Transcript Highlights:

• His dream was to serve the community and to protect our fellow New Mexicans.
• This really does impact rural communities where many of our members live.
• We did it because we found it increasingly difficult to communicate with the community that we are supposed
• at large. our communities at large.
• By eliminating these fees, you're essentially putting that money back into the community and into communities

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> right thing, and serving his community. right thing, and serving his community.
• </c> by example to protect our communities by example to protect our communities for<02:01:06.719><c>
• Our community, our raise a family.
• </c> service and dedication to the community. service and dedication to the community.
• </c> field and strengthened communities field and strengthened communities across<02:12:35.280><c> this

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> communities. That is so important to us. communities.
• Maybe these kids today community impact.
• ><c> their</c><00:34:11.119><c> communities</c><00:34:11.679><c> working</c> and across their communities
• </c><00:37:04.960><c> across</c> extreme value to our communities across extreme value to our communities
• The community outreach has been amazing.

Summary: The committee heard first from Kentucky Farm Bureau leaders, who outlined the organization’s current priorities and recent work on farmland transition. Eddie Melton said Farm Bureau is working through 983 county and advisory committee resolutions and highlighted support for the updated selling farmer tax credit, now law through House Bill 775, as well as Senate Bill 28’s agriculture economic development provisions. He said Farm Bureau’s likely priorities include maintaining the 50% share of the tobacco settlement fund for agriculture, protecting funding for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, preserving sales tax exemptions on farm inputs, keeping property taxes controlled, and exploring additional tools to keep farmland in active farmers’ hands, including possible loan or inheritance-tax changes. He also raised concerns about eminent domain transparency, nuisance deer permits, and access to agricultural inputs and crop protection products. Alita Bots described the farmland transition initiative in more detail, saying the revised state tax credit is generating strong interest and that a new federal tax provision now allows eligible land sales to actively engaged farmers to spread capital gains taxes over time. She said the initiative has reached 22 counties and more than 1,300 people this year through outreach and meetings, and that Farm Bureau is pairing policy work with resources to help farm families plan transitions and prepare wills and other estate documents. Drew Graham added that the effort is also meant to bridge the rural-urban divide and support rural communities, and Farm Bureau invited members to its annual meeting in early December. Members asked about rising insurance costs and deer damage. Farm Bureau representatives said severe convective storms, inflation, and higher repair and material costs have driven insurance rate increases, citing five major storm events since 2021 and a recent Owensboro hailstorm that caused about $350 million in losses; they said the company is moving toward percentage deductibles to help moderate increases. On deer, they said crop-loss totals are hard to quantify but acknowledged the problem and discussed possible coordination with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and Hunters for the Hungry. Commissioner Jonathan Shell then began the Department of Agriculture presentation, reporting gains from the department’s school agriculture outreach program, including a 23% increase in county participation between March and September and improved teacher-reported student learning, before continuing into the department’s legislative priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• I communicated with him last night.
• I'm not trying to block community organizers.
• I'm not trying to block community organizers.
• </c> a community a community organizer<01:03:43.079><c> and</c><01:03:44.079><c> a</c><01:03:44.240><
• </c> I'm not trying to block Community I'm not trying to block Community organizers<01:04:24.000><c>

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• This rule change had the support of the community, the industry, and all the legislators.
• This rule change had the support of the community, the industry, and all the legislators.
• </c><00:25:19.399><c> the</c> the support of the community the the support of the community the industry
• Getting the communities to be involved, getting the communities to be involved, and implement these programs
• </c><01:37:10.679><c> but</c> among the Public Health Community but among the Public Health Community

