Transcript Highlights:

• of Revenue.
• Members, basically, we do a lot of investing in all of our students going into universities through TOPS
• one of our universities for the first five years.
• one of our universities for the first five years.
• It basically repeals Section 4 of Act 707 of 2024 and then repeals Section 5 of Act 411 of the 2025 Regular

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 21, 2026, and took up a series of tax, revenue, and property-tax related measures. SB 318 was amended and reported as amended; it revises the Department of Revenue’s annual tax exemption budget process by removing parish-level reporting from that report, creating a separate business tax benefit report by NAICS code, and requiring parish sales tax collectors to produce a similar local exemption report. SB 128, allowing the Department of Revenue to use an existing vendor for address-change services, was reported favorably. SB 149, concerning the issuance and sale of general obligation bonds and requiring good-faith deposits only from the winning bidder, was amended and reported as amended. SB 180, which lets a surviving spouse of a deceased disabled veteran transfer an expanded homestead exemption one time under certain circumstances, was reported favorably. SB 196, extending the tax appeal period from 60 to 90 days and making conforming changes elsewhere in law, was amended and reported as amended. SCR 11, creating the Anchor Home Task Force to study tax credits to encourage Louisiana college graduates to stay and work in the state, was reported favorably. SB 340, making the permanent homestead exemption form requirement statewide for assessors, was reported favorably. Later in the meeting, the committee heard several bills from Senator Gregory Miller on the state’s ongoing tax sale and ad valorem tax reform package. SB 73 was reported favorably to resolve a conflict between prior legislation and the 2024 constitutional amendment on tax sale timing. SB 238 was reported favorably to clarify which collection procedures apply to older tax sales and to preserve prior notice procedures where already completed. SB 191 was amended to restore the requirement for two advertisements for tax lien auctions instead of one, and then reported favorably as amended. SB 89, a backup measure to require the St. Charles Parish assessor to provide a permanent homestead exemption form, was also reported favorably, with the sponsor noting it was intended to avoid duplication if the statewide bill already enacted the same policy. Testimony was generally supportive across the agenda, with Department of Revenue, Department of Veterans Affairs, local tax, sheriffs, press, and land title representatives appearing in support or for information. Committee members asked a few clarifying questions, mainly about the scope of homestead exemption portability, whether local governments would face new costs, and the effect of the tax appeal deadline change. No roll-call votes were taken; the committee adopted amendments where offered and reported the bills and resolution favorably or as amended by unanimous consent. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of some lists that none of us want to be at the bottom of.
• Although he is absolutely physically dependent on others, Hunter graduated from the University of Arkansas
• Although he is absolutely physically dependent on others, Hunter graduated from the University of Arkansas
• Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in political science. ...from the University of Arkansas Phi Beta Kappa
• I pray you see all the faces of the people of the people of the people. Range costs.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1001, sponsored by Representative Les Eaves, which would lower Arkansas’s personal income tax rate to 3.7% retroactive to the current year and reduce the corporate income tax rate to 4.1% beginning in 2027. Eaves argued the bill continued a decade-long strategy of broad-based tax relief, would help working families, and would keep Arkansas competitive with other states. He said the measure would reduce future surpluses rather than cut current services, and noted the average taxpayer could see roughly $800 to $1,000 in annual savings from recent tax changes. Several witnesses testified against the bill. Arkansas Appleseed’s Anna Morchetti, Missy Wyatt Joyce, Pastor Preston Clegg, Michelle Pedro of the Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese, and Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families’ Pete Guest all argued the state should prioritize funding for public schools, health care, supported living services, food assistance, rural hospitals, and early childhood education instead of further tax cuts. They said Arkansas faces significant unmet needs, including underfunded schools, food insecurity, and shortages in disability and community-based services, and warned the tax cut would mainly benefit higher earners while reducing resources for essential programs. After testimony, the committee limited debate time for witnesses to five minutes. Representative Eaves closed by saying the state had been responsible in prior tax cuts and that the bill would return money to taxpayers without reducing services. Representative Bray also spoke in support, saying the legislature has continued to fund major priorities while still providing tax relief to working families. The committee then voted to pass the bill, and HB 1001 was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to tell the members, this, of course, is outside of our regular...
• To tell the members, this, of course, is outside of our regular license plates bill.
• It's essentially the divider between the city of Moore and the city of Norman, and this is looking to
• So a little bit of history.
• Now that I'm on the right bill, can you just answer where the out-of-state colleges and universities,

