Transcript Highlights:

• dockage fees parking fees registration dockage fees parking fees registration fees<00:37:55.599>
• Corporation registrations and other types of registrations, other than LLC, go directly to the general
• Corporation registrations and other types of registrations, other than LLC, go directly to the general
• Corporation registrations and other types of registrations, other than LLC, go directly to the general
• Corporation registrations and other types of registrations, other than LLC, go directly to the general

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with testimony from Charlotte Harding of the Conservation Land Stewardship Program, who explained that the office protects the state’s interests in conservation lands by monitoring conservation easements and related stewardship obligations. She described the program’s funding sources: a land conservation endowment held at the State Treasury and administered by the Council on Resources and Development, plus transfers from Fish and Game for easements not covered by the endowment. Members discussed how the endowment is funded when new easements are created, the program’s staffing, the loss of a state vehicle, and the need to increase in-state travel so staff can use personal vehicles for field monitoring. Harding said the office has two full-time positions and a seasonal employee, that the work is mostly monitoring rather than hands-on land management, and that enforcement issues are referred to the grantee agencies or, if needed, to the Council on Resources and Development. She also noted that the office works directly with landowners to resolve smaller issues and that stewardship has become a greater focus in the conservation community because ongoing oversight requires funding. Members asked about examples of properties under the program, including LCIP lands such as Musquash Headwaters, Hidden Valley Boy Scout Camp, and Nash Stream, and the committee did not take a motion before moving on. The committee then heard from Paul Breen and Susie Anzelone of the Pease Development Authority regarding the Division of Ports and Harbors operating budget. They explained that the authority provides finance, legal, environmental, and engineering support to the division, which operates New Hampshire’s only deep-water berth at Market Street, as well as facilities in Hampton, Rye, the Portsmouth Fish Pier, and navigational waters in the Piscataqua and Great Bay. They described the authority’s history after the closure of Pease Air Force Base, the transfer of roughly 2,400 acres, and the creation of a self-sustaining enterprise fund tied to airport and port operations. They emphasized that the division does not draw on the general fund because revenues from wharfage, dockage, parking, registration, and mooring fees cover operating costs, with any surplus retained for capital improvements and replacement. Members questioned several budget lines, including a sharp increase in overtime and workers’ compensation. Breen said overtime is driven largely by security needs at the deep-water port and fluctuates with vessel traffic, such as salt shipments, while workers’ comp is a DAS-set cost and not something the division controls. He said the budget is conservative and that if revenues fall short, capital projects would be the first items scaled back. The discussion also covered fee-setting, with Breen saying rates are reviewed against the local market and infrastructure constraints, and that some smaller facility fees had recently been increased after being stagnant for years.

Transcript Highlights:

• county election officials across the state; and to advance the rewriting of the statewide voter registration
• <00:35:49.319> system<00:35:49.720> the Statewide voter registration system the Statewide
• voter registration system the rewriting<00:35:50.280> of<00:35:50.400> the<00:35:50.560
• system<00:47:22.160> and<00:47:22.319> the<00:47:22.480> security registration
• system and the security registration system and the security Navigator<00:47:23.520> team<00:

Bills: HF1345, HF71, HF993, HF1943

Keywords: HF1345, statutory city, public utility commission, municipal utilities, city council, local government, utility governance, commission membership, staggered terms, vacancy appointment, ordinance, Minnesota Statutes 412.341, municipal ordinance, city commission, public utilities, HF71, Minnesota, public safety, peace officers, correctional officers

Transcript Highlights:

• right, maybe we can waive the $15, but I felt it was really positive to charge $25 a year for that registration
• Yeah, I think you're going to have all your initial registration costs, and then you're going to have
• even to waive the $15 initial fee, just that's gone, but let's just stick with the $25 for the registration
• Well, I mean, no, I would, I mean, we could get rid of the initial fee and just make it $15 per registration
• we can waive that first, the initial fee of $15, but I think we should cross the board, $25 per registration

