Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment extends the qualifying ages from 18 to 26, but keeps the maximum at five years.
• It also changes age qualifications for the PESS programs.
• It also changes age qualifications for the P-E-S-S programs. That's so important for me.
• The second part of the amendment... ...applies to those who are younger than 18 years of age.
• So we make very clear that this is only with regard to those who are under 18 years of age.

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered several bills. SB 590, by Senator Bradley, would toll the statute of limitations for failure to report suspected child abuse by mandatory reporters until the offense is known to law enforcement, with a retroactivity amendment adopted. Supporters said it would help hold mandatory reporters accountable in institutional abuse cases; it was reported favorably. SB 778, by Senator Simon, would update the definition of forensic client so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism whose charges were dismissed for incompetency could be housed in the same secure setting under Chapter 916, reducing duplicative staffing and space needs at APD; it was also reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 560, by Senator Garcia, which streamlines psychotropic medication procedures for children in DCF custody, clarifies when new medical reports are needed, reduces duplicative background checks, and simplifies consent documentation. An amendment removed language expanding who could serve as a qualified evaluator and revised the Road to Independence Program changes to focus only on post-secondary education services and support, extending eligibility ages to 26 while keeping a five-year maximum. Members discussed fiscal impacts and funding sources, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1010, by Senator Yarbrough, which strengthens enforcement of existing prohibitions on sex-reassignment prescriptions and procedures for minors and adds civil and criminal penalties, along with Attorney General enforcement authority and related parental rights provisions. An amendment clarified that actions could be brought by individuals as well as the Attorney General and that the provisions apply only to minors. The bill drew extensive public testimony both for and against, with supporters emphasizing child protection and accountability and opponents warning about chilling effects on medical care, schools, and parental rights. Senators raised concerns about standing, scope, and impacts on teachers and clinicians, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably on a 5-1 vote, with Senator Sharif voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• The AG does their report.
• The AG investigates. They might person. The AG investigates.
• The AG does their report. There there. The AG does their report.
• AG didn't make a decision.
• The AG was responsible, but the AG didn't make a decision.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are fortunate to have a representative from the Department of Ag along with the nutrition science
• As the House Ag Committee's $230 billion cut likely to nutrition programs like SNAP would be devastating
• He is the original milkman in the Senate Ag Committee and proud of it. I just have to ask this.
• So while today most women start developing osteopenia and when you reach that peak bone mass at age 28
• , the rest of our life that aging process starts.

Bills: SB222

Keywords: whole milk, school lunch, school meals, National School Lunch Program, Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Child Nutrition Act, USDA, nutrition standards, dairy, nonfat milk, low-fat milk, reduced-fat milk, lactose-free milk, nondairy beverages, plant-based milk, milk substitution, parental consent, legal guardian, food allergies, allergic reaction

Summary: This meeting of the committee focused primarily on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, S222, which aims to permit schools to offer a fuller range of milk options, including whole, reduced, and low-fat varieties, that have garnered bipartisan support. Chairman Bozeman opened the session by highlighting concerns over children's nutrition and the obesity epidemic, emphasizing the significance of nutritious school meals in addressing these issues. Experts from various organizations were invited to discuss the implications of this bill as well as the current challenges facing school meal programs, including budget constraints and food supply issues. The meeting included passionate testimonies about the direct impacts of current dietary guidelines and federal funding reductions affecting schools' abilities to provide healthy meal options.

Transcript Highlights:

• support age verification.
• support age verification.
• young age. young age.
• are people age 18 and younger.
• are people age 18 and younger.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a performance of the national anthem, then established a quorum and approved the previous day’s journal. Members handled routine business including second readings of several Senate files, first readings of House files 5067 through 5073, and messages from the Senate transmitting bills and requesting concurrence on House File 3437 and House File 1410. The House concurred in Senate amendments to HF 3437, a commerce bill with a technical cross-reference correction, and passed it 133-0. It also concurred in Senate amendments to HF 1410, a public safety bill on correctional officer procedures, and passed it 132-2 after members described the changes as clarifying and balanced for labor and management. The chamber then took up House File 3404, which increases penalties for impersonating a peace officer. The bill would raise the base offense from a gross misdemeanor to a felony, create aggravated offenses for impersonation involving unauthorized access, misleading orders, law-enforcement-style vehicles, or possession of a firearm, and add a duty for officers to identify themselves while protecting undercover work. Supporters, including the author and several members, tied the bill to the June 14, 2025 killings and said it was needed to restore public trust and protect both the public and legitimate law enforcement. The House passed HF 3404 134-0 after a moment of silence. The House also passed House File 3155, which closes a loophole in gift card fraud law by allowing prosecution based on the value stored on the card rather than just the plastic card itself. Supporters described organized retail crime schemes in which stolen gift cards are drained after activation and said the bill would help retailers, consumers, and law enforcement. The bill passed 134-0. Senate File 3958, which changes the deadline for a disaster assistance contingency account report from January 15 to January 31, also passed 134-0. Finally, the House considered House File 3875, the judiciary policy bill. An author’s amendment removed a section that had been unintentionally left in the bill, and members then discussed provisions allowing courts more flexibility in publishing notices, streamlining some notification requirements in dissolution cases, and making restitution orders permanent unless rescinded by court order. The transcript cuts off during discussion of the bill, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This measure raises the minimum age to enter into marriage from 16 to 18 years of age and repeals the
• The vast majority, 82%, were girls wed to adult men, with an average age gap of four years.
• The simple solution, it's common sense: set the marriage age at 18 with no exceptions.
• The simple solution, it's common sense: set the marriage age at 18 with no exceptions.
• The simple solution, it's common sense: set the marriage age at 18 with no exceptions.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on February 19, 2025, and first heard House Bill 150, which would prohibit lending a firearm to someone who does not have a firearm permit or a registered firearm. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, though HPD said enforcing any time limit on a loaned firearm would be difficult. Several members of the public opposed the measure, arguing it would interfere with lawful lending for hunting, competitions, training, military-related use, and family situations, and could create unintended criminal liability. One supporter said the bill would strengthen gun safety and encourage more responsible ownership. No vote was taken during the testimony portion described. The committee then heard House Bill 186, which would make harassment by stalking a class C felony. The Office of the Public Defender requested deferral, arguing the bill would remove a misdemeanor option that can help deter escalation and could be unnecessarily severe and burdensome. Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying stalking can be a precursor to more serious violence. The Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney raised concerns about how the new felony would fit within the existing grading scheme, noting that aggravated harassment by stalking and first-degree terroristic threatening are already class C felonies. April Bautista testified in strong support, describing her own experience with domestic violence and stalking and urging passage of the bill. Committee members discussed whether other penalty structures might be possible, but no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard House Bill 991, which would delete the term “agent of the contractor” from criminal history record check provisions to comply with FBI requirements. The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center supported the bill with comments, explaining that the FBI had found the term too broad for fingerprint-based background checks tied to access to federal tax information. In addition, House Bill 995 was introduced, changing deadlines for annual firearms carry reporting; the Department of the Attorney General supported it, saying the revised deadlines would allow a more complete report, and HPD was also heard on the measure. The transcript ends before any votes or final committee actions on these bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I'd be happy to answer any questions that you may have. who are so-called aging out um and
• I'd like to know what your age parameters are.
• I would think of youth as up until the age of 18, so it just seems sort of flipped.
• question is if you lowered the upper age question is if you lowered the upper age uh<00:34:54.040
• so what's it feel like the right age so what's it feel like the right age would<00:35:04.720>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: Finance Division 3 met for a work session on House Bill 519, which concerns funding for Waypoint. The chair noted general support for the organization but said the bill would likely need to be suspended and folded into the budget process because the committee did not yet know available revenues or what amount, if any, could be committed. Kya Fox, director of the Division for Behavioral Health, testified that the department supports the bill and the program, explaining that it had been funded with other available funds, including $100,000 for 2024 and $400,000 for 2025, under a contract running through June 30 of this year. She said the shelter serves a unique population of young adults and is part of the department’s children’s system of care and Mission Zero efforts to reduce barriers to psychiatric discharge and emergency department use. Members questioned Fox and Waypoint representatives about the budget placement of the request, the difference between the efficiency budget and prioritized needs, and whether state budget documents would show any internal Waypoint revenues. Fox said the request appears as a general fund item and that the state would not see Waypoint’s internal financial operations in the budget. A legislative member explained that prioritized needs are critical services already in place but not necessarily included in the efficiency budget, and another member said the distinction is not strictly applied. The committee also raised a separate question about how DHHS would handle any future state or federal restrictions on DEI practices; Fox said that was a question for department leadership and legal staff, but that the department follows state law and contract requirements. Waypoint CEO Bor Alvare and Director Mandy Lancaster then described the shelter and related services. They said the shelter serves ages 18 to 24, is a 14-bed open-room facility with half walls, and is staffed overnight by two full-time workers. They said admission is first come, first served, with some vulnerability factors considered, and that they do not discriminate by race, gender, or sexual orientation. They reported no known incidents of sexual violence, though some youth are turned away each night because the shelter is full. They also explained that Waypoint provides broader services beyond the shelter, including outreach, drop-in centers, housing support, rental assistance, and family mediation, and said they serve about 400 youth and young adults in Manchester alone. The discussion ended with questions about whether lowering the upper age limit would affect the program; Waypoint said most residents are already in the 18-to-23 range, but that housing shortages make the current age span important for helping young adults avoid chronic homelessness.

