Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> or</c><00:32:27.280><c> tools</c><00:32:28.120><c> in</c><00:32:28.280><c> ways</c><00:32:28.520
• :01.800><c> and</c><01:32:01.960><c> owe</c><01:32:02.080><c> money</c><01:32:02.520><c> to</c><01:32
• And so<01:32:04.080><c> I</c><01:32:04.160><c> think</c><01:32:04.480><c> we're</c><01:32:04.600><c>
• finally</c><01:32:05.040><c> in</c><01:32:05.160><c> a</c><01:32:05.200><c> place</c><01:32:05.920><c
• <01:32:11.080><c> of</c><01:32:11.200><c> the</c><01:32:11.280><c> fact</c><01:32:11.480><c> that</c>

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But<00:32:09.200><c> sort</c><00:32:09.720><c> of</c><00:32:10.720><c> focusing</c><00:32:11.279><c>
• in</c><00:32:11.600><c> on</c><00:32:12.240><c> some</c><00:32:12.480><c> of</c><00:32:12.640><c> our
• about 51%<00:32:36.480><c> except</c><00:32:36.880><c> for</c><00:32:37.200><c> in</c><00:32:37.840>
• without children,<00:32:39.200><c> also</c><00:32:39.440><c> known</c><00:32:39.679><c> as</c><00:32
• <00:32:52.799><c> to</c><00:32:52.960><c> conversations</c><00:32:53.600><c> going</c><00:32:53.760><

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:32:02.799><c> of</c><00:32:03.000><c> these</c><00:32:03.360><c> these</c><00:32:04.000><c> uh<
• kids up<00:32:05.000><c> from</c><00:32:05.200><c> getting</c><00:32:05.559><c> to</c><00:32:05.760>
• <c> be</c><00:32:05.960><c> where</c><00:32:06.159><c> they</c><00:32:06.279><c> need</c><00:32:06.480
• Senator funky fomar<00:32:11.559><c> thank</c><00:32:11.760><c> you</c><00:32:11.919><c> and</c><00:32
• Senator girdler<00:32:14.840><c> has</c><00:32:15.000><c> a</c><00:32:15.159><c> way</c><00:32:15.320

Keywords: 00:00:00 Introductions 00:00:22 Roll Call 00:01:56 Discussion on SB 85 00:14:03 Vote on SB 85 00:16:15 Explanation of Agency Amendment 00:19:04 Voice Vote on Amendment 00:19:33 Discussion on Kentucky Foster Children Housing, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 85, sponsored by Senator Meredith, which would move the Office of the Ombudsman from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the State Auditor’s office and make related cleanup changes. Meredith said the bill grew out of a prior task force and a two-year transition from Senate Bill 48, and he argued the move would create independence, improve access to the ITWIST database, ensure complaints are not lost in the handoff, and add confidentiality protections for whistleblowers. Auditor Allison Ball and her staff said the bill would codify access and procedures after earlier disputes and a court-mediated settlement, and they described the measure as necessary to make the new structure work effectively. Members asked how the Ombudsman would handle complaints and verify services in cases involving waiver recipients and other cabinet services. Ball and her staff said the Ombudsman would investigate complaints, make inquiries, and provide accountability outside the cabinet structure, with timelines and procedures similar to the Auditor’s office. The committee also discussed staffing and whether the office would need more personnel; Ball said the office already had about 100 people but could use more. The bill passed 10-0 with favorable expression. The committee then approved an agency amendment to administrative regulation 922 KAR 1:001490 concerning foster parent background checks. Cabinet staff explained the amendment corrected a drafting error by removing references to civil determinations in a second section of the regulation because the system cannot search those determinations, while still allowing the required checks under state and federal law. Senator Herron asked what a civil determination meant, and staff said it could involve a court finding in a custody or abuse case, though such findings are now typically handled through the child abuse and neglect registry. The amendment was adopted. Afterward, the committee began a discussion on Kentucky foster children housing and related issues. Ball and Ombudsman staff presented a preliminary assessment of children placed in office buildings, saying the review covered 49 children placed over a four-month period and showed a different picture than the public narrative of only older, high-acuity youth. They reported that some children had no documented behavioral or disability issues, many came directly from home, the average age was 13, the average stay was four nights, and placements were spread across several regions rather than centered only in Louisville. Members raised concerns about the lack of formal policies and procedures, staff safety, and how to ensure children are treated appropriately, and Ball said the Ombudsman was continuing a deeper review. No final action was taken on that discussion in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:31.919><c> to</c><00:32:32.000><c> get</c><00:32:32.159><c> to</c><00:32:32.240><c> the</c> because
• </c><00:32:36.240><c> Um</c><00:32:36.399><c> I</c><00:32:36.640><c> just</c><00:32:36.799><c> think<
• </c><00:32:43.039><c> We</c><00:32:43.279><c> don't</c><00:32:43.360><c> need</c><00:32:43.519><c> to
• 01:32:02.320><c> to</c><01:32:02.480><c> feel</c><01:32:02.880><c> the</c><01:32:03.120><c> same</c><
• And I<01:32:05.440><c> can't</c><01:32:05.679><c> answer</c><01:32:06.000><c> that</c><01:32:06.639><