Summary: The joint House and Senate agriculture committees met on January 17, 2025, for an informational briefing on biosecurity and invasive species; Chair Kahaloa opened by noting there would be no public testimony. Members introduced themselves, and the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC) program manager Chelsea Arnot outlined the purpose of the briefing and the statewide impacts of invasive species, citing examples such as coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ant, coquí frogs, albizia, and mosquito-borne disease. She emphasized that biosecurity requires coordinated action across state departments, counties, federal agencies, universities, and communities, and highlighted HISC’s role in funding interagency projects, island invasive species committees, research, outreach, and early detection efforts. Arnot and HISC representatives described major funding and program needs, including a requested $4.25 million increase to HISC to raise its baseline budget to $10 million, support island committee operations, research, biocontrol, marine biosecurity, surveillance, and staffing. They also requested $500,000 for the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab, saying it is critical to invasive ant research and little fire ant response. The briefing also noted HISC’s leverage of federal dollars, including a $4.6 million REPI award with HISC providing the match, and cited successful collaborative eradications and responses, including veiled chameleons on Maui, axis deer on Hawaiʻi Island, and a 2023 coconut rhinoceros beetle response on Maui that prevented further spread. Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture officials then discussed implementation of updated administrative rules effective January 20, 2025, which permanently restrict movement of coconut rhinoceros beetle host material and give the department stronger authority to stop movement of infested material. They reported 2024 import activity of about 50,000 ship and aircraft arrivals, inspection/clearance of 20 million pieces, and 16,000 interceptions, with additional staffing from Act 231 expected to increase interceptions. They also described Act 231 funding and current spending status: about 65% obligated and 52% encumbered, with some funds tied to contracts for CRB and little fire ant response, plus an $800,000 green-waste hauling RFP that had to be reissued because of a flaw. The department said 580 Oʻahu homes and 290 Hawaiʻi Island homes are slated for little fire ant treatment, while Maui and Kauaʻi will focus on survey and outreach. Members questioned how homes are selected for subsidized treatment, whether HISC and the island invasive species committees received Act 231 support, and whether the state should direct how contracted funds are prioritized. Representative Martin raised concerns that the RFP limited eligibility to private pest control companies and excluded more experienced entities such as the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab. Department officials said they would follow up on prioritization and funding details, and noted that emergency proclamations and procurement flexibility could help with rapid response and hiring during invasive species emergencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> units is a lot for our small community. units is a lot for our small community.
• And our mission is to partner with community to develop places for people to call home.
• </c> our communities will be served. our communities will be served.
• actually have the infrastructure like a regular community would.
• </c><00:20:35.920><c> of</c> looking outside of the community of looking outside of the community of

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• was very appreciated by the community, but he noted, you know, the reality of living in a rural community
• So it becomes a community storm shelter. There are no questions. Mr.
• Some of our communities<01:15:27.320><c> like</c> communities like communities like in<01:15:28.400><
• </c> family and community. family and community.
• President. communications, and announcements. communications, and announcements.

Transcript Highlights:

• PLU's community has helped PLU's community has helped me and supported not just me, but the thousands
• The federal program was designed to address the needs of the community.
• The concern is arising that the expansion of the community.
• The federal program was designed to address the needs of the community.
• The concern is arising that the expansion of the community.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 5828, which would restore and adjust Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship award levels for students attending private, not-for-profit four-year institutions. Staff explained the bill would set the awards at 90 percent of the regional and state college rate rather than 50 percent of the research rate, with an estimated fiscal impact of $3.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and $18.6 million over four years. Testimony was largely in support from private college presidents, students, and school counselors, who said the bill would help low-income and first-generation students and preserve access and enrollment choices; some public college student representatives said they did not oppose the bill but argued that cuts to public-school aid should be restored first. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5911, which would prohibit DCYF from using benefits or funds of youth in extended foster care as reimbursement for their cost of care beginning in 2027, while requiring support for benefit management and payee arrangements and allowing protected accounts such as ABLE accounts. Staff estimated a net fiscal impact of $608,000 in fiscal year 2027 and $2.2 million per biennium thereafter. Testimony in support said the bill would end the practice of withholding SSI and other benefits from youth in care and better support disabled youth transitioning to adulthood. Members asked questions about fiduciary responsibility and representative payee arrangements. In executive session, the committee adopted amendments and advanced several bills. It adopted Amendment Clark 350 to House Bill 2689, raising the required provider response rate for the child care market rate survey to 65 percent, and then reported the bill out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 18-11, with two excused. It adopted Amendment H-3743.1 to Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5395 on retrospective prior authorization denials and reported that bill out unanimously. It also adopted Amendment Pool 272 to Senate Bill 5420 and reported that bill out unanimously. For Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5496, the committee adopted several amendments clarifying scope and penalties but rejected amendments that would have delayed the bill or replaced it with a study; the bill was then reported out with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard amendment briefings on other bills, including 5981, 6026, 6160, 6184, and 6211, but deferred action on some items heard that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our mission is women's suffrage, community activism, and just coming together to support the community
• Our mission is women's suffrage, community activism, and just coming together to support the community
• Our mission is the women's suffrage, community activism, and just coming together into support in the
• community.
• So that's activism, and just coming together into support in the community. Sure.

