Transcript Highlights:

• A message from Her Excellency the Governor.
• A message from Her Excellency the Governor under the provisions of Article 3 of Article 87 of the amendments
• Under Rule 30, the message from Her Excellency the Governor will be referred to the Committee on Bonding
• A message from Her Excellency the Governor recommending legislation relative to exempting George Petrinos
• Under Rule 30, the message from Her Excellency the Governor will be referred to the Committee on Public

Transcript Highlights:

• I enjoyed him a great Governor Dayton.
• The governor does not present the bills. Our chairs do.
• The governor does not present the bills. Our chairs do.
• The governor does not present the bills. Our chairs do.
• The governor does not present the bills. Our chairs do.

Bills: HF2436 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor Sununu was kind enough to put that in, and when we spoke with Governor Ayotte earlier, what
• Governor Sununu was kind enough to put that in, and when we spoke with Governor Ayotte earlier, what
• Governor Sununu was kind enough to put that in, and when we spoke with Governor Ayotte earlier, what
• </c> that in and when we spoke with Governor that in and when we spoke with Governor aot<01:10:09.360
• This is an area where Governor Sununu made an investment, where Governor Ayotte has proposed to make

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:

• must maintain our current posture, which will serve as a bridge to the planned build-up of combat power
• I am deeply concerned that our soft power leadership in Europe and Africa has been badly crippled over
• We're talking about great power competition, China, Russia.
• Without US global power projection, the European way of life wouldn't exist as we know it.
• Information and narratives are power then, aren't they?

Committee: Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: committee meeting, legislation, public testimony, SB4, HB2214, bipartisan support

Summary: The committee convened to discuss various bills and hear testimonies related to legislative matters, including public concerns and implications surrounding the proposed legislation. Notably, the members engaged in a vigorous debate over SB4, where several representatives shared differing viewpoints on its impact on local communities and the environment. Public testimonies were heard, with advocates arguing for the bill's potential benefits, while opponents raised significant concerns regarding the fiscal implications and land use. Following these discussions, the committee moved to vote on HB2214, which passed without issue, illustrating the bipartisan support for certain initiatives tied to public welfare.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those who are born as males are endowed with larger and more powerful bodies that will possibly allow
• They are very, very powerful. They have more testosterone.
• What it is about is that we have a government that wants power and control over us, not within.
• and his billionaire friend's power to target children.
• One from Beth Stelzer, who is a power lifter.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sure, um, so it's LG&E, East Kentucky Power, and Big Rivers. TVA, okay, thanks.
• ><00:14:21.560><c> it</c><00:14:21.639><c> East</c><00:14:21.800><c> Kentucky</c><00:14:22.199><c> Power
• </c><00:14:22.639><c> yeah</c><00:14:22.720><c> I</c> ...East Kentucky Power, Big Rivers, TVA.
• Uh, Kentucky Power is not affected.
• </c><00:19:48.919><c> uh</c><00:19:49.039><c> company</c> it was the uh Kentucky Power uh company it

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 88, which was described as a short bill to clarify procedures for Waste Management boards, including term limits, appointments, and making sure consolidated governments actively recruit community members and make openings easier to find. The sponsor said the bill was intended to resolve confusion about members staying on after terms expire. The bill received no opposition, passed the committee unanimously, and was reported favorably for the floor. The committee then took up House Bill 346, as amended by a committee substitute. The sponsor explained that the bill responds to a dispute over air emission fees, especially for emergency generators and backup generators used for worker safety and limited non-emergency testing. The bill would exempt emergency generators and backup generators operating 100 hours or less for maintenance/testing from fees, while also removing an existing 4,000-ton cap so the per-ton fee would drop for most permitted sources. Members discussed the possible impact on utilities and ratepayers, with concerns raised that costs could be passed through to consumers and affect coal-dependent areas. The sponsor and another member argued the change would generally reduce fees for most sources and incentivize emissions reductions; the cabinet was described as neutral, and the affected utilities were identified as TVA, LG&E, East Kentucky Power, and Big Rivers, with only TVA having raised comments. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed the committee with a favorable recommendation, though one member voted no and several members explained yes votes while expressing ongoing concerns about future rate impacts. At the end of the meeting, members briefly discussed broader concerns about utility surcharges and the need to monitor the effects of legislation on ratepayers, but those comments were not part of the bill under consideration. The chair noted that future meetings may include more bills and could start earlier if needed, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm just so pleased that Ashley has been nominated by the governor to serve on the higher education
• So Judge Stagner, before appointment by Governor. Abbott to the 8th Business Court.
• Governor Abbott, when he was Attorney General Abbott, the Alpha and the Omega was always to follow the
• As Chief Justice Blacklock, whose seat placed to I'm now sitting in because Governor Abbott appointed
• Thanks to the governor for the opportunity and to this committee for the opportunity.

