Transcript Highlights:

• But we look at it this way: a small investment by the state, similar to other programs that have been
• And so however way they work those mechanisms, I'm sure that... ...to state.
• Taking this cap off is not going to be a huge cost to the state; it's around $6 million.
• There's approximately 130,000 veterans in the state of New Mexico.
• There's approximately 130,000 veterans in the state of New Mexico.

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee heard House Bill 29, which would appropriate $8 million to the military base impact fund. The sponsor and supporters said the money would help local communities around New Mexico’s military installations compete for federal grants and fund mission-readiness infrastructure such as utilities, roads, water treatment, and other defense-critical projects. Support came from the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the New Mexico Veterans and Military Families Caucus, the Kirtland Partnership, and others, who argued the investment would strengthen military readiness, protect jobs, and bring federal dollars into the state. Committee members asked about the types of projects eligible, whether data centers or clean-energy projects could be involved, how water and local regulations would apply, and how the grant process would work. The bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation and no opposition. The committee then heard House Bill 221, which would remove the $30,000 cap on the New Mexico income tax deduction for military retirement pay. The sponsor said the change would cost about $6 million annually but would help attract and retain military retirees, many of whom retire relatively young and may start businesses or remain active in the state economy. The Department of Veterans Services and the New Mexico Veterans and Military Families Caucus testified in support. Committee questions focused on how many retirees would be affected, the fiscal impact, and longer-term projections; department staff said the veteran population in New Mexico is gradually declining over time based on VA modeling. HB 221 also received a due pass recommendation with no opposition. After both bills were approved, the chair announced the committee was nearing its dinner hour and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:08.320><c> um</c> the state um the state um taxes,<00:30:10.480><c> G.
• </c> alignment for the state. Thank you. alignment for the state. Thank you.
• </c> in their state. in their state.
• </c> state right now due to lost bets? state right now due to lost bets?
• Is that from other states?

Bills: HB2118 , HB2473

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, Hawaiian culture, sense of place, land management, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to permitting and economic development. On HB 2603, relating to permits, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it supported the measure with comments. Committee discussion focused on the fact that the state’s facilitated permit process appears to have been rarely or never used, the need to identify specific projects that would use it, and whether DBEDT would need dedicated staffing to administer it. DBEDT said it had found no projects under the current process, had no capacity to run the program as structured, and estimated it would need about 7 to 9 FTEs, including permitting, coordination, data, systems, and possibly legal support. The chair suggested exploring a staff assignment and comparing the concept to federal FAST-41-style expedited permitting. On HB 2140, relating to essential permitting positions, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development again supported the bill with comments. Testimony and questioning centered on a pilot program to help counties pay competitively for permitting staff. A DBEDT representative said the issue of competitive pay affected both county and state permitting offices and that the bill was intended as a temporary pilot, though a more permanent solution would be preferable. When asked how counties would fund the salary support, the witness said that was not yet discussed with the counties and agreed to follow up. The committee also noted the bill applies to participating counties. On HB 2598, relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the State Procurement Office and HTDC offered comments, and the Department of the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns. The AG said the bill’s residency-based certification requirements, when tied to procurement, could implicate the dormant Commerce Clause, and that the required 1% contribution tied to state contracts raised unconstitutional-conditions concerns. In questioning, the AG characterized these as legal risks rather than automatic lawsuits. The committee did not take a vote. The committee then heard HB 2141, relating to state enterprise zones. Taxation, DBEDT, HCDA, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and HTDC testified in support, while the Tax Foundation noted the program was intended to help economically depressed areas create jobs. HTDC said the bill would help preserve the Maui Research and Technology Center’s enterprise-zone status after rezoning. Committee discussion focused on whether the enterprise zone program is being used effectively, how the bill might attract businesses to areas where the state is investing, and whether the program’s labor requirements are too burdensome for new businesses. DBEDT explained that the program requires a 10% workforce increase in the first year, which must be sustained, and said it promotes the program through county coordinators and in-person outreach. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most other states Defense services provided across the state.
• into another state.
• I am the weed chassis development engineer for the Hornet Racing team at Sacramento State University.
• I am an industrial design student at San Francisco State University and former Air Force.
• I am an IT technician in K-12 public schools in Washington State, and I am here today to oppose AB 2047

