment until the grant is completely closed out.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, clerk, close the machine and ascertain the results.
• So, clerk, close the machine and ascertain the results.
• So, clerk, close the machine and ascertain the results.
• Clerk, close the machine and ascertain the results.
• The Senator to close? Thank you. Go ahead and close. Senator from Lewis. Thank you, Mr. President.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wave closed.
• Wave close.
• Sir, you're recognized to close on your bill? On your amendment? Waive close. Waive close.
• Sir, you're recognized to close. I waive close, Chair. Waive closed.
• Very closely.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard and voted on a series of bills dealing with traffic enforcement, drug-related homicide charges, vessel regulation, crime-stoppers records, cyber harassment, pawn data sharing, hotel removals of nonpaying guests, and Fish and Wildlife Commission authority. Members and witnesses generally framed the bills around public safety, law enforcement efficiency, victim protection, and property rights, while several bills drew concerns about criminal penalties, due process, and impacts on workers or families. Public testimony included support from sheriffs, police chiefs, AARP, hospitality workers, civil liberties groups, and industry representatives, depending on the bill. PCS for CSHB 351, creating a criminal offense for dangerous excessive speeding, passed 13-4 after debate over whether the new offense would expand search-and-seizure authority and whether the penalties were too harsh. HB 457, which expands third-degree murder to include unlawful distribution of controlled substances resulting in death and removes the under-18 exclusion, was amended to add a knowledge/should-have-known fentanyl standard and then passed unanimously 17-0. CS for HB 1285 on disposition of migrant vessels and HB 1149 on vessel accountability both passed unanimously after brief discussion and a cleanup amendment on HB 1149. HB 397, providing a public records exemption for Crime Stoppers organizations, passed 16-0 after a clarifying amendment. HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment also passed 16-0 after an amendment expanding definitions, penalties, civil remedies, and limitations periods. PCS for HB 1359, requiring FDLE to study a statewide pawn database, passed 16-0 with support from law enforcement and concerns about linking local systems and private vendors. CSHB 535, which clarifies when guests in public lodging establishments may be removed for nonpayment and also addressed service-charge language affecting gratuities, generated the most extended debate and strong opposition from hospitality workers and labor advocates over due process and tipped income. Supporters argued it would clarify transient occupancy and protect property owners, but the bill passed 11-6. Finally, CS/HB 1133 on Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission appointments and warrant requirements for FWC officers passed 16-0 after an amendment requiring warrants or probable cause for entry onto private land. The meeting adjourned after all agenda items were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• as employee number one at SpaceX, and he and Elon Musk, whose picture is also up there, had a very close
• I want to also mention in close.
• We're just watching this very, very closely. All welcome. Thank you. Very closely. All up.
• I think the first and most primary thing is: do you have the resources to apply to that?
• I'm getting close here at the end, sorry, I know I'm right about here.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from University of Idaho representatives on the university’s land-grant mission and its role in federalism, followed by detailed overviews of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Natural Resources. Speakers described the Morrill, Hatch, and Smith-Lever Acts, the university’s history, and examples of research, extension, and workforce training in agriculture, engineering, law, forestry, fire science, and youth programs such as 4-H. They highlighted facilities and programs including research stations, the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, the deep soil ecotron, the Wildland Fire Center, the experimental forest, and the policy analysis group, while also noting the impact of federal and state funding delays and cuts on staffing and research capacity. Committee members asked about several current issues, including quagga mussels, screw worm, chronic wasting disease, and the effects of funding cuts. University officials said they were not actively researching some of those wildlife and livestock disease issues but were willing to help if capacity and funding allowed. They also said budget reductions had caused real losses, including layoffs and reduced programs, and that federal grant delays had disrupted research timelines. The committee also raised questions about conflicts of interest and university employees’ outside work; the university said it has annual conflict-of-interest and conflict-of-commitment training and review procedures. The committee then heard from Bonneville County Sheriff Sam Hulse and the Idaho Sheriffs Association on the federal 287(g) immigration partnership program. Hulse argued that participation should remain voluntary and locally controlled, describing the different 287(g) models, the training and liability concerns, and the distinction between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement. He said Idaho agencies already cooperate with ICE in other ways and that mandatory participation could create staffing, legal, and community-trust problems. Members asked about costs, liability, detention standards, and whether deputies lose local control under task force arrangements; Hulse said the answer depends on the specific model and operation, and he emphasized the need for local discretion. Later, the committee took testimony on the long-running bighorn sheep and domestic sheep conflict affecting western Idaho grazing allotments. Idaho Wool Growers representatives and affected ranchers described the history of state legislation, federal litigation, and the closure of grazing areas after bighorn sheep transplants, which they said cut livestock operations in half and caused major financial and personal hardship. They argued that the state and federal agencies had not lived up to assurances that permittees would be held harmless, and they urged continued attention to the issue. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• My closing statement, Mr.
• Queen Creek is close, you know, meaning in years.
• Queen Creek is close, you know, meaning in years.
• The amendment does satisfy one of my primary concerns.
• The amendment does satisfy one of my primary concerns.