Bills: HB3147 , HB4299 , HB4265 , HB4266

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: special license plates, Route 66, Oklahoma, funding, community support, memorial, infrastructure, transportation, Toby Keith, road designation, highway, bridge, license plates, Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association, higher education, special interest, vehicle registration

Summary: The Transportation Committee first announced it would lay over House Bill 3664, then took up several transportation-related measures. House Bill 3147, by Rep. Hilton Brand, would create a voluntary Route 66 centennial license plate to mark the 2026 centennial of Route 66 and support the Oklahoma Route 66 Association; the sponsor said an emergency clause was included so plates could be in production before the celebration. The committee voted 9-0 to pass the bill. The committee then considered House Bill 4299, by Rep. Blair, to rename the interchange at Indian Hills Road and I-35 as the Toby Keith interchange. Members asked for clarification on the location and whether the Keith family had been consulted; the sponsor said the family was ready to move forward and that the effort had been started previously by a former member. The bill passed 8-2. Under oversight, the committee approved a PCS for House Bill 4265, the omnibus memorial roads and bridges naming bill, on a 9-0 vote. It then took up House Bill 4266, the special license plates omnibus bill, where members asked about how funds from out-of-state college and university plates would be handled; the sponsor said the money would stay in Oklahoma through the state system and that no funds would go to out-of-state schools. That bill also passed, 10-0. The chair noted the committee would meet again the following week and members would be told by Friday whether there would be an agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're the ones who noted the addition of Department of Health, right? Okay.
• If not, Vice Chair. of Parks and Wreck to provide universal of Parks and Wreck to provide universal changing
• </c> world of world of Zoom?
• </c> addition of department of health, right? addition of department of health, right?
• <c> will</c> and of course the chair of health will and of course the chair of health will probably<00

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Government Operations Committee met on March 20, 2025, and heard two resolutions. STR 239/SR 215 would request the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation to provide universal changing accommodations in state facilities, state parks, and city and county parks. The only testimony noted was late comments from DAG; no one testified in person or on Zoom. The committee also heard STR 44, which seeks to convene a legislative working group to recommend family notice and standardized consent provisions for pre-contracts governing cremation. Testimony was mixed: DCCA’s complaints and enforcement office asked to include the Department of Health Environmental branch, while the Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association, Mililani Group, Dodo Mortuary, and Soy Garden Mortuary opposed the measure, saying funeral homes already provide the relevant disclosures; Senator Carol Fukunaga and one individual testified in support. The chair said the issue belonged more properly in the consumer protection committee, but the committee would still move the resolution forward and note the concerns in the report. In decision-making, the committee adopted both measures as Senate Draft 1 with technical, non-substantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style. For STR 44, the committee also agreed to keep DCCA in the working group, add the Department of Health Environmental branch, and change the phrase “mainland jurisdiction” to “other states.” The measures passed with the vice chair and Senator Sam Bentura voting yes, while Senators Morawaki and Favilla were excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next is Nick Jordan, co-director of the University of Minnesota Forever Green Initiative.
• I am co-director of the Forever Green Initiative at the University of Minnesota and a professor of agronomy
• </c><00:42:49.200><c> Forever</c> of the University of Minnesota Forever of the University of Minnesota
• > the</c><00:43:05.800><c> University</c><00:43:06.240><c> of</c> initiative at the University of initiative
• the... developed by the University of Minnesota developed by the University of Minnesota forevergreen

