Transcript Highlights:

• This map shows the median price of a new home in Minnesota and all of our surrounding neighbors.
• and Minnesota's a State on this map and Minnesota's a brown<00:02:52.959><c> State</c><00:02:53.360>
• shows the median price of state this map shows the median price of a<00:03:45.599><c> new</c><00:03:
• </c> communities if I grabbed a zoning map communities if I grabbed a zoning map from<01:37:50.159><c
• </c><01:40:20.280><c> takes</c> and that's where a zoning map takes and that's where a zoning map takes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> than lines on a map. than lines on a map.
• Um, and I think one more point maps.
• So then, of course, in Wyoming, our map was adopted in 2022.
• </c> So then of course in Wyoming, our map So then of course in Wyoming, our map was<03:18:32.800><c>
• AG preparing for a defense of the current map.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In August 2023, the OCA hosted a system review mapping to look at larger system issues and identify areas
• ><00:28:28.399><c> a</c><00:28:28.559><c> system</c><00:28:28.840><c> review</c><00:28:29.200><c> mapping
• </c> OCA host did a system review mapping OCA host did a system review mapping which<00:28:29.760><c>
• members of the department for uh mapping members of the department for children<00:28:55.200><c> youth
• </c> to that's starting to create a road map to that's starting to create a road map but<02:00:19.880

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Children and Family Law Committee opened its March 4 meeting with procedural announcements, including a deadline for any Minority Report, notice that the committee would not meet the following Tuesday because of town meeting day, and a preview of its March 18 agenda. The chair said that meeting would include hearings and executive sessions on HB 518, requiring DHHS to provide a detailed annual report of DCF costs, and HB 775, directing DHHS to seek proposals for supervised visitation centers; HB 553 was also slated for executive session. The committee also heard an update on Representative Grossman’s son, who remained in the PICU at Mass General. The main hearing was on HB 493, which would require child abuse and neglect education for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants as a condition of licensure. Representative Alicia Gregg presented the bill and an amendment reducing the required training from two hours to one hour, saying the goal was to improve recognition of abuse and prevent both missed cases and false accusations. Cassandra Sanchez, the state Child Advocate, strongly supported the bill, describing a 2020 review of nine cases of non-ambulatory infants with serious injuries and later system mapping that identified gaps in medical recognition; she said the training should be part of existing continuing education hours and that voluntary uptake had been limited. Dr. Michael Matos of Wolfeboro Pediatrics also testified in support. Ben Bradley of the New Hampshire Hospital Association opposed legislating the requirement, saying hospitals already train staff and that the legislature should not single out one topic for statutory mandate when other reporting obligations are handled differently. In questioning, committee members asked whether the hour would be part of existing continuing education, whether hospitals already provide similar training, and whether the bill should be placed in the continuing medical education statute instead of child protection law. Bradley said hospital members already provide annual training and collaborate with proponents, but did not support putting the requirement in statute. Sanchez said the bill was intended to use one of the hours already required for training, though members noted that the bill text did not clearly say so. The committee also heard broader testimony about the Family Division of Circuit Court, including a proposal to create a subcommittee to study more difficult issues such as pre-trial counseling, evidentiary practices, and domestic violence-related cases, with the Speaker appointing members to that subcommittee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And like Senator here, we did land on the map.
• </c> proud East Kentucky based on the map proud East Kentucky based on the map that,<00:25:07.520><c>
• Jefferson County actually two the map.
• Um, and different maps is number one.
• Um America's map the meal gap program.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the October 22, 2025 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel on accidental ingestion of illegal drug products by children. Panel members said pediatric ingestions have become the most common case type they review, with the highest-risk children ages one to four, and that fatal cases have increased in recent years. They reported that the substances most often involved are fentanyl, cannabinoids including THC products, methamphetamine, and increasingly xylazine; they also noted a decline in buprenorphine-related ingestions, which they viewed as a positive trend. The panel used several case examples to highlight recurring problems in investigations and medical response, including delayed DCBS involvement, failure to administer Narcan, inadequate drug testing, lack of child abuse team involvement, and limited or absent law enforcement investigation. They said law enforcement issues are especially common in pediatric ingestion cases and are concentrated in Jefferson County and the Bluegrass/KIPA regions. One example involved a one-year-old who died from fentanyl and Benadryl intoxication; another involved a two-year-old who died after ingesting multiple substances; and a third involved a four-year-old with near-fatal THC gummy ingestion where delayed treatment worsened the child’s condition. They also described a 10-month-old THC ingestion case that resulted in a criminal abuse conviction, which they presented as an example without missed investigative opportunities. Committee members discussed possible policy responses, including creating a more specific criminal child abuse offense or clarifying existing abuse and neglect definitions to cover unsafe access to illegal drugs, while preserving room for true accidents and prescribed medications. Members also raised the need for statewide standardization in reporting, investigation, and medical response, and suggested the panel should be able to call in agencies such as law enforcement, DCBS, judges, and hospitals for closed-session review of selected cases. The panel chair said they were already pursuing meetings with LMPD and would provide Jefferson County-specific breakdowns, and members expressed interest in additional data and agency follow-up before considering legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The IEP serves as a personalized road map for students with disabilities, fostering collaboration with
• :57:36.520><c> road</c> the IEP serves as a personalized road the IEP serves as a personalized road map
• > for</c><00:57:37.160><c> students</c><00:57:37.480><c> with</c><00:57:37.640><c> disabilities</c> map
• 23,000, so the concern that they would have to add on in these areas, where I'm sure you have this map
• 23,000, so the concern that they would have to add on in these areas, where I'm sure you have this map