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:32:26.320><c> If</c><01:32:26.560><c> this</c><01:32:26.800><c> doesn't</c><01:32:27.120><c>
• If this doesn't go all<01:32:27.679><c> the</c><01:32:27.840><c> way</c><01:32:27.920><c> to</c><01:32
• ><c> then</c><01:32:32.719><c> we</c><01:32:32.960><c> will</c><01:32:33.120><c> have</c><01:32:33.280
• /c><01:32:41.600><c> why</c><01:32:41.760><c> this</c><01:32:42.000><c> bill</c><01:32:42.560><c> has
• love to<01:32:52.639><c> have</c><01:32:53.520><c> right</c><01:32:53.760><c> about</c><01:32:54.080

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:55.519><c> um</c><00:32:55.760><c> comments</c><00:32:56.440><c> and</c><00:32:56.639><c>
• and I I want<00:32:56.960><c> to</c><00:32:57.039><c> make</c><00:32:57.200><c> clear</c><00:32:57.399
• </c><01:32:44.000><c> suggested</c><01:32:44.520><c> amendments</c><01:32:45.119><c> to</c><01:32:45.360
• 52.400><c> page</c><01:32:52.639><c> three</c><01:32:52.920><c> line</c><01:32:53.920><c> uh</c><01:32
• ><c> have</c><01:32:57.600><c> to</c><01:32:57.760><c> amend</c><01:32:58.040><c> in</c><01:32:58.119

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several Human Services measures focused on Medicaid access, long-term care benefits, home health reimbursement, SNAP administration, trauma-informed child welfare, and child abuse reporting. HP 702 would increase funding for Medicaid in-home services if federal matching funds are secured, and testimony from disability advocates supported the measure as needed to help people with disabilities cover medical expenses. HB 1477, described as a correction to a prior session’s mistake, would clarify that the monthly needs allowance for certain long-term care residents does not replace state supplemental payments and would raise the ceiling by $25 to fix the prior issue and by an additional $20 as a new benefit; DHS supported it with amendments, and the committee indicated it would amend accordingly. HB 713 would fund a DHS rate study for home health services, with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii strongly supporting it and describing rising labor costs, losses on Medicaid patients, and access concerns if agencies cannot keep serving Medicaid clients. HB 1099 would appropriate emergency funds to DHS after a USDA penalty tied to SNAP response times, with supporters including Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others arguing the money should be reinvested in staffing and systems to improve access and avoid further penalties. HB 1079 would direct the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS to create trauma-informed assessments and training for Child Welfare Services staff; testimony from state offices and advocacy groups supported it, citing the Mālama ʻOhana Working Group, staff burnout, and the need for a sustainable train-the-trainer model. Finally, HB 239 would narrow when failure to provide a child’s needs constitutes abuse or neglect, but DHS raised concerns that the current wording could broaden abuse findings and leave families in poverty without a clear safety net, while the Honolulu prosecutor’s office opposed it, warning it could weaken mandatory reporting and hinder investigations of child abuse. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided, though the chair said HB 1477 would be amended and several measures were left open for further questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:07.760><c> it's</c><01:32:07.880><c> not</c><01:32:08.000><c> just</c><01:32:08.159><c> up</c><01
• meanless</c><01:32:14.280><c> if</c><01:32:14.360><c> they</c><01:32:14.480><c> want</c><01:32:14.800
• :32:16.040><c> know</c><01:32:16.199><c> they</c><01:32:16.880><c> I</c><01:32:16.960><c> mean</c><01
• :32:19.560><c> but</c><01:32:19.760><c> I</c><01:32:19.920><c> you</c><01:32:20.040><c> know</c><01:32
• 23.239><c> has</c><01:32:23.360><c> to</c><01:32:23.440><c> be</c><01:32:23.560><c> a</c><01:32:23.920