Transcript Highlights:

• and truly prepared for final passage: House 2985, an act exempting Stephen Justice from the maximum age
• House 2986, an act exempting Javier Vargas from the minimum age requirement for the position of firefighter
• House 2988, an act exempting Freddie Castanita from the maximum age requirement for the position of police
• service examination for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill, notwithstanding the maximum age
• service examination for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill, notwithstanding the maximum age

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several routine matters. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of resolutions honoring William B. O’Leary on his 100th birthday, congratulating Ethan Ho on earning Eagle Scout rank, and celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Paul’s Church of Palmer. The House suspended the rules and adopted the resolutions. It also concurred with a Senate referral of a petition concerning retirement benefits for Alec Simonello to the Committee on Public Service. The House then considered local bills reported by the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, including measures concerning an excise on parking space transfers in Salem, expanded senior property tax abatements in Auburn, a means-tested senior property tax exemption in Sudbury, and land acquisition/disposition in Falmouth. After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave these bills second and third readings and ordered them to a third reading. The chamber also passed to enactment several engrossed bills, including firefighter and police age-exemption bills for Haverhill, a Williamsburg board-name change to select board, a Sandwich overpass memorial designation, and a Chicopee charter change to gender-neutral language. The House then acted on additional third-reading bills, passing to enactment a bill allowing Kenneth Navarro to take the Haverhill firefighter exam despite the maximum age requirement, and passing to engrossment bills for William Rob Cargill’s firefighter exam eligibility and special meetings of the Holyoke City Council. On Senate Bill 1859, concerning retirement for Walter L. Gerton, Representative Walsh offered and the House adopted an amendment substituting text from House Document 5331, after which the bill was passed to engrossment as amended. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• emancipation age is 18, I believe. emancipation age is 18, I believe.
• So is 21 years of age but continuing in their IEP program beyond the age of 21.
• Oh, age 22. age. You want 22? Oh, age 22.
• >> Just<03:43:50.640> their<03:43:50.880> age. >> Just their age.
• >> Just their age.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• age. So, why is this bill a bad idea? age. So, why is this bill a bad idea?
• and the retirement age for our own state police officers is age 60.
• <00:38:53.359> for<00:38:53.599> our is age 57 and the retirement age for our is age
• own state police officers is age 60. own state police officers is age 60.
• that role, but both decline with age. that role, but both decline with age.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an Ag and Business Banker uh for United Prairie Bank in Madison.
• I'm an Ag and Business Banker for United Prairie Bank in Madison.
• It's awesome. money within the the Department of Ag. money within the the Department of Ag.
• Thank you, of the Senate Ag Committee.
• uses for non-agricultural purposes of ag uses for non-agricultural purposes of ag land.<01:36:11.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ag on Friday. ag on Friday.
• ,<00:40:14.720> is And this is going from here to Ag, is And this is going from here to Ag
• the age 18. the age 18.
• 18 years of age or older. 18 years of age or older.
• <01:21:55.840> factor Why why do we have the age factor Why why do we have the age factor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . age. age.
• of his fund that I would based on age. of his fund that I would based on age.
• at age 50. at age 50.
• <01:07:37.880> 50 that's over age 50 that's over age 50 and and and just<01:07:40.840>
• are at least age 50. are at least age 50.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as we prepare for our aging population, we are going to have to increase our graduates.
• So, as we prepare for our our aging<00:02:50.920> population,<00:02:51.960> we<00:02:52.120
• > are<00:02:52.240> going<00:02:52.520> to<00:02:52.720> have aging population
• , we are going to have aging population, we are going to have to<00:02:53.240> increase<00:02:
• needs of our we can match the aging needs of our society<00:10:48.960> right<00:10:49.120>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and biosystems engineering, ag and family education, animal sciences, plant pathology, microbiology
• Our Ag and Natural Resources program is the largest.
• We have a forecasting tool they click on based on the traffic and the age of the pavement.
• They click on based on the traffic and the age of the pavement.