Committee: House Special Committee on Tourism

Summary: The Special Committee on Tourism met with all members present and held a public hearing on House Bill 2796, sponsored by Representative Marlon Anderson. The bill concerns honoring the Honorable Frankie Muse Freeman, a St. Louis legal pioneer and civil rights advocate who argued Davis v. St. Louis Housing Authority, served on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and has a statue in Kiener Plaza. Representative Anderson and several committee members spoke in support, emphasizing her contributions to civil rights, women’s rights, and the legal profession. Testimony in favor also came from Tierra Harrell of the NAACP State Conference and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, who said the bill would continue Freeman’s legacy and support education and awareness, and from Miguel Ariannis, who said Freeman’s recognition was appropriate given her role in the civil rights movement and her inclusion in the Civil Rights Walk of Fame. During questioning, Harrell briefly explained Delta Sigma Theta’s founding and mission. No one testified in opposition. The committee did not take a vote on the bill during this portion of the meeting. After the hearing concluded and no further business remained, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> school and community ser uh nutrition. school and community ser uh nutrition.
• . community. community.
• It's going to take time, and it's going to take community, and our community is fantastic.
• It's going to take time, and it's going to take community, and our community is fantastic.
• </c> stakeholder uh community farm alliance. stakeholder uh community farm alliance.

Summary: The task force met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the August 20 meeting, and then heard testimony from Representative Steven Doan on House Bill 439, a school nutrition bill aimed at restricting certain ultra-processed foods in schools. Doan said the bill was inspired by his own health journey and his work in agriculture, and he described the measure as targeting specific chemical additives in foods served during the school day, not concession sales or after-hours activities. He said the bill would phase in later to give schools time to adjust and noted that the list of restricted additives was drawn from efforts in other states and advocacy groups. Members asked about the chemical abstract numbers, fiscal impact, summer meal programs, fundraisers, and whether the bill would affect parent-provided items; Doan said he had not done a fiscal note and explained that the bill was intended to apply only during instructional time on school property. Committee members generally reacted favorably, with some raising practical concerns about cost and implementation. One member asked about high fructose corn syrup, which Doan said was not included because it is too pervasive in the food system. Another member noted that schools already limit some homemade items and asked about the line between school-provided and parent-provided food. Doan also said the list was based in part on Turning Point USA materials and similar laws in other states, and he referenced federal efforts to define ultra-processed foods. The committee then heard from Kentucky Department of Education officials Matt Ross, Lauren Moore, and Katie Embry on school meals and nutrition programs. They outlined Kentucky’s school lunch, breakfast, summer meals, and other USDA child nutrition programs, including participation and reimbursement figures, and explained how community eligibility provision schools, meal patterns, offer-versus-serve, smart snacks, and local wellness policies work. They said USDA and FDA are currently seeking public input on a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods, that there are no current USDA requirements specifically on ultra-processed foods, and that schools already operate under federal and state rules governing competitive foods, including a state time restriction on smart snacks. They also discussed local purchasing, noting its benefits but also the procurement and staffing challenges schools face. No votes or final actions on the bill were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a significant reaction to that from advocates in the community, who did not think that the
• We will continue to work with our partners, community partners, stakeholders, and members.
• I'm concerned about the community hospital system.
• I'm concerned about the community hospital system.
• So I mean, I think You're expecting on the community hospitals. Yeah.