Summary: The Senate Public Safety Committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing a long agenda of bills. Early items included AB 2605, which would require statewide reporting on public defense services; supporters said California lacks basic data on how indigent defense is delivered and that the bill would help identify under-resourced counties, while no opposition appeared. AB 1650 would require rental vehicles used in law enforcement operations to display agency identification; supporters framed it as a transparency and community-trust measure in response to immigration enforcement tactics, while sheriffs and police groups opposed it unless amended, arguing it could compromise undercover and task-force operations and raise legal and indemnification concerns. AB 1930 would require notice to the Attorney General before business entities respond to subpoenas involving legally protected abortion or gender-affirming care information; supporters said it protects patient privacy and provider safety, while opponents raised constitutional, law-enforcement, and business-burden concerns. The committee also heard AB 458, directing state procurement guidelines for firearms and accessories so agencies buy from responsible vendors, with support from police chiefs, gun-violence prevention groups, and local officials, and no opposition testimony offered. The committee then heard AB 1588 on sideshows and street takeovers, which would update the definition of sideshows, include motorcycles and dirt bikes, and align penalties with street racing. Supporters, including police, city, transportation, and road-safety advocates, said the bill responds to dangerous events, property damage, and injuries; opponents from civil liberties and public defender groups argued higher fines and criminal penalties are ineffective and disproportionately harm low-income people, favoring roadway design and community-based prevention instead. AB 910, the Survivors Act, would expand affirmative defenses and vacature relief for survivors of trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence; supporters, including a survivor who described decades of abuse and wrongful conviction, said the bill gives survivors a chance to tell their stories and seek relief, while district attorneys opposed expanding relief to violent offenses and warned it could erase restitution and undermine victims’ rights. AB 2624 would expand Safe at Home confidentiality protections to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers; supporters described threats, doxxing, and harassment against immigrant-serving organizations, while opponents claimed the bill was prompted by investigative reporting on fraud and would chill journalism and transparency. The committee also heard AB 31, making the tribal police pilot program permanent and creating a missing and murdered Indigenous persons task force, which drew strong support from tribal representatives and no opposition. Later, AB 1959 sought to close a resentencing loophole tied to a 2001 Santana High School shooting case by restoring judicial discretion in resentencing for certain juvenile offenders; supporters said the current process can lead to automatic release even after parole denial, while opposition testimony began with concerns that the bill was responding to one case and lacked broader evidence. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly noted they supported several bills but could not formally vote because the committee lacked a quorum, so motions were held for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that serves as a good model for universities, for colleges, for schools, for state buildings
• , for colleges, for schools, universities, for colleges, for schools, for<00:28:51.640><c> state</c><
• </c> and state employee benefits. and state employee benefits.
• State State agencies and than expected.
• </c> exist across the state. exist across the state.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to welcome and introduce in our chamber today a former Hawaii girl now working out of Washington
• mission is vital to the health of our communities and residents here in the state.
• Lauren Simpson Gomez, um, state government relations, and Megan Davidson.
• </c><00:15:41.400><c> So,</c> and residents here in the state. So, and residents here in the state.
• /c><00:15:50.840><c> relations,</c> Gomez, um state government relations, Gomez, um state government

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and guests are asked to remain standing and join in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States
• and guests are asked to remain standing and join in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands
• I, Andrew Tarr, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States.
• I will support the Constitution of the United States.