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on Senate Bill 2133 met to discuss the blackout license plate bill after House amendments changed the fee structure. The House explained it had removed the initial $15 fee and reduced the additional fee from $25 to $10, saying that better matched the cost of producing the plates. Senators and representatives debated whether the fee should remain at $25 annually, be set at $15, or keep the House’s lower amount, with members citing production and shipping costs, comparisons to other specialty plates, and how the bill should align with existing plate fees and personalization charges. The committee also discussed an amendment to allow blackout versions of collector, antique, and pioneer plates. DOT staff said the proposal would affect separate code sections for antique and collector plates and raised questions about printing, costs, and whether owners would need to turn in existing plates or pay duplicate-type fees. Some members supported making the blackout option available consistently across plate types, while others objected to the bill entirely, saying black plates reduce the state’s identity and are unnecessary. No final agreement was reached on the fee or the collector/antique plate amendment. The committee decided more drafting and cost review were needed and planned to reschedule another meeting. The meeting adjourned without taking a final vote on the conference committee changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> because this talks about a registration >> because this talks about a registration
• c> available<00:19:24.240> to registration plate symbol available to registration plate symbol
• <00:58:43.440> So, registrations in New Hampshire. So, registrations in New Hampshire.
• You are an antique registration is.
• that are collected through registration that are collected through registration do<01:09:07.440>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so I oversee boat registrations, vehicle registrations, um, the international registration plan,
• Um, so I oversee boat registrations, vehicle registrations, um, the international registration plan,
• Um, so I oversee boat registrations, vehicle registrations, um, the international registration plan,
• Um, so I oversee boat registrations, vehicle registrations, um, the international registration plan,
• > for<01:12:46.280> portion registration plan the IRP for portion registration plan the

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:50:42.480> and event and setting uh registration and event and setting uh registration
• registration of some types of aircraft. registration of some types of aircraft.
• fleet registration fleet registration provision.<00:51:16.319> Section<00:51:17.040> 92
• <01:02:11.839> revenue revenue and vehicle registration revenue revenue and vehicle registration
• On top the bottom end registration fee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this has to do with voter registrations. It says it was deleted.
• What I would say, sir, is that it is one statewide voter registration database, one statewide voter registration
• Most of those registration applications are mailed direct.
• Most of those registration applications are mailed directly to the county.
• How many people do you have that work just on voter registration processing?

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• So nothing for that at all, the statewide voter registration? So nothing for that at all?
• The statewide voter registration? Yes.
• What service does is that it's used by counties for voter registration and processing.
• counties for voter registration and processing.
• It is an elections management system, but not the voter registration system.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The meeting began as an informal education budget work group focused on reviewing a revised House Appropriations and Finance Committee scenario and flagging concerns rather than taking votes. Staff outlined the main changes from the LFC recommendation, including moving the statewide student information system appropriation, adding funding for the Black, Bilingual, Multicultural and Hispanic Education Act, universal school meals overrun costs, an evidence-based CTE pilot with a 50% local match, STEM network funding, wellness room pilots, Martinez-Yazzie action plan items, and changes to innovation zone and out-of-school time appropriations. A separate handout on the seven-year CTE pilot explained spending patterns, reversions, and possible federal maintenance-of-effort concerns if the state continues funding beyond a true pilot. Members then debated CTE extensively, with several arguing it improves attendance, graduation, and career readiness and should be sustained or expanded, especially in rural areas, while staff and others emphasized that much of the current funding has gone to general operational costs rather than intentional program design and that regional or matched funding models may be more effective. Members also discussed STEM and math initiatives, the need for more industry involvement, and whether the proposed match requirements would be too burdensome for smaller districts and BIE schools. The discussion also covered the Black, Hispanic, and Multilingual Education Acts and the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit. Some members stressed that the acts should be explicitly named in the budget language and not merely implied, while staff said the scenario reaffirms prior commitments by building the costs into agency operating budgets. Members raised concerns about charter school hold-harmless funding, declining enrollment, and the need to align spending with the needs of at-risk students. The work group ended the education portion without any votes, with staff noting they would incorporate the feedback and return with clarifications, including on CTE funding, the educational acts, and the charter hold-harmless item. The meeting then shifted to the child well-being and early childhood work group, where staff presented a revised Early Childhood Education and Care Department scenario. The proposal moved money toward child care assistance and early pre-K, kept the FIT program funding level unchanged, and used a mix of trust fund, TANF, federal, and operating-budget adjustments to close part of the gap between the executive and LFC recommendations. Members questioned the policy direction, especially the shift toward infant and toddler care and pre-K expansion, the impact on school-age child care, and the implications for continuity of care and provider costs. Staff explained that the scenario prioritizes younger children and at-risk families, includes language for a wage and career ladder, and would require legislation to raise the early childhood trust fund distribution cap from 500 to 525. Members also discussed a separate proposed CYFD pilot bill (HB 65), which would be distinct from ECECD funding. No votes were taken, and staff said they would return with more cost information on full pre-K plus wraparound care. A final work group reviewed C2 and Department of Information Technology-related appropriations. Staff compared the LFC and executive recommendations for new funding and reauthorizations, noting that the LFC generally limited new projects while the executive funded more. Members discussed several IT modernization requests, including the Secretary of State’s voter registration and election management systems, the Spaceport Authority, Game and Fish, the State Engineer’s WATERS system, ECECD’s FitKids and EPIC replacement discovery, and Aging and Long-Term Services’ enterprise system modernization. The main themes were whether to fund planning versus full replacement, how to avoid piecemeal spending, and whether new systems should wait for incoming leadership. The Secretary of State’s office said its system is nearing end of life and the planning funds would help prepare a realistic replacement request, while other agencies described aging infrastructure, cybersecurity risks, and the need for modernization. The work group did not vote on any of the items and ended with staff noting additional follow-up on funding needs and reauthorization details.