Summary: The subcommittee opened with roll call and approved the November 2025 minutes. Commissioner Charlie Carr then introduced Leslie Darcy, chief of LTSS at MassHealth, who provided an update on the PCA working group and on federal and state budget pressures affecting MassHealth and long-term services and supports. Darcy said the PCA working group had completed its work and submitted recommendations, including reinstating the 66-hour overtime cap, strengthening program integrity, and ending paid paperwork time for EVV users; she said those changes were implemented on 11/26 and were expected to save $7.4 million. She also described additional consensus recommendations to lower the overtime cap from 66 to 60 hours, create a seven-hour weekly meal-prep support limit, and continue exploring benchmarks, though the group could not reach consensus on a benchmark standard. Darcy warned that a federal bill enacted about six months earlier would significantly affect MassHealth, with an estimated $3.5 billion loss to the Commonwealth by 2028. She outlined upcoming changes including revised immigrant eligibility rules in October 2026, work requirements for certain non-disabled adults beginning in January 2027, six-month redeterminations for some adults, and shorter retroactive coverage periods. In response to questions, she said people with disabilities and Medicare beneficiaries would be exempt from the work and six-month redetermination requirements. She also explained that reduced federal ACA subsidies were being offset in Massachusetts by state spending, including $250 million in additional state support to keep premiums lower for middle-income families. Members raised concerns about community hospitals, the health safety net, and the impact of federal funding changes on provider rates and uncompensated care. Darcy said restrictions on provider taxes would limit MassHealth’s ability to use those revenues to support rates, and she noted a current $300 million shortfall in the health safety net. She said FY27 would likely include a rate freeze, targeted reductions, one-time budget measures, and further work groups to examine programs such as adult foster care, which she said had grown 40% in two years. Carr emphasized that the situation was serious but potentially fluid, and the meeting ended with no further business; the subcommittee agreed to adjourn before the next meeting and noted an upcoming February presentation from the Department of Public Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• We share our appreciation for their advocacy, leadership, and work to expand communication access and
• SB 1729, ownership limits plan communities. Government. SB 1730, canton point road. ATT.
• And I look forward to having those discussions starting today, ongoing communication.
• But at the end of the day, I vote... ...today, ongoing communication.
• SB 1826, appropriation, right-finding rural communities. ATT.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and several guest introductions recognizing Arizona Dental Hygienists Association visitors, deaf and hard of hearing advocacy groups, Arizona Society of Anesthesiologists members, the Doctor of the Day, tribal voting advocates, and other guests. Members also observed a moment of silence for two DPS officers killed earlier that morning. The chamber then received a long list of bills and resolutions for first reading and committee referral, covering elections, education, public safety, health, tribal affairs, housing, agriculture, and other topics. The main floor action was in Committee of the Whole on SB 1425, an elections bill dealing with the July primary and related election procedures. The bill was amended in committee, then further amended on the floor, and the Committee of the Whole recommended it do pass as amended. During third reading, members spoke in support of the measure as a bipartisan election fix that would move the primary up two weeks, improve ballot timing, and require observers in every county. Senator Hatathlie highlighted persistent tribal voting barriers such as mail ballot issues, dual-addressing problems, ID access, funding shortages, misinformation, and polling-place disruptions, while Senator Gonzalez voted no because of the emergency clause. The bill passed 27-1 with two not voting and was transmitted to the House. The Senate also adopted two proclamations: one naming September 4, 2026, as Taekwondo Day in Arizona and another declaring February 2026 as American Heart Month, encouraging CPR and AED awareness. After a recess, the Senate returned briefly to introduce additional bills, refer SB 1315 to Public Safety and SB 1090 to Finance, announce upcoming committee meetings, and then adjourn until Monday, February 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to introduce the care folks that are here today in the Arizona Muslim Association community that
• They are making sure our communities do not go hungry.
• His commitment to justice and community was unwavering, but it was always grounded in love, love for
• this community, and most of all, love for his family.
• Thank you for sharing their father with our community and for continuing the legacy with dignity and

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a significant reaction to that from advocates in the community, who did not think that the
• I'm concerned about the community hospital system.
• I'm concerned about the community hospital system.
• So I mean, I think You're expecting on the community hospitals. Yeah.
• We're having conversations currently with community providers and MHA about what we should do moving