Summary: The House convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and received a gubernatorial message on fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The House also approved several resolutions, including honoring Abby Goodman, reaffirming Massachusetts-Taiwan friendship, recognizing the Cambodian American Khmer New Year celebration, and observing Elks National Youth Week. Senate petitions on assisted living residences and medication administration in rest homes were referred to the Committee on Aging and Independence, and the House concurred with those referrals. The main legislative business was House Bill 5279/5375, the transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. Ways and Means recommended an amended substitute bill, and the House adopted the amendment and advanced the bill to third reading. Later, the House took up the substitute bill, House 5375, and members spoke in support of the Chapter 90 transportation package, emphasizing municipal road and bridge funding, rural road mileage distribution, housing-related infrastructure, lifecycle asset management, DCR deferred maintenance, and MBTA electrified locomotives. A roll call vote was ordered, and the bill was passed to be engrossed by a vote of 155 in favor and 0 against. The House also passed to be engrossed a bill authorizing the grant of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the city of Boston. In addition, the chamber received the certified returns for the 5th Essex District special election and adopted an order creating a special committee to escort the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Executive Council for the swearing-in of Representative-elect Andrew Francis Robert Tarr. Tarr was then administered the oaths of office by Governor Maura Healey and seated. The House later adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• and guests are asked to remain standing and join in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States
• To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under
• As State Representative for the Fifth Essex District.
• Do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States.
• I will support the Constitution of the United States.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and guests are asked to remain standing and join in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States
• To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under
• As State Representative for the 5th Essex District.
• That I will support the Constitution of the United States. Congratulations, Representative.
• I will support the Constitution of the United States.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House received a Governor’s message on fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The Committee on Rules reported several resolutions, including honors for Abby Goodman, a resolution reaffirming Massachusetts-Taiwan friendship, recognition of the Cambodian-American community’s Khmer New Year celebration, and Elks National Youth Week; the House suspended the rules and approved them. The House also concurred with Senate petitions on assisted living residences and medication administration in rest homes, sending them to the Committee on Aging and Independence. The main legislative business was House Bill 5279/5375, the transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. Ways and Means recommended a substitute bill, House 5375, with a $2.737 billion general obligation bond authorization, and the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading. Later, the House took up House 5375 directly, heard support from members emphasizing Chapter 90 road funding, municipal flexibility, rural road mileage distribution, and broader transportation investments, and then passed the bill to be engrossed by roll call vote, 155-0. The House also passed House Bill 5371, authorizing grants of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the city of Boston, to be engrossed. In addition, the chamber received and filed the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s report on the March 31, 2026 special election for the 5th Essex District, adopted an order to escort the Governor and Executive Council into the chamber, and administered the oaths of office to Representative-elect Andrew Tarr. The session ended with an order to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Bruce Skaug, District 10, Star, Middleton, Nampa areas of our great state.
• Not constitutional in the state of Idaho regarding speech issues. So that's a cleanup on the bill.
• So in some states right now, we're watching certain religious organizations that stop what everybody
• This is one of those provisions that we tried to pull from the 2010 model state APA.
• I represent District 9: Washington, Payette, and Canyon County.

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• who steals less than $2500 has, and has two or more prior theft convictions can be charged with a state
• These particular class of people never incur consequences beyond a state jail felony, and they're never
• For theft with two or more prior convictions as a state jail felony, but this particular defendant had
• And I have the also the uh support from Montgomery County, Grimes County, Washington County, and, uh,
• I just want to thank you on behalf of the people of the state of Texas. Appreciate that.

Transcript Highlights:

• States have been passing state benefit laws for decades to help define the benefit packages required
• in their states.
• The ACA also said that states could continue to pass state mandates above and beyond what's in their
• have been passing refresher so states have been passing state<00:01:59.880><c> Ed</c><00:02:00.159><
• </c><00:02:41.360><c> that</c> Benchmark plan in their state that Benchmark plan in their state that

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:15.919><c> Taxation,</c> Council on State Taxation, Council on State Taxation, support<00:
• Can you state your name, for questions. Can you state your name, please? please? please?
• </c> Uh no states have legalized since 2023. Uh no states have legalized since 2023.
• in the United States.
• is out of state.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 888, which would bar operators of smart household security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement unless the user consents or police obtain a warrant. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection offered comments and Judiciary submitted written support. Several individuals also submitted written support. The committee recommended passage with amendments clarifying that the Office of Consumer Protection may enforce violations and adopting Judiciary’s recommended changes, while also deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among members present, with one senator excused. The committee then took up SB 2777 on insurance disclosures. The bill would require authorized insurers to disclose claim-handling data to consumers, including claims open at the start of a period, closed with payment, closed without payment, and open at the end of the period. The committee described amendments to clarify the bill, remove a requirement for the DCCA insurance division to handle publication, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. The measure was passed with amendments and the recommendation was adopted, with one member voting no and another excused. In a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Judiciary hearing on SP2738 relating to tax haven abuse, the Department of Taxation offered comments and the Tax Foundation testified in opposition, arguing the state should rely on IRS audits and existing worldwide reporting rules rather than create a separate state approach. Other written testimony was noted in both support and opposition. The committees recommended passage with amendments adopting Taxation’s technical changes and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050; the recommendation was adopted, with one senator noting reservations. The joint hearing then moved to health-related bills, including SB 2690 on primary care spending, SB 3103 on energy assistance, SB 3137 on Department of Health authority over food, drugs, and cosmetics, SB 3164 on child welfare service organizations, and SB 3206 on cannabinoids. SB 2690 drew strong support from physicians and advocates who said it would address primary care shortages, especially on neighbor islands, while HMSA and others warned a fixed spending percentage could raise costs and suggested a working group. SB 3164 drew support from child welfare providers and opposition from the Attorney General over indemnification language, and SB 3206 drew mixed testimony: state agencies raised federal-law and vagueness concerns, while hemp and cannabis advocates and some farmers supported the measure and urged broader legalization or amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
• human trafficking is a heinous crime that impacts communities, families, and individuals across the state
• , Heinous crime that impacts communities, families, and individuals across the state and around the world
• It is an act affecting state revenues and requires at least a two-thirds vote to become effective.
• But I also want to add that, although on paper, the state legislature has term limits, we all know that