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, of course, with universal meals, we picked up the state-level funding.
• Now, of course, with universal meals, we picked up the state-level funding.
• Now, of course, with universal meals, we picked up the state-level funding.
• Now, of course, with universal meals, we picked up the state-level funding.
• universal</c><01:04:07.119><c> meals,</c><01:04:07.760><c> we</c> Now, of course, with universal meals

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> University of ho professional assembly University of ho professional assembly in<00:59:33.079><c
• Um, I think it's bigger than the University of Hawaii. I think it's a part of our community.
• The University of Hawaii contributes to that seven days out of the year, and I think things like State
• it's a part University of Hawaii I think it's a part of<01:19:04.520><c> our</c><01:19:04.960><c> community
• </c><01:19:10.400><c> of</c><01:19:10.560><c> Hawaii</c> good uh the University of Hawaii good uh the

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with HB 934 on broadband and digital equity. Testifiers from the Lieutenant Governor’s office, the Office of Enterprise and Technology Services, DCCA, the University system, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others generally supported the measure and emphasized the need to coordinate broadband efforts, fund operations, and expand access to high-speed internet, devices, and digital navigation services. The Chamber of Commerce and West Coast Comprehensive Health Center supported the bill but objected to HD1 language excluding broadband infrastructure for retail service, warning it could create unintended consequences and limit community-led or rural projects. The Lieutenant Governor explained the state expects roughly $400 million to $500 million in federal broadband funding, described the bill as consolidating efforts under a broadband office attached to the CIO, and said the office would focus on infrastructure, devices, and training. No vote was taken on HB 934 in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 97 on travel insurance. The Insurance Division said it had no major problem with the product but requested technical changes to align with licensing requirements and noted the bill largely codifies practices already used in the industry. Industry witnesses from Allianz and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association said the measure would create a consistent framework, add consumer protections, and align Hawaii with the NAIC model adopted in many other states. Members questioned whether there was a specific problem the bill was solving, and the division responded that it was mainly a framework and form-review measure rather than a response to a known enforcement issue. The bill was discussed but no final action was reported in the excerpt. HB 448 on technology enablement drew broad support from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Food Industry Association, and other business representatives. Supporters said the measure would help businesses use technology such as digital platforms, e-commerce, robotics, and AR/VR to improve competitiveness, especially in tourism and other sectors. Committee members pressed for clearer scope, cost estimates, and assurances that local companies would be used; the agency said it would prioritize local-first contracting, use federal NIST-related support where possible, and estimated an initial request of about $200,000, though it could not give a firm total. Members expressed concern that the plan was still too undefined. The committee then began HB 455 on small business loans, where the Attorney General suggested explaining why a special fund is needed, and a witness from H Collaborative said the bill would help startup businesses that struggle most to access capital.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> um you know and kind of uh he's kind of um you know and kind of uh he's kind of the<00:09:12.160>
• And then, sort of radiating out from there, with Bemidji State University, you know, we occasionally
• And so I think there's been a lot of that with, uh, particularly with Bemidji State University, where
• In December of 2020, I graduated from Metro State University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services
• I am currently a graduate student at Metro State University pursuing a master's in Master of Science

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• working with the University of Hawaii on pathways there, and finding those broad levels of support.
• working with the University of Hawaii on pathways there, and finding those broad levels of support.
• working with the University of Hawaii on pathways there, and finding those broad levels of support.
• She got a full scholarship at the University of Hawaiʻi.
• </c><00:48:48.800><c> of</c> a full scholarship at University of a full scholarship at University of

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're representing the University of Hawaiʻi system and also the Center for Nursing, School of Nursing
• </c> Nursing University of white uh good Nursing University of white uh good afternoon<01:18:09.120><
• We want to make what we can do as broad as possible to meet the needs of the pre-K, of universal pre-K
• </c><01:28:09.040><c> of</c><01:28:09.119><c> Hawaii</c> lands but also uh University of Hawaii lands
• </c><01:28:39.760><c> prek</c> the needs of the prek of universal prek the needs of the prek of universal

