Transcript Highlights:

• So, the second thing is I would like the committee to take a break for lunch, depending upon where we
• committee to take a break for<02:26:49.840><c> lunch</c><02:26:50.800><c> um</c><02:26:51.520><c> depending
• upon where we are for lunch um depending upon where we are in<02:26:52.880><c> a</c><02:26:53.120><c
• </c><02:43:48.080><c> on</c><02:43:48.240><c> when</c><02:43:48.399><c> your</c> knows how long depending
• on when your knows how long depending on when your selectment<02:43:49.120><c> meet.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee met in executive session on February 17, 2026, to act on a series of bills. Early in the meeting, members agreed that they could consult the online submission summaries rather than have changing submission counts read aloud. The committee then took up House Bill 1386, which would have allowed citizens in a municipality to vote to require a financial audit of a local school district. Members opposing the bill argued that school districts already have audit authority and reporting requirements under existing law, and that the proposal was unnecessary and potentially burdensome. The committee voted 17-0 to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate, placing it on the consent calendar. The committee next considered House Bill 1181FN on public hearing notice requirements for zoning board of adjustment appeals. Members who opposed the bill said newspaper publication provides independent third-party verification and archival value, and that removing that requirement would weaken public notice. The committee voted 17-0 ITL and sent the bill to the consent calendar. It also voted 17-0 ITL on House Bill 1327, concerning the definition of commercially zoned land, largely because the sponsor was absent and members said they could not do due diligence without hearing from the sponsor. The committee then acted on House Bill 1473FN, concerning the use of agricultural fairground property, and House Bill 1147, concerning the use of capital reserve funds. In both cases, members cited the sponsor’s absence and the need for more information as reasons to recommend inexpedient to legislate; both votes were 17-0 and both bills were placed on the consent calendar. House Bill 1220, which would have allowed municipal governing bodies to review and approve school budgets, was also recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after members raised concerns about local control, legal conflicts between separate entities, and technical drafting problems. The committee recommended ought to pass on House Bill 118, which raises the amount of money municipal treasurers may hold before depositing it in the bank, with supporters saying the higher threshold would reduce unnecessary trips to the bank and improve efficiency. It also recommended ought to pass on House Bill 1151, a housekeeping bill correcting statutory references related to conservation commission appropriations, and it approved House Bill 1309 as amended after adopting Amendment 2026-0411H to clarify town meeting warrant language. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1385, prohibiting negative property tax rates in certain municipalities, and recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after testimony indicated the practice at issue had already ended and that a blanket prohibition could create problems for municipalities with excess revenues. The committee also began work on House Bill 1369, relating to posting warrants for special town meetings, and discussed an amendment to preserve newspaper notice while also allowing website posting where available.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the second thing is I would like the committee to take a break for lunch, depending upon where we
• committee to take a break for<02:26:49.840><c> lunch</c><02:26:50.800><c> um</c><02:26:51.520><c> depending
• upon where we are for lunch um depending upon where we are in<02:26:52.880><c> a</c><02:26:53.120><c
• </c><02:43:48.080><c> on</c><02:43:48.240><c> when</c><02:43:48.399><c> your</c> knows how long depending
• on when your knows how long depending on when your selectment<02:43:49.120><c> meet.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this would go to the inspector or the planning, you know, depending on whichever governing body controls
• </c><02:13:23.840><c> on</c><02:13:24.079><c> whichever</c> planning you know depending on whichever
• planning you know depending on whichever m<02:13:25.119><c> um</c><02:13:26.079><c> governing</c><02:
• 02:13:47.679><c> and</c> know, that may be determination and know, that may be determination and depending
• on what they're how many depending on what they're how many properties<02:13:49.760><c> you</c><02:13

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:21:14.000><c> It</c><01:21:14.159><c> depends</c><01:21:14.400><c> on</c><01:21:14.560><c> the
• It depends on the open question. It depends on the business<01:21:15.040><c> model.
• Well, it depends what we've been asked to regulate and how it would stand that up.
• ><c> we've</c><02:05:16.480><c> been</c><02:05:16.719><c> asked</c> &gt;&gt; Well, it depends what we've
• been asked &gt;&gt; Well, it depends what we've been asked to<02:05:17.040><c> regulate</c><02:05:17.440

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:

• >> That can depend. It depends on their level of tolerance.
• But if someone has over 20 grams of fentanyl on them and they're selling it, whether they're dependent
• ><c> they're</c> and they're selling it, whether they're and they're selling it, whether they're dependent
• on that through their own dependent on that through their own addiction<01:23:40.960><c> or</c><01:23
• And HB 510 fixes this inconsistency and ensures that a student's right does not depend on which campus

