Transcript Highlights:

• <01:15:03.560> in budget request we brought it forward in budget request we brought it forward
• <04:00:11.560> thank what we need going forward thank what we need going forward thank you
• > no<04:06:04.720> they<04:06:04.800> went form mail by mail basically no they went
• form mail by mail basically no they went into<04:06:05.239> a<04:06:05.399> license<04
• <05:24:47.520> the Governor counsel if it moves forward the Governor counsel if it moves forward

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the University System of New Hampshire chancellor on the system’s budget, enrollment, finances, workforce role, and response to federal policy changes. The chancellor said the governor’s recommended budget would reduce university system funding by about $16.5 million over the biennium, or roughly 8.3%, and asked that state funding be held at the governor’s level. She described planned cost reductions already underway, including lower headcount, reduced benefits and retirement contributions, property sales, and lease reductions, and said the system expects to remove about $20 million from its cost structure in fiscal year 2026. A large portion of the discussion focused on enrollment and finances. The chancellor said fall 2024 enrollment was about 23,000, with New Hampshire enrollment increasing for the first time since 2013, and noted that the system remains a major workforce pipeline, with about 3,000 graduates entering the state workforce each year. She explained that net tuition has fallen over time because of declining enrollment and increased financial aid, while research grants and contracts have grown significantly. She also walked through endowment funding, explaining that payouts are based on a 12-quarter rolling average and are intentionally smoothed to reduce volatility; members asked for follow-up information on payout comparisons, administrative salaries, headcounts, and compensation per student. Members questioned the university about the relationship between state support, tuition, endowments, and research spending. The chancellor said the system has used state capital support to leverage major investments, including the UNH Life Sciences building, Plymouth’s Hyde Hall, and the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, and described partnerships with businesses such as Lonza and regional manufacturers. She also explained a long-running New Hampshire 529-related revenue stream that has built endowment support for scholarships, and said the system’s endowment now totals about $988 million. In response to questions about possible cuts, she said the system is considering academic program sharing, consolidation of specialties, online delivery, AI-assisted administrative efficiencies, and footprint reductions, but declined to name specific programs. The committee also discussed DEI-related issues and federal grants. The chancellor said the system is reviewing executive orders and a U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague letter, and that general counsel is working through websites, programs, and more than 1,200 federal grants to ensure compliance. She said the system spends about $3 million on what it calls DEI-related offices and services, but emphasized that these services include disability support, veteran support, Title IX, ADA, and employment-law compliance, and that the system does not have race-based programs, separate housing, or separate graduation ceremonies. She reported that the system had received stop-work orders on four federal grants totaling about $700,000 and warned that reductions in federal direct or indirect costs could affect research, jobs, and innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Bakeberg for bringing this forward.
• Dozens of those e-mails.
• That's the way it will move forward.
• If you didn't get the e-mail, check with one of us and we will gladly forward it to you again.
• If you didn't have to get the e-mail check with one of us and we will gladly forward to you again.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're pushing forward with infill.
• ability if if this bill does go forward ability if if this bill does go forward to<01:19:46.719>
• And we really think we need to mail.
• Um, I'll be voting for the bill to move it forward.
• I would take any bill go forward.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rider spurred his horse out of Missouri to deliver the mail.
• It got my friend and retired rural mail carrier, the member of House Health Care from Enosburg Falls.
• <00:31:59.040> carrier, and retired rural mail carrier, and retired rural mail carrier, the
• <00:40:48.520> to And I know he is looking forward to And I know he is looking forward to
• to move forward. to move forward.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading by poet April Osmon, who read two poems focused on bridging political divides and shared humanity. Members then recognized the final day of service for the legislative pages, thanking them for their work during the 2026 session and presenting each page with a pin and a photo opportunity. The chamber then handled bill referrals: Senate Bill 193, creating a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons, was referred to Judiciary; Senate Bill 198, regulating tobacco products and tobacco substitutes, went to Commerce and Economic Development; Senate Bill 214, concerning pre-kindergarten education in geographically isolated school districts, went to Education; and Senate Bill 218, reducing chloride contamination in state waters and carrying an appropriation, was referred to Appropriations. The House also read and adopted two concurrent resolutions: HCR 237 congratulating Vermont-associated 2026 Winter Olympic medal winners, and HCR 238 honoring the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired on its 100th anniversary. Much of the remainder of the session consisted of tributes and guest recognitions tied to those resolutions. Members highlighted Vermont’s Olympic skiers and coaches, including Ben Ogden, Paula Moltzan, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Jessie Diggins, Mikaela Shiffrin, Barbara Ann Cochran, Bill Koch, and others, and read a note from Diggins thanking Vermont for its support and emphasizing teamwork and community. Speakers also praised VABVI’s century of service and its role in helping blind and visually impaired Vermonters, and several members offered personal remarks honoring retiring Representative Francis “Topper” McFaun for his long service, mentorship, and family legacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would suggest, if this bill does move forward, that instead of 10 voters, you would do a percentage
• This is a bill that was requested to put forward as a request from the Secretary of State.
• Are you asking people to sort of mail in a copy of their birth certificate through the mail or a copy
• That's why I'm bringing the bill forward.
• But, you know, in the past I have put forward bills that said, well, you know, if you're there with your