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up an amendment to a bill dealing with digital assets, zoning, utilities, and noise. Members discussed removing the “private key” language, clarifying that the bill would prohibit state or local governments from treating digital asset mining differently from other industrial uses, and narrowing several provisions based on feedback from the Municipal Association. There was also discussion about electricity use, rate schedules, and whether the bill would allow payment of electric bills in Bitcoin; members clarified that bills would still be paid in dollars and that discriminatory rates were not allowed. The amendment was approved on a straw vote, and the committee then voted 7-1 to adopt the amended bill. The committee then considered a separate bill related to a paint stewardship program. The sponsor explained that the amendment would remove references to a fee structure that had troubled him in public hearing, while still preserving the plan and oversight by the Department of Environmental Services. Members discussed whether the bill’s liability and disclosure language affected antitrust concerns, and a representative from the American Coatings Association testified that the program’s environmental management practices and liability provisions were intended to ensure responsible handling and cleanup. The committee ultimately voted 7-1 to adopt the amended bill. Later, the subcommittee moved to liquor-related business. It first voted unanimously, 7-0, to retain a cannabis-related item. It then discussed a tavern license bill that would create a 21-plus tavern category, with the Liquor Enforcement Division explaining that the restriction was tied to alcohol-only venues and the potential for late-night entertainment and nightclub-style operations. Members raised concerns about local control and public safety, and the discussion referenced existing cocktail lounge rules and the possibility of towns opting into such a license. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on that item is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• as an option<00:32:06.639><c> another</c><00:32:07.279><c> uh</c><00:32:07.440><c> and</c><00:32:07.600
• </c><00:32:17.080><c> talked</c><00:32:17.360><c> a</c><00:32:17.519><c> little</c><00:32:17.760><c>
• <00:32:19.600><c> and</c><00:32:19.960><c> trying</c><00:32:20.360><c> to</c><00:32:21.120><c> you</c
• ><c> is</c><00:32:23.919><c> a</c><00:32:24.120><c> good</c><00:32:24.600><c> method</c><00:32:24.960
• :39.559><c> on</c><00:32:39.720><c> it</c><00:32:39.919><c> that</c><00:32:40.080><c> would</c><00:32

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 32:33.200><c> goes</c><00:32:33.360><c> up</c><00:32:33.519><c> on</c><00:32:33.679><c> appeal</c><00
• </c><00:32:35.279><c> of</c><00:32:35.440><c> rules</c><00:32:36.240><c> that</c><00:32:36.559><c> the
• personnel<00:32:38.399><c> appeal</c><00:32:38.799><c> board</c><00:32:39.039><c> would</c><00:32:39.279
• Those are the<00:32:44.320><c> only</c><00:32:44.480><c> comments</c><00:32:44.799><c> I</c><00:32:45.039
• 00:32:55.360><c> this</c><00:32:55.600><c> language</c><00:32:56.480><c> between</c><00:32:56.799><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance, seating alternates, and approval of the minutes and consent calendar. Both were approved without opposition. The committee then moved to the regular calendar, beginning with Department of Environmental Services drinking water rules (2532). Staff noted that the final proposal deleted requirements that had been in the initial proposal, making the published notice technically inaccurate because it said there were no substantive changes. The agency responded that the requirements still exist in other rules, that regulated entities and the Water Council were notified, and that the public had notice through related hearings. After discussion about whether a new noticed hearing was needed, the committee approved the rule. The next item was Department of Administrative Services personnel rule 2510 on seniority and employee performance evaluation. Staff raised informational comments and one unclear comment about language that appeared to require a checkbox even though no form exists, and about evaluation categories that could overlap. The agency said the checkbox language should be removed, but defended the overlapping categories as part of a long-standing template used by agencies for the past 10 years. Members discussed whether the language was too ambiguous or could lead to inconsistent application, but the committee ultimately approved the rule with a condition striking the checkbox language in the affected sections. The committee then considered personnel rule 25109 on investigations, discipline, non-disciplinary communications, and non-disciplinary removal. Staff recommended clarifying language distinguishing license suspension from termination for cause, and questioned whether the sexual-harassment discipline language was too broad because the same conduct could fit multiple discipline levels. The agency agreed to add the suggested clarification for the license-suspension provision, but argued the sexual-harassment language should remain because another rule already provides the factors for determining the appropriate discipline and the agency needs discretion for fact-specific cases. The discussion included concerns about how non-verbal conduct might be treated, but the committee moved toward conditional approval with the agreed clarification and approval of the rest of the rule as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:41.919><c> I</c><00:32:42.159><c> will</c><00:32:42.320><c> just</c><00:32:42.559><c> note
• 32:44.399><c> belabor</c><00:32:44.960><c> the</c><00:32:45.200><c> point</c><00:32:45.360><c> here</
• ><c> a</c><00:32:47.600><c> lot</c><00:32:47.760><c> of</c><00:32:47.919><c> work</c><00:32:48.080><c
• ><c> to</c><00:32:48.880><c> get</c><00:32:49.039><c> a</c><00:32:49.279><c> handle</c><00:32:49.519>
• Speaker,<00:32:56.880><c> I</c><00:32:57.200><c> would</c><00:32:57.360><c> ask</c><00:32:57.600><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> yes</c><01:32:09.280><c> representative</c><01:32:09.880><c> Davis</c><01:32:10.560><c> yes</c>
• :32:27.080><c> the</c><01:32:27.199><c> vote</c><01:32:27.400><c> being</c><01:32:27.639><c> 19</c><01
• uh</c><01:32:29.760><c> Bill</c><01:32:30.280><c> HB</c><01:32:30.679><c> 585</c><01:32:31.400><c> will
• <01:32:32.119><c> and</c><01:32:32.239><c> I'll</c><01:32:32.400><c> close</c><01:32:32.639><c> the</
• <c> will</c><01:32:39.199><c> open</c><01:32:39.440><c> the</c><01:32:39.560><c> exec</c><01:32:39.920