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard several Department of Education-related bills and received extensive testimony on school meals and veteran diplomas. HB 628 would restore authority for the Department of Education to issue high school diplomas to veterans whose schooling was interrupted by World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The superintendent testified in support, explaining the authority had sunset in 2020 and describing the measure as a way to recognize veterans. No opposition or questions were raised, and the bill was left without further action in the excerpt. The committee also heard HB 1074 and HB 110, both supported by the Department of Education and the School Facilities Authority. HB 1074 was described as a cleanup measure to clarify land-related language and make the statute more consistent across state agencies and DOE. HB 110 concerned benchmarking and the farm-to-school/local food effort; DOE and several supporters, including county councils, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, said the bill would help align metrics and support the 30% local food goal by 2030. Members questioned DOE about progress, and DOE said it was working on menus, procurement, and coordination with distributors and farmers. A Farm to School representative said the current bottleneck was poor communication with farmers and the need to bring them into planning earlier; DOE said it was still figuring out the process and that island-based procurement and separate RFPs were being explored. HB 328, relating to school meals and local resource food and plant-based options, drew the most testimony. DOE testified with comments, and the Attorney General’s office suggested revisions to clarify that the bill would apply to both DOE and charter schools, to separate public and private funds if donations or grants are accepted, and to add standards if nonprofit or private entities receive public money. Supporters included HSTA, the Hawaii Public Health Institute/Farm to School Network, Climate Protection Hawaii, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and numerous individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized healthier school meals, student-requested plant-based options, support for local farms, and the 30% by 2030 goal. Some testimony urged more local purchasing and raised concerns about decentralization, while DOE said it was considering island-based procurement and separate contracts to better support local producers. No votes were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Na Toeno, director of University of Hawaii Cancer Center.
• </c> Naoto Weno from University of Hawaii. Naoto Weno from University of Hawaii.
• </c> My name is Na Toeno, director of My name is Na Toeno, director of University<00:03:21.760><c> Hawaii
• University of Hawaii Cancer Center.
• </c> and I do support the with the University and I do support the with the University of<00:04:57.919

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2693 relating to capital improvement projects for aerospace infrastructure. Members had no questions, and the recommendation to pass the bill with a defective date of July 1, 2050 was adopted unanimously. The committee then deferred decision making on Senate Bill 26980 relating to transportation and Senate Bill 2374 relating to the blue economy until Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Room 229, pending additional information. In the joint hearing on Senate Bill 2816 relating to state enterprise zones, agencies and organizations including DBEDT, HTDC, Taxation, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Oceanit, the Hawaii Medical Association, and the Queen’s Health System testified in support or submitted written comments. One public testifier urged expanding enterprise zones around the Kakaako/Cancer Center area and combining them with the foreign trade zone to reduce taxes and attract business. A senator questioned whether the enterprise zone program had ever been comprehensively evaluated, noting DBEDT said it had not done a full study in recent years and cited annual report figures including about $221 million in company revenues and $460,000 in foregone state revenue in 2022. The discussion focused on whether the bill would subsidize existing activity or support new economic development, and on the broader policy question of whether enterprise zones should be used to revitalize depressed areas or to target strategic sectors like health care technology. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2900 relating to sports officials. The Department of Education supported the measure, saying the Attorney General is best positioned to represent employees in temporary restraining order matters and that elevating intentional bodily injury of a sports official to a class B felony would improve safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it would escalate conduct already covered by existing assault statutes and go beyond other protected classes. The Department of the Attorney General recommended narrowing the bill by inserting “substantial” before bodily injury in the criminal section and deleting a section that would make the AG’s office act like plaintiff’s counsel in civil matters, suggesting instead that departments adopt policies to help employees obtain TROs without creating an open-ended civil representation role. Several sports and school-related organizations testified in support, and members discussed whether the bill should be narrowed or coordinated with other measures before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, I make the motion that we pass all of them. All of them look good.
• Some of these people you kind of know, but some of them you don’t.
• Moving on to the University of North Alabama Board of Trustees, is Ms. Barry here?
• I was educated in the Birmingham City School system and am a graduate of the University of Alabama.
• I am the CEO of the Hispanic Immigrant Center of Alabama in Birmingham.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The third order of business is reading and correction of the journal.
• , and reference of bills.
• I see Rachel Bickerton in the gallery today from the University of Idaho, and I'm guessing she's with
• some other folks from the University of Idaho today.
• And so I want to welcome her today and whoever you have with you from the University of Idaho.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of her teammates were upset.
• Kim Schlusser: She became the subject of a plot at a game at Colorado State University.
• of what it said about the erosion of women's protections everywhere.
• Many of them have long histories of violent sex offenses, and California is Amy Ichikawa: 33.8% of the
• I know the fear of being unable to escape, of not being listened to when you ask for help, and I also

