Video & Transcript : 'communication technology' :
Page 440 of 500
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
Transcript Highlights:
- This additional funding benefits all communities, of course, but especially our rural communities that
- The Chapter 90 local aid program does help local communities improve bridges.
- Every community is different and every community is going to have different needs in order to do exactly
- There are communities, rural and smaller communities, that don't have sidewalks.
- Thank you. ...going to communities based on road miles.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets held a public hearing on H. 5279, a bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. MassDOT and A&F testified in support, describing the bill as a more than $5 billion transportation bond package centered on a four-year, $1.2 billion Chapter 90 authorization, plus funding for MBTA rail reliability and modernization, housing-related transportation improvements, a new DCR/MassDOT PRISM program for parkways and other DCR assets, and reauthorizations of the Municipal Pavement Program, Shared Streets and Spaces, and highway programs. They said the bill would support safety, resilience, housing production, and multimodal transportation, and noted that some bonds could be issued as special obligation bonds backed by the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and Fair Share revenues.
Committee members asked about the size and structure of the authorizations, the federal match for highway projects, the source of MBTA vehicle procurement, bridge repair needs, and whether the housing-related funds could be used flexibly for items like sidewalks, bike lanes, bus stops, and other local transportation improvements. Administration witnesses said the bill is intended as a temporary refill of existing programs until a larger transportation bond bill is filed next session, that the federal-aid line includes the full spending authority while the state only borrows the 20% match, and that the housing-related program is deliberately broad and not limited to MBTA communities. They also said Chapter 90 includes a road-mile component that especially helps rural communities and that preservation and safety are built into the programs.
The Massachusetts Municipal Association also testified in strong support, emphasizing that Chapter 90 is the most important tool municipalities have to maintain the roughly 30,000 miles of local roads and bridges they are responsible for. MMA urged timely passage before construction season and praised the continued $300 million Chapter 90 level, especially the $100 million road-mile distribution that helps communities with large road networks and smaller populations. No votes were taken on the bill, and the hearing concluded with adjournment after testimony ended.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Labor and Industrial Relations Mar 19th, 2026
Labor & Industrial Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- It's simply about adapting to the signs of the times, the new technology, and it cuts out a middleman
- , recruiting from the community, and working with...
- Part of the community, recruiting from the community, and working with the employers in a community.
- Do I go to the community college? Do I go to my local workforce board? Do I call this?
- Do I go to the community college? Do I go to my local workforce board?
Committee:
House Labor & Industrial Relations
Summary:
The committee first adopted prior meeting minutes and voluntarily deferred three bills before taking up House Bill 232, which would shift the employment-certificate process for minors away from school boards and to Louisiana Works. Rep. Carlson said the bill is intended to reduce burdens on schools and make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to work, especially in the summer. A youth advisory council testified in support, describing the current process as cumbersome for students and families. The committee adopted amendments, including a change making the bill effective upon the governor’s signature, and then reported HB 232 favorably with amendments.
The committee next considered House Bill 951, creating an Office of Talent Accelerator within Louisiana Works and a Business Workforce Committee to coordinate employer-facing workforce services. Rep. Bamberg and Secretary Susie Schowen described it as a centralized, regional, business-facing effort to respond more quickly to workforce needs tied to major economic development projects, while also supporting existing small and mid-sized businesses. Supporters, including Bollinger Shipyards and Leaders for a Better Louisiana, said similar models in Mississippi had helped expand training pipelines and better match employers with workers. The committee adopted a large amendment set and reported HB 951 with amendments.
House Bill 923, a cleanup measure reorganizing Louisiana Works statutes and updating language after last year’s agency restructuring, was then adopted with technical amendments and reported with amendments. The committee also took up House Bill 301, which would create a voluntary portable-benefits framework for independent contractors and gig workers. Supporters said it would give contractors a way to negotiate benefits such as health care or retirement contributions, while opponents warned it could encourage misclassification, weaken workers’ compensation protections, and shift costs to workers and the state. After debate, the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 301 with a 6-5 vote.
Finally, House Bill 185 was introduced as a workers’ compensation measure to expand the definition of independent contractor and restore tort immunity for employers in certain contract-labor situations. The sponsor said it was part of the Attorney General’s package and aimed at addressing a recent court decision; the bill was just beginning discussion when the transcript ended.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- They generally have an onus to reinvest in community health due to their subsidies and grant funding.