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to bring forward John Morasco, please.
• And yet they get this license in the mail and say, "Well, what am I supposed to do with this?"
• <00:06:36.400> and they get this license in the mail and they get this license in the mail
• <00:06:50.000> and thousands of people moving forward and thousands of people moving forward
• Um, she said as long as it's unanimous. >> Keep that in mind as we go forward. All right.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You should have received them in the mail.
• 58.639> the uh you should have received them in the uh you should have received them in the mail
• Is there any corrections, mail.
• <00:44:13.680> And then they come forward after that.
• And then they come forward after that.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met on December 19, 2025, approved the draft minutes from the November 21 regular meeting, and received a DHS commissioners update. Patricia Tilly reported on the state’s rural health transformation application, saying CMS had provided only one question and positive feedback, that the final federal award amount was still pending, and that DHS was preparing an accept-and-expend item for fiscal review using an up-to amount. She also said the new Hampstead YDC facility remains on track, with substantive construction expected by late summer 2026 and move-in likely in early January 2027. In response to questions, she confirmed the playground/outdoor activity area had been in the original design and was added when funding became available. Henry Litman, Medicaid director, discussed the Senate Bill 248 study committee report on palliative and hospice care. He explained the distinction between palliative care, which can be provided while a patient still seeks curative treatment, and hospice care, which involves electing not to pursue curative services. He said the committee’s work pointed to a need for better education for providers and the public, and described ongoing conversations with the Foundation for Healthy Communities and Home Health and Hospice about developing materials and possibly addressing how palliative services are bundled. He also said the study committee itself did not generate future legislation, though members could pursue it separately. Litman then answered questions about Medicaid eligibility and long-term services and supports, including delays in processing, the backlog from pandemic-era redeterminations, and efforts to speed reviews. He said the department is using temporary staffing funded in part by last session’s legislation, working with the New Hampshire Healthcare Association, counties, and UNH Law to streamline policy and training, and relying more on electronic asset verification while still guarding against improper asset transfers. He emphasized the goal of balancing faster access to benefits with compliance and fraud prevention. Robert Rodler followed with the annual tuition waiver update for children in foster care or guardianship. He reported 82 applicants and 65 waivers granted, including 35 for USNH schools and 30 for the community college system, and noted a correction would be issued for inaccurate continuing/new student figures in the report. Senator Gray said he intends to pursue a separate budget appropriation for these tuition waiver costs in the future so the funding would be clearly identified and easier to track. No additional votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we're very interested in keeping track of this, so thanks for that update, and we look forward
• to hearing more later this year forward to hearing more later this year thank<00:15:51.839> you
• decision is very detailed that is mailed out<00:33:47.080> to<00:33:47.240> each<00:33
• So I will defer to their recommendation, and I recommend to the committee we move this forward as is.
• So I will defer to their recommendation, and I recommend to the committee we move this forward as is.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard several transportation and public safety measures on March 28, 2025. SB 1195 would prohibit parking within certain distances of crosswalks and intersections, direct parking fine revenue to the Safe Routes to School special fund, and remove the need for signs or curb markings in some cases. The Department of Transportation, Department of Health, and Ulupono Initiative supported the bill, emphasizing improved visibility, pedestrian safety, and funding for school-route improvements; written testimony included both support and one opposition. No vote was taken during the hearing segment provided. The committee also heard SB 1102 on the aircraft rescue firefighting unit chief, which would set term-based appointment provisions for the airport division’s fire chief. DOT supported the measure, saying it would give the director flexibility to select leadership and adapt to changing needs, while a member asked about current removal procedures for underperforming employees. The bill was presented as a management and leadership measure, with no action taken in the excerpt. SB 1216, addressing noisy mufflers and safety inspection requirements, drew DOT support in principle but concern that existing rules already cover inspection standards and that enforcement after inspection remains difficult; DOT also described a planned noise-detection camera pilot on Oʻahu. Testimony included support from neighborhood and advocacy groups and opposition from three individuals. For SB 30, which would require helmets for moped riders under 21, DOT and HPD supported the bill, citing crash data and injury prevention; testimony