Transcript Highlights:

• Service at the University of Florida to stay engaged in teaching civics and public service.
• of the University of South Florida naming the research center after me because it is a reflection of
• And the topic under consideration was whether we should continue to provide money to the University of
• And the point was, well, if they could stop the funding, any more funding for the University of South
• And we funded the University of South Florida. The investigations continued.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several introductions and memorials, including a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, with several bills substituted with House companions and adopted by voice vote or recorded vote. Early measures included a tax conformity bill tied to federal Internal Revenue Code changes, which passed 34-0, and a Medicaid/public assistance bill that drew extensive debate over work requirements, fraud reduction, behavioral health services, and SNAP/EBT reforms. Amendments offered by Senators Berman and Osgood to condition or soften the work and photo-ID provisions were rejected, and the underlying bill was placed on the third-reading calendar after lengthy questioning about implementation, exemptions, and eligibility effects. The Senate also passed bills on computer science education and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry public-records exemption and registry update, designation of the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the legal-tender sunset for gold and silver, public-records protections for gold/silver custodians and stablecoin-related entities, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, and local government budget transparency/spending measures. Most of these measures were adopted after minor amendments or technical substitutions, with votes generally ranging from 31-3 to 34-0. The chamber also recognized the Florida Channel’s 30 years of legislative coverage. Later, the Senate approved a digital voyeurism bill expanding the reasonable-expectation-of-privacy definition to include private fenced yards, and an insurance customer representative licensing bill allowing high school students to complete insurance/personal finance coursework and later qualify for licensure. The final major item was a medical freedom bill that would expand parental vaccine information requirements, add a conscience-based exemption to immunization mandates, allow behind-the-counter ivermectin for adults, and repeal the sunset on the mRNA mandate prohibition; two amendments clarifying anti-kickback rules and requiring vaccine information to include risks, benefits, safety, and efficacy were adopted, while questions from Senators Smith and Massullo focused on public-health impacts and the content of the required materials. The transcript ends during discussion of that bill, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has been in our diversity, diversity of geography, of faith, of race, of ideas, of political philosophy
• It has been in our diversity, diversity of geography, of faith, of race, of ideas, of political philosophy
• In each of our universities and colleges, policy manuals, and in our federal codes at the IRS department
• Is there a goal that one of those university policies would become streamlined?
• I was told it would be a matter of a few hours per university or college to set up a website or perhaps

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They closed a birthing center at the University of Miami in Jackson, which is associated with Jackson
• First, the 13th president of Florida A&M University, Mrs.
• First, the 13th president of Florida A&M University, Mrs. Marva Johnson. And I have a few more.
• Of the one and only Florida State University. Thought you'd like that, Mr. Speaker.
• Under the leadership of President McCullough, FSU ranks among the top of all public universities nationwide