- And I think... ...technology.
- And for our community, you know, we are very rural, very urban—urban by New Mexico standards in Santa
- Those are both in our community.
- This is a focused, common-sense step to address violent crime and protect our community.
Committee:
House House Judiciary
Keywords:
medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations Committee Jun 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- They show up in access to arts, technology, music, career counseling, and enrichment opportunities.
- They live in a community that has been overrun by tourists and a couple of billionaires, and so their
- The California State University system and the California Community College systems...
- The California State University system and the California Community College systems not only have two
- I also served on the California Community College's Board of Governors, making me the only student to
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard SCA 5, the Education Equalization Act, which would create an Equalization Reserve in the General Fund funded only in strong budget years with non-Prop 98 dollars. Senator Cortese and supporters argued it would provide a stable, ongoing stream of funding to reduce per-pupil disparities between basic-aid and non-basic-aid districts without reducing the Prop 98 minimum guarantee. Supporters included education foundation, school board, administrator, employee, and business representatives. Opponents, including the California Charter Schools Association, argued the measure unfairly excludes charter and county school students and could worsen inequities; some committee members also raised concerns about its fiscal effects and constitutional structure. The committee ultimately voted 4-0 to adopt SCA 5, with the measure kept on call for additional members.
The committee then took up a series of Assembly bills, most of which were suspense-file candidates and were moved without objection after brief or waived presentations and no opposition testimony. AB 402, AB 708, AB 1080, AB 1126, AB 1235, AB 1555, AB 1641, ACA 7, AB 1672, AB 1943, AB 2565, and AB 2571 were all sent to suspense. AB 1204 drew testimony from school district leaders and coalition members who said it would worsen LCFF funding disparities by shifting future growth away from the base grant; the bill was opposed and moved to suspense. AB 1672 received support from CalPACE. The Department of Finance did not attend and had no comments on the measures.
Finally, ACA 18 was presented as a constitutional amendment to double student voting seats on the UC Board of Regents, creating separate undergraduate and graduate student representation. The author and UC student witnesses said the change would strengthen student voice on issues such as tuition, housing, basic needs, and free speech, and would align UC with CSU and community college governance. There was no opposition testimony, but the committee treated ACA 18 as a suspense-file candidate and moved it to suspense without objection. The hearing then adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It also steals from communities, because those families then can be pushed towards public service, where
- He represented the business community and did a great job of communicating back with us throughout the
- An employer must transmit this notice in the primary method of communication typically used by the employer
- An employer must transmit this notice in the primary method of communication typically used by the employer
- I think it got us there by still protecting our immigrant community that, as we know, is so vulnerable
Summary:
The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2479, the Wage Recovery Act, which would create a wage recovery program and account to provide limited advance payments to low-wage workers facing immediate hardship from unpaid wages, while also changing how L&I prioritizes wage complaints and increasing civil penalties for willful wage violations. The bill was described as a consensus product of a labor-business work group, and testimony from the sponsor, work group members, business groups, and labor organizations was strongly supportive, emphasizing faster wage recovery, better enforcement, and a balanced approach to wage theft. No one testified in opposition.
The committee then moved into executive session and took action on several bills. It reported out House Bill 291, extending employee contact-information sharing requirements to all state agencies; House Bill 2105, as amended, on notice requirements for I-9 audits and related records; House Bill 2107, as amended, on L&I notice to employers after construction-site hazard inspections; House Bill 2151, as amended, on factory-built housing and inspection standards; House Bill 2190, on compensation for language access providers for missed appointments; House Bill 2303, as amended, prohibiting employer requests or coercion for microchip implantation; and House Bill 2345, as amended, adjusting paid family and medical leave premium allocation to address an IRS-related issue. The committee also deferred action on House Bills 2191 and 2218.
Several amendments were adopted during executive session, including technical and policy changes to HB 2105, a carve-out in HB 2151 for certain prefabricated enclosures used for energy equipment, and removal of administrative enforcement from HB 2303. Final votes were largely bipartisan, with most measures passing on voice vote or by recorded vote and receiving due pass recommendations.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Jul 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- At a time when families in the autism community face numerous challenges navigating care and services
- This bill unfortunately falls short in addressing the pressing needs and priorities of our community.
- At a time when families in the autism community face numerous challenges navigating care and services
- This bill unfortunately falls short in addressing the pressing needs and priorities of our community.