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on HB 660, which would require historic horse racing facilities to provide 10% of HHR winnings to host municipalities as mitigation. Representative Om said the bill was intended to offset local costs associated with large gaming facilities, noting that prior gaming measures included opt-in provisions and that this proposal would leave charities and the state whole while taking the 10% from the operator’s share. Members questioned why 10% was chosen and whether municipalities were currently experiencing added costs; Om said the amount was meant to address projected future impacts, not broader municipal budget issues, and cited a study on casino-related community costs. Opponents from the New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Operators Association argued the bill unfairly singled out one industry and said gaming facilities do not impose more municipal burden than other entertainment venues. The hearing closed without a vote, and a member clarified the bill would apply to existing and future casinos/facilities. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 658-FN, which raises the cap on reimbursements from the Oil Discharge and Disposal Cleanup Fund and makes related changes to the Oil Pollution Control Fund. Representative Malloy introduced the bill, and Representative Aly described the funds as an insurance backstop for oil spill cleanup and low-income tank replacement, saying the program helps prevent environmental hazards and satisfies financial responsibility requirements. Bob Scully of the Energy Marketers Association supported the bill but noted that fee changes are ultimately passed on to consumers. Department of Environmental Services officials Robert Bishop and Jennifer Marts explained that the bill would change reporting deadlines, raise the reimbursement cap for low-income homeowners, extend the fee collection period for 10 years, and adjust petroleum import fees based on an actuarial review. They said the funds cover spill response, prevention, and tank replacement, and that the fee structure was designed to keep the funds solvent while balancing costs across fuel categories. Committee members asked about the actuarial basis for the fee changes, why some fees would rise while others would fall, and how the funds are used. DES said the review used 10 years of claims and exposure data and that the fuel oil fee would otherwise need to rise sharply, so the board proposed a smaller increase and rebalanced other fees. Members also asked about the scope of covered oil imports, and DES explained that the fee applies to oil destined for use in New Hampshire, not merely passing through the state. The discussion also covered home heating oil spills, which DES said are often discovered by homeowners or fire departments and are usually caused by tank corrosion, piping, or overfills. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair noted that the policy committee had already approved the bill before the finance-focused review.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair.<01:32:28.440><c> I</c><01:32:28.520><c> move</c><01:32:28.840><c> amendment</c><01:32:29.640><
• </c> And<01:32:35.240><c> ask</c><01:32:35.440><c> that</c><01:32:35.560><c> it</c><01:32:35.640><c>
• On<02:32:52.280><c> reliability,</c><02:32:53.200><c> the</c><02:32:53.400><c> grid</c><02:32:53.720>
• 32:04.960><c> an</c><03:32:05.160><c> entity</c><03:32:05.680><c> that</c><03:32:05.880><c> does</c><
• 32:13.240><c> civil</c><03:32:13.600><c> penalty</c><03:32:14.080><c> of</c><03:32:14.240><c> $2,000<