was evenly split overall, with six in support and six in opposition. SB 344 would require helmets for skateboard users under 18; DOT supported it, and a DOT witness explained current helmet rules for other devices such as e-bikes, scooters, and motorcycles. SB 1095, increasing decal size limits for special number plates, drew DOT concerns that larger decals could interfere with plate readability and automated enforcement. SB 1522 would make proof of filing required vehicle-transfer notice forms a complete defense to actions arising from the vehicle’s later use or abandonment; the Judiciary said it had no position on the bill’s merits but objected to language requiring new court forms and raised access and legal-advice concerns, while Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services supported the measure. The committee then heard SB 597, extending the deadline for the Administrative Driver’s License Revocation Office to issue written review decisions. The Attorney General and DOT supported the extension, citing limited toxicology capacity and shipping delays for testing, and several law enforcement and public health entities also supported it. In contrast, the ADLRO hearing officer testified with serious concerns about due process, warning that eliminating or delaying the review process could create constitutional problems, disproportionately burden people without attorneys, and jeopardize thousands of cases. Finally, SB 1285 proposed a tiered revocation system for DUI arrests; ADLRO strongly opposed it on due process grounds, while DOT supported it as a safety measure and the Hawaii Public Health Institute commented that evidence is lacking for standalone mandatory revocation and suggested stronger impaired-driving standards instead. The committee had not yet taken final action in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee looks forward to hearing your expertise and personal experiences as we consider the bills
• Please note that the committee will continue to accept written testimony, which may be submitted by mail
• With that, I again thank you all for your presence and commitment to justice, and I look forward to a
• We have S. 1048, an act relative to access to a decedent's electronic mail accounts.
• ...to a decedent's electronic mail accounts. ...for the opportunity to testify in front of you for S.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on a wide range of state, probate, and family bills, with chairs Edwards and Day outlining strict testimony limits and accepting written testimony. Early testimony focused on H. 1911/S. 1138, which would clarify that a durable power of attorney may create a trust if that authority is expressly granted; sponsors and elder law advocates said the bill would resolve uncertainty created by the Barbetti decision and align Massachusetts with other states. A major portion of the hearing centered on S. 1102, a proposal to establish medical panels in Probate and Family Court. Supporters, including attorneys, parents, physicians, and advocates, said neutral three-doctor panels would help judges resolve disputed medical issues in guardianship and custody cases involving children, elders, and people with disabilities. Testifiers described cases where medical treatment was blocked or contested by one parent or guardian, arguing the panels would provide impartial expertise and protect vulnerable people. The committee also heard support for bills addressing disability discrimination in family court, military parents’ custody rights, and a shared parenting bill, H. 1710, which drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and others who said a 50-50 presumption could harm survivors and children. The committee also took testimony on several probate and court-administration measures. Senator Lovely supported a bill on nominee trust partition, and Senator Comerford and probate officials backed legislation to codify additional registry staff positions and modernize registry operations. Other bills discussed included foster care liability insurance, with providers warning that rising premiums and loss of coverage could force program closures; health care proxy storage and activation; access to decedents’ email accounts; uniform trust decanting; the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act; heirs’ property partition protections; a constitutional right to health care; alimony-related reforms; child-centered family law; and a right of disposition for funeral arrangements. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee repeatedly invited written testimony and follow-up questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• comments as we move forward.
• comments as we move forward.
• comments as we move forward.
• comments as we move forward.
• comments as we move forward.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• show the gift of development forward show the gift of development forward rather<00:04:40.240>
• So um uh something to move forward with.
• <00:38:44.240> Wickland<00:38:44.640> and go forward, uh, Senator Wickland and go forward
• <00:54:03.839> when<00:54:04.079> we're mail when we're mail when we're closed.<00:54:06.079
• Thank you for bringing this forward.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is why we went forward with it.
• So that is why we went forward with it.
• <00:18:10.240> and<00:18:10.480> the that the governor put forward and the that the
• Mail them to look for. think it passes. Mail them to look for. That's<00:39:57.200> right.
• suggest that this is a good way forward suggest that this is a good way forward coming<00:43:38.240