Committee: House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began by announcing that House Bill 2094 would be held and not heard that day, then received a lengthy update from Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzky on Colorado River negotiations and post-2026 operating rules. He described Arizona’s legal position, the basin’s water allocations, current shortages, conservation efforts, and the state’s view that the Upper Basin should share more of the reductions and move more water from reservoirs above Lake Powell to Lake Mead. Members asked about tourism, recreation, tribal water rights, public outreach, and the role of the state’s delegation and the federal government. Buschatzky said Arizona has already made major conservation cuts and that further reductions are likely, whether by agreement or federal action, and emphasized ongoing negotiations and public meetings. The committee then heard House Bill 2758, which would expand McMullen Valley groundwater transfer rules to allow eligible entities, including private water companies, to withdraw and transport groundwater under specified conditions, with ADWR oversight and reporting requirements. Supporters argued the bill would provide a lawful, regulated way to move water for urban growth and housing needs, while opponents from La Paz County and rural advocacy groups said it would accelerate aquifer depletion, harm private wells, and benefit a New York hedge fund at the expense of local residents. After debate over guardrails, stakeholder outreach, and the impact on rural communities, the committee adopted the Griffin amendment and passed HB 2758 as amended on a 6-4 due-pass vote. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 2098, which revises bonding authority and public hearing notification requirements for county water augmentation authorities and allows such authorities to enter into local repayment agreements with WIFA. Pinal County officials and related stakeholders testified in support, saying the changes would help the Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority finance future water and infrastructure projects, including possible augmentation efforts tied to Bartlett Dam, and would clean up statutory language to match the authority’s needs. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 2098, before any committee vote on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Hearing none, I'm going to close this meeting. We have time for coffee. That's a cup.
• , doesn't that mean that going to close, doesn't that mean that there's<00:47:10.720><c> no</c><00:47
• Our primary concern is we're not utilities.
• </c> “Yeah, I’d say the primary difference is our assignment.
• Hearing none, this hearing is closed, and we’ll go into executive session.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 302, which would allow the state treasurer to invest public funds in precious metals and digital assets. The sponsor was not present, so Representative Urs introduced the bill briefly and said he did not know much about it. No one from the Treasury Department testified, and members repeatedly noted the treasurer’s absence. Susan Elme testified against the bill, arguing that these investments are highly volatile and contrary to the treasury’s duty to remain stable and liquid. She said the bill should be killed. In questioning, she estimated the 5% cap in the bill would amount to roughly $10 million, depending on available funds, and said such investing would be more appropriate for an individual day trader than for the state treasury. Members also discussed prior legislative experience with Bitcoin-related proposals and raised concerns about whether the treasury had the staff expertise to manage commodity or digital asset investing. The committee did not take a final vote; instead, it agreed to hold a work session and seek additional information from the treasurer, with a plan to revisit the bill on April 1.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Senator Farnsworth, the numbers seem relatively close.
• The passage of this bill is necessary to help close the funding gap.
• All right, well, seeing none, Senator Farnsworth, do you have any closing comments?
• Levy referendum one of the primary Levy referendum one of the primary reasons<01:05:02.559><c> school
• Senator Koic, any closing remarks?