Committee: Senate Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, they give you better power delivery.
• </c> in different applications like power in different applications like power transmission. transmission
• Where we're really interested about these is for power transmission.
• So you can make power lines that don't sag as you push more current through them.
• </c> power and it has and it's much lighter. power and it has and it's much lighter.

Summary: The committee met and approved the minutes, then heard announcements and introductions from members and guests, including an invitation to an East Kentucky trail ride opening and welcomes for new EPIC and Kentucky Coal Association representatives and several constituents. After the opening business, the committee turned to a presentation on nanotechnology and energy applications by Rodney Andrews of the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research. Andrews explained how nanoscale materials behave differently because of their size and surface area, and described uses in consumer products, batteries, solar panels, catalysts, coatings, sensors, and energy storage. Members asked about the relationship between nanomaterials and coal, and Andrews said carbon nanotubes can be made from coal-derived hydrocarbons, which members noted as an opportunity for Kentucky’s coal and manufacturing sectors. He also discussed work on improved solar coatings, more stable perovskites, fuel-processing catalysts, hydrogen storage, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, electromagnetic shielding, and conductive yarns and fabrics. The presentation also covered more advanced applications such as thermoelectric textiles, power transmission materials, thermal transport composites for aerospace, nanofluids for cooling, and fusion reactor shielding. In the final discussion, members raised questions about electromagnetic pulse protection and quantum computing; Andrews said the materials discussed could absorb and spread energy and that shielding applications may help with EMPs, while quantum computing remains limited by extremely low operating temperatures. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• now looking at the AI groups that, if they want to build a cloud computing center and have all that power
• Um, I would hope the generation diversity in the policy could also really put power to the people, give
• We see that the states around us who are approaching 20%... of their resource mix sort of the power of
• <00:23:25.919><c> about</c><00:23:26.080><c> a</c><00:23:26.320><c> community</c><00:23:26.640><c> power
• </c><00:23:26.960><c> coalition</c> doing about a community power coalition doing about a community power

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Neither the governor nor the Senate has this.
• Neither the governor nor the Senate has this.
• Neither the governor nor the Senate has this.
• </c><00:35:10.640><c> that</c><00:35:10.800><c> costs</c> governor had a recommendation that costs governor
• Um that is uh the governor has sharing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd have to then go to the governor for approval for public hearing. You had to wait 30 days.
• Because presumably the governor would sign this in June and we'd be off to the races and doing it.
• ><c> the</c><00:40:58.040><c> governor</c><00:40:58.359><c> approves</c><00:40:58.760><c> it</c> appr
• appr when the governor approves it appr appr when the governor approves it and<00:40:59.240><c> then
• </c><00:41:55.440><c> would</c> because presumably the governor would because presumably the governor

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, that is power. Argentina. On top of it, the Trump Argentina.
• </c><00:14:06.720><c> We</c><00:14:06.959><c> are</c> brochure to describe their power.
• We are brochure to describe their power.
• There's so much power that we Carggo.
• </c><00:36:14.880><c> against</c> don't have bargaining power against don't have bargaining power against

Bills: HF3718

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this governor and council meeting.
• </c> governor had reduced this expenditure. governor had reduced this expenditure. the<00:30:34.480><
• So just an an option for the governor.
• 06:19.200><c> million</c><01:06:19.680><c> per</c> governor had recommended $3 million per governor had
• And the governor priorities beyond that.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to know, quite honestly, how many people had voted at the time the governor suspended the election
• You would agree with me that at the time the governor suspended the election, votes had in fact been
• After the governor issued his suspension, you would agree with me that the congressional election...
• I'm asking now about the votes after the governor issued his suspension of the current election.
• I'm asking now about the votes after the governor issued his suspension of the current election.