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's how we decide how much they get, depending on child population and previous cases.
• Ultimately, success is going to depend on families having access to essential supports like housing,
• systems in place, learn from the two counties, maybe even learn from some more phasing counties depending
• systems in place, learn from the two counties, maybe even learn from some more phasing counties depending
• systems in place, learn from the two counties, maybe even learn from some more phasing counties depending

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• on who's the certain well depending on who's the director<01:44:42.400><c> they</c><01:44:42.599><c>
• It depends on the fact and circumstance of each case.
• You could have your asylum claim denied, but depending on what happened in that previous country, you
• Chair, uh, thank you for being here today. ...you could have your asylum claim denied, but depending
• It depends on how you want to describe it.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 758, which would establish a study committee on airport operation hours and possible noise abatement measures, including whether New Hampshire should prohibit departures between midnight and 6 a.m. The sponsor said the committee would examine the pros and cons and consult stakeholders. The Bureau of Aeronautics testified neutrally, noting that New Hampshire has 25 public airports, 12 with federal funding and grant assurances that may require them to remain open during those hours, and that cargo operations, including at Manchester, commonly occur overnight. Members also discussed existing noise abatement programs and how mitigation is determined by noise contours and FAA funding decisions. No vote was taken; the chair closed the hearing after testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 489, allowing voluntary emergency workers to use rear-facing blue lights on private vehicles when responding to emergencies. The sponsor said the bill corrects an oversight in existing law, would not cost the state or towns money, and would improve visibility and safety, especially in rural areas. Supportive testimony from a volunteer responder emphasized that blue lights help cut through fog, snow, and nighttime conditions, and that the bill would only add a single rear-facing blue light to existing red, amber, and white emergency lighting. The New Hampshire State Police opposed the bill, arguing that expanding blue lights to private vehicles would confuse the public and desensitize drivers to blue lights, which are associated with law enforcement. The hearing closed without action. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 533, which the sponsor and State Police clarified is actually two separate changes: one authorizing civilian automotive equipment inspectors to assist with vehicle inspection work, and another expanding language in motor carrier enforcement to include new entrant safety audits and compliance reviews. The State Police explained that civilian inspectors are hired and trained through the department and that any findings of state-law violations would be referred to troopers; they also said the new motor carrier language was requested to satisfy federal audit concerns about right of entry. The New Hampshire Motor Transport Association said it had no position if the civilian inspectors were not doing commercial truck inspections, but would oppose the bill if they were. Members asked about the difference between audits and compliance reviews, and the State Police said audits are for newer carriers and are non-enforcement, while compliance reviews look for violations. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 533. After a brief reset, the committee opened House Bill 594, which would repeal an alternate definition of “way” for the driving-after-suspension statute. The sponsor said the change was requested by the Department of Justice. Representative Erica Leon opposed the repeal, explaining that the prior language was intended to avoid criminalizing people who mow lawns or perform similar work near property edges while suspended, but she worried the repeal could create a loophole allowing driving on places like highway medians. Members questioned whether the issue was limited to mowing or broader vehicle use on property edges, and Leon said she would work with agencies to clarify the language so it protects lawful mowing without allowing misuse. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then there’s local mentoring models that depend on the district to some degree.
• 25:13.600><c> to</c><01:25:13.760><c> some</c><01:25:14.080><c> degree</c><01:25:15.080><c> uh</c> depend
• on the district to some degree uh depend on the district to some degree uh for<01:25:15.440><c> example
• So using taxpayer dollars for that purpose is also bad policy. now depending what action is taken you
• now depending what action is taken you know<03:20:42.359><c> on</c><03:20:42.720><c> other</c><03:20