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:38.880><c> was</c><00:32:39.039><c> no</c><00:32:39.200><c> issue</c><00:32:39.440><c> with
• ><c> he</c><00:32:40.480><c> was</c><00:32:40.640><c> confident</c><00:32:40.960><c> to</c><00:32:41.120
• this</c><01:32:32.000><c> business</c><01:32:32.239><c> and</c><01:32:32.480><c> got</c><01:32:32.639
• Uh the<01:32:39.920><c> fees</c><01:32:40.159><c> are</c><01:32:40.320><c> higher</c><01:32:40.800><c
• &gt;&gt; So<01:32:42.719><c> the</c><01:32:42.960><c> fees</c><01:32:43.199><c> are</c><01:32:43.360>

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee focused primarily on a bill concerning long-term care insurance rate increases and consumer notice. Members and staff discussed replacing or supplementing a proposed public hearing requirement with annual reporting, website updates, and consumer-facing disclosures about approved rate increases, carriers writing the products, and how the products work. Several participants emphasized that long-term care policies are long-term products, that rate increases can be spread over many years for actuarial reasons, and that consumers need better information about trends and the impact of increases. A major point of disagreement was whether the bill should try to cap premium increases. One member argued the real problem is unexpected increases of 15% to 20% and urged a statutory cap to protect consumers. Insurance department representatives and others responded that hard caps had been struck down in prior case law, that the department’s core responsibility is solvency, and that carriers need sufficient premium to pay future claims. They also said the market is struggling because many carriers stopped selling the product, leaving in-force policies to bear the cost, and that overly restrictive caps could cause insurers to withdraw from the state. The discussion then shifted toward a compromise requiring carriers to notify policyholders before a rate increase is approved and allowing a 60-day comment period. Participants debated whether the notice should come from the carrier, how confidentiality rules would apply before approval, and what the department should do with public comments. The department said it already reviews filings carefully and that submitted rates are often adjusted before approval; lawmakers noted that prior commissioners had pushed back on increases in some cases, including a seven-year moratorium. No final vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair repeatedly tried to move the subcommittee along to other bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:32:00.679><c> I</c><00:32:00.840><c> believe</c><00:32:01.520><c> there's</c><00:32:01.760><c> a
• ><c> for</c><00:32:05.000><c> some</c><00:32:05.240><c> of</c><00:32:05.360><c> those.
• Not<00:32:07.440><c> necessarily</c><00:32:08.080><c> an</c><00:32:08.280><c> EIS,</c><00:32:08.880><
• Chair, to the<00:32:10.400><c> to</c><00:32:10.520><c> the</c><00:32:10.679><c> issue</c><00:32:10.920
• > so</c><00:32:18.520><c> if</c><00:32:18.679><c> we're</c><00:32:19.520><c> let's</c><00:32:19.679><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.480><c> I</c><01:32:00.560><c> have</c><01:32:00.679><c> a</c><01:32:00.880><c> question</c><01:32
• 01:32:21.080><c> likely</c><01:32:21.400><c> to</c><01:32:22.040><c> claim</c> historically been more
• C</c><01:32:24.239><c> for</c><01:32:24.880><c> Section</c><01:32:25.880><c> 12.5</c><01:32:26.880><c
• credit um it's<01:32:31.440><c> benefit</c><01:32:31.920><c> can</c><01:32:32.320><c> extend</c><01:32
• <01:32:55.440><c> some</c><01:32:55.560><c> of</c><01:32:55.679><c> the</c><01:32:55.800><c> lower</c

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> want</c><00:32:22.640><c> to</c><00:32:22.799><c> reiterate</c><00:32:23.360><c> that</c><00:32:23.679
• training<00:32:28.720><c> that</c><00:32:29.200><c> all</c><00:32:29.440><c> encompassed</c><00:32:30.399
• in our manuals<00:32:31.760><c> are</c><00:32:32.000><c> what</c><00:32:32.240><c> we</c><00:32:32.640
• ><c> are</c><00:32:40.399><c> not</c><00:32:40.880><c> going</c><00:32:41.120><c> to</c><00:32:41.360
• </c><00:32:42.880><c> That's</c><00:32:43.120><c> what's</c><00:32:43.440><c> at</c><00:32:43.679><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.200><c> to</c><00:32:00.440><c> Sam</c><00:32:00.880><c> to</c><00:32:01.080><c> answer</c><00:32
• 32:02.440><c> role</c><00:32:02.679><c> here</c><00:32:02.919><c> was</c><00:32:03.200><c> costs</c><
• ><00:32:05.120><c> feel</c><00:32:05.360><c> like</c><00:32:05.799><c> um</c><00:32:06.799><c> you</c
• <c> again</c><00:32:09.559><c> for</c><00:32:09.760><c> the</c><00:32:10.080><c> the</c><00:32:10.200
• 32:12.799><c> the</c><00:32:13.000><c> BB</c><00:32:13.360><c> smart</c><00:32:13.679><c> calculator<