• So those students who might be under the age of 18 or over the age of 26.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed the 2024-25 tuition waiver report for the North Dakota University System. Staff explained that waivers were reported for degree-seeking students and broken out by residency, institution, and waiver type. Members asked about partial versus full waivers, institutional discretion, athletic waivers, and whether campuses have published guardrails or transparency requirements. Staff said most waivers are set by institutions, with some statutory and board-required categories, and that athletic waivers are a small share of total waiver dollars. The report showed total gross tuition of $354.5 million, tuition waived of $38.9 million, and 11,193 of 42,040 students receiving some waiver. Members also discussed how waivers affect net tuition revenue, housing and food collections, and whether campuses are using waivers strategically compared with scholarships and other funding sources. The committee then heard a presentation on tuition rates by campus and State Board policy. Staff explained the board’s tuition factors for resident, Minnesota reciprocity, contiguous-state/U.S. nonresident, and international students, and noted that campuses often seek exceptions based on program-specific competition and enrollment goals. Members asked whether rates are based on cost or competition, and staff said campuses typically bring forward estimates and market comparisons when requesting special rates. The presentation also reviewed general fund appropriations versus net tuition revenue by campus, and members discussed how local tuition decisions and waivers do not directly affect the state funding formula, though they do affect institutional revenue and reserves. Questions were also raised about the Higher Learning Commission’s financial composite indicator and how it differs from the more intuitive reserve and revenue figures. The committee next received a broad overview of non-higher-education entities affiliated with the State Board of Higher Education, beginning with NDSU agriculture-related units. Dr. Greg Lardy described the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, the NDSU Extension Service, the Agricultural Experiment Station, and the branch research centers, emphasizing their statewide role in crop and livestock research, extension education, and county-based outreach. He outlined funding mixes for extension, the experiment station, and branch stations, noting that grants and contracts support both research and education, while the agronomy seed farm is self-funded through seed sales. Members asked about the new and vacant FTE pool, R1 research status, matching requirements for grants, and whether state appropriations count toward research expenditures. Dr. Lardy also highlighted major research impacts, including crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, and NDAWN weather data. The Northern Crops Institute and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute also presented. NCI described its role in market development, technical services, and education for regional agriculture, its governance through the Northern Crops Council, and its funding from state appropriations, other states, and earned revenue. Members asked about the source of out-of-state funding, intellectual property, and the institute’s international reach. UGPTI then outlined its transportation research, federal and state funding structure, and work on road and bridge condition assessments, travel demand modeling, and workforce training. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And two years ago, the average age was 38 years old.
• And if you go back a decade or so ago, it was in the mid to late 20s was the average age.
• /c><00:02:43.120> was<00:02:43.360> the<00:02:43.519> average<00:02:43.840> age
• the mid to late 20s was the average age. the mid to late 20s was the average age.
• Now, again, the average age a homeowner.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on Minnesota’s affordable housing and workforce homeownership development program, which aims to increase the supply of owner-occupied single-family and multifamily housing. The senator said his connection to the issue comes from his background as a real estate agent and his role as the Republican lead on the Senate housing committee, and he framed the goal as making homeownership more affordable across the state. Asked about the annual report, he said it showed some progress, including 123 homes built through the program, but argued that the number was far too small to address Minnesota’s broader housing shortage or rising costs. He said housing prices are climbing for both renters and buyers, and that government funding alone cannot solve the problem. The senator attributed much of the affordability problem to government regulation, including permitting delays and building code requirements, which he said make homes in Minnesota $50,000 to $150,000 more expensive than comparable homes in neighboring states. He said the state should roll back regulatory barriers so the free market can increase supply and lower prices, and he emphasized that homeownership is important for family stability, education, work, and preserving the American dream. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the exchange.