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 295, which would make school building aid funds non-lapsing/non-APS. Representative Cahill said the bill was intended to keep any unused building aid money available for future projects, potentially helping move projects up the priority list or provide a little more funding for school construction. Members asked about how much money has lapsed in past years, whether the education trust fund and building aid are separate, and whether any lapsing dollars could be used to pay down debt. Department of Education official Jim Carney said about $29.1 million would be available if building aid is funded to the $50 million maximum in FY26, confirmed that the fund currently lapses, and said the department would gather historical lapse data. Committee members also discussed whether a dedicated fund structure could achieve the same goal, and the chair noted that the education trust fund statute includes school building aid as one of its uses. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed and the committee said it would later hold a work session after receiving more information. The committee then took up HB 237, introduced by Representative Dan McGuire, which would prohibit the use of special education state funds and differentiated aid for students not receiving special education services. The New Hampshire School Boards Association, through Becky Wilson, opposed the bill as written, saying it was unclear, potentially unnecessary, and difficult to implement because adequacy and differentiated aid are distributed as part of a districtwide lump sum rather than as student-specific dollars. She explained that special education costs are embedded across district budgets, including staffing, training, transportation, and instruction, and that some staff and services benefit both special education and general education students. Wilson also said differentiated aid is not tied to a specific pupil and is used at the district’s discretion, though it is intended to support students with greater needs. Committee members pressed on whether the bill would require districts to track money by individual student, whether it could conflict with federal special education law, and whether it would affect least restrictive environment requirements. Wilson said making the funds student-specific could create privacy and accounting problems and could make it difficult to staff inclusive classrooms, though she did not give a definitive legal opinion on federal compliance. She agreed that students who are not eligible for special education would not be included in the separate catastrophic/special education aid reimbursement program. The discussion continued into the second section of the bill, with members exploring how adequacy aid and differentiated aid are used in practice, but no action was taken during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we depend on them to employ the majority of Coloradans.
• These are the companies our communities depend on.
• You don't help families by taxing away the jobs they depend on.
• You don't help families by taxing away the jobs they depend on.
• SAF, 8 to 13 gallons depending on the location and the credits.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if enforcement depends in part on whistleblowers, then we need to treat them like they matter.
• Our tax system depends on voluntary compliance, and that only works when Americans trust the system is
• Our tax system depends on voluntary compliance, and that only works when Americans trust the system is
• > your</c><04:04:49.439><c> ability</c><04:04:50.000><c> to</c><04:04:50.319><c> navigate</c> not depend
• on your ability to navigate not depend on your ability to navigate the<04:04:51.199><c> Congress.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And depending upon the amount of money that has been scammed in this situation, it can affect whether
• And depending upon the amount of money that has been scammed in this situation, it can affect whether
• And depending upon the amount of money that has been scammed in this situation, it can affect whether
• The protections depend heavily on prosecutorial discretion, leaving real uncertainty and risk.
• It shouldn't depend on what state.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It just depends on the good efforts of guys like Bob who are persistent and things like that.
• </c><01:11:34.000><c> It</c><01:11:34.239><c> just</c><01:11:34.480><c> depends</c><01:11:34.880><c>
• It just depends on the good very ad hoc.
• It just depends on the good efforts<01:11:35.840><c> of</c><01:11:36.000><c> guys</c><01:11:36.239><c
• <c> risk</c><01:54:04.320><c> to</c><01:54:05.040><c> public</c> Some of them may, but that would depend

Bills: HB1531

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: emergency announcements, American Sign Language, accessibility, public safety, broadcast media, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1913, which would create a mental health coordinator position within the Office of Veteran Services for the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home and appropriate funds for it. Supporters said veterans, especially on the neighbor islands, need more mental health access and coordination. Several witnesses, including Sean Sonatada and Tom Driscoll, supported the intent but urged amendments to broaden the position beyond one facility and make it a statewide resource. Committee members questioned whether the bill would duplicate existing services at the veterans home and whether the position would be reimbursable through federal VA funding; testimony indicated the state would appropriate the money, while existing home services are already covered through current staff and federal reimbursement structures. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 9, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart state. Testifiers generally supported the measure as a way to honor wounded veterans and their families, though one member asked what benefits the designation would confer. Witnesses clarified that the bill was mainly symbolic and did not appear to create new benefits, and one testifier noted Honolulu County had already adopted a similar Purple Heart designation. The committee then took up House Bill 1628, which would establish a compassionate release protocol for certain seriously ill or debilitated incarcerated persons. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Hawaii Paroling Authority opposed the bill, arguing that an existing administrative process already works, that the bill could improperly extend eligibility to people serving life without parole or mandatory minimum sentences, and that it lacked victim and family input and sufficient resources. In contrast, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission strongly supported the bill, saying it would reduce the high cost of incarcerating people with complex medical needs, ease burdens on staff and the prison population, and better reflect human dignity. The commission described having seen severe suffering and deaths in custody and said compassionate release is warranted in some cases. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends on how the interest rate has been either a penalty for them or a windfall for them.
• then you are<01:57:28.880><c> providing</c><01:57:30.159><c> a</c> are providing a are providing a depends
• 33.679><c> the</c><01:57:34.080><c> interest</c><01:57:34.320><c> rate</c><01:57:34.639><c> has</c> depends
• on how the interest rate has depends on how the interest rate has been<01:57:35.280><c> either</c><01
• I'm sure that depending on who you ask, there are some who don't think it's perfect.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sure, depending on what it is, I may defer to my colleagues behind me. Certainly.
• Keep in mind that as we walk through this spreadsheet, mental health centers are largely dependent on
• Keep in mind that as we walk through this spreadsheet, mental health centers are largely dependent on
• Keep in mind that as we walk through this spreadsheet, mental health centers are largely dependent on
• Keep in mind that as we walk through this spreadsheet, mental health centers are largely dependent on