- So when we provide phenomenal services to our autism community, which is lifelong, it's not just when
Summary:
The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard several measures, including SB 402 by Senator Valadares, which would move existing qualification requirements for qualified autism service providers and related professionals from the Health and Safety Code and Insurance Code into the Business and Professions Code without changing the standards. Supporters said it was a technical cleanup that would improve consistency and legislative oversight, while an opponent argued the bill was unnecessary and could create access issues; another witness urged inclusion of the QABA credentialing board. The committee approved SB 402 on a due pass motion to the Committee on Health.
The committee also heard SB 378 by Senator Wiener, aimed at online platforms that facilitate sales of illicit cannabis and intoxicating hemp products. Supporters, including labor, local government, and cannabis industry representatives, said the bill would help protect consumers, minors, legal businesses, and tax revenue by creating accountability for online marketplaces. Opponents from the hemp industry and TechNet argued the bill was overly broad, could sweep in legitimate platforms and payment services, and should better distinguish bad actors from compliant hemp businesses; members discussed implementation, enforcement through a private right of action, and coordination with AB 8. The committee passed SB 378 to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection.
Senator Arreguín presented SB 779, which would establish minimum enforcement fines for Contractors State License Board citations where minimums are currently very low or absent, and would raise the board’s reserve cap from six months to 12 months. The sponsor said the changes would better match penalties to violations and help support consumer protection and board operations during economic downturns. There was no opposition, and the committee approved SB 779 as amended to the Committee on Appropriations.
The committee also approved the consent calendar, which included SB 344 and AB 652, both sent to Appropriations. SB 508 was not heard because it had been pulled by the author.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Apr 7th, 2026
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
Transcript Highlights:
- This additional funding benefits all communities, of course, but especially our rural communities that
- Every community is different and every community is going to have different needs in order to do exactly
- Is desired by the community. Any other questions? Thank you.
- I'm just thinking about, particularly with the MBTA community zoning, right?
- There are communities, rural and smaller communities, that don't have sidewalks, and sidewalks are really
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets held a public hearing on H. 5279, a transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. MassDOT and A&F testified in support, describing the bill as a major transportation investment package centered on a $300 million annual Chapter 90 local aid program, with $200 million distributed by the traditional formula and $100 million by lane miles to better support rural communities. They also outlined funding for MBTA rail reliability and modernization, transportation projects that support housing production, a new DCR parkway resilience and safety program, and reauthorizations of existing highway and municipal grant programs such as the Municipal Pavement Program and Shared Streets and Spaces.
Witnesses said the bill would help address aging infrastructure, improve safety and resilience, support housing development, and leverage Fair Share surtax revenue through the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. They explained that some authorizations are structured to allow the state to issue special obligation bonds, and clarified that the bill authorizes the full spending amount for federally aided projects even though the state only borrows the 20 percent match, with the federal government reimbursing the rest. Committee members asked about bridge repair needs, the size of the backlog, how housing-related transportation funds would be allocated, MBTA vehicle procurement, and whether rural communities would have fair access to the new funding streams.
Several members praised the administration’s financing approach but urged future Chapter 90 increases to keep pace with inflation and requested more attention to rural municipal capacity and bridge safety needs. The Massachusetts Municipal Association also testified in strong support, emphasizing that Chapter 90 is the most important tool for cities and towns to maintain local roads and bridges and urging prompt passage before construction season. No votes were taken; after testimony concluded, the committee adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Apr 7th, 2026
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
Transcript Highlights:
- Thriving communities depend on safe, reliable, and resilient transportation networks.
- This additional funding benefits all communities, of course, but especially our rural communities that
- The Chapter 90 local aid program does help local communities improve bridges.
- Every community is different and every community is going to have different needs in order to do exactly
- There are communities, rural and smaller communities, that don't have sidewalks, and sidewalks are really
Bills:
H5279
Keywords:
municipal roads, bridges, transportation bond bill, infrastructure financing, capital spending, bond authorization, general obligation bonds, special obligation bonds, Commonwealth Transportation Improvement Act, road resurfacing, road repair, bridge repair, pavement, culverts, stormwater management, climate resilience, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian infrastructure, transit modernization, commuter rail
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Contract Review Committee Jul 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Our information technology team will begin occupying the building this coming Monday as part of turning
- Our information<00:02:51.440><c> technology</c><00:02:52.160><c> team</c><00:02:52.480><c> will</c><00
- :02:52.800><c> begin</c> information technology team will begin information technology team will begin
- The first one is with Community Health Accreditation Program.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a $48,000 fiscal note on it that we can absorb and make that technology change.