Bills: SB116 , SB121 , SB130 , SB407

Committee: Senate Senate & Governmental Affairs

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Louisiana, 2020 census, elections, precincts, voting, election, political representation, 2026 precincts, demographics, Louisiana congressional map, U.S. House, election districts, precinct shapefiles, Voting Districts, VTD, 2020 Census, 2026 Precinct Shapefiles, apportionment

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the members of state university boards of trustees and the Board of Governors to be U.S.
• Well, I go where the governor asks of my services and where they're needed.
• Well, I go where the governor asks of my services and where they're needed.
• I really appreciated your comments on the ambition to rise to the top three of the Board of Governors
• I also thank the governor for the opportunity to not only serve my state, but also my local community

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard and approved two bills before moving into confirmation hearings for several university and college board nominees. CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships was presented as a measure to improve consistency and transparency in local education agency partnerships, cap LEA administrative funding at 10% when applicable, and require public meetings and work papers for workforce funding model decisions. Support was noted from Associated Builders and Contractors, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Foundations for Florida Futures, and Independent Electrical Contractors. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education governance and presidential searches after adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment defining the final group of presidential applicants as no fewer than three. The amended bill added provisions on trustee citizenship and residency/alumni eligibility, interim president succession planning, longer presidential contract renewals, limits on candidate polling by universities, syllabus posting, textbook/open-access material lists, and other governance and academic policy changes. Senators raised concerns about the minimum-three finalist requirement, interim president selection, trustee eligibility, and polling restrictions, while supporters said the bill would depoliticize leadership selection and improve transparency. The bill was reported favorably after the amendments were adopted. The committee then heard confirmation testimony from multiple appointees and reappointees, including nominees for FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UWF, and UF. Most nominees emphasized ties to their institutions, student success, workforce development, military connections, and institutional growth. Several UWF nominees were questioned extensively about their votes for former chair Scott Yenner and his controversial comments about women and other groups; some said they were unaware of those remarks at the time of the vote and would not have supported him with that knowledge. Public testimony on UWF expressed concern about the nominees’ lack of higher education experience, their ties to the region, and the impact of Yenner’s views. The committee later voted to recommend a block of non-UWF nominees favorably, and it agreed to vote on the UWF nominees individually, with some remaining nominees deferred to a later hearing due to time.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second challenge around automation is how are we going to power all this stuff?
• They have better digging power, more torque, better production.
• And on a per capita basis, Americans have very high demand for power.
• So are you creating your own grid for electrical power? Is that what that is?
• So are you creating your own grid for electrical power? Is that what that is?

Committee: House House Science & Technology Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Science and Technology heard Senate Bill 1046, which would prohibit critical telecommunications infrastructure in Arizona from using equipment manufactured or owned by a foreign adversary, require annual certification to the Corporation Commission, impose civil penalties for noncompliance, and bar violators from receiving certain public funds for telecom infrastructure. Marina Macklin testified in support, arguing the bill would reduce cybersecurity and national security risks tied to Chinese-linked telecom equipment and that states have an important role in procurement and infrastructure protection. Members asked about examples such as Huawei, the cost of compliance, whether the threat is current, and whether the bill duplicates federal efforts; Macklin said the measure targets public procurement, addresses existing risks, and complements rather than conflicts with federal action. The committee then voted 5-1 to return SB 1046 with a do pass recommendation, with one member citing concerns about timing and implementation. The committee also received a presentation from Craig Luxbacher of the University of Arizona on mining technology and the state’s role in critical minerals. He described Arizona as a hub for mining innovation and discussed university work on autonomous equipment, microgrids, pilot processing, tailings recovery, workforce training, and heat-stress monitoring. Members asked about microgrids, legal and policy changes needed to de-risk domestic mining, tariffs, workforce decline, and whether AI and automation would reduce jobs; Luxbacher said automation is driven by economics, not just regulation, and would likely create more skilled maintenance and technical jobs rather than eliminate the workforce. Jeremiah Pate of Lunisand then presented on subsurface imaging technology using geo-radio-tomography, which he said can image deep underground from airborne platforms and help locate critical minerals, aquifers, tunnels, and buried military infrastructure. Members asked about applications for archaeology, identifying mineral types, water detection, uniqueness of the technology, and possible defense uses. Pate said the company is working toward better mineral identification, can detect aquifers readily, and is currently the only company fielding this type of airborne subsurface imaging. The chair closed the meeting after thanking members and speakers, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• in place in state statute, where these data centers will pay for their own infrastructure and their power
• And what we're looking at doing is we're seeing historic growth in Oklahoma with our power generation
• in place in state statute, where these data centers will pay for their own infrastructure of their power
• And that way we ensure that the senators will pay for their own infrastructure of their power agreements
• this issue that you're talking about going forward is basically these utility companies will make power