Transcript Highlights:

• registration, uh and then it continues. registration, uh and then it continues.
• registration system by June 1st, 2027. registration system by June 1st, 2027.
• statewide voter registration database. statewide voter registration database.
• registration registration database<01:15:18.840> and<01:15:19.000> that<01:15:19.160><
• This bill would not allow that. same-day registration with the the same-day registration with the the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• weight-based tiered registration scheme. weight-based tiered registration scheme.
• So in his would hold a registration.
• case, he held a plate and a registration case, he held a plate and a registration as<04:36:01.680
• Titling and registration on these.
• <05:02:35.120> to um the use of antique registrations to um the use of antique registrations

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State on whether I need to put that, uh, what we're looking at is a form, a much abbreviated re-registration
• State on whether I need to put that, uh, what we're looking at is a form, a much abbreviated re-registration
• you<00:03:27.200> know, abbreviated form, you know, abbreviated form, you know, re-registration
• re-registration re-registration form<00:03:30.319> where<00:03:30.640> they<00:03:30.879
• ,<00:10:02.240> but evidence we did during registration, but evidence we did during registration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee worked through several election-related bills and conference committee compromises. On SB 221, members discussed a streamlined re-registration form for voters removed from the checklist, with the Secretary of State to develop the necessary form; one member opposed the bill as unnecessary and warned that more frequent purges can disenfranchise voters, but the committee ultimately accepted the compromise and prepared it for signatures. On SB 213, the committee reviewed technical language changes to the HB 340-related provisions, including changing “legislative body” to “governing body” and replacing “measure” with “warrant article.” Despite those edits, one member argued the bill could chill public employees’ participation in official duties and should be held to the Senate position; another said the bill was unnecessary in light of other voting restrictions already enacted. No position change was made, and the bill remained opposed by at least some members. On SB 218, the committee agreed to add the word “applicable” in two places, and to remove sections 5 and 6 from the Senate version so pre-processing language would be restored. The House also asked to strike a sentence giving the Secretary of State broad authority over errors identified in the process, preferring that such matters remain in statute. Members generally described these edits as improvements, though some still opposed the bill overall. The meeting ended after a final comment on SB 213 seeking to remove language requiring public employees’ factual information to be provided only in response to public requests, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also increases the registration fees across the board by 25%, and it also includes an EV surcharge
• Chair, it sounds like we're increasing registration or these fees.
• Are we using the right word here, registration fees? Is it for every car? Mr. Chair, Senator, yes.
• Chair, Senator, a portion right now of vehicle registration fees does go to the state road fund.
• The 25% increase on registration fees will materialize entirely to the state road fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a second registration from you.
• Chair here will close registration at this time.
• We're going to bring up your registration. One second.
• We're going to pull up your registration form.
• Let me get your registration. One moment, please.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this has to do with voter registration, and it says it was deleted.
• When it comes to actually researching and taking action on somebody's registration.
• database, one statewide voter registration list that the counties draw from.
• **Senator Alvarado**: ...it's going through the voter registration pre-application.
• And how many people do you have that work just on voter registration processing?

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• not get any notice to remove the voter from their roles, uh, potentially leading to duplicate registrations
• Senate Bill 1862 by Senator Hughes addresses this gap by strengthening voter registration requirements
• The bill would require voter registration applicants to include their full previous address, including
• Um, uh, this is, uh, worked in voter registration director Harris County for several years, uh, and before
• Voter registration application because we now had a cross-state check with team, but we don't have a

Transcript Highlights:

• It bars any form of registration of arms.
• Mistakes or delays in registration can result in criminal charges.
• Registration is the first precursor to confiscation. And tell me I'm wrong.
• One of the things we have is that the registration process.
• One of the things we have is that the registration process.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused heavily on firearms legislation, especially bills to repeal Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 (including H. 2618/S. 1671 and related repeal measures) and bills on firearm industry accountability (H. 2672/S. 1653). Supporters of repeal, including Senator Peter Durant, Rep. Ken Sweezey, gun owners, instructors, sportsmen, and women’s gun-rights advocates, argued that Chapter 135 overreaches, creates confusion in licensing and training requirements, burdens lawful gun owners, restricts pepper spray and semi-automatic firearms, and is being enforced in ways they said criminalize responsible conduct. Committee members defending the law said it was the product of years of work, public listening sessions, and multiple drafts, and argued that Massachusetts remains the safest state for gun violence and that implementation issues, such as live-fire training, had been delayed to allow time for regulations and infrastructure. Several witnesses also testified on H. 2672/S. 1653, which would create firearm industry standards of conduct and allow civil actions against manufacturers, distributors, and dealers that engage in unsafe or unlawful practices. Supporters from the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, Everytown, Brady, Giffords, and survivors described the bill as a way to hold the industry accountable, reduce the flow of crime guns, and give victims and the Attorney General a path to sue bad actors. They cited data on crime-gun traces, disproportionate impacts on communities of color, and examples from other states that have enacted similar laws. Opponents, including gun dealers and industry representatives, argued that existing law already punishes illegal sales, that most crime guns are stolen or diverted after lawful sale, and that the bill would improperly target manufacturers for the actions of others. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to remove the non-resident ban on semi-automatic firearms for hunting (H. 2710/S. 1676), with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers supporting the change as a way to restore access for returning residents, veterans, and hunting programs that had been displaced. Later testimony returned to repeal and related gun-law bills, with sportsmen’s groups arguing Chapter 135 was rushed, confusing, and harmful to youth hunting and lawful ownership. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; it was a public testimony session with extensive questioning by committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, replace line 161 through 173 on page 6 through 7 with the following: For C1, a vacant registration
• ordinance shall require payment of an annual registration fee for each vacant property as follows.
• ordinance shall require payment of an ordinance shall require payment of an annual<00:11:28.720> registration
• fee<00:11:30.000> for<00:11:30.399> each<00:11:30.800> vacant annual registration
• fee for each vacant annual registration fee for each vacant property<00:11:31.839> as<00:11:32.160

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• extensive voter roll purges, strict photo ID requirements, and limitations on early voting and registration
• We don’t collect voter self-reported racial or ethnic identity at the moment of registration.
• We’re going to continue to look at trends in registration and turnout both within and outside tribal
• And part of our mission is to be able to put some of that data, particularly about voter registration
• And more specifically, buying votes or buying voter registrations. Yeah.

Summary: The committee held a work session on voting rights in the United States and Washington, beginning with testimony from Marissa Wright of Campaign Legal Center and David Montes of the ACLU of Washington. They described the federal Voting Rights Act’s main protections—preclearance, vote suppression, and vote dilution—and argued that Supreme Court decisions such as Shelby County v. Holder and Brnovich have weakened those tools. They said Washington should consider stronger state-level protections, including a preclearance program and broader safeguards against discriminatory voting practices. Members asked about Washington’s history of discrimination, voter roll purges, noncitizen registration, and remedies under the Washington Voting Rights Act, including ranked-choice voting and district-based systems. The committee then heard from the Office of Equity and several commissions, which described their roles in advising state government and working with communities. They focused on the immigration sub-cabinet created under Executive Order 2509, saying it is intended to improve coordination across agencies, the legislature, the courts, and community organizations on issues such as data privacy, language access, health care, education, and accountability under the Keep Washington Working Act. Members asked about the use of NGOs, accountability for KWW violations, and the sub-cabinet’s goals, and the panel said the effort is meant to help government respond more quickly and collaboratively while centering immigrant, disability, LGBTQ, and other communities. The final panel was from the University of Washington Elections Database Project, which presented data on vote-by-mail ballot challenges, cures, and rejections from 2020 to 2024. They reported that about 1.5% of ballots are signature-challenged in most elections, roughly 60% of challenged ballots are cured, and overall rejection rates are about 1% in general elections and 1.5% in primaries. The researchers said voters of color, younger voters, and some tribal-area voters experience higher rejection rates, and that differences appear tied to signature mismatch, language access, ballot timing, and familiarity with the system. In the last panel, Maria Fernandez and Vicki Frausto of EIA described voter education and civic engagement work in Yakima County and Sunnyside, including concerns about intimidation, language barriers, signature mismatch, and at-large election systems; they said stronger Washington Voting Rights Act protections would help communities elect candidates of choice. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the registrations or renewals.
• So to the car the vehicle registration.
• that would include kiosk uh registration that would include kiosk uh registration to<00:29:55.279
• We would also look to sell registration.
• <00:33:15.120> with updating the registration system with updating the registration system

Bills: HF624

Keywords: HF624, Minnesota fishing law, game and fish, walleye stamp, walleye stamp validation, angling, angler, fishing lines, two lines, four lines, open water fishing, ice fishing, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, fishing regulations, fish harvest, conservation, Minnesota Statutes 97C.315, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• could ask a question at registration could ask a question at registration about<00:20:04.960>
• ,<00:30:13.600> their<00:30:13.840> vehicle<00:30:14.159> registration registration
• , their vehicle registration registration, their vehicle registration on<00:30:15.120> what<00
• registration or renewal of your vehicle. registration or renewal of your vehicle.
• make a decision at time of registration make a decision at time of registration if<00:32:09.519>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all