Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:52:27.079><c> safeguards</c> OHA was mentioning providing safeguards OHA was mentioning providing
• </c><01:09:09.440><c> some</c> believe that this bill provides some believe that this bill provides some
• </c><01:18:52.239><c> and</c> exemption list that they provided and exemption list that they provided
• </c><01:30:29.119><c> for</c> Protections that heppa has provided for Protections that heppa has provided
• </c> clear um we are not wanting to provide clear um we are not wanting to provide relief<01:30:50.639

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 946 on wastewater management, which would clarify that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters after 12/31/26 applies to treatment plants. Testimony was in support from the Department of Health, Maui County Council, Mayor Bisson, and individuals, and no one testified in opposition. SB 849 on wildlife conservation would prohibit intentional taking, harming, or killing of the Hawaiian hawk (ʻio) and increase penalties for taking native aquatic life, wildlife, and land plants; DLNR supported the bill, noting the ʻio was delisted federally in 2020 and that the measure also updates penalties and adds a rehabilitation/community service option. No questions were raised, and the bill drew support testimony only. For SB 330 on invasive species prevention, the Attorney General raised a supremacy clause concern with language requiring state enforcement of federal quarantines and recommended reverting to a prior version with a catchall for federal regulation. The Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species supported the bill as a way to close a biosecurity gap, while the Department of Agriculture said it supported the intent but wanted to avoid acting without a cooperative agreement with USDA and suggested deleting the portion allowing action without such an agreement. The committee also heard SB 1393 on public land use, which would require the School Facilities Authority to consult with DOE and other agencies before land conveyances or leases and repeal a requirement that DOE transfer title upon request; both SFA and DOE supported the measure, with DOE emphasizing the need for early communication and consultation, and members asked about possible disagreements or stalemates. The committee then heard SB 321 on private roads and ways, which would deem certain privately owned roads and similar ways transferred to adjacent owners or community associations if conditions are met. The Hawaii Land Title Association said the bill as drafted would create uncertainty and proposed a court process to clarify ownership and create a recordable order; written support came from the Mortgage Bankers Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Financial Services Association, and one individual. SB 66 on housing permitting would require permit decisions within 60 days for certain housing projects and deem permits approved in some circumstances; DLNR’s historic preservation office supported the intent but noted county historic preservation roles, OHA suggested amendments to clarify county duties, and DPP opposed the time limits as risky for health and safety reviews, warning about back-and-forth review cycles and possible mismatches between approved plans and field work. Realtors, NAIOP, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii YIMBY, and the Maui Chamber supported the measure, while Lahaina Strong, Hawaii Good Neighbor, and two individuals opposed it. Finally, the committee heard SB 1170 on expeditious redevelopment of affordable rental housing, which would speed permits for rebuilding permanently affordable multifamily rental housing damaged by natural disasters and exempt certain projects from EIS requirements. HHFDC supported the bill, citing the Front Street Apartments rebuild and the long SMA permit timeline on Maui, and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the intent while suggesting technical placement of amendments. Testimony in support also came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and Joe Blanco, who described difficulties rebuilding a project originally developed under older statutory requirements and said the bill’s added language addressed those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> has proposed and I I uh Pro I'll provide has proposed and I I uh Pro I'll provide a<00:10:40.320
• We try to provide that.
• </c><01:37:19.719><c> us</c> it possible that Dr could provide us it possible that Dr could provide us
• </c><01:38:06.480><c> that</c> Commission but they can provide that Commission but they can provide that
• </c><01:43:28.880><c> you</c> from those years um and and provide you from those years um and and provide