Bills: HB4246 , HB4230 , HB3617 , HB3657 , HB2976 , HB3391 , HB4459 , HB4128 , HB3989 , HB2989 , HB4060 , HB3145 , HB2992 , HB3464

Committee: House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of energy, agriculture, wildlife, water, and utility bills, adopting PCS drafts and amendments on several measures before voting them out. Early bills, including HB 4246 and HB 423, would let DEQ obtain technical assistance and instruction from outside suppliers, and both passed with 11-1 votes. HB 3617, the agricultural equipment right-to-repair bill, drew the most extended debate; supporters said it would help farmers and ranchers keep equipment operating and preserve access to parts, tools, and diagnostics, while opponents raised concerns about private contracts, intellectual property, and government mandates. The author agreed to continue working on the language and to strike the title later, and the bill passed 13-9-2. HB 3657, updating agricultural wage reporting and adding the Workforce Commission to employment-data recipients, passed 15-0. HB 2976, directing DEQ to set water-quality criteria for aluminum using EPA guidance as a tool, passed 14-1. HB 3391, requiring licensed commercial pet breeders to display their ODAF license number in advertisements, passed 15-0. The committee also advanced several natural resources and land-use measures. HB 4459 created a voluntary five-year averaging option for permitted water users, with metering required only for participants; members emphasized that nonparticipants could continue current practices unchanged, and the bill passed 12-1-3. HB 4128, as amended, moved Oklahoma’s bear season earlier by two weeks; the author said it was intended to address nuisance bears in southeast Oklahoma and protect hunters and landowners, while members raised concerns about population impacts and whether the Wildlife Department could manage harvest levels. The bill passed 13-1-2. HB 3989, described as a cleanup bill from the earlier “one megawatt fight,” passed 15-1 after the author said a compromise had been reached. HB 2989, as amended, authorized electric utilities to prepare wildfire mitigation plans and created a revolving fund, with the amendment limiting recovery to reasonable and prudent mitigation costs; the author said it was not a liability shield, and the bill passed 14-1. Later, the committee considered utility and renewable-energy regulation. HB 4060, the Plug-in Solar Act, addressed interconnection agreements and behind-the-meter solar for residents; it passed 14-1. HB 3145 cleaned up language affecting the commercial hunt industry and passed 14-1. HB 2992, the Data Center Customer Protection, Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, would require new large-load customers such as data centers, crypto mining, and AI facilities above 75 MW to cover their own infrastructure and provide collateral so costs are not shifted to ratepayers; members discussed protections for existing contracts and utility oversight, and it passed 14-1. Finally, HB 3464 imposed common-sense regulations on wind, solar, and battery storage projects, including surety bonds for land restoration, permit fees to support local fire departments, and a 30-day Fire Marshal response timeline; the author said more amendments were likely, and the bill passed 14-0. The meeting then recessed and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Saenz, for that powerful testimony. Thanks for your courage in sharing it. Mr. Pizzaro.
• We do need to put power back into the hands of parents and victims. And I'll just end with this.
• Who's going to have the power?
• Who's going to have the power here?
• This technology can work beautifully if victims and parents actually have power.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism Subcommittee

Keywords: Stop CSAM Act, child exploitation, online safety, reporting requirements, tech accountability, NCMEC, survivor support, legislative testimony

Summary: The committee meeting centered around the urgent need to address child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online, focusing primarily on the testimony and discussions surrounding the Stop CSAM Act. Several witnesses, including representatives from law enforcement and advocacy organizations, highlighted the significant drop in reports of child exploitation cases despite an alarming increase in actual incidents. Concerns were raised about tech companies' reporting practices, with calls for more stringent requirements to ensure timely and accurate reporting of suspected abuse. The legislation aims to fortify protections for child victims by imposing stricter obligations on tech platforms to report incidents and support law enforcement in investigations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:19.839><c> uh</c> on December 12, 2019, the governor uh on December 12, 2019, the governor
• . the governor has your rights restored. the governor has the<00:09:47.279><c> ability</c><00:09:47.920
• Under the executive order that the governor did, they did get their rights back.
• Under the executive order that the governor did, they did get their rights back.
• The governor can give them that...