Summary: The Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met with roll call, approval of prior minutes, and a presentation from Leslie Darcy, chief of LTSS at MassHealth. The main discussion focused on the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) working group, which had completed its legislatively mandated review and submitted recommendations. Darcy said several earlier recommendations were already implemented, including reinstating the 66-hour overtime cap, strengthening program integrity efforts, and removing paperwork-related authorized hours for EVV users. The group then reached consensus on additional recommendations to reduce the overtime cap from 66 to 60 hours, set a seven-hour weekly meal-prep support limit, and continue work on benchmarks, though no consensus was reached on a benchmark standard. Darcy said the proposed changes were intended to preserve program integrity while addressing rapid cost growth in PCA services. Darcy also reviewed the expected effects of a recent federal Medicaid-related bill, estimating that Massachusetts could lose about $3.5 billion by January 2028. She described upcoming changes affecting Medicaid eligibility for certain immigrant groups in October 2026, work requirements for some non-disabled adults beginning in January 2027, six-month redeterminations for certain adults, and shorter retroactive coverage periods. She emphasized that people with disabilities and people on Medicare would be exempt from the new work requirements and six-month redeterminations. Members asked about the impact on community hospitals, the health safety net, and ACA premium subsidies; Darcy said federal changes could worsen uncompensated care pressures, but Massachusetts used state funds to offset the loss of enhanced ACA premium tax credits, helping keep premiums lower for middle-income families. In response to questions about the FY27 budget, Darcy said MassHealth expected targeted reductions, some one-time measures, and likely a rate freeze rather than large base cuts, with further cost-containment work to follow in FY28. She noted that LTSS is a major share of MassHealth spending and that programs such as PCA, adult foster care, and adult day services are state-plan entitlements once adopted by the state, even though the federal government does not require them. Charlie Carr and other members stressed that the PCA work group had been difficult but collaborative, and Carr said the recommendations were modest compared with other options considered. The meeting ended with a brief planning discussion about a February guest presentation from the Department of Public Health and a motion to adjourn, which was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second thing is Florida community care.
• And so I think Florida community care. We have had excellent communication.
• The Florida community care did and and spoke at that town hall meeting.
• We have an open line of communication, so things that do need to bubble up to our level.
• have communication challenges.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to protect our states and local communities, we need to pass a strong data center bill that
• Two million dollars went to community energy transition grants to help communities that were reliant
• Wildlife and local communities depend on clean water. This is important.
• We've talked about net metering and community solar; the provisions there would kill those.
• These are ways to revitalize communities as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• This year, we had 30 recommendations that were communicated to the Senate President, the House Speaker
• You know what this means to me and the community of recovering people that I represent.
• The values of hard work and community, coupled with my fundamental belief in God, has led me and served
• engagement, and skills for independence, like the transfer... ...that promote employment, community
• Violet Gonzalez, Sunrise Community, waving in support.