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:24:17.080><c> the</c> be helpful to see if we've closed the be helpful to see if we've closed
• There are shelters that are on the verge of closing.
• There are shelters that are on the verge of closing.
• </c><01:50:43.640><c> jurisdiction,</c> outside of my primary jurisdiction, outside of my primary jurisdiction
• That's quite true. >> Glad I had that closed. >> Mr.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> vote, the secretary will close the role. vote, the secretary will close the role.
• The secretary will close the roll.
• The secretary will close the role. vote? The secretary will close the role.
• The secretary will close the vote. The secretary will close the vote.
• The secretary will close desires a vote? The secretary will close the<03:38:46.479><c> role.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will close the board.
• Charles County is recognized to close. Mr. Speaker, I'd close. The lady from St.
• Seeing none, the lady from Barton, you are recognized to close? I close.
• Seeing none, the gentleman from Green is recognized to close. I close.
• Speaker, I close.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 135-1. Members then observed a moment of silence for a constituent killed in a roadway tragedy, and several members introduced guests, including family members, veterans, students, and a child celebrating his birthday on the dais. The chamber then considered a series of bills. HB 2944, dealing with automatic continuation of a senior property tax freeze without annual reapplication, passed 145-0. HB 2230/2978, addressing school instructional methods by limiting excessive screen-based instruction and promoting cursive writing, passed 143-10 after extended debate over technology use in elementary schools. HB 1825, removing sheriffs and prosecutors from county salary commissions with a Boone County carve-out, passed 152-0. HB 1840, creating a Purple Alert system for missing individuals with developmental disabilities, passed 153-0, and its emergency clause was adopted 143-8. HB 1623, allowing emergency suspension or restriction of licenses for massage therapists and chiropractors, passed 103-48. HB 3279, moving the Community Service Commission to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, passed 151-0. HB 2508, clarifying certificates of good standing for series LLCs and making them searchable, passed 152-0. HB 1963, allowing social workers to supervise after three years of practice, passed 151-0. HB 2408, removing the appropriation cap for grants serving the deaf-blind community, was perfected and printed. HB 3113, requiring Narcan in public buildings, designating October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month, and expanding school-law enforcement prevention efforts, was perfected and printed after discussion about funding and Narcan shelf life. HB 3000, fixing signature requirements for local audits based on population at the start of petitioning and adding a fire district surplus-sale amendment, was perfected and printed as amended. HB 2898, reviving and refining land bank authority and Chapter 141 judicial foreclosure tools, was perfected and printed after debate about neighborhood cleanup and title clearing. HB 1740, renamed Melanie’s Law, increasing penalties for intoxicated driving and strengthening ignition interlock requirements, was perfected and printed following emotional testimony from members and the sponsor’s explanation of the bill’s origins. At the end of the session, the House moved to announcements, including committee meetings and a fish fry notice. A member also issued a correction and apology regarding an earlier false report about Willie McGee. The House then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• If not, the chair recognizes Representative Oliverson to close. Thank you, Madam Chair, I close.
• If not, the Chair recognizes Chair Dutton to close. Thank you, Madam Chair, I close. Thank you.
• If not, the chair recognizes. recognizes Chair Hunter to close on his bill. Close. Thank you.
• Elders typically meet in a closed session. Boards typically for 501c3s meet-and-close session.
• By closing this gap...

Bills: HB2646 , HB3941 , HB5153 , HB5155 , HB5394 , HB 1106 , HB426 , HB4529 , HB3984 , HB4273 , HB 1097 , HB3940 , HB1941 , HB4377 , HB3153

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child care, task force, high-quality care, affordability, prekindergarten partnerships, foster care, transitional living, Medicaid reform, youth assistance, independent living, services for youth, employment training, educational support, mental health services, health care, public health, child health program, reimbursement, local health entities, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• In closing, this is a bad program and we should end it. We can't afford it.
• The primary reason it would be useful?
• The primary reason useful to landlords?
• Seeing none, I'm going to close the public hearing on 1598.
• I'm going to close I don't see anybody.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee opened with a public hearing on HB 196, which would repeal the Housing Champion program. Representative Matt Drew, the prime sponsor, argued the program is an unnecessary and poorly targeted subsidy, saying it rewards municipalities after projects are completed and may not be limited to new housing production. He questioned the transparency of the program, cited difficulty finding required annual reports, and noted a fiscal note suggesting the state could recover up to $3 million if obligations are terminated. Committee members and witnesses debated whether the program’s criteria amount to political favoritism or a standard grant process; supporters said the rubric is specific and that municipalities are evaluated against objective requirements. Representative Priest, Nick Taylor of Housing Action New Hampshire, and Karen Benfield of Stay Work Play New Hampshire all opposed repeal, saying the program encourages local zoning and regulatory changes, helps smaller communities participate, and supports housing supply and young people’s ability to stay in the state. The hearing on HB 196 was then closed. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1405, a bill establishing an affordable housing guarantee program within the Housing Finance Authority. Prime sponsor Representative Chris Muns said the bill would reduce lender risk by guaranteeing up to 80% of principal on qualifying loans for affordable housing, with a cap of $30 million per lender per year and $300 million outstanding at any time. He described the measure as a low-cost public-private partnership backed by the full faith and credit of the state, and said it was identical to a prior Senate bill that had received unanimous bipartisan committee support before dying later in the process. He framed the bill as one part of a broader housing package aimed at financing, infrastructure, workforce, zoning reform, and other housing-related issues. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal actions were opening and closing the public hearing on HB 196 and opening the public hearing on HB 1405, with testimony continuing on HB 1405 at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're going to close speak on this. So, we're going to close the<00:24:17.440><c> hearing.
• </c><00:35:11.119><c> as</c> in order to match things as closely as in order to match things as closely
• </c><00:38:51.680><c> the</c> Being none, we're going to close the Being none, we're going to close the
• </c> close to home. close to home. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:57:36.319><c> you.</c> &gt;&gt; Thank you.
• </c> now closed. You are decent enough. now closed. You are decent enough.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; How close are you to getting that? &gt;&gt; How close are you to getting that?
• Um and<02:22:48.080><c> um</c> in<02:22:51.520><c> closing,</c> in closing, in closing, this<02:22:53.680
• >> I'm gonna close the hearing.
• </c><02:30:59.520><c> care</c> applicant or participating primary care applicant or participating primary
• Again, I'm just someone being closed.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so now it sort of gets into the primary versus secondary.
• Like, you start with primary school?
• </c> you start with you start with primary you start with you start with primary school?
• </c><00:39:48.079><c> during</c><00:39:48.400><c> primary</c><00:39:48.880><c> grades</c><00:39:49.520
• ><c> what</c> the primary during primary grades what the primary during primary grades what we're<00:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Oversight Committee met to review statewide education improvement and assessment issues under RSA 193-C:8-a, with the chair focusing on curriculum frameworks, academic standards, and resource elements tied to the state’s adequate education statutes. The chair walked through the statutory relationship between minimum standards for public school approval, academic standards, and local control of curriculum, noting that New Hampshire law requires curriculum frameworks to guide what students should know and be able to do while leaving districts flexibility in instruction. He also raised concerns that some subject areas appear to have current frameworks or standards while others do not, and suggested the committee may need to consider an amendment creating a curriculum frameworks and academic standards coordinator at the Department of Education. Nate Green, director of the Division of Education Analytics and Resources, explained that the terms “academic standards” and “curriculum frameworks” have evolved over time and are often used interchangeably, but can mean different things depending on the subject area. He said the state’s more prescriptive standards largely developed after No Child Left Behind, especially in math, ELA, and science, while older or less-tested subjects such as arts, physical education, and health often retained looser framework-style documents. Green outlined one possible approach of standardizing terminology, but also said New Hampshire could instead define curriculum frameworks separately as a combination of standards, curriculum, and instructional approaches. He emphasized that state standards must support statewide consistency and assessment, while local districts retain control over how they teach. Committee members discussed how these distinctions affect different grade levels and subjects, using examples from math and science to show that minimum standards are broad while academic standards are more specific and grade-level based. Green described how science standards are organized by physical science, life science, and earth/space science across grade bands, while math standards are more directly tied to individual grades. No votes were taken and no formal action was reported during this portion of the meeting; the discussion remained informational and exploratory as members considered whether statutory language or departmental organization should be updated.