- /c><00:07:01.039><c> that</c> that we can absorb and make that that we can absorb and make that technology
- 07:02.880><c> Um</c><00:07:03.360><c> so</c><00:07:04.160><c> we</c><00:07:04.639><c> fully</c> technology
- Um so we fully technology change.
- My name is Sue Prentiss, state senator from District 5, representing 15 wonderful communities, and I
Committee:
Senate Transportation
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Good afternoon, Committee on Labor and Technology.
- It establishes a data sharing and governance working group within the Office of Enterprise Technology
- </c> office of Enterprise technology office of Enterprise technology Services<00:16:37.360><c> okay</
- Up next, we have the Office of Enterprise Technology Services.
- Christine Sakuda, Chief Information Officer with the Office of Enterprise Technology Services under the
Committee:
Senate Labor and Technology
Summary:
The Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures. Senate Bill 327, relating to internships, drew broad support from the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, University of Hawaiʻi, DBEDT, P20, HFIA, Hawaiʻi Electric, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and the Chamber of Commerce, with suggested amendments to clarify the internship purpose, limit some responsibilities to the state executive branch, and address staffing and reporting details. The committee later recommended passing SB 327 with amendments, including changes to the internship language, private-sector references, work-hour limits, reporting requirements, and a deferred effective date for further discussion. Senate Bill 716, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations as a step toward modernizing unemployment insurance, and the committee recommended passage with housekeeping and technical amendments.
Senate Bill 717, relating to collective bargaining, would allow certain exempt employees to grieve suspensions or discharges. The City and County of Honolulu and the Department of Human Resources Development said the issue should remain a collective bargaining matter, while HGEA and United Public Workers supported the bill. DHRD opposed changing the statute and pointed to existing internal complaint procedures. The committee nevertheless recommended passing SB 717 with amendments and deferred the date for further discussion.
Senate Bill 742, relating to data sharing, would create a data sharing and governance working group within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services and include appropriations. OETS, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi, DOE, Hawaiʻi Kids Can, Hawaiʻi P-20, and others supported the measure, with OETS estimating a total cost of about $2.64 million, including software, consulting, and six FTE. The committee recommended passage with amendments and a deferred effective date, and noted the budget request in the committee report. The final measure, Senate Bill 855, relating to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act, would shift the program from opt-in to opt-out and appropriate startup funds; former Senator Brian Taniguchi and AARP supported it, while Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi opposed it over costs and burdens on small businesses and concerns about adding mandates before the program is implemented. The committee recessed briefly on a proposed AARP amendment, then returned and indicated support for the opt-out language before taking the bill up for decision-making.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Massachusetts Data Privacy Act Jul 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- To my left is Senator/Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier, who is the chair of the Technology and Advanced
- Information and Technology Committee.
- members: Senator Barry Finegold, who chairs the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technology
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Data Privacy convened its first conference committee meeting to reconcile differences between Senate 2619 and House 5479. Representative Michael Moran and Senator Cindy Creem opened by emphasizing the long-running work on privacy legislation, the need to protect Massachusetts residents’ personal data, and the goal of producing a strong consumer-focused bill. Members also noted extensive stakeholder outreach over the prior three years and expressed optimism that the chambers could resolve the remaining differences.
The committee then worked through the bill’s definitions section item by item, identifying which provisions were already aligned and which would need further staff review or later negotiation. Several items were described as essentially the same or close enough for agreement, including affiliate, consumer rights, business associate citation language, collection, controller, covered entity, gender-affirming health care services, targeted advertising, and some profile/health information provisions. Other items were set aside because of substantive differences, especially around affirmative consent, biometric data, dark patterns and deceptive design, de-identification, consumer versus individual terminology, age/minor language, precise geolocation, publicly available information, reproductive or sexual health care, sale/transfer of personal data, sensitive data, and trade secret-related language.
A recurring theme was whether the bill should use “consumer” or “individual” in various definitions and provisions, with the chairs directing staff to work offline on a consistent approach. The committee also discussed whether certain HIPAA and COPPA references should be embedded in definitions or cited throughout the bill. By the end of the meeting, the committee had resolved a number of mostly technical or stylistic items, tabled several substantive disputes for later discussion, and agreed to continue working toward a final conference report before adjourning.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I understand that this is a new technology and it's kind of moving quick.