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The public hearing focused on HB 290, which would raise cigarette and e-cigarette/vaping taxes and create a committee to study tobacco and nicotine tax policy. Representative Jerry Stringham introduced the bill as both a public health and revenue measure, arguing that nicotine use causes health harms and public costs, and that New Hampshire’s cigarette tax has been unchanged at $1.78 per pack since 2013. He said the bill would raise the cigarette tax by $1 per pack to $2.78, still below most New England states, and would also adjust vaping taxes, which he described as having been set as placeholder rates in 2019. He said the bill would also establish a study committee to review broader tobacco and nicotine taxation, including products such as premium cigars. In response to questions, Stringham said the proposed cigarette tax would be roughly equal in real dollars to the 2008 rate after inflation, and he suggested that a smaller annual increase could be considered, though he believed a larger increase would have a stronger public health effect. He explained that the vaping tax structure differs between closed and open systems because one taxes a fixed hardware product while the other taxes reusable liquid, and he said the proposal would move the rates toward a more uniform approach. He also said New Hampshire would remain below neighboring states even after the increase, though members raised concerns about cross-border shopping, business impacts, and preserving the state’s competitive advantage. Several members questioned whether the bill’s main purpose was revenue or reducing smoking and vaping. Stringham said he viewed it primarily as a public health bill, but also as a revenue measure, and said he would consider it successful even if consumption fell enough to reduce revenue. Other members emphasized personal freedom and argued the committee should focus on taxation rather than cessation, while some supported the bill as a way to capture revenue from out-of-state buyers and keep New Hampshire’s rates below surrounding states. The hearing consisted of testimony and questions only; no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, it also provides funding for the cyanobacteria mitigation fund.
• In addition, it also provides funding for the cyanobacteria mitigation fund.
• So, that program has become very popular and exceeding what we can provide.
• because they provided technical guidance on<01:11:29.280><c> this.
• We believe bills like this are, you know, provide broad benefits to this state.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><01:38:38.800><c> to</c> provide a significant opportunity to provide a significant opportunity to
• This could be people providing services in the home to that kiddo.
• be for those providing of the actual<02:11:03.760><c> placement.
• This could be people providing family.
• </c> what they're providing in their notices. what they're providing in their notices. right<02:40:30.399

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> multi-occupancy bathrooms must provide multi-occupancy bathrooms must provide at<02:13:53.880><c
• c> needed</c><02:14:03.960><c> statutory</c> This provides some some needed statutory This provides some
• This bill provides that.
• This bill provides that. In matters. This bill provides that.
• They come in and give provide testimony They come in and give provide testimony even<03:48:17.240><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill uh provides a way in state.
• </c> &gt;&gt; The ultimate goal is to provide &gt;&gt; The ultimate goal is to provide stability<01:19
• Well, I can pontificate and provide hyperbole, but I would say that if the... >> I just want you to provide
• me facts. >> I just want you to provide me facts.
• The amendment removes the words National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, they're a multi-state provider.
• First of all, they're a multi-state provider.
• First of all, they're a multi-state provider.
• First of all, they're a multi-state provider.
• </c> all, they're a multi-state provider. all, they're a multi-state provider.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> ma'am um the uh ISO New England provided ma'am um the uh ISO New England provided us<01:44:09.400
• </c> offshore wind issues have Prov provided offshore wind issues have Prov provided comments<02:35:50.600
• </c><04:06:49.159><c> sediment</c> currents and it also provides sediment currents and it also provides
• </c><04:12:32.600><c> that</c> a an authority on providing that a an authority on providing that Assurance
• </c><04:50:20.280><c> a</c> to everybody this would provide a to everybody this would provide a vehicle

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide comments on this measure.
• We provide comments on this measure.
• </c> our bill what this bill does is provide our bill what this bill does is provide The<00:31:48.240
• </c><00:51:02.640><c> oral</c> said they would wanted to provide oral said they would wanted to provide
• </c> elsewhere but I I'm happy to provide elsewhere but I I'm happy to provide some<02:21:23.240><c>

