Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, Senator Nichols, you're recognized to close the debate. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Hearing none, Senator Den Hartog, will you please stand and close the debate? Thank you, Mr.
• Hearing none, the committee report has been adopted.
• Hearing none, Senator Lakey, you are recognized to open the debate. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Hearing no objection, it is so ordered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted.
• Hearing no objections, the committee substitute is adopted.
• Hearing no objections, the committee substitute is adopted.
• Hearing none, so ordered. The Chair lays out House Bill 52.
• Hearing none. What? Senator Bettencourt.

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• If there's no objection, the Chair hears none, and the bill is left pending.
• If there's no objection, the chair hears none, and the bill is left pending.
• The Chair hears none, and the bill is left. We're going to do a few quick votes.
• The Chair hears none, and the substitute is adopted.
• The Chair hears none. The substitute is adopted.

Bills: SB840 , HB2025 , HB2512 , HB3139 , HB3798 , HB3892 , HB4373 , HB4398 , HB4582 , HB4689 , HB5187 , HB5658 , HB5666

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, this process, even in the hearing, you continue to develop things and improve the bill
• Can you hear me? Yes, thank you, Chair Hughes. My name is Taryn Champagne.
• There's a lot of county court laws and some even county judges that hear probate cases.
• Seeing and hearing none, public testimony is closed. The bill is left pending at this time.
• Seeing and hearing none, public testimony is closed. The bill is left pending at this time.

Bills: SB629 , SB1015 , SB2501 , SB2933

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• You might like to hear from them.
• Hearing none, testimony is now closed. Senate Bill 2926 will be left pending.
• Hearing none, public testimony is now closed. Senate Bill 2938 will be left pending.
• All right, not seeing or hearing any. Does anyone else wish to testify?
• Hearing none, public testimony is now closed. Senate Bill 2543 will be left pending.

Bills: SB2007 , SB2104 , SB2543 , SB2545 , SB2926 , SB2938

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair hears none and the substitute is adopted.
• The chair hears none, and the bill is left pending. Thank you.
• The chair hears none. The bill is left pending.
• I thank you for hearing this bill today, House Bill... 6561.
• We may not answer it, but we'll hear it if there's something in the middle of the agenda.

Bills: HB1835 , HB2561 , HB3630

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:22:17.880><c> the</c> subcommittees uh so when you hear the subcommittees uh so when you hear
• </c><00:24:08.159><c> for</c> amount of public hearing and I guess for amount of public hearing and I
• hear from them as well.
• You'll hear from him frequently.
• You'll hear from him frequently.

Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to hear two bills. We are going to hear two bills.
• We're going to hear a bill from Senator Papus, Senate File 4038, and then we will hear my bill, Senate
• </c> um, one of the most pleasurable hearings um, one of the most pleasurable hearings I've<01:26:34.480
• I didn't hear them make that amendment.
• I didn't hear argument they were making.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Can everyone hear it?
• Can everyone hear pause for a second. Can everyone hear it?
• And we do have some bills to hear as well.
• hearing um I'm I'm really disappointed<01:15:00.480><c> to</c><01:15:00.719><c> hear</c><01:15:00.960
• So, I hear you. There is on other tools. So, I hear you.

Bills: HF3477 , HF3414 , HF103 , HF3661 , HF3146

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes they see and hear things they never thought of.
• Sometimes they see and hear things they never thought of.
• </c><00:52:47.440><c> from</c> because that's who I hear from because that's who I hear from primarily
• I saw didn't hear what they had to say.
• I appreciate you hearing<01:05:29.200><c> hearing</c><01:05:29.599><c> my</c><01:05:29.760><c> bill.

Bills: SF0035 , SF0090 , SF0072

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> sense from staff, but I'll want to hear sense from staff, but I'll want to hear Miss<00:03:59.680
• our perspective and unless I hear some our perspective and unless I hear some other<00:26:35.520><c>
• </c> we'll hear what you have to say. Mr. we'll hear what you have to say. Mr.
• </c> just was kind of curious more to hear just was kind of curious more to hear from<01:20:23.760><c
• </c><01:28:51.360><c> any</c> held that uh position of not hearing any held that uh position of not hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• We are here for a joint hearing with the Committee on Human Services and Homelessness and the Committee
• Hearing none, the committee moved on to Senate Bill 1382.
• This question was asked in a previous House hearing, but I didn't get an answer.
• </c><02:08:27.199><c> and</c> understand they have a court hearing and understand they have a court hearing
• </c> don't know they have a court hearing don't know they have a court hearing because<02:08:32.280><