Bills: HF1124, HF1457, HF1803

Keywords: school calendar, education, school year, Labor Day, state law, school construction, landfill, dump site, closed landfill, contaminated site, pollution control agency, school siting, public school, charter school, environmental health, student safety, brownfield, solid waste, waste disposal site, site contamination

Transcript Highlights:

• Provided here is a map for context to where these dams were located in the basin, along...
• We don't see the map up. It's all good. Why don't you continue, Ms. Anderson? It's no worries.
• This map depicts historic Chinook salmon...
• And this map just shows the area in orange is where fish were.
• And this map just shows the area in orange is where fish were confined to with dams in place.

Summary: The hearing opened with the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture’s annual Zeke Grader Fisheries Forum, where members and witnesses discussed the state of California’s commercial and recreational fisheries, the economic importance of the sector, and the pressures from drought, climate change, wildfire, warming oceans, and federal policy uncertainty. Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot and CDFW Marine Region Manager Craig Schumann described the state’s salmon strategy, including barrier removal, habitat restoration, flow protection, hatchery modernization, and new technology. They highlighted progress such as the Klamath River dam removals, floodplain restoration projects, and the reopening of a limited commercial salmon season after several years of closures, while warning that Sacramento River conditions, federal endangered species policy, and delayed disaster funding remain major concerns. A major panel focused on the Klamath River restoration. CDFW’s Crystal Robinson reviewed the dam-removal timeline and post-removal restoration, noting that fish returned to historic habitat within days of barrier removal and that revegetation, habitat work, and monitoring are underway. Yurok Chairman Joseph James, Karuk Chairman Russell “Buster” Attebery, Dr. Craig Tucker, and Golden State Salmon Association’s John McManus emphasized the cultural, ecological, and economic significance of salmon recovery. They praised the dam removal as a historic achievement but said continued work is needed on cold-water tributaries, hatchery operations, minimum instream flows, tribal consultation, and defense against federal efforts to weaken ESA protections and rewrite the Klamath biological opinion. Committee members asked about spring-run salmon recovery, the role of Fall Creek Hatchery, and how the state can support tribal and legal efforts going forward. The final panel addressed the outlook for the 2026–27 Dungeness crab season. CDFW’s Joanna Grable explained that the season is managed under the RAMP program, which weighs whale entanglement risk, domoic acid, meat quality, and fleet dynamics. She said whale migration patterns and warm ocean conditions suggest a conservative opening, and that domoic acid is a major concern given forecasts of a strong El Niño and the possibility of a prolonged bloom similar to 2015–16. She also noted that evisceration rules can help if domoic acid is confined to crab viscera, and that meat-quality testing will depend on whether domoic acid levels allow the fishery to open. The hearing did not include formal votes or committee actions in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we don't want to put an introductory paragraph to have a road map, that's fine.
• If we don't want to put an introductory paragraph to have a road map, that's fine.
• If we don't want to put an introductory paragraph to have a road map, that's fine.
• 00:08.240><c> I</c><01:00:08.480><c> just</c><01:00:08.640><c> thought</c><01:00:08.799><c> that</c> map
• I just thought that map, that's fine.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The continued conference on House Bill 609 focused on reconciling House and Senate drafts dealing with firearms and other personal defense tools, local government preemption, and agency rulemaking. Representative Leyon walked through amendment 21107H, explaining that it narrows undefined terms, clarifies that the General Court has supremacy over local regulation, allows damages actions for violations of preemption law, and adds language limiting agency rules unless specifically authorized by statute. She also described a three-year sunset and a delayed effective date for new rules so existing rules could continue temporarily while the legislature considers any needed statutory carveouts. Members then debated the practical effect of the language, especially whether it would bar agencies from adopting internal employment rules or instead require those rules to come through JCAR and be tied to express statutory authority. Several examples were discussed, including state plow drivers, corrections employees, and other workers who may need to carry personal defense tools in the field. The committee also discussed a provision making a plaintiff a prevailing party if a municipality changes a challenged policy after suit is filed, and a clause stating that good faith or advice of counsel is not a defense, though it may be considered in mitigation. The discussion narrowed to the difference between the House approach, which some members read as an absolute prohibition on agency rules in these areas, and the Senate approach, which some members said would allow rules only when an agency can point to express enabling authority and JCAR can review them. Members agreed that the goal was to prevent agencies from adopting rules that conflict with the statute while still allowing legitimate safety-related regulations where the legislature has authorized them. The conference took a recess and later resumed with the chair stating the parties had reached an agreement in principle based on the latest Senate language, and Representative Leyon was asked to continue reviewing the draft line by line for remaining concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got a map right here. Specifically Terrebonne and Lafourche, what's the buffer zone?
• Because I'm looking at this map and it's hard to tell the different colors.
• Oh, sorry, sorry, on tab 2, you will see a map there.
• It's the map.
• We've got a map that starts in Cameron Parish. No change.