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate you coming forward today.
• Anyone else who wishes to testify, please come forward. Welcome. Good morning.
• If the requester takes a look at that and immediately appeals, I know mail time was mentioned.
• They made sure we could move forward in a way that wasn't so detrimental.
• So there's a balance. and ownership or an interest and see a way forward.

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up several pending and uncontested bills. It favorably reported SB 1405, SB 1762, SB 1977, SB 2077, SB 2148, and SB 1968, and also moved SB 2321 to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 819, which would change how the Public Utility Commission reviews proposed utility-scale solar and related interconnection projects. The committee substitute would shift the default so interconnection is allowed unless the PUC affirmatively prohibits it within 180 days, limit denial to cases where harm substantially outweighs benefits, remove public meeting requirements, retain setback and financial assurance provisions, add optional application materials such as national security and environmental information, and restore local control over county tax abatements. The substitute was adopted and SB 819 was favorably reported to the full Senate on a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 231, focused on CenterPoint’s use of large emergency generators after Hurricane Beryl. Senator King explained that the original bill was intended to prevent customers from being charged for non-mobile generators that were leased at great cost and did not match the bill’s emergency-response purpose. CenterPoint’s Jason Ryan apologized for the company’s communication failures and said the company would make customers whole through a combination of rate reductions, foregone storm-cost recovery, and a donation of the 15 large generators to ERCOT for about two years to address a San Antonio-area reliability issue, with the company absorbing the associated costs. PUC Executive Director Connie Corona said the commission could enforce the agreement through its contested-case process. Public testimony included consumer and reliability advocates, one of whom argued utility-scale microgrids should be preserved as a policy option. SB 231 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 986, which would create an alternative process for routine Public Information Act requests so local governments can make initial redactions without sending every routine exception to the Attorney General, while preserving an appeal path and training requirements. Supporters said it would reduce backlog and speed access to records; opponents argued it would shift the burden to requesters and encourage delay. The AG’s office testified that the process could improve efficiency and still fit within current timelines if used promptly. SB 986 was left pending. Finally, SB 584 was briefly laid out to require consumer reporting agencies that buy data from others to ensure the information complies with Texas law on excluded items such as bankruptcies, judgments, and tax liens, and SB 600 was heard on heir property. SB 600’s substitute would strengthen notice, require an attorney ad litem, add an heir’s bill of rights, allow settlement conferences, and require fair-market-value sales protections; supporters said it would curb predatory partition practices, while opponents warned some provisions could burden or diminish minority heirs’ property rights. SB 584 and SB 600 were left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's minor or uh coming forward now.
• marriage license applications by mail marriage license applications by mail faximile<00:24:40.159>
• I'm not seeing anyone come forward.
• I'm not seeing anyone come forward.
• No one's coming forward.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, thank you to Representative Hill for carrying this bill forward.
• <00:02:49.319> um Hill for carrying this bill forward um Hill for carrying this bill forward
• <00:03:54.439> in in the world with the U in the mail in in the world with the U in the mail
• I appreciate all the input and look forward to working together.
• I appreciate all the input and look forward to working together.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . forward. forward.
• budget. forward unexpended non-grant operating forward unexpended non-grant operating funds<00:47:04.640
• provide is getting them their mail provide is getting them their mail through<00:59:31.760> other
• understand moving forward understand moving forward um,<01:04:18.000> would<01:04:18.240>
• But I look forward to working with all the councils moving forward, and I would encourage a no vote on