Summary: At the joint hearing on SB 951 SD2, the committees heard testimony on a child protection measure requiring mandatory child abuse and neglect reports to include military status and to improve communication between DHS and the Department of Defense. The U.S. Department of Defense testified in support and described its coordinated community response process for abuse reports, saying the bill would help ensure child safety and better coordination with DHS. DHS was initially absent, later appeared, and said it supported the measure but was still working with DOD on implementation details and staff training. Members asked about how DHS becomes involved and whether there were gaps in the current process. The chair recommended passage with technical amendments, including changing the effective date to 7/1/25 and conforming related language, and both committees adopted the recommendation by vote. The Public Safety committee then heard SB 1377 SD2, which would create a Veterans Cemeteries Board within the Office of Veterans Services in the Department of Defense to provide guidance, education, and technical assistance to state veteran cemeteries. DOD supported the bill and explained that county-run cemeteries must meet National Cemetery Administration standards to remain eligible for federal reimbursements and grants; witnesses described past compliance problems at several cemeteries, including one still not compliant in Hilo, and said the board would help counties prepare for future site visits and improve oversight without taking over operations. Members asked about costs, reimbursement amounts, and whether the state would assume cemetery operations; DOD said the current reimbursement process runs through the state to the counties and that direct takeover would be costly. The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments. The committee also heard SB 1382, which would make intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a National Guard member performing duty a class C felony. The Hawaii National Guard and HPD supported the bill, citing incidents during the Maui response where Guard members encountered noncompliant and sometimes physically confrontational individuals while assisting police and protecting impacted areas. Testimony emphasized that Guard members are often unarmed and should receive protections similar to first responders. One witness opposed the bill, but the committee moved forward and adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments. Finally, the committee took up SB 1379 SD2 on emergency preparedness and Community Readiness Centers. Hawaii Emergency Management supported the bill, and supporters said it would create a statewide framework for resilience hubs that can provide supplies, action plans, and refuge during disasters. Testimony highlighted recent hurricanes, wildfires, and other hazards, and argued the measure would complement existing county efforts rather than replace them. County of Hawaii testimony opposed the bill, raising concerns about overlap and cost, while members asked about estimated expenses and implementation. The discussion ended with questions about planning and whether the bill would enhance existing programs; no final vote was captured in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• While the reports are complete, today's hearing is just the start of the work that we will take to implement
• </c><01:02:19.960><c> from</c> across the state were not hearing from across the state were not hearing
• Can you hear my audio? Yes, we can. Thank you. Wonderful.
• Cole and I'm a homeowner, and I also hear often from other homeowners across the state.
• </c> here uh and we would love to hear here uh and we would love to hear feedback<01:23:54.199><c> from

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that might actually be another hearing that might actually be another hearing where<00:19:27.559
• A lot of the things that you will hear we want done.
• A lot of the things that you will hear we want done.
• A lot of the things that you will hear we want done.
• A lot of the things that you will hear we want done.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• this session, as well as our hearings last fall.
• The committee held oversight hearings and informational hearings through the fall with academic experts
• , industry leaders, and advocates to understand and hear concerns, and has continued that work in this
• session's hearings.
• There's love to hear about it. Have all members voted who wish to do so?

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed students from the Frederick C. Murphy School in Weymouth, along with other guests introduced by members. The chamber then suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to be referred, including proposals on alcohol labeling for beers consumed on premises, parity in funding for regional vocational and traditional public schools, and legal protections for victims of childhood sexual abuse. The main floor business was House No. 4187, An Act Modernizing the Commonwealth’s Cannabis Laws, reported by Ways and Means as a substitute bill. Members speaking in support described it as a comprehensive overhaul of the Cannabis Control Commission and the state’s cannabis and hemp regulatory framework. The bill would reduce and restructure the CCC, expand options for cannabis businesses and social equity operators, raise license and ownership caps, remove the vertical integration requirement for medical marijuana, and create stronger rules for hemp and CBD products, including a ban on unregulated intoxicating hemp products and a new regulatory structure for allowable hemp beverages and CBD items. Several amendments were offered and adopted by roll call, including changes narrowing the hemp beverage ban from 11 ounces to 7.5 ounces, requiring out-of-state testing labs to be certified in good standing with the commission, and other technical revisions. After debate, the House passed H. 4187 to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 153-0. The chamber also passed to be engrossed two sick leave bank bills, for Andrew Satara and Dana Johnson, and ordered House No. 1590, establishing a sick leave bank for Eric J. Wenaka, to a third reading. The House then adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and approaches that we must now take deserve to go through a transparent and public process with hearings
• Does the chair hear objection? The chair hears none.
• Does the chair hear objection? The chair hears none.
• The Chair hears objection. The Chair hears none.
• Does the Chair hear objection? The Chair hears none.