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recognized Dr. Gary Figgi as Doctor of the Day. Members also introduced guests and read a proclamation honoring the Arizona hotel industry for efforts to prevent human trafficking, with remarks emphasizing hotel training, law-enforcement partnerships, and a recent trafficking sting that led to multiple arrests. On the floor, the House handled several procedural items, including committee substitutions and bill referrals. It then took up third-reading votes on HB 2091, HB 2122, and HB 2138, all of which passed and were transmitted to the Senate. HB 2091 passed 47-11 with 2 not voting, HB 2122 passed 48-10, and HB 2138 passed 54-4 with 2 not voting. The House resolved into the Committee of the Whole and recommended do-pass on HB 2792 and HCR 2043. HCR 2043 drew brief debate about a congressional term limit convention, with one member noting opposition to the measure and concern about its broader implications. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and HB 2792 and HCR 2043 were referred to engrossing. The House then heard announcements about upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• This redefines the factors that result in a violation of the Washington Voting Rights Act prohibition
• Hearing now, the motion is to advance sub-state House bill 2158.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• when an FTC scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds must revert, but do not revert to the state
• Jessica Grace, Heather Gray, Brian Underhill, and Carl Washington should all be sitting there.

Summary: The Pre-K-12 Education Appropriations Subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up two bills. First, it heard SB 1318 on the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which makes a technical clarification that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. There was no substantive opposition or debate, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then considered CS for SB 182, which creates a school teacher training and mentor program within the Department of Education. The bill authorizes school districts and charter schools to place current or retired high-performing teachers in D- or F-rated schools to mentor classroom teachers, with mentors required to have at least three years of experience, a highly effective evaluation, and eligibility for a stipend of up to $3,000. A late-filed amendment was adopted to align the bill with the House version by setting the mentoring term to one grading period, capping the number of mentees per mentor, and clarifying use of enrichment funds when available. Senators asked about implementation, including timing, logistics, and whether mentors would remain within the same school; the sponsor said principals would manage assignments and that the program would operate within the same school. Testimony came from a seven-year-old student, Kyler Nixon, who urged support for the bill, and his mother, Kiara Nixon, who also spoke in favor. Additional support was voiced by committee members, and CS for SB 182 was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, the chair thanked members and staff for their work during the session, noted it may be the committee’s last policy meeting, and the committee adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• when an FTC scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds must revert, but do not revert to the state
• Jessica Grace, Heather Gray, Brian Underhill, and Carl Washington should all be sitting.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Summary: The Pre-K–12 Education Appropriations Subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up two bills. First, SB 1318 by Senator Rodriguez made a technical clarification to the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program so that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. There was little discussion, no opposition, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS for SB 182 by Senator Jones, which creates a school teacher training and mentoring program within the Department of Education. The program would allow districts and charter schools to place current or retired high-performing teachers as mentors in D- or F-rated schools, with mentors required to have at least three years of experience, a highly effective evaluation, and eligibility for a stipend of up to $3,000. A late-filed amendment was adopted to align the bill with the House version by setting the mentoring term to one grading period, capping the number of mentees, and clarifying use of enrichment funds. Members discussed implementation, including that principals would assign mentors based on workload and that the mentoring would occur within the same school. The bill received supportive testimony from a seven-year-old student, his mother, and the Florida Parent Teacher Association, and several senators spoke in favor of the measure as a way to support teachers and improve student outcomes. CS for SB 182 was reported favorably. The chair then thanked members and staff, noted this was likely the committee’s final policy meeting, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This $10 million has been allocated in state fiscal year 25 and in state fiscal year 26.
• </c><00:37:36.640><c> fiscal</c> state fiscal year 25 and in state fiscal state fiscal year 25 and in
• c> the</c> Last state fiscal year, the Last state fiscal year, the administration<00:37:41.120><c> was
• </c> peppered throughout the state? peppered throughout the state?
• </c> appropriated and state general funds. appropriated and state general funds.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:01 SERVS Informational Update- 00:01:22 Child Removal and Reunification Update: Department for Community Based Services Financials- 00:03:00 Small Business Sales Tax Websites: Department of Revenue-00:28:05 Senior Citizen Meal Programs: Department for Aging and Independent Living-00:35:50 Adjournment-01:41:57, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the September 11 meeting by motion and voice vote. It then received a brief update on the statewide emergency responder voice system, but no presenter was present. The chair said he expected a more substantive update in November and warned that if there is not real progress on acquiring needed private properties, the committee may consider further action, including possibly freezing funding. The main discussion centered on the Department for Community Based Services’ child removal and reunification work and its structured decision-making tools. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and General Counsel Wesley Duke explained that the intake, safety, and risk assessment tools are being used at very high rates and that the department is still implementing and evaluating the system. Dennis said the tools are meant to inform, not replace, professional judgment; when staff disagree with a recommendation, the worker and first-line supervisor consult and decide together. Members questioned whether the system favors keeping children in the home, whether the department has studied safety outcomes for in-home cases versus removals, and whether foster home shortages affect removal decisions. Dennis said child safety remains the top priority, that the practice has not changed, and that the department would provide additional data on outcomes later. Members also asked about permanency timelines and delays in termination of parental rights cases; Dennis said federal timelines are difficult to meet because of family progress, substance use recovery, and court delays, and she confirmed foster parent shortages were not the reason for those delays. The committee then heard a presentation from the Department of Revenue on the new My Taxes portal. Staff said the portal, launched in March, replaced DOR’s portion of the old Kentucky One Stop Business Portal and now allows businesses to file and pay multiple taxes, update account information, and receive official notices. They reported the system is available 24/7 except for scheduled maintenance every other Thursday evening, has maintained over 99% availability since launch, and now has a dedicated contact center with 50 agents plus a public help line and email. In response to questions, the department said early downtime was caused by unexpectedly high traffic, but server capacity was increased and in the last three months there had been only one day of unexpected downtime.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Washington, on the Senate side, that's her language, and I like that, so I brought that back
• toward was this idea of siloing as a way to get rid of a lot of the issues that we saw around the state
• if this passes the way it is today without this current amendment, the multi-rate calculator on the state
• And right now it's in the Senate Select Committee on Property Taxes and the State Tax Commission.
• And right now it's in the Senate Select Committee on Property Taxes and the State Tax Commission.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform met in executive session with a quorum present and took up a House Committee substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 1066 and 1088. Members discussed several amendments that bundled multiple property tax provisions, including clarification of the 15% commercial ownership threshold, school levy language, senior property tax freeze language, no-tax-increase bond wording, ballot language requirements, and a severability clause. One proposed amendment to preserve a comparison to a single-rate calculation in the auditor’s multi-rate tax form drew extended discussion about whether the current siloing approach could reduce projected revenue for taxing districts; the sponsor ultimately withdrew that amendment after noting the issue would need further study. The committee then adopted another amendment shortening ballot language requirements, and later adopted the underlying committee amendment and rolled the changes into a new substitute. Members also discussed a tax abatement provision added to the bill, with concerns raised that large abatements, such as those tied to a data center project, could affect levy calculations; supporters argued the language would apply to cities and counties rather than school districts. After debate, the committee voted to adopt the substitute and then voted the House Committee substitute for the Senate substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 1066 and 1088 do pass by a roll call vote of 11 ayes and 5 noes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• America's Christian roots were recognized by the United States Supreme Court in the 1892 case, *Church
• United States*, where Justice David Brewer wrote, quote, “If we pass beyond these matters to a view of
• At a time when so many would tear down statues of George Washington, deface Mount Rushmore, and uproot
• Debbie Critchfield, the state superintendent. And I don't see the mayor of Fruitland in here.
• So it's on the state website for the 250 activities, but we would love to have each one of you come.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee first agreed by unanimous consent to hear RS 33413C1 before House Bill 712, and then introduced RS 33413C1. The proposal, presented by Rep. Byswinger, would allow students to participate in sports at the school they attend, including flexibility for homeschool and charter school students to play different sports at different schools if needed. Members asked about how the arrangement would work across multiple schools and whether there was a funding mechanism; the sponsor said eligibility limits by the IHSAA would remain intact and that no funding mechanism was attached. The committee voted to introduce the RS. The committee then heard House Bill 712, a voluntary “seal of excellence in civics” for graduating students. Rep. Veeley said the bill would let students earn a civics endorsement on their diploma, special graduation cords, and allow schools to be designated as civics-excellence schools if they meet certain standards involving GPA, civics coursework, research, and volunteerism. Rep. Nelson noted the bill could provide a useful pathway for senior projects. During testimony, Edward Clark of the Idaho Family Policy Center supported the bill, saying it would help strengthen civics instruction and patriotism. After questions about who would pay for seals and cords, the committee voted to send House Bill 712 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Next, the committee introduced RS 33400, presented by Rep. Ehart as a parental-rights measure requiring parental permission to enroll a student in a school district. Rep. Nelson raised concerns about how the proposal might affect custody disputes and school responsibilities when parents are separated. The committee voted to introduce the RS. The committee also introduced RS 33461, another Rep. Ehart proposal aimed at clarifying homeschool students’ ability to participate in school activities such as sports and band, while allowing schools to charge fees. Rep. Nelson questioned what would count as a reasonable fee. That RS was also introduced. The meeting ended with a visit from Fruitland’s mayor and members of the city’s new mayoral youth council, who described their meetings, community service projects, and an upcoming 5K event tied to America 250 celebrations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> only a few states with that restriction. only a few states with that restriction.
• </c> state project that construction done. state project that construction done.
• </c> these states? these states?
• Here’s the stated wage.
• </c> state inspection, what would happen? state inspection, what would happen?