- Shared that it was written that way because it's such a new technology and it needs its own chapter.
- So I would ask the committee to please consider protecting Idaho citizens with this technology.
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Human Resources
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee Feb 4th, 2026
Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure
Transcript Highlights:
- So over time uh you know<00:02:05.759><c> as</c><00:02:06.880><c> technology</c><00:02:07.520><c> evolves
- </c><00:02:08.239><c> as</c><00:02:09.039><c> uh</c><00:02:09.200><c> the</c> know as technology evolves
- as uh the know as technology evolves as uh the business<00:02:09.840><c> evolves</c><00:02:10.479><c
Keywords:
underground facilities, excavation safety, One-Call Notification System, utility protection, public safety, underground damage prevention, notification system, construction safety, pipeline protection, utility management, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, director compensation, municipality, electricity supply, board of directors, postpartum depression, postnatal care, maternal mental health, perinatal depression, postpartum screening
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- They are small business owners and who are pillars of their communities.
- They are small business owners and are pillars of their communities and are committed to making sure
- And I think all the people that have made this possible for their students and their community are in
- What we're seeing is that we're not keeping up with the technology when it comes to diabetes care.
- Your Science and Technology Committee will be meeting in five minutes in House Hearing Room 5.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Custodial accounts for virtual currency 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And last year it was over $15 million of liquidity leaving our local community.
- And last year it was over $15 million of liquidity leaving our local community.
- And last year it was over $15 million of liquidity leaving our local community.
- And so I think this is local community. And so I think this is about<00:09:25.440><c> relevancy.
- That's the technology that this is a part of.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill requires that CYFD employees only use their department-issued devices for communication related
- And then of course the Juvenile Community Corrections Fund that Senator Maestas was talking about, the
- If our goal here is to reduce youth violence and create safe and healthy communities for young people
- Chair, since 2020, our community governance attorney program has gone through several growing pains.
- Representative Chavez: Programs at community colleges.
Committee:
Senate Senate Judiciary
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 10th, 2026
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Developmental disabilities are the very fabric of our community.
- done for themselves and others in community and rise in support of Senate Resolution 8689.
- , sometimes even conflict within that community.
- Challenges within the DD community, sometimes even conflict within that community, and worked on that
- Richness of having the DD community in our lives.
Summary:
The Senate opened with ceremonial activities, approval of the previous day’s journal, and adoption of Senate Resolution 8689 recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Senators spoke in strong support of the resolution, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, self-advocacy, family caregivers, and the principle of “nothing about us without us.” The resolution was adopted, and all members’ names were added as sponsors. The chamber also welcomed student visitors and later recognized individuals with developmental disabilities and caregivers in the gallery.
The Senate then confirmed several gubernatorial appointments. Charles G. Knutzen was confirmed to the Workforce Education, Investment, Accountability, and Oversight Board by a 48-0 vote. Noah Scartvet was confirmed to the Gambling Commission by a 43-5 vote, and Kelly K. Foucai was confirmed to the Spokane Colleges Board of Trustees by a 48-0 vote. The Senate also considered and confirmed additional appointments while excusing several members from attendance during parts of the day.
The chamber spent much of the meeting concurring in House amendments and passing a series of bills. Among the measures approved were bills dealing with clean energy exemptions for certain backup fossil fuel use, police data and body camera/ALPR distinctions, housing and rental assistance flexibility, creation of a cabinet-level Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs with Senate confirmation, school district interfund transfers under financial oversight, civic engagement and voting services, wildfire-resistant home-hardening materials, and technical corrections to prior tax and revenue legislation. Most of these bills passed with clear majorities, though some drew recorded opposition, including Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035 and Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6113.
The Senate also adopted a striking amendment and passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2325, creating a tourism self-supported assessment program. Supporters said the negotiated proposal would improve fiscal transparency and help fund statewide tourism promotion, while opponents raised concerns about the assessment structure. The bill passed after concurrence in the House amendments and final passage by a 43-5 vote. The Senate then returned to the fourth order of business and stood at ease for lunch and caucus.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Finance Jan 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So they are very important to a community. They make our world and our communities fun and livable.