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So whether or not they're registered as a Kentuckian when they were KIA could depend, but we can certainly
• c><01:02:31.040><c> were</c><01:02:31.200><c> KIA</c><01:02:32.640><c> could</c><01:02:32.960><c> depend
• ,</c> they when they were KIA could depend, they when they were KIA could depend, but<01:02:34.000><c

Committee: Joint Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the contract is, you know, it depends on the particular farm and how official that is.
• , you<00:36:28.480><c> know,</c><00:36:28.800><c> it</c><00:36:29.040><c> it</c><00:36:29.280><c> depends
• </c><00:36:29.520><c> on</c><00:36:29.680><c> the</c><00:36:29.920><c> the</c> you know, it it depends
• on the the you know, it it depends on the the particular<00:36:30.640><c> farm</c><00:36:30.880><c>

Committee: Joint State Government

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The transmission, it'll be closest, so it depends on where the transmission.
• I guess it depends on what the question is.
• The transmission, it'll be closest, so it depends on where the transmission.
• I guess it depends on what the question is.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends on how you look at the fund. So, the fund is worth $2.3 billion.
• /c> the majority of those revenues the majority of those revenues are are are It<00:15:49.000><c> depends
• :50.040><c> how</c><00:15:50.200><c> you</c><00:15:50.320><c> look</c><00:15:50.480><c> at</c> It depends
• on how you how you look at It depends on how you how you look at the<00:15:50.880><c> the</c><00:15:

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do, Madam Chair, and we would certainly uh work that out depending on what the allocation was.
• c><01:21:27.240><c> work</c><01:21:27.480><c> that</c><01:21:27.720><c> out</c><01:21:27.880><c> depending
• </c><01:21:28.320><c> on</c> certainly uh work that out depending on certainly uh work that out depending

Bills: HF4077 , HF3809 , HF3639 , HF4478 , HF3363 , HF3874

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: municipal nondisclosure agreement, NDA, public records, transparency, local government, county, city, town, school district, housing and redevelopment authority, economic development authority, port authority, economic development, land development, public financing, tax increment financing, TIF, abatement, municipal bonds, debt obligations

Summary: The Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved the minutes from March 25 and March 26, then took up House File 4077, a bipartisan bill authored by Representatives Greenman and Roach. The bill would prohibit municipalities from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities that restrict disclosure about land development, economic development, or publicly funded projects, while preserving existing Chapter 13 data practices rules and trade secret protections. The authors argued the bill is needed to prevent secret agreements and backroom decision-making that undermine public transparency, and they moved that the bill be re-referred to the general register. Several local officials and residents testified in support, including a St. Louis County commissioner, the mayor of Lonsdale, and residents from Farmington and Hermantown. Supporters said NDAs had been used in connection with data center and other development projects to keep elected officials and the public in the dark, eroding trust and limiting community input. They described the bill as a common-sense transparency measure and said existing law already protects legitimate trade secrets. Opposition came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Business Partnership, which argued that NDAs are often necessary in early-stage economic development discussions to protect sensitive business information and remain competitive with other states. They warned the bill could discourage investment, jobs, and tax growth, and said it would impose a one-size-fits-all state mandate that limits local discretion. Committee members then debated whether the bill was too broad and whether it should be narrowed to data centers; supporters responded that the issue extends beyond data centers to other forms of economic development. A roll call vote was requested on the motion to re-refer the bill to the general register, but the final vote result was not stated in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• authorized representative of a renter's estate could have a notice period as short as 2 or 3 weeks, depending
• 2</c><00:16:13.120><c> or</c><00:16:13.360><c> 3</c><00:16:13.519><c> weeks</c><00:16:14.160><c> depending
• </c><00:16:14.480><c> on</c><00:16:14.560><c> when</c> short as 2 or 3 weeks depending on when short
• as 2 or 3 weeks depending on when the<00:16:14.880><c> notice</c><00:16:15.199><c> is</c><00:16:15.360

Bills: HF4207 , HF3639 , HF3981 , HF3064 , HF2123

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, landlord regulations, tenant rights, minor children, lease agreements, eviction, privacy protection, housing, lease termination, medical care, death, infirmity, landlord obligations, St. Paul, public housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency