Transcript Highlights:

• Mark Rubenstein is the chair of that particular commission, um, regarding this bill.
• And as you recall, the bill reads terms the appointed members on the commission, we're talking about,
• Mark Rubenstein is the chair of that particular commission, um, regarding this bill.
• . of that particular uh commission um of that particular uh commission um regarding<00:06:59.319><c>
• commission commission and<00:12:14.519><c> uh</c><00:12:14.720><c> how</c><00:12:14.959><c> it</c><00

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed HB 443, which would change terms and vacancy language for members of a higher education commission. Members raised concerns that the bill was too narrow to address broader issues with commission membership, including expired appointments, attendance expectations, and whether the Department of Education could replace the commission’s role. Several members suggested the bill was not ready for action and favored holding it for further work, possibly through a subcommittee or work session. One member suggested that if attendance standards were added, no more than two unexcused absences should trigger removal, given the commission’s meeting schedule. The chair said he would defer action and form a small subcommittee to report back before the committee deadline. The committee then moved to HB 484, dealing with repurposing Career and Technical Education classroom space after 20 years of exclusive use. The chair explained that the bill was aimed at the Milford CTE project, where shared use of space could allow a school to repurpose part of a CTE facility while still using it for CTE-related instruction. Members discussed other possible situations around the state, including Claremont, North Conway, and Jaffrey/Rindge, and whether the bill should be limited to Milford or broadened to allow local districts more flexibility. Some members favored passing the bill now to help CTE projects move forward, while others argued for an amendment removing the requirement that the space be vacated specifically to expand the CTE program occupying it. Testimony and discussion emphasized that the Milford project had state approval but reduced funding, requiring a smaller scope and repurposing of existing space. Supporters said the bill could help preserve CTE programs while also benefiting general education space needs, and that local districts should have flexibility after 20 years. Opponents or cautious members noted that the language might not fit every district situation and asked for feedback from Director Beard and Steve Rothenberg before final action. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, and instead discussed waiting for an amendment and additional input before acting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a modern way to sign documents and secure the process.
• This is a modern way to sign documents and secure the process.
• This is a modern way to sign documents and secure the process.
• The Department of Employment Security does.
• Um, so this of Employment Security does.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing and then an executive session on Senate Bill 401, which DHHS described as a cleanup bill. Testimony from the department explained that the bill would repeal obsolete reporting requirements tied to a repealed municipal reimbursement program and to the now-repealed commission on demographic trends. No one testified in opposition, and the committee voted 12-0 ought to pass, placing the bill on the consent calendar. The committee then heard Senate Bill 402, which would eliminate certain non-compete agreements for physician associates going forward. Senator Gray introduced the bill, and a representative of the New Hampshire Society of Physician Associates said it would improve workforce recruitment and access to care without changing scope of practice or affecting existing agreements. Committee members asked about the length of current restrictions and whether the change would make New Hampshire more attractive to PAs. The committee voted 12-0 ought to pass and sent the bill to the consent calendar. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 426, which would repeal the permissible fireworks committee. Senator Uler and the deputy state fire marshal said the committee’s original purpose had been overtaken by later changes adopting federal fireworks standards, and that the fire marshal now has the necessary authority. The committee voted 12-0 ought to pass and placed the bill on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 469, a DMV modernization bill allowing electronic signatures in place of wet signatures for certain motor vehicle title and registration processes. Senator Lang, Carvana, the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association, Copart, and DMV staff all supported the measure, saying it would reduce delays, errors, and paperwork burdens. Members asked about AI, consumer protections, costs, and how electronic signatures would work in practice, including in cases involving deceased owners. The transcript cuts off during that hearing before any committee action on SB 469.

Transcript Highlights:

• protect our public safety, but our national security, which we all depend on.
• And this includes administrative functions, secure care, non-secure care, probation and parole, and also
• Moving to the secure care facilities, we still have bed shortages.
• Some additional security things around the outside: security cameras.
• Just to get it up and running, some additional security things around the outside, security cameras for

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by 2040 mandate requires dependable baseload power sources that ensure grid stability and energy security
• in demand for existing and new uses of electricity, which are vital to our economy, our national security
• in demand for existing and new uses of electricity, which are vital to our economy, our national security
• in demand for existing and new uses of electricity, which are vital to our economy, our national security
• As you know, I used to teach a course called Energy and National Security at the Army War College.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , does that in any way limit or control salaries as it relates to insolvency of the HMO in this commission
• Others reported having to tarp their roofs through the winter because they couldn't secure timely assessments
• And I’m very excited about the fact that the task force work is starting to make its way to the commission
• As a matter of fact, our insurance company paid about $40,000 just to secure the trusses so they could

Bills: HF4881 , HF4867 , HF4422 , HF4223

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, regulation, financial institutions, prescription drug affordability, consumer protection, restitution account, financial compensation, attorney general, distributions, property insurance, homeowners insurance, fire and allied lines, hail insurance, appraisal clause, loss adjustment, alternative dispute resolution, insurance claims, claim valuation, actual cash value

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, a project sponsor on the coast may need to secure up to 10 separate permits from state
• I'm going to hold off on voting for this today because I have a problem with giving any commission, especially
• the Coastal Commission, authority under one jurisdiction.
• screened and restricted to low-level, nonviolent offenders who demonstrate good behavior and hold low-security

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1938, which would create a voluntary process for local governments to designate California surf reserves through the Ocean Protection Council. The author and supporters, including Save the Waves Coalition, the League of California Cities, and the California State Association of Counties, argued the bill would recognize surf breaks as important natural and economic assets. The bill received a due pass recommendation to Appropriations and passed on a roll call vote, with the measure left on call. The committee also approved the consent calendar, which included AB 1699, AB 1780, AB 1891, AB 1893, and AB 2566. The committee then took up AB 2051, which would convene a coastal resilience permitting working group to develop a roadmap for streamlining permits for coastal resilience projects. The author and supporters from the Bay Area Council, Port of San Francisco, and others said the bill would reduce duplicative permitting delays while preserving environmental protections. One member raised concerns about giving too much authority to the Coastal Commission, but the bill still received a due pass recommendation to Water, Parks and Wildlife and passed on a roll call vote. AB 2494, dealing with the management of demonstration state forests, drew substantial debate. The author said the bill would update outdated 1947-era management goals to emphasize biodiversity, carbon sequestration, wildfire resilience, recreation, research, and tribal co-governance, with strong support from Mendocino County, tribal representatives, and environmental groups. Opponents from the Farm Bureau, California Forestry Association, and others argued it would shift the forests away from sustainable timber production, create funding instability, and invite litigation. After extensive questioning about forest science, old growth, funding, and tribal co-management, the bill received a due pass recommendation to Appropriations and passed on a roll call vote. The committee also approved AB 2483, which would create a permanent certification pathway for formerly incarcerated firefighters who served on Cal Fire hand crews. Supporters said the bill would recognize their training and improve job prospects after release, and it passed unanimously to Public Safety. Finally, AB 1777, the California Clean Skies Act, was heard; it would affirm CARB’s authority to adopt indirect source rules to address pollution from vehicle-heavy facilities such as warehouses and ports. Environmental, health, and labor supporters backed the bill as a tool to protect public health, while trucking, business, port, and industry groups opposed it as costly and overly broad. The bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript, with members debating whether it clarified existing authority or created new regulatory power.

Transcript Highlights:

• Idaho Family Policy Center has commissioned public opinion on this issue, and it shows that the people
• Idaho Family Policy Center has commissioned public opinion on this issue, and it shows that the people
• These individual rights are secured by the Constitution, our Bill of Rights, the First Amendment, and
• These individual rights are secured by the Constitution, our Bill of Rights, the First Amendment, and

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So a lot of these boards and commissions within different entities that help operate these farms are
• .. ...throughout the state, and what this does, it basically inserts, along with these hospital commissions
• take a high school that is way over capacity that needs to be managed in terms of the safety and security
• of tax base or locking the city in amber as bedroom communities as they lack the tools to try to secure

Bills: HB2459 , HB2480 , HB2530 , HB2129 , HB2223

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: school siting, urban growth, education policy, zoning regulations, community planning, residential development, commercial zones, mixed-use zoning, urban planning, state regulations, public facilities district, regional aquatics, sports facilities, local government, infrastructure, agritourism, agriculture, tourism, economic development, local businesses

Transcript Highlights:

• And so a lot of these boards and commissions within different entities that help operate these farms
• districts throughout the state, and what this does is it basically inserts, along with these hospital commissions
• take a high school that is way over capacity, that needs to be managed in terms of the safety and security
• the tax base or locking the city in amber as bedroom communities, as they lack the tools to try to secure

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several local government bills, with most of the discussion focused on HB 2480, which would require cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones and limit local requirements for ground-floor retail or mixed-use conditions. The bill sponsor and supporters, including the Lieutenant Governor, Governor’s Office, Commerce, builders, business groups, and housing advocates, argued it would unlock underused commercial land, reduce housing costs, and help address Washington’s housing shortage. Opponents and some cities said the bill could undermine local planning, walkable mixed-use centers, tax base, and neighborhood retail, and asked for more exemptions or narrower application. Several speakers supported the proposed substitute as a compromise, while others urged not to weaken the bill further. No vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 2223, which would create an exception to the conflict-of-interest rules for irrigation district directors whose spouses work for a district contract, modeled on an existing exception for public hospital district commissioners. The sponsor and the Washington State Water Resources Association said the change would help irrigation districts recruit and retain volunteer board members in rural areas while preserving disclosure and recusal requirements. The hearing was brief and no action was taken. HB 2530 would extend the deadline for forming a public facilities district for regional aquatics and sports facilities from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2028. Supporters from Olympia and Tumwater said the extension would give local governments more time to collaborate and pursue an aquatic center that has long been a community priority; one testifier said removing the deadline entirely would also be acceptable. The committee then heard HB 2459, which would expand authority to site certain schools outside urban growth areas and extend utilities to serve them. Supporters, especially representatives of the Tahoma School District and related groups, said the bill would let districts use land they already own to relieve overcrowding. Opponents, including Futurewise, argued it would weaken Growth Management Act planning and local multicounty policies and should remain a local process. Finally, HB 2129 on agritourism was briefly heard, with the sponsor describing it as a way to help farms stay viable and preserve rural character; the committee heard supportive comments about farm preservation and openness to a work group or amendments. No votes or final actions were taken on these bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• initially, and OFM pushed back and said no, you've got work you have to do, you've got to put a commission
• From a farmer and food security perspective, the program will have tremendous benefits.
• farmers have a more stable and reliable supply, strengthening rural economies, and national food security
• Short, members of the committee, Mark Shirley here today on behalf of the Washington State Potato Commission

Bills: SB5816 , SB5971

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, green fertilizer, low-carbon, sustainability, incentive program, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• delivers essential relief at a time when the rising cost of living threatens their independence and security
• Gas companies are obligated under their rules and regulations by the Utilities and Transportation Commission
• It's a routine transaction cost already factored into every sale, far smaller than broker commissions
• It doesn't require first, last, security deposit, long credit histories, credit checks, rigid lease terms

Summary: The House Finance Committee heard briefings and public testimony on several bills related to local tax authority and exemptions. HB 2559 would let cities and counties impose an additional 4% lodging/short-term rental excise tax starting in 2027, with revenues dedicated to affordable housing programs and up to 15% for administration. Staff explained existing lodging tax limits and estimated substantial local collections, while the prime sponsor and supporters argued it would give local governments a needed tool to address housing shortages caused in part by short-term rentals. Opponents, including short-term rental owners and hosts, said the tax would hurt tourism communities, reduce supplemental income for owners, and should not single out one lodging segment. The hearing on HB 2559 was suspended and later reopened for additional testimony; no vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 2133, which would make permanent the property tax exemption for multipurpose nonprofit senior citizen centers. Staff said the exemption is currently set to expire in 2028 and that the bill would remove it from the automatic 10-year sunset. The sponsor and a veteran/senior center perspective emphasized that the exemption helps keep senior centers open and supports isolated older adults. A question was raised about whether a broader nonprofit community center with senior-focused space would qualify, and staff said they would follow up. The hearing on HB 2133 was then closed. HB 2135 would increase and extend the adaptive housing sales and use tax remittance for disabled veterans, raising the individual lifetime cap from $2,500 to $5,000, increasing the statewide annual cap, and extending the program’s expiration to 2038. Staff said the fiscal impact would be minimal because use is low, and a veterans coalition representative supported the bill as a way to ensure more federal grant dollars go toward home modifications. The hearing on HB 2135 was closed. The committee spent the most time on HB 2442, an eight-part local government tax and fund-flexibility bill. It would expand uses of existing REET revenues, allow cities to adopt an affordable-housing REET under certain conditions, authorize county public utility taxes with a low-income assistance set-aside, create a new local sales tax for children and family services, broaden housing-related sales tax uses, restructure mental health and veterans property tax levies, extend levy lid lift periods, and allow rental car tax revenues to be used for criminal justice purposes. Supporters from counties, cities, housing groups, and some local officials said the bill would provide needed fiscal flexibility and new tools to address housing, public safety, and service demands. Opponents from utilities, realtors, water and sewer districts, wireless carriers, auto dealers, and tax critics argued the bill would raise regressive costs, especially on housing and utility customers, and that some provisions lacked a sufficient nexus to the original taxes. The hearing on HB 2442 was closed after extensive testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• He also secured an additional $163 million in need-based financial aid, reaching more than 100,000 low
• and strengthens the review of timelines recently put in place by the California Public Utilities Commission
• city public, safety officials, and elected officials to plead with the California Public Utilities Commission
• California has one of the most accessible, secure, and transparent voting systems in the country, all

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Catherine Squire, on behalf of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, is in opposition
• The federal government is trying to look into our Social Security.
• We need all our kids to feel grounded and secure in their bodies.
• Commission on the Status of Women and Girls in Opposition.

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And three members appointed by a vote of the Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission, who are Terry
• 35.840><c> markets,</c> practice of law in capital markets, practice of law in capital markets, securities
• funds, trusts, foundations or securities funds, trusts, foundations or endowments.<00:04:40.080><c>
• </c><00:05:02.720><c> who</c><00:05:02.880><c> are</c> permanent school fund commission who are permanent
• and to the commissioner of commission and to the commissioner of education. education. education. uh

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And to do that, we need Social Security numbers, but we are tracking wages, you know, two years after
• numbers but we are tracking security numbers but we are tracking wages<00:31:49.039><c> um</c><00:31
• The legislative audit commission report.
• In addition to the workforce grants we reviewed, the Legislative Audit Commission also directed OLA to
• also directed OA to review commission also directed OA to review broadband<00:54:06.400><c> grants</

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just it wouldn't trigger commission review because these projects are already approved by the commission
• We have a prioritization set by the commission.
• This is the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission. Ms.
• So there does appear to be a lot of fees and licensing and commissions, 5% commission on the toll back
• to the commission.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women in support.
• Yasme Cheney, Executive Director for the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women.
• future through uh this very secure future through uh this very simple<01:15:54.440><c> and</c><01:15
• So I think the best way is to look at California's government code for the California Film Commission
• So I think the best way is to look at California's government code for the California Film Commission

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• can sustain our future, including social, ...about how we can sustain our future, including Social Security
• It would basically ask all bureaus, commissions, and departments to have at least a small supply of Narcan
• I serve on a special commission on oral health for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Next, moving to H. 2385, an act establishing a special commission on avian influenza.
• H. 2385, an act establishing a special commission on avian influenza H5N1.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing focused on children’s health, disease prevention, screening, treatment, and pharmacy-related bills. The chair explained that the session was for public testimony only, with no votes or decisions taken that day, and outlined the three-minute limit for individual testimony. The committee then heard testimony on a range of bills, including H. 2413 on adding electromagnetic sensitivity to the state’s MAVEN registry, S. 1508 and H. 2433 on creating an amputation prevention task force, H. 2535 and S. 1551 on establishing a naloxone purchase trust fund, S. 1635 on authorizing pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment, H. 2385 on creating a special commission on avian influenza, and S. 1497 on patient safety and non-FDA-approved compounded drugs. Testimony on H. 2413 came largely from advocates and individuals who described electromagnetic sensitivity as a real health condition and argued that adding it to the registry would improve data collection, provider education, and public awareness. Testimony on the amputation prevention task force bills came from the American Diabetes Association and podiatry groups, who said diabetes-related amputations are often preventable, disproportionately affect people of color, and could be reduced through earlier screening, better care coordination, and improved insurance coverage for preventive foot care. On the naloxone trust fund bills, a representative, emergency physician, and nurse testified that hospitals often cannot reliably send overdose patients home with naloxone because of billing and reimbursement barriers, and that a bulk-purchase fund would expand access at no added cost to payers or providers. The committee also heard strong support for S. 1635 from pharmacists and public health researchers, who said community pharmacists could safely initiate and maintain buprenorphine treatment and help close gaps in opioid use disorder care. On H. 2385, a local board of health chair supported a special commission on avian influenza, citing gaps in emergency preparedness and the need for clearer coordination across agencies. On S. 1497, a pharmacy representative opposed restrictions on compounded drugs from outsourcing facilities, warning that changes could reduce access to life-saving medications and harm patient safety. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have these people that know how to psychologically go after these people, and they get their commission
• you have attorneys who are reaching out to volunteer to work in this capacity for the boards and commissions
• to, the reason we red-carded is because of the costs that will be placed upon smaller boards and commissions
• that don't have a website. ...boards and commissions that don't have a website and that would have to
• rights activist group got the information from those individuals, harassed them, actually tried to secure

Bills: HB55 , HB608 , HB997 , HB1035 , HB1045 , HB1048 , HB1049 , HB1057 , HB1131 , HB1177 , HB1201

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: juror confidentiality, public records, criminal procedure, privacy, court disclosure, intercollegiate athletics, confidentiality, revenue sharing, student athletes, official journal, public notices, government transparency, local government, municipal website, school board notices, parish council, police jury, special districts, levee district, drainage district

Transcript Highlights:

• mentioned, those are our current service hours, but the Bisman Transit Board and the Bismarck City Commission
• schedule guidelines as our paratransit users. but the Bisman Transit Board and the Bismarck City Commission
• Our Red Route is our northernmost route and serves North Walmart, the Social Security Administration
• Bismarck and Mandan City Commissions accept applications and requests for this funding on a case-by-case
• And then the city of Bismarck, we kind of just submit requests to the city commission.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Government Finance Transportation Study Subcommittee met to review fixed-route transit systems and related funding needs. After approving the prior meeting minutes, the committee heard presentations from Cities Area Transit in Grand Forks/East Grand Forks, Bisman Transit in Bismarck-Mandan, and MATBUS/Fargo, along with comments from North Dakota Protection & Advocacy. The transit agencies described their routes, paratransit services, ridership trends, fare structures, fleet replacement needs, and rising operating costs, emphasizing that transit supports access to work, school, medical care, and other essential services. Testimony also noted that ridership fell during the pandemic and has been recovering, while vehicle and maintenance costs have risen sharply. Grand Forks transit reported 17 routes, a recent fare increase, and operating costs that exceed fare revenue, with paratransit service extending beyond the federal minimum service area. Bisman Transit outlined its fixed-route and paratransit operations, recent service expansions, local mill levies, sales tax support, and federal grant structure, and said it is seeking more stable funding and flexibility beyond paratransit-only support. Minot’s transit superintendent explained the state’s existing transit aid formula, the use of refurbished buses, and the challenges of driver recruitment and electric bus infrastructure. Fargo asked for additional state support for fixed-route urban transit. Committee members discussed whether ride-share services could replace transit, the cost per trip, local match requirements, and whether a separate state funding source should be recommended for the four urban fixed-route systems. The subcommittee ultimately approved a motion to have Legislative Council prepare a summary of its activities for inclusion in the full Government Finance Committee report, and members indicated they would seek more detailed funding figures from the transit agencies before making any specific recommendation.