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:16.600><c> that</c> government run schools providing that government run schools providing
• </c> the administrator and they provide the administrator and they provide payments<00:29:12.279><c>
• </c><00:33:01.360><c> by</c><00:33:01.559><c> accredited</c> needs provided by accredited needs provided
• </c><01:13:54.440><c> a</c> more like a service provider a more like a service provider a contractor<
• </c> at the ability for families to provide at the ability for families to provide um<02:08:52.480><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 402, a bill to repeal a provision in RSA 194-F:2 stating that Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds “shall not constitute taxable income” to the parent or student. The bill sponsor argued the current language is misleading because the state cannot determine federal tax liability, and said the bill would simply remove inaccurate tax advice from state law. He cited IRS guidance and prior federal legislation, including a Ted Cruz proposal, to suggest some EFA uses may be taxable under federal law, while others may not, and said the bill could be amended if needed to avoid confusion. Testimony was sharply divided. Py Campbell opposed the bill, arguing it would unfairly single out EFA students and could amount to a tax on education funds, including for self-employed families, and recommended it be voted inexpedient to legislate. Stephen Matthew French, a tax preparer, also opposed the bill, saying IRS Publication 970 already makes clear that scholarship-type payments used for tuition and related expenses are not taxable, and that the bill addresses a problem that does not exist. He warned that adding tax reporting requirements could create administrative costs for families and the program administrator. Bill Ardinger, a tax attorney, supported the repeal of the statutory language, saying the state should not place potentially incorrect tax advice into law. He explained that under federal tax law, only certain scholarship-like uses are exempt, while many EFA-eligible expenses may not be, especially for families using the program for homeschooling or other nontraditional expenses. He said the current statute could mislead families into thinking all EFA payments are tax-free and could expose the state to future legal problems. The hearing ended after questions from committee members; no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Where challenges arise, provide respect.
• And we had nothing else. written explanation was provided in her written explanation was provided in
• </c><00:28:09.520><c> No</c> experts provided context. No experts provided context.
• </c> or provide a base on which to build. or provide a base on which to build.
• </c><01:31:44.719><c> new</c> just a study that might provide new just a study that might provide new

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not going to repeat that information that I provided.
• </c> um I provide we provided um some um I provide we provided um some appendix<00:57:37.480><c> slides
• </c> questions okay you don't need to provide questions okay you don't need to provide quite<03:26:25.359
• The increase is in current expenses. provided to you the S cap provided to you the S cap The<03:56:45.040
• </c><04:10:11.479><c> you</c> um yeah I I will be happy to provide you um yeah I I will be happy to provide

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the University System of New Hampshire chancellor on the system’s budget, enrollment, finances, workforce role, and response to federal policy changes. The chancellor said the governor’s recommended budget would reduce university system funding by about $16.5 million over the biennium, or roughly 8.3%, and asked that state funding be held at the governor’s level. She described planned cost reductions already underway, including lower headcount, reduced benefits and retirement contributions, property sales, and lease reductions, and said the system expects to remove about $20 million from its cost structure in fiscal year 2026. A large portion of the discussion focused on enrollment and finances. The chancellor said fall 2024 enrollment was about 23,000, with New Hampshire enrollment increasing for the first time since 2013, and noted that the system remains a major workforce pipeline, with about 3,000 graduates entering the state workforce each year. She explained that net tuition has fallen over time because of declining enrollment and increased financial aid, while research grants and contracts have grown significantly. She also walked through endowment funding, explaining that payouts are based on a 12-quarter rolling average and are intentionally smoothed to reduce volatility; members asked for follow-up information on payout comparisons, administrative salaries, headcounts, and compensation per student. Members questioned the university about the relationship between state support, tuition, endowments, and research spending. The chancellor said the system has used state capital support to leverage major investments, including the UNH Life Sciences building, Plymouth’s Hyde Hall, and the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, and described partnerships with businesses such as Lonza and regional manufacturers. She also explained a long-running New Hampshire 529-related revenue stream that has built endowment support for scholarships, and said the system’s endowment now totals about $988 million. In response to questions about possible cuts, she said the system is considering academic program sharing, consolidation of specialties, online delivery, AI-assisted administrative efficiencies, and footprint reductions, but declined to name specific programs. The committee also discussed DEI-related issues and federal grants. The chancellor said the system is reviewing executive orders and a U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague letter, and that general counsel is working through websites, programs, and more than 1,200 federal grants to ensure compliance. She said the system spends about $3 million on what it calls DEI-related offices and services, but emphasized that these services include disability support, veteran support, Title IX, ADA, and employment-law compliance, and that the system does not have race-based programs, separate housing, or separate graduation ceremonies. She reported that the system had received stop-work orders on four federal grants totaling about $700,000 and warned that reductions in federal direct or indirect costs could affect research, jobs, and innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> provided advice and guidance on this. provided advice and guidance on this.
• Um it provides a cannabis program.
• </c> that notice must include are provided that notice must include are provided for<01:00:17.920><c>
• Um and it provid pre provisions.
• </c> provide some additional testimony. provide some additional testimony.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:43.920><c> a</c> remains unchanged and this provides a remains unchanged and this provides
• </c> support that the office is providing. support that the office is providing.
• </c> topic there so that we can provide topic there so that we can provide appropriate<01:11:49.440><
• </c> that one section which is why I provided that one section which is why I provided my<01:24:11.440
• </c><04:02:26.960><c> an</c> agency would be obligated to provide an agency would be obligated to provide