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 886 by Rep. Orgeron, which would make seasonal catch totals and related reporting for the commercial menhaden fishery publicly available by carving out an exception to confidentiality rules. The author said the bill was intended to align with the original intent of prior reporting legislation and to ensure the public can see how much menhaden is being taken from Louisiana waters. Supporters, including Louisiana Wildlife Federation, CCA, charter captains, and recreational anglers, argued the fishery uses a public resource and that transparency is needed for policymaking. Opponents said they did not object to transparency in principle, but one speaker asked that size-sampling data be removed, arguing it has no scientific value and is already handled through NOAA and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Council processes. The committee reported HB 886 favorably without opposition. The committee then heard House Bill 855, also by Rep. Orgeron, which would establish a 22-foot depth requirement for the commercial use of purse seines in the menhaden fishery. The author said the bill was based on a state-funded bycatch study showing red drum bycatch rises sharply in shallow water and that the current quarter-mile buffer is insufficient, especially in nearshore areas where recreational fishing and sensitive habitats are concentrated. Supporters emphasized the public trust nature of menhaden, the economic value of recreational fishing, and concerns about bycatch, beach fouling, and localized depletion. Several speakers cited the bycatch study, public comments opposing the recent reduction from a half-mile to a quarter-mile buffer, and the belief that deeper-water fishing would reduce impacts on redfish and other species. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries staff and the study’s principal investigator, Dr. Scott Rayburn, answered questions about the current buffer rules, enforcement, and the science behind the 22-foot threshold. They explained that the recent reduction to a quarter-mile buffer came from a commission directive and that the department had investigated complaints but found no violations. Dr. Rayburn said the 22-foot figure came from modeling red drum bycatch as a function of depth and that the study focused on red drum because of its economic and social importance, while not analyzing every species in the same way. Opponents of the bill, including West Bank Fishing and Ocean Harvesters representatives, said the rule of three is a standard confidentiality concept, argued the bill should not be framed as anti-transparency, and urged removal of the size-sampling provisions. The committee heard extensive testimony but no final action on HB 855 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for example, on the map GIS system, where you can look at the parcels and who owns the parcel, an
• The county clerk redacts that information from the documents, from the map, from the tax records.
• Cox, the head of our mapping department, says, 'Mr.
• Street’s redacted, but you can still see where the house is, and the Senator’s name is still on the map
• “Well, then I look at the map of that plat of Smith Edition, Lot 52.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I did see the part about the map that was shown. It was awful.
• And then, but you're right, that map, and I looked at the state of Louisiana because that map showed
• So this is a pretty significant map showing maternal mortality rates by state.
• So this is a map from the March of Dimes showcasing some of our rural disparities.
• And then there are also low-access zones and moderate-access zones showcased on this map as well.