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Williams she is a member of Omega Williams she is a member of Omega Williams she is a member of Omega chapter
• in Birmingham it's the guest of chapter in Birmingham it's the guest of chapter in Birmingham it's the
• in is a member of Amicon Omega chapter in is a member of Amicon Omega chapter in Birmingham and is a
• of Alpha Kappa Alpha sority chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sority chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sority
• across Alabama daughters and 66 chapters across Alabama daughters and 66 chapters across this wonderful

Bills: HB 9 , HB 22 , HB 908 , HB 1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

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• ><c> these</c><00:32:06.080><c> network</c><00:32:06.480><c> systems</c><00:32:07.560><c> uh</c><00:32
• The NGI 10<00:32:11.360><c> pilots</c><00:32:11.960><c> will</c><00:32:12.080><c> be</c><00:32:12.200
• This<00:32:28.560><c> bill</c><00:32:28.880><c> is</c><00:32:29.080><c> forward-looking</c><00:32:30.040
• NGI<00:32:33.400><c> pilots,</c><00:32:34.440><c> and</c><00:32:34.640><c> recognizes</c><00:32:35.320

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><01:32:03.239><c> we</c><01:32:03.400><c> should</c><01:32:03.840><c> discuss</c><01:32:04.920><c>
• ><01:32:24.560><c> I</c><01:32:24.679><c> think</c><01:32:25.040><c> um</c><01:32:25.800><c> my</c><01
• :42.639><c> in</c><01:32:42.880><c> place</c><01:32:43.320><c> at</c><01:32:43.520><c> this</c><01:32
• 32:51.320><c> we</c><01:32:51.520><c> could</c><01:32:51.960><c> potentially</c><01:32:52.440><c> be<
• a very<01:32:53.199><c> good</c><01:32:53.400><c> player</c><01:32:54.320><c> and</c><01:32:54.600><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee met on February 2 and first approved the draft minutes from the prior meeting, with minor corrections to the meeting date and attendance notation. DHHS Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly then gave a department update, describing the current uncertainty around federal priorities and funding, and provided two substantive reports: progress on the new Hampstead Youth Development Center and an update on the department’s review of an ALS registry proposal. She said the YDC project is underway with tree clearing, fencing, stormwater and site-prep work, and remains on track for completion by June 30, 2026 and operation by August 30, 2026. The center currently has 12 youth, and the new design is intended to provide flexibility for fluctuating census levels. On ALS, Tilly explained that HB 576 had prompted the department to examine whether a registry could be built, but the estimated cost of a HIPAA-compliant system was about $750,000. She said DHHS is reviewing whether existing data sources, such as hospital discharge data and CHIS claims data, could provide useful information, but noted both are incomplete for registry purposes. Committee members discussed whether the Rare Disease Advisory Council, Dartmouth, or existing cancer registry infrastructure could help reduce costs. DHHS said it is neutral and willing to continue exploring alternatives, while members emphasized the value of a registry and the need to consider shared infrastructure and funding. The committee also heard from Jenny Horan of the Alzheimer’s Association, who presented the subcommittee’s report on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She said the subcommittee spent the past year gathering information on dementia care, abuse and exploitation issues, caregiver strain, and available services, and is now moving into a second phase focused on identifying gaps and developing a state plan. Members asked about geriatric psychiatric capacity and long-term care availability; Horan said the state has limited capacity and that the plan will help clarify where needs are greatest. She offered to return for follow-up questions at a later meeting. Finally, Olivia May of DHHS presented the quarterly report on the 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage extension. She said New Hampshire implemented the extension after federal and state action, and the first claims data are still emerging because of reporting lags. In the initial cohort studied, 95% received some medical services during the extended period, 52.4% received mental health or substance use disorder treatment, 26.7% received preventive visits, and 3.2% received heart or hypertension services. Members asked about return on investment and whether higher federal matching rates are being used appropriately; DHHS said it claims the highest possible match based on eligibility group and will return with more data over time. The committee then heard the annual therapeutic cannabis program report from Michael Holt, who said the program had 1,475 registered patients as of June 30, 2024 and that growth has slowed, with New Hampshire having the lowest per-capita medical cannabis enrollment nationally.