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> destroyed the structures that provided destroyed the structures that provided stability<00:34:45.079
• </c> the skills investment act to provide the skills investment act to provide additional<02:17:03.719
• The bill provides benefits to Taiwan residents similar to those provided in the 2016 U.S. model tax treaty
• The bill provides benefits to Taiwan residents similar to those provided in the 2016 U.S. model tax treaty
• </c> done so the United States would provide done so the United States would provide those<03:38:29.520

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the knowledge and wisdom you provide of the knowledge and wisdom you provide that<02:06:31.199
• We are here today to provide for debate the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 77.
• </c><02:20:31.040><c> to</c> Speaker we are here today to provide to Speaker we are here today to provide
• ><c> for</c> debate the rule providing for debate the rule providing for consideration<02:20:34.080><
• provide provide oversight<04:24:40.920><c> a</c><04:24:41.040><c> functioning</c><04:24:41.560><c> Congress

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . provided. provided.
• </c> honoring their obligations to provide honoring their obligations to provide continuity<02:00:38.920
• </c> federal law to pay for and provide federal law to pay for and provide services<02:15:16.800><c>
• > care</c> that often provide uncompensated care that often provide uncompensated care for<03:46:06.840
• </c> care Medicaid application, any provider care Medicaid application, any provider who<03:46:58.160

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:33:17.520><c> shield</c><00:33:18.360><c> to</c> Um it also provides a shield to Um it also provides
• </c> don't know what this or that provide don't know what this or that provide even<00:42:39.480><c>
• That market is not going to provide affordable housing.
• If that's what it takes to provide those services that they're being demanded.
• Senate File 95, Drivers and Motor Vehicle Services Third-Party Providers. Ayes 26, noes 5.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> providing retirement savings. providing retirement savings.
• > consideration</c><02:26:10.880><c> of</c> This rule provides for consideration of This rule provides
• :26:39.520><c> upon</c><02:26:40.000><c> house</c> the rule provides that upon house the rule provides
• ><c> for</c> The bill further provides for The bill further provides for consideration<02:27:00.479><
• </c> disability insurance program providing disability insurance program providing for<04:10:01.600><

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:02.799><c> uh</c> agent general are here to to provide uh agent general are here to to provide
• </c><01:07:03.359><c> advoc</c> and response program provides advoc and response program provides advoc
• :10.720><c> safety</c><01:07:11.119><c> of</c> we provide safety assessment, safety of we provide safety
• </c><01:07:18.480><c> in</c><01:07:18.720><c> the</c> provide connection to resources in the provide
• You're not providing any representation; you're not providing anything.

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all