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then adopted the special order report for the day. The chamber took up House Bill 167 on former phosphate mining lands. Sponsor Rep. McClure said the bill removes strict liability for previously mined phosphate lands if a Department of Health study is completed at the owner’s request and the former mining status is recorded publicly. Opponents, led by Rep. Cross and others, argued the bill relies too heavily on buyer-beware principles and does not adequately notify future buyers or renters. The bill passed 87-24 after debate. Members then considered House Bill 145 on suits against the government. Rep. McFarland said it updates Florida’s sovereign immunity caps, raising them to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident, with a later automatic increase, while preserving the liability shield and improving access to compensation for people harmed by government negligence. The bill also aligns the statute of limitations with private claims and allows entities to settle above the cap. After brief debate, the House passed the bill 104-7. The House next debated CS/HB 289 on wrongful death for an unborn child, which would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow claims involving unborn children and their parents. The bill prompted extensive questioning and debate about damages, definitions, medical care, surrogacy, and whether the measure could affect abortion access or expose doctors, friends, family members, and surrogates to lawsuits. Multiple amendments sought to carve out protections for mothers, health care providers, abortion care, perinatal professionals, surrogates, and victims of rape, incest, or human trafficking, but each was defeated. The final vote on the bill itself was 33-78, so the motion failed and the bill did not advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• at the University of North Dakota.
• I’ve never heard of a university having state sovereignty.”
• “I’ve never heard of a university having state sovereignty on a topic like this.” “Mr.
• I've never heard of a university having state sovereignty.
• I've never heard of a university having state sovereignty on a topic like this. Mr.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• at the University of North Dakota.
• can perhaps include notice to the State Board of Higher Education or the university system to let them
• North Dakota State University elected to discontinue participation in the City of Fargo's building permitting
• I've never heard of a university having state sovereignty on a topic like this. Mr.
• I've never heard of a university having state sovereignty on a topic like this. Mr.

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Robert Quinn, Commissioner of the Department of Safety.
• Let's take a straw poll on the addition Let's take a straw poll on the addition of of of $350,000<00:
• And in that there was the same language that the university system board of trustees will determine the
• And in that there was the same language that the university system board of trustees will determine the
• , but the um university system board of<01:06:17.280><c> trustees</c><01:06:17.680><c> would</c><01:06

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on proposed improvements to the New Hampshire State Police gun range and training facility. Commissioner Robert Quinn and Major Brendan Davy said the range is used for realistic, scenario-based training that cannot be replicated at a standard static range, including movement, use of cover, vehicle-based drills, elevation, and training under elevated heart rates and stress. They said the facility is important not only for state troopers but also for local and federal partners, and that it is used regularly for qualifications, requalification, and special unit training. Members asked about specific limitations and costs. Major Davy said the PSTC range is handgun-caliber only because the backstop is not rifle-rated, and local law enforcement can use the State Police range for qualification. Representative Kazinski questioned the size and cost of the project, and Public Works Director Theodore Copper then explained the estimate: $1.5 million for building and site work, plus soft costs, utilities, design, and inflation, bringing the total to $2.3 million. He said the proposed facility would include office space, two classrooms, restrooms, and heating and air conditioning, and that the estimate was reasonable. The committee also heard from Milford School District Superintendent Christy Misho in support of CTE funding. She said Milford has been working for years to secure support for an applied technology center renovation, that prior local bond efforts fell short of the required threshold, and that the district now plans a CTE-only local bond of about $4 million while seeking $10 million from the state. She argued the investment is needed to modernize outdated equipment and support workforce training, and said the district remains committed to the project. In work session action, the committee corrected a prior vote on the Pease Development Authority warehouse removal and replacement project, increasing the amount by $353,300 to $1,973,300 and raising the agency subtotal to $4,155,300. The committee also approved adding two Community College System items: $500,000 for an energy management system and $1.3 million for critical maintenance, for a total addition of $1.8 million. No objections were raised to these motions.