- I want to share a little bit about how it's benefited the Olympia community with some specifics.
- To the wildfire response, forest restoration, and community resilience fund.
- , that community ought to see a lasting economic benefit from those systems.
- Between the developers and the communities, by having clear rules that can be followed.
Summary:
House Finance met on Friday, January 23rd, and heard three bills. On House Bill 2194, staff explained that the bill would allow a county and a city within that county to both impose the cultural access sales and use tax at the same time, with the county providing a credit for the city tax. Representative Parsley said the change would let more jurisdictions support cultural, arts, science, and school-related programs. Olympia and Thurston County officials testified in support, describing grant funding for cultural organizations, free programming, and school access benefits; a committee member raised a question about how the change could affect county bond obligations.
The committee then heard House Bill 2089, which would narrow a B&O tax preference for first mortgage interest by removing the requirement that a financial institution be located in 10 or more states, and direct the resulting revenue to the wildfire response, forest restoration, and community resilience account. Staff said the bill would raise significant revenue and have implementation costs for the Department of Revenue. Representative Scott said the bill was intended to restore wildfire funding and limit the preference to community banks, while opponents from the Washington Bankers Association and Community Bankers of Washington warned the bill could harm community banks and mortgage lending if not drafted carefully. The Department of Natural Resources and a public employee representative supported restoring wildfire preparedness funding.
Finally, the committee heard a proposed third substitute for House Bill 1960, which would replace property taxation for new or repowered large renewable energy facilities and battery storage systems with a state and local excise tax structure, while also creating a local investment distribution account and a tribal capacity grant program. Staff and the sponsor described the bill as a way to reduce property tax shifts onto nearby taxpayers and provide more stable, predictable revenue for local governments and tribes. County officials, assessors, treasurers, and some clean energy and conservation groups supported the concept but asked for clearer definitions, payment timing, and rate adjustments; utilities and renewable developers said they supported the goal but opposed the bill as drafted because of concerns about the rates and the treatment of centrally assessed utilities. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearings on all three bills.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (04/22/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- One of the best parts about technology is it's user friendly most of the time.
- </c> One of the best parts about technology One of the best parts about technology is<03:40:19.279><c
- I have satellite and cellular technology.
- when we're talking so few locations. and um cellular technology I have a a and um cellular technology
- We'll move a business into your community.'
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 63, which concerns funding for the division of travel and tourism and its relationship to the meals-and-rooms tax calculation. Members asked for confirmation that the bill would not affect municipal distributions under RSA 78-A:26. Jennifer Ramsey of the Department of Revenue Administration explained that the amendment does not change meals-and-rooms distributions, but instead corrects the calculation for the travel and tourism appropriation by adding back the municipal fund transfer before applying the 3.15% floor. Chris Shay of the Office of the Attorney General agreed with that explanation. The committee also discussed the complexity of the meals-and-rooms statutes and the possibility of a future cleanup effort. The committee then voted 19-0 to recommend SB 63 ought to pass; it will not go on consent because it has a fiscal note.
The committee next considered SB 60, relative to advanced deposit account wagering. Rep. Murphy moved ought to pass, explaining that the bill would regulate advanced deposit wagering on horse racing and impose a 1.25% revenue share on wagers from New Hampshire residents, generating roughly a quarter-million dollars in new lottery revenue in the first year. The motion passed 19-0, and the bill will not go on consent because of its fiscal note. The committee then voted 19-0 to recommend SB 147 ITL, with members noting that live racing facilities are in decline and the market is shrinking. SB 160, which updates raffle ticket pricing and prize limits for bingo-related gaming, also passed ought to pass 19-0 and will not go on consent.
The committee then took up SB 73, which revises coverall bingo rules and increases prize limits. An amendment, 2025-1470H, was offered to raise the total prize amount to $5,000; members supported it as a reasonable compromise, and the amendment was adopted unanimously. The bill as amended then passed ought to pass 19-0, again with a fiscal note preventing consent placement. After those votes, the committee moved into a work session on SB 83, where members began discussing the bill’s video lottery terminal provisions, including the meaning of “maximum wager,” the absence of a cumulative betting cap, and concerns that the bill combines several distinct policy changes—tax treatment, VLT rules, renaming, and a self-exclusion database—into one measure. No vote was taken on SB 83 during the work session, and members indicated they would continue discussion later after reviewing side-by-side materials.