Summary: The committee held its inaugural meeting and heard opening remarks from the chair and vice chair about the committee’s purpose: studying issues affecting women and children in Louisiana, including health, education, economic opportunity, safety, and criminal justice. After roll call, the committee proceeded with informational presentations rather than taking any formal votes. Members emphasized the committee’s role in gathering testimony and identifying policy solutions. The first major presentation came from the Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention. The director reviewed 2025 data showing 2,963 identified victims, 15,437 service instances, and trafficking reports in 62 of 64 parishes. She explained Louisiana’s coordinated response system, including screening tools, child advocacy center referrals, and the DCFS hotline option for trafficking reports. She also described familial trafficking, new victim outreach and identification tools, and two priority bills: HB 321, which would create immunity from prostitution offenses for child victims under Safe Harbor principles, and SB 83, which would require school board trafficking policies and expand victim advocacy services to labor trafficking victims and survivors up to age 21. Committee members asked about reporting procedures, school use of the tools, service gaps, and whether the data showed increases due to better identification. The committee then heard from the Attorney General’s office on online child exploitation and child sexual abuse material. The presenter said the Louisiana ICAC Task Force received 31,203 tips in 2025, made 545 arrests, identified or rescued more than 80 child victims, and executed over 1,500 search warrants. He described rapid tip-to-arrest responses in recent cases, the expansion of partner agencies statewide, and the creation of an Orleans Metro ICAC task force. Members asked about community presentations, the role of social media in exploitation, the use of geolocation, the prosecution of out-of-state offenders, and the need for more analysts and outreach staff. The discussion also covered sadistic online enticement, sextortion, live-streamed abuse, and the need for parents and schools to monitor children’s online activity. At the end of the meeting, the committee began receiving a legislative auditor’s presentation on the treatment and care of incarcerated women, focusing on jail policies, health care, restraint use, and reentry, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation is completed. No committee votes or formal actions were recorded in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you can see there, see the map in the corner.
• So the map, though it's not on this slide here, looks very much like the 2019 map for EV charging, but
• So you had the beautiful bubbles on the map.
• So the map I showed you is where we have charging stations today.
• And then we have a map that we call Dr.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure focused on California’s EV market, charging infrastructure, and the effects of recent federal actions. The chair opened by emphasizing California’s progress on EV adoption and charging reliability, but also noted ongoing challenges with affordability, access, interoperability, heavy-duty electrification, and federal headwinds. She highlighted interest in technologies such as inductive charging and thanked host organizations and staff before moving to the first panel. State agency witnesses from Go-Biz, CARB, and the California Energy Commission described current programs and priorities. Go-Biz outlined its role in coordinating agencies, supporting permitting, and advancing the state’s ZEV market development strategy and equity action plan. CARB discussed federal attacks on its clean vehicle regulations, litigation to defend waiver authority, and the importance of incentives and regulatory programs such as Advanced Clean Trucks, Advanced Clean Fleets, Clean Truck Check, HVIP, and Clean Cars for All. The CEC detailed its funding and regulatory work on charging and fueling infrastructure, charger reliability, payment methods, roaming, and statewide planning, while stressing the need for more charging in multifamily housing and more public DC fast charging. All three agencies said federal rollbacks and permitting delays are major obstacles, but that California remains committed to expanding ZEV adoption. The second panel featured advocates, local government, utility, and research perspectives. CalETC urged continuous state funding through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and emphasized the low-carbon fuel standard, multifamily charging, and managed charging. An EV advocacy group proposed a conquest-style state incentive for new and used EV buyers and argued that multifamily housing is a major untapped market, while also favoring Level 2 charging over Level 1 for most home and apartment settings. Los Angeles County and LADWP described large-scale local deployment of chargers, fleet electrification, workforce training, and the need for sustained funding, agency coordination, and streamlined permitting and grid interconnection. UCS recommended prioritizing replacement of older high-emitting vehicles, using fuel policy revenues to support cleaner cars, and expanding bidirectional charging. The chair closed by asking for more discussion on Level 1 versus Level 2 charging and noted the importance of education, affordability, and practical deployment strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are the maps.
• These are the maps. This is were doing. These are the maps.
• I know it'll probably never happen. the map that they've laid out on the the map that they've laid out
• To add to her question, the maps were already drawn before they came to us.
• </c><00:26:15.400><c> were</c> &gt;&gt; To add to her question, the maps were &gt;&gt; To add to her

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:24 Approval of September 18, 2025 Minutes: 00:02:03 Discussion on the Condemnation of Agricultural Land: 00:03:12 Discussion on the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative: 00:50:00 Adjournment: 01:19:10, 958, all