Summary: The House met in a session centered on the FY26 budget, especially the Energy and Environmental Affairs and Labor/Economic Development sections, while also taking time to recognize several championship teams and other guests. Early in the day, the chamber adopted a set of commemorative resolutions, including observances for Apraxia Awareness Day, International Celiac Awareness Day, and Jewish American Heritage Month. Members also welcomed Franklin High’s cheerleading and boys basketball champions, Winthrop boys hockey champions, St. Mary’s of Lynn girls basketball champions, Holy Trinity School students, and later Boston Celtics guard Drew Holiday and Lauren Holiday. The most contentious debate involved amendments related to Massachusetts’ climate and clean-car policies. Representative Lombardo offered amendments to delay or repeal ACC2/zero-emission vehicle requirements and to convert climate mandates into goals rather than requirements, arguing the rules were unrealistic, costly, and harmful to dealers, consumers, and the economy. Opponents said the House had already addressed the issue, and that climate and energy policy should remain under review through a public process. The House rejected Lombardo’s ACC2-related amendments, including after a ruling of the Chair was upheld by roll call, and later adopted a consolidated Energy and Environmental Affairs amendment by a wide margin. The House then adopted a consolidated Labor and Economic Development amendment and ultimately passed the FY26 budget to be engrossed. Supporters highlighted major funding for environmental protection, parks, fish and game, clean energy, food insecurity programs, agricultural support, economic development, tourism, and an immigration legal assistance fund. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for Molly McGovern, and at the end of the session adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we're hearing a lot about how it's been banned in all these other states and all these other
• You know, we're hearing a lot about how it's been banned in all these other states and all these other
• Chair, I just might offer we could probably do both on Monday and avoid a Friday hearing and allow the
• </c><00:10:15.320><c> and</c><00:10:15.520><c> and</c> and avoid a a Friday hearing and and and avoid
• a a Friday hearing and and allow<00:10:15.880><c> the</c><00:10:16.000><c> public</c><00:10:16.400><

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing and hearing no further debate on the matter, the clerk will open the roll.
• Sorry again, and hear, hear on your comments. Seeing and hearing no further debate.
• Seeing and hearing no further debate, Leader Flora, do you wish to close?
• Seeing and hearing none, the clerk will read the second day consent calendar.
• Seeing and hearing no further business, I am ready to entertain a motion to adjourn.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then dispensed with reading the journal and moved through a large number of procedural items, including deeming 102 second-reading items read and amendments adopted. The body also approved several floor motions, including suspending rules for guest access and committee noticing, moving AB 2595 to second reading, and sending ACR 110 to the inactive file. Numerous local officials and community representatives were introduced from cities including South Pasadena, Isparia, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Palmdale, Holtville, and Lindsay. On the floor file, several measures were taken up and passed. AB 1673 by Hadwick, allowing county fish and game commissions more flexibility to use certain funds for wildlife conflict prevention, passed 62-0. ACR 143 by Pacheco, proclaiming April 19-25 as California Cities Week, was adopted with 65 co-authors added. AB 1982 by Lowenthal, removing sunsets from existing anti-drink-spiking requirements for certain establishments, passed 68-0. ACR 158 by Solache, recognizing April 2026 as Donate Life Month, was adopted with 74 co-authors added after testimony about organ donation and transplant needs. AB 1908 by McKinnor, authorizing counties to establish victim compensation funds for survivors of abuse involving public agencies, passed 71-0. AB 2052 by Stephanie, aimed at ensuring continuity for vulnerable victims in criminal cases by allowing the same prosecutor to remain on a case, passed 62-0. ACR 178 by Flora, recognizing April 21 as National Rendering Day, was also adopted with 69 co-authors added. The second-day consent calendar and remaining listed items were then approved, with all votes recorded at 69-0 and no items removed. The Assembly also heard an adjournment in memory from Assembly Member Haney for Mary Dallas Armstrong of San Francisco, followed by announcements of committee meetings and the next floor session. The House adjourned until Monday, April 27, at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for the audience online to hear when you're at the microphone, you do have to push the button.
• It needs to be green that way people online can hear.
• They don't know, they don't hear you, they're not hearing from you, so we are sitting in this room right
• And most of them are not hearing from very many of you.
• I hear what you're saying, but I also think maybe we can.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that moves us into public hearing.
• The Commerce Committee will now go into the public hearing portion of our committee by hearing the Senate
• I think that moves us into public hearing.
• The Commerce Committee will now go into the public hearing portion of our committee by hearing the Senate
• I think that the senator might agree we haven’t had a hearing this fun in quite some time.

Committee: House Commerce