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The reality is that this is suggesting, this bill suggests, that we publicly post a mailing address.
• What this is suggesting is that we post a mailing address so we don't have crazy people show up at our
• But as an elected official and now being forward-facing, it's even a lot more difficult.
• I love the fact that it allows us to have a mailing address and protect our homes.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Written testimony may be submitted via email or physically mailed to the House and Senate Chairs.
• Written testimony may be submitted via email or physically mailed to the House and Senate Chairs.
• We look forward to your testimony.
• The other reason for bringing this bill forward is individuals who want access to kidney transplantation
• The other reason for bringing this bill forward is out of pocket.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on several health care bills focused primarily on autism services and kidney disease coverage. Committee chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman opened by outlining hearing procedures, testimony rules, and filing deadlines, and noted the hearing would be recorded and written testimony accepted. They said the day’s topics included affordability and access to behavioral health services, provider reimbursement, Medicare coverage for vulnerable populations, and MassHealth eligibility asset exemptions. A major portion of the hearing concerned House Bill 4623, which would add board-certified assistant behavior analysts (BCABAs) as a recognized mid-level supervisory role in the MassHealth reimbursement framework to help address long wait lists for autism spectrum disorder services. Representative Lisa Field, actuaries, clinicians, and autism service providers testified that the current two-tier model limits workforce capacity, contributes to long delays, and leaves families waiting months for care. Supporters said the bill could expand access, improve retention, and potentially reduce MassHealth costs, while also helping providers meet growing demand and new administrative requirements. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 4425 and Senate Bill 2737, which would allow Massachusetts residents under 65 with end-stage renal disease to purchase Medigap coverage. Legislators, dialysis advocates, and patients described high out-of-pocket costs under Medicare, barriers to kidney transplant eligibility without secondary insurance, and the financial strain on patients and families. Testifiers said the change would affect about 846 residents, could modestly increase premiums, and might reduce Medicaid spending by preventing asset spend-downs. Senator Gomez and others spoke from personal experience with dialysis and transplant care. Finally, the committee heard testimony on House Bill 4353 and Senate Bill 2587, which would require regular data-driven review of MassHealth ABA reimbursement rates. Providers and association representatives argued that reimbursement has not kept pace with inflation, workforce shortages, accreditation costs, and new 2026 MassHealth policy requirements, and said the bills would improve transparency and ensure rates reflect the true cost of care. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with the chairs thanking participants, inviting additional written testimony, and adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Was this sent certified mail?
• And and people sent certified mail?
• <00:41:20.480> um would be in tears about the mail um would be in tears about the mail um
• direction and moving decisions forward direction and moving decisions forward that<00:43:05.280>
• Downham, we thought, brought forward some legitimate concerns.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Michael Infanzon, come forward. Are the other two in the house? I don't... I can't make it.
• who mails the abortion pill or the individual who purchases them.
• Okay, Attorney Miller, come forward from Pinal County Attorney.
• I just want to thank the Pinal County Attorney's Office for coming forward and making sure that this
• I am looking forward to some amendments on the floor, and for now I will be a note until I see some of

Bills: HB2043, HB2046, HB2126, HB2131, HB2132, HB2133, HB2223, HB2265, HB2411, HB2666

Keywords: felony murder, unborn child, homicide, Arizona Revised Statutes, life imprisonment, death penalty, education, funding, school districts, state aid, education reform, venue, employee conflict, superior court, legal proceedings, workplace disputes, weapons, explosives, trafficking, firearm regulations

Summary: The committee heard several criminal justice and victims’ rights bills. HB 2131 would remove the financial-gain element from weapons/explosives trafficking and impose stricter sentencing, including no early release for trafficking three or more weapons; it received a due pass recommendation on a 6-1 vote. HB 2132 would lower the fentanyl trafficking threshold from 200 grams to 100 grams and adjust related motor-vehicle language; supporters said it would help prosecutors and law enforcement, while opponents warned it would sweep in heavy users and lacked data on current prosecutions. It passed 4-3. HB 2223 would require sex offenders seeking a name change to notify prosecutors and victims, and to register under the new name with the old name as an alias; it passed 6-1. The committee also considered HB 2411, creating the crime of coerced abortion for secretly or forcibly administering abortion-inducing drugs without a pregnant woman’s knowledge or consent. Supporters argued existing laws do not clearly cover situations where the drug is given but no death occurs; opponents said assault, manslaughter, homicide, and food-contamination statutes already address the conduct and warned the bill was unnecessary and aimed at abortion access. The bill passed 4-3. HB 2043 would add unborn children to the felony-murder statute; supporters called it a cleanup measure closing a loophole, while opponents said it was an abortion/personhood measure with broader implications. It passed 4-3. HB 2046 would require victims of sex offenses to be notified of pre-hearings in probation review matters involving young sex offenders; victims and prosecutors said the change would ensure meaningful participation, and it passed unanimously 7-0. HB 2666 would increase penalties for sexual extortion involving 15-, 16-, and 17-year-olds when committed by an adult, and it passed unanimously 7-0. HB 2265 would eliminate court fees and assessments tied to public defenders, jury trials, appeals, and related criminal-case charges; supporters framed it as protecting constitutional rights, while counties warned of lost revenue, and it passed 7-0. Finally, HB 2133 would require commercial websites hosting sexual material to verify consent and age of depicted persons, retain records, and treat synthetic depictions as images; the sponsor said it was meant to curb CSAM and revenge porn, while testifiers raised concerns about breadth, record retention, and constitutional issues.