Transcript Highlights:

• My primary function here at NRF is to handle the payments policy portfolio, both at the federal and a
• And there's a lot of people in small businesses that, you know, are closing doors because the cost is
• You know, I stayed at the Pennyweight, I think is the name of the hotel, and I walked by three closed
• I walked by three closed restaurants. So, you know, the pain's real.
• We closed last year, and it was because of a lot of things. And it was because of a lot of things.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on the future of payments and sales transactions by credit card heard extensive testimony from credit union, banking, retail, restaurant, and payments-industry representatives about proposals to limit interchange fees, especially on the tax and tip portions of transactions. Several witnesses opposed state-level restrictions, arguing they would create a patchwork of rules, burden state-chartered institutions, raise compliance complexity, and ultimately reduce resources for fraud prevention, cybersecurity, rewards, and access to credit. Others, including retail and merchant advocates, said swipe fees are a significant and growing cost for small businesses and that states should consider reforms such as limiting fees on taxes and tips, allowing surcharging, improving transparency in merchant contracts, and studying collection costs more closely. Witnesses also discussed recent legal and regulatory developments, including Illinois’s interchange-fee law, OCC and NCUA interim rules, and the ongoing Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement. Industry representatives said the Illinois law has been delayed and is likely preempted for most transactions, while merchant advocates argued the state efforts and court rulings show that networks and banks do not set fees competitively. The proposed antitrust settlement was described by some as a meaningful but limited merchant victory, with temporary fee reductions and expanded surcharge/steering rights, while others said it still falls short of structural reform. The commission members pressed witnesses on the practical effects of fees, the cost of cash, whether merchants can pass costs through, and whether small businesses are actually seeing benefits from the current system. Members repeatedly emphasized the need for a fair middle ground that protects both small businesses and the payment system. No substantive votes or policy actions were taken beyond accepting testimony, and the meeting ended with adjournment after all scheduled witnesses had spoken.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, Senator Becker, you can close whenever you're ready. Well, thank you. Well, thank you.
• All right, seeing no further questions or comments, Senator, would you like to close?
• So I just will close by saying I respectfully request an I vote.
• Oh, before you do that, would you like to close, Senator? I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• All right, Senator, would you like to close? Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Grove, you may now close. Senator Grove, you may now close.
• Madam Chair, you may now close. Thank you.
• Senator Umberg, you may now close. I vote. Thank you, Senator. See no other mics up.
• Senator Umberg, you may now close. Thank you, Madam President.
• Weber-Piercy, you may now close. Thank you. Senator Dr. Weber-Piercy, you may now close.

Keywords: 987, senate, all