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs met to consider several bills and the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. SB 1310, relating to reporting of student mental health outcomes, was temporarily postponed. The committee then took up SB 1354 on behavioral health managing entities, adopted a delete-all amendment, and heard support for the bill’s focus on transparency, accountability, audits, referral patterns, and a DCF report due by December 1. Members discussed the capacity of the current reporting system and the need for coordination with school districts. The committee voted the bill favorably. The committee next considered SB 1620 on mental health and substance abuse disorders, which implements selected recommendations from the 2025 Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. The bill, as amended, includes reforms on dignity and patient-centered care, crisis response, individualized treatment plans, use of the DLA-20 assessment tool, data analysis by the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, and creation of a research center. Amendments removed a direct medication-provision requirement in favor of a review and report on discharge procedures, medication adherence, and long-acting injectables, and clarified licensure priorities for short-term residential treatment programs. Testimony and debate emphasized the need for action, better data, and efficient use of public funds. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard from Taylor Hatch, the Governor’s appointee to lead DCF. Hatch described her background in state government and her priorities for DCF, including coordination, transparency, prevention, permanency, and responsiveness to vulnerable Floridians. Several members spoke in support, citing her experience at APD and familiarity with the agency’s work. The committee voted unanimously to recommend her confirmation, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are the messages from the governor and other executive communications? None on the desk, Mr.
• The more they are able to adapt, the more they are able to communicate and become part of the family.
• It is children having a very hard time communicating, thought, body movement, that kind of thing.
• It is children having a very hard time communicating, thought, body movement, that kind of thing.
• Communicating, the thought, body movement, that kind of thing. And I stand here as an ESE teacher.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, doctor-of-the-day recognition, and a series of introductions honoring visitors and groups in the galleries, including Moffitt Cancer Center, students from Lakeland Christian School, space industry guests, Kappa Alpha Psi, the Florida Association of Licensed Investigators, and others. Senators also made announcements about local delegations visiting the Capitol and a session wellness competition. The chamber then took up CS/CS/SB 112, relating to children with developmental disabilities. Senator Harrell presented the bill as a major autism-focused measure that would expand screening and referral grants, extend Early Steps services through age four with a federal waiver, designate the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment as a statewide hub for research and coordination, create grants for autism-focused summer programs and charter school models, and establish a microcredential for workers who serve children with autism. Senators Davis, Jones, Osgood, Duma, Wright, and others supported the bill while raising concerns about provider shortages, Medicaid managed care coverage, the need for better recruitment incentives, and the importance of research into causes and treatments. Harrell responded that services would be covered under new contracts, Medicaid would provide coverage, the University of Florida would develop the online credential with a stipend incentive, and the bill was a first step in a broader effort that should also address adults on the spectrum. The Senate passed CS/CS/SB 112 unanimously, 38-0, and then adopted a motion to immediately certify the bill to the House. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 1856 by publication, honoring the life and legacy of Senator Geraldine Thompson, with 38 co-introducers recorded. In addition, SB 1324 by Senator Simon was withdrawn from further consideration, and the Senate adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 48, introduced by Senator Stewart, an act relating to public finance, creating the community
• Taking a transfer from the general fund to the community benefit fund.
• Senate Bill 49, introduced by Senator Stewart, an act making appropriations and transfers from the community
• And transfers from the community benefit fund contingent on enactment of the fund during the first session
• A device used to make a 911 service communication for the purpose of responding to the communication

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> elected</c><00:29:08.720><c> budget</c> for communities with elected budget for communities with
• </c> those decisions help their communities those decisions help their communities achieve<02:20:23.359
• </c> impactful transactions on communities. impactful transactions on communities.
• Um I think the uh local communities.
• . communities. communities.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Summary: The committee convened for a day of public hearings on nine bills, with plans to later execute several early bills and possibly additional measures under House Rule 44. Chair Diane Pauer outlined time limits for sponsors and testimony, announced a lunch break around noon, and noted substitute members would be arriving later. The first hearing was on House Bill 1107, which would allow municipal budget committees to have one to three alternate members. Representative Valon, the prime sponsor, said the bill was intended to help towns like Epping deal with quorum problems during the compressed budget season and noted that alternates are common on other local boards. The New Hampshire Municipal Association testified in support, saying the bill would increase flexibility and help fill seats. Committee members raised concerns about whether alternates should be elected, how they would be selected, whether they would be sufficiently informed to vote, and whether the bill’s one-year term language and rescission provisions were clear. The sponsor and NHMA said the process would be consistent with other local boards, that alternates would typically be appointed after elections, and that they would follow up on possible statutory clarification. The hearing closed with six remote supporters, one paper supporter, and no opposition reported. The committee then heard House Bill 1118, sponsored by Representative Colby, which would raise the daily amount municipal employees may hold before remitting funds to the treasurer from the current $1,500 limit to $3,500. Colby said the existing thresholds are outdated, have not been updated in about 20 years, and create burdens for smaller towns that must make frequent bank deposits, sometimes far from town offices. She said the bill would improve efficiency and allow staff to focus more on serving residents, while still allowing municipalities to keep lower limits if they choose. Members asked about how the remittance process works in practice, what amounts municipalities typically collect, and whether the change reflected a broader trend of updating cash-handling thresholds. The sponsor explained that the bill only changes the dollar thresholds in the relevant statutes and does not require municipalities to adopt the higher limit. The transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1118 is reported.