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened its labor hearing on SB 655 and outlined the day’s schedule, including a later working session on SB 416 and an executive session planned for 2:30 p.m. Senator Dan Innis introduced SB 655, describing it as a technical bill affecting employee leasing companies/professional employer organizations (PEOs), workers’ compensation coverage, and a Senate-added minimum wage exemption for minor league baseball players covered by a collective bargaining agreement. He said the PEO change would let either the PEO or the client business hold workers’ comp coverage, while still requiring coverage, and argued it would align New Hampshire with most other states and reduce barriers for small businesses and multi-state employers. He also said the baseball provision would clarify wage treatment for minor league players and support the Manchester team. Justin Warell of Insperity testified in support of the PEO portion, explaining that PEOs provide HR, payroll, benefits administration, and workers’ compensation administration through a co-employment model. He said the bill would preserve mandatory coverage while allowing flexibility for the client or PEO to maintain the policy, which could help clients who already have preferred coverage or who face cost or administrative issues in multiple states. He noted that most clients would still remain under the PEO’s policy and said Insperity would submit written comments. Committee members asked about how the arrangement would work, whether the client or PEO would pay, and whether the bill would affect liability insurance packaging; Warell said the employer still bears the cost and that the bill mainly gives larger clients an option. One member asked him to remain available for possible follow-up after hearing from the labor department. Stephen Gonzalez of Major League Baseball testified in support of the minor league baseball exemption. He said MLB and the MLB Players Association negotiated a collective bargaining agreement that already provides players with salary, housing, meals, per diems, health and retirement benefits, disability continuation, tuition assistance, and signing bonuses. He argued that treating players as hourly workers creates impractical time-tracking problems because players do work-related activities on their own time, and said the bill would recognize them as salaried workers and avoid litigation over what counts as hours worked. Committee members questioned why the exemption was needed if players are already salaried and whether MLB could simply amend its CBA; Gonzalez said the bill would help prevent wage-and-hour lawsuits and noted that similar exemptions have been enacted in other states. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the chair indicated the bill would be considered for executive action later that afternoon.