Summary: The Joint Agriculture Committee met in October with a quorum present and approved the September minutes. The main presentation focused on condemnation of agricultural land and eminent domain, featuring testimony from Stephanie Barnett of a family-run livestock and farming business in Todd County, with support from Kentucky Farm Bureau. Barnett described a state road project that would take about 29 feet of frontage and affect entrances, fencing, a sign, drainage, a water well, and parking, saying the process involved poor communication, correspondence sent to the wrong address, and limited opportunity to negotiate changes such as a turning lane or relocated entrances. She said the business was not opposed to progress, but wanted the property restored and fairly compensated for the full impact on the operation, not just the land value. Committee members broadly agreed that eminent domain is sometimes necessary but should be handled with more transparency, communication, and fairness. Several members said the issue affects both rural and urban property owners and raised concerns about fair market value, compensation for agricultural infrastructure improvements, long-term impacts on farm operations, and the cost and delay of litigation. One member asked about the firm involved and suggested hearing from the people responsible for the correspondence problems; Barnett said she would share names after negotiations conclude. Another member noted that the maps had already been drawn before the landowner was brought in and said local meetings and clearer public input could reduce conflict. Chairman Dossett said he was interested in pursuing legislation for the upcoming session focused on property owner protection, fair treatment, and fair compensation, not just for agricultural land but for all Kentucky property owners. Members discussed possible ideas such as requiring better notice, more public transparency, and accounting for related costs like wells, fencing, drainage, and access changes. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond the approval of minutes and the discussion of potential future legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I remember seeing a map of the counties on the number of veterans per county.
• Chair, panel, looking at this map here, is that just a map of the Water Authority?
• It’s not a map of the aquifer as well? Correct, because I think the aquifer is very large.
• Do you know if you guys are attached to that aquifer mapping study that they're trying to get off the
• But when I look at the flow and the map...

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's a map in here that shows the numbers by county.
• This map is really limited because it's only showing victim-serving agencies.
• And I think that's the purpose of this map: showing that a lot is being done.
• One more thing about the map: this is just the last school year, so 2025-2026.
• Because really, all those folks on the map were limited by capacity.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And many of those towns, I'm looking at the map, and there's an excellent map and a lot of analysis that
• And many of those towns, I'm looking at the map, and there's an excellent map and a lot of analysis that
• And many of those towns, I'm looking at the map, and there's an excellent map and a lot of analysis that
• And many of those towns, I'm looking at the map, and there's an excellent map and a lot of analysis that
• And many of those towns, I'm looking at the map, and there's an excellent map and a lot of analysis that

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There should be two maps, Mr. Chairman. >> I don't know how to read those. >> I know.
• that shows a 30 point the one on the map that shows a 30 point 31.1 31.1 31.1 that<01:19:04.000><c>
• I was just wondering, you know, it's not outlined really on a map, but how far does the Life Resource
• , but how far does the really on a map, but how far does the life<01:24:12.639><c> resource</c><01:24
• </c><01:24:43.360><c> there</c> parcels that you see on the map there parcels that you see on the map

Bills: HB0026, HB0042, HB0067, HB0069

Keywords: tribal governments, vehicle registration, exemption, license plates, Wind River Indian Reservation, vehicle, accident, duty to stop, felony, personal injury, death, veterans property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax relief, military tax exemption, Wyoming National Guard, active duty, reserve members, surviving spouse, surviving parent

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's a number nine right there on the map that should have been provided.
• </c><00:14:30.320><c> that</c><00:14:30.560><c> should</c> nine right there on the map that should nine
• right there on the map that should have<00:14:30.800><c> been</c><00:14:30.959><c> provided.
• And if you look at the map, you'll see there's a big gap between Highway 65 and Blaine and Highway 61
• And if you look at the map, you'll see there's a big gap between Highway 65 and Blaine and Highway 61

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• wood here in the Northeast Metro my map wood here in the Northeast Metro my favorite<00:04:40.520><c
• Just wanted to give you a road map for the day.
• Here on the map on the right, you can see the discovery site, which is located southwest of Babbit.
• So you can kind of see on the map there, to the right of the U.S. and Minnesota, you can see that in
• the Midcontinent Rift there and the map the Midcontinent Rift there and you<00:12:53.480><c> can</c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Studied more, and the next time I passed map and compass.
• </c><04:27:37.279><c> Um,</c> him on map and compass and stuff.
• Um, him on map and compass and stuff.
• of maps that we use.
• We put up the type of maps that we use.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at a map, one of the things you can see pretty quickly is that I represent a pretty fair
• </c><03:12:26.600><c> and</c> and also you know upkeeping maps and and also you know upkeeping maps and
• </c> their Corridor plans including GIS maps their Corridor plans including GIS maps and<03:18:37.720
• When those maps are created, they not only get distributed to the dam safety program at DES, but also
• When those maps are created, they not only get distributed to the dam safety program at DES, but also

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.