Transcript Highlights:

• now, the state of New Mexico requires the state to provide public education to a student up to the age
• So it would be any student who is not currently enrolled in school and is of school age up to the age
• OK, Madam Chair, so that would be any student not currently enrolled in school from ages, we could say
• We also did after-age programming for students so that they could come back to school because we had
• Students that are trying to find their way, especially at that vulnerable age.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amazon, Walmart, they sell canisters to anyone regardless of their age.
• And so this bill would fix that by setting the required age to purchase nitrous oxide to 21.
• Chair Hughes mentioned, seeks to prohibit the sale of nitrous oxide to individuals under 21 years of age
• used in these procedures, it's really only 30 to 70%... 70% but right now the availability of all ages
• it's not that nitrous oxide hasn't been around, but the accessibility, the lack of restrictions on age

Bills: SB18, SB19, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB 18, SB 19

Keywords: municipal libraries, state funding, gender identity, public events, children's literature, SB 19, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county, city, municipality, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying ban, public funds, registered lobbyist, Chapter 305, Government Code, Local Government Code, county association dues

Transcript Highlights:

• Amazon, Walmart, they sell canisters to anyone regardless of their age.
• And so this bill, uh, would fix that by setting the required age to purchase nitrous oxide to 21.
• Chair Hughes mentioned, seeks to prohibit the sale of nitrous oxide to individuals under 21 years of age
• crucial to implement mandatory state registration for retailers selling nitrous oxide and enforce an age
• it's not that nitrous oxide hasn't been around, but the accessibility, the lack of restrictions on age

Bills: SB 18, SB 19, SB 666, SB 688, SB 707, SB 888

Keywords: municipal libraries, state funding, gender identity, public events, children's literature, SB 19, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county, city, municipality, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying ban, public funds, registered lobbyist, Chapter 305, Government Code, Local Government Code, county association dues

Transcript Highlights:

• In today's digital age. Many people begin their search for a new pet online.
• How can we have regulation if we don't know the age?
• If she then goes to try to download an app that's not age-appropriate, there will be an age signal sent
• to the app that says this person is under the age of 13 or under the age of 10 and the app will then
• , this age signal is critical for those types of laws to work.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They've been having an exodus from ages 21 to 35.
• Next, Executive Office on Aging providing comments. Carolyn, please proceed.
• <01:14:44.120> providing Aging providing Aging providing comments<01:14:46.480> Carolyn
• or get rid of the just reduce the age or get rid of the age<01:16:14.920> thank<01:16:15.080>
• <01:16:16.120> thank age thank you get rid of the age thank age thank you get rid of the age

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Labor and Technology committee heard testimony on SB 447, a Department of Health pilot program related to recruitment, and SB 1043, a tax measure. On SB 447, the Department of Health said the pilot had streamlined hiring by delaying minimum-qualification review until later in the process, while the Department of Human Resources Development objected that parts of the bill could conflict with civil service rules, due process rights, and equal pay requirements. Several labor and employee groups testified, with some supporting the pilot as a way to address vacancies and others warning about merit-system concerns. The committee later voted to pass SB 447 as is. On SB 1043, testimony was mixed but largely focused on the bill’s tax changes, especially the proposed increase to the general excise tax and exemptions or credits for lower-income households. Supporters, including labor groups and housing/worker advocates, argued the bill would reduce burdens on working families, help with food insecurity, and keep residents in Hawaiʻi. Opponents, including the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and some community witnesses, said the general excise tax is regressive and would raise costs across the state. The committee voted to advance SB 1043 with substantial amendments, deleting most of the bill except section two and setting a far-future effective date, while noting the fiscal impact had not been provided. The committee also deferred SB 633 and later deferred SB 1633 for further decision-making, scheduling continued consideration for February 12, 2025, in Room 225. The hearing included standard instructions on one-minute testimony, written testimony, and Zoom procedures, and the committee adjourned after taking the above actions.