Summary: The committee first took up two fire commission regulatory amendments. Bruce Roberts, director of the Fire Commission, explained that one amendment updates financial disclosure reporting rules to align with changes to KRS 95A.55, including revised definitions, reporting requirements, and moving compliance reviews from every four years to an annual basis. The second amendment changes the deadline for fire departments to submit state aid documentation from July 31 to September and adds flexibility for departments affected by natural disasters by allowing a waiver process for missing, lost, or damaged documents. The committee approved the agency amendment by motion, second, and voice vote with no opposition. The main policy discussion centered on a proposed constitutional amendment to restore voting rights for people convicted of felonies after they complete their sentence and probation/parole. Senators Hickden and Herren said the proposal would restore only voting rights, not citizenship or the right to run for office, and would still exclude certain offenses such as treason, bribery in an election, sex offenses, violent offenses, and offenses against a child. They argued that Kentucky is one of only three states without automatic restoration, that the current governor’s executive order is temporary, and that the issue should be settled by constitutional amendment. Members asked about the relationship to expungement, costs, and whether election-related crimes should be included among the exceptions; the sponsors said expungement is separate and that they were open to refining the language. Several members voiced support, and the sponsors said they hoped to continue working on the proposal before the next session. The committee also discussed a practical issue involving schools used as polling places and conflicts with KDE testing days. The chair raised the possibility of adjusting testing schedules or using NI days at affected schools, while members noted that county clerks already have authority to use tax-funded buildings for elections and that schools have long been used because of ADA accessibility. Some members suggested a simpler fix would be to prevent KDE testing dates from overlapping with election dates, rather than changing NI-day rules or limiting clerks’ authority. The committee then approved the minutes and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Scott Governor here for the University of Phoenix.
• This is a negotiation that the Governor will have to lead, and our task has been to craft a bill that
• This bill is only requesting permission that we present a fee proposal to our Board of Governors, and
• And so those are the factors that we will be bringing to our Board of Governors for consideration.
• And so those are the factors that we will be bringing to our board of governors for consideration.

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate bills, beginning with consent items SB 67 and SB 619, both approved on consent. The committee then took up SB 437, which would direct the CSU system to develop a fair, evidence-based process for verifying whether someone is a descendant of a person enslaved in the United States, as part of the state’s reparations work. Supporters, including the author, a former reparations task force member, the NAACP, CSU, and other organizations, argued the bill fills a missing implementation gap and would create a transparent, credible lineage-verification process. Opponents said the process already exists through professional genealogists, warned the bill would delay reparations work and cost millions, and raised constitutional objections. After debate, the committee voted the bill out on a 3-3 roll, with the roll left open for additional members. The committee next heard SB 790, which would allow California to join the interstate reciprocity agreement for online postsecondary education. The author and supporters from UC, CSU, and private universities said joining the agreement would reduce burdensome state-by-state authorization, improve consumer protections for California students taking out-of-state online courses, and help California institutions expand online offerings. Opponents, including the University of Phoenix and other groups, argued the bill conflicted with the existing reciprocity framework, could exclude some institutions, and might not be accepted by other states. The committee discussed fee and implementation issues, then moved the bill forward on a 3-1 roll, with the roll left open. SB 391 was then heard, authorizing the Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge reasonable fees for research data requests. The author and Chancellor’s Office said the office handles many labor-intensive MOUs and data compilations without reimbursement, and that fees would help recover costs and support staff capacity. CTA opposed the bill, warning that fees could burden faculty and smaller researchers and should be limited to actual costs, while committee members raised questions about affordability and implementation. The committee ultimately passed the bill out on a 5-0 roll, with the roll left open. Finally, the committee heard SB 685, a pilot program to provide cost-of-attendance assistance at four CSU campuses for students who experienced homelessness in high school. Supporters said the bill would help students bridge the gap between existing aid and real living costs, while members asked about eligibility and the use of McKinney-Vento homelessness designations; the author explained the pilot is aimed at preventing summer melt and helping formerly homeless students stay enrolled.