Video & Transcript Research : 'testimony'

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

Finance May 21st, 2025

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Appreciate your testimony. Thank you. Thank you.
  • We'll open public testimony.
  • Um, so we'll open public testimony on House Bill 3745.
  • Don't have any questions, we'll open up public testimony.
  • We'll close public testimony. Thank y'all. OK, let's see.
Bills: HB104
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband Mar 31st, 2025

S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thanks for your testimony. testimony today, Julia. We appreciate you being here.
  • This concludes my testimony for today. Thank you for your testimony. Members, any questions?
  • Glad you're here to provide testimony.
  • Thanks for your testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony today.
Bills: HB3445, HB3448
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Legislative Administration (01/23/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:25:58.000> on I've been asked to give testimony on I've been asked to give testimony on
  • um to review whatever online testimony um to review whatever online testimony that<00:34:50.040>
  • <00:52:12.079> is question about how their testimony is question about how their testimony
  • your question um during their testimony your question um during their testimony you<03:34:01.359
  • Thank you for your testimony.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The meeting was an introductory organizational session for the House Legislative Administration Committee. Chair Greg Hill and Vice Chair Vanessa Sheen welcomed members, introduced the new clerk and committee staff, and described the committee as generally nonpartisan and focused on bills on their merits. They also noted that many bills are handled on a consent calendar after discussion, and that the committee often works closely with staff, House counsel, and the House clerk on procedural matters. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on committee operations and expectations: how committee reports should be prepared and submitted, the use of electronic submissions, scheduling hearings, and the need for clear bill placards at the witness table for livestream viewers. Members discussed the committee’s calendar, including a proposed conflict with the governor’s budget address, and ultimately settled on moving the remaining hearings to February 19. The chair also emphasized advance notice for absences or amendments, and said executive sessions can be scheduled as time allows under current rules. House Clerk Paul Smith testified about his role as a nonpartisan officer and said he would be providing informational testimony on a bill affecting a law he sponsored years ago, as well as on a forthcoming PSLF-related bill for legislators. He also spoke about legislative customs, precedents, and the value of parliamentary procedure. The chair concluded with guidance on decorum: arrive on time, avoid interruptions during testimony, keep food out of the room, use electronic devices discreetly, and route questions through the chair for clarification rather than debate.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • We'll open up for public testimony.
  • Seeing no questions, we'll open public testimony.
  • Hearing none, public testimony is closed.
  • Seeing none, we'll open for public testimony.
  • Hearing none, public testimony is closed.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

PBS Public Hearing - Fri Feb 7, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • and support from Tim Reamer, testimony and support from Mike Go Senor, testimony and support from William
  • Seeing none. enlisted Association testimony and enlisted Association testimony and support<01:25:59.800
  • 26:01.480> and support from Tim reamer testimony and support from Tim reamer testimony and support
  • support from William Chang and testimony support from William Chang and testimony and<01:26:07.000
  • support that we've seen and testimony support that we've seen and testimony from<01:28:18.400>
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The Committee on Public Safety heard testimony on several bills. HB 628 HD1, relating to education, would reinstate a prior law allowing veterans whose high school education was interrupted by wartime to receive a diploma. Testimony was generally supportive from the Office of Veterans Services, the Department of Education, the Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and an individual testifier, with one person in opposition. The committee later recommended passage of HB 628 HD1 as is, and the motion was adopted. The committee also heard HB 1158 HD1 and HB 1159 HD1, both relating to commercial harbors. HB 1158 HD1 concerns firefighting at commercial harbors and drew support from the Department of Transportation; the committee recommended passage as is and adopted the recommendation. HB 1159 HD1 would require masters or persons in charge of vessels to comply with a Harbor Master’s order to evacuate a commercial harbor during emergencies. Testimony included support from Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Transportation, and comments from the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. Members raised concerns about small boat operators and safety, and the committee passed the bill with reservations. The committee then discussed HB 1262, relating to the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund, and HB 1296, relating to the major disaster fund. Supporters of HB 1262 included the Climate Advisory Team and AARP Hawaii, while the Department of Budget and Finance cautioned about duplication of benefits with federal disaster aid and the need to preserve the fund’s primary purpose. Members questioned how the bill would interact with federal assistance and whether the fund could be used more broadly; no vote was taken, and the bill was deferred to decision-making. On HB 1296, HEMA and Budget and Finance opposed the measure, citing the need for flexibility in emergencies and concerns that added reporting requirements could hinder response efforts, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii noted the major disaster fund is much smaller than the EBF. The committee likewise deferred HB 1296 to decision-making, and the meeting adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Criminal Jurisprudence Apr 15th, 2025

Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • Admissibility of testimony.
  • I appreciate your testimony. And when Dr.
  • Thank you for listening to my testimony. Thank you for your testimony. Next, we have Mr.
  • Thanks for your testimony. I appreciate it. Thank you for your testimony. Thank you. Thank you.
  • I appreciate your attention to this testimony.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary (02/13/2025)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I personally, because I'm reading this testimony, I don't want to answer for testimony.
  • I will send written testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your testimony.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

CPN-AEN, CPN-EDT, CPN-HOU, CPN-EIG Public Hearings 01-29-2025

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • Jane Bey Mara k kble and late testimony Jane Bey Mara k kble and late testimony from<00:07:32.120
  • Hawaii energy has submitted testimony Hawaii energy has submitted testimony and and and support<
  • that I raised in my written testimony that I raised in my written testimony and<00:56:46.039>
  • I will stand on our testimony, adding only that if you took his testimony and substituted beer where
  • Association and supporting testimony Association and supporting testimony from<01:16:56.280>
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee first heard SB 252 on invasive species, which would broaden the Department of Agriculture’s authority to inspect items moved into or within Hawaii, prohibit the sale of pest-infested merchandise, and allow quarantine, treatment, or destruction of affected materials with clarified penalties. Testifiers from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, the Farmers Union, and many others strongly supported the bill, emphasizing gaps in current inspection authority and the need to address high-risk non-agricultural commodities such as outdoor furniture and other cargo that can carry pests like red imported fire ants. Members raised concerns about staffing, inspection capacity, commerce impacts, and whether better manifest descriptions or scanners could help target higher-risk shipments. The chairs recommended passage with Department of Agriculture and technical amendments, and the committees adopted the recommendation. The joint CPN/EDT hearing then took up SB 148 on combat sports, which would create a Hawaii Combat Sports Commission and regulate combat sports while prohibiting no-rules contests. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments on effective dates and later said other jurisdictions generally use a single commission for boxing and MMA. Supporters, including a professional fighter and a longtime advocate, argued the bill would help revive the sport in Hawaii, improve local opportunities, and reduce costs associated with separate commissions; one testifier initially appeared opposed but clarified he was actually in support. Committee members asked about safety, medical coverage, staffing, vacancies, and whether separate commissions could share staff. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including an Attorney General effective-date amendment, amendments from the Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses to increase health-care coverage at fights, and DCCA’s recommendation to unify boxing and MMA under one commission; the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050, and the recommendation was adopted. A later joint CPN/Housing agenda began with SB 69 on deposits of public funds, which would require the Director of Finance to consider the benefits of using in-state depositories, including favorable lending terms for affordable housing. The Department of Budget and Finance and the Hawaii Bankers Association offered comments, and no other testimony or questions were noted before the discussion moved on. The next measure introduced was SB 24 on limited profit housing associations, which would create a regulatory framework and a limited profit housing council; the transcript cuts off as testimony on that bill was beginning.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • We ask that you stand on your written testimony if your oral testimony is different from your written
  • testimony.
  • way that it's written in our testimony way that it's written in our testimony is<00:10:01.760>
  • Thank you for your testimony.
  • No further testimony was offered.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs met on January 29, 2025, and first took up deferred SB 259 on record keeping. The chair said Honu Police Department had submitted support, and the committee recommended passage with amendments, including a technical change to the effective date on page 4, line 6 to July 1, 2077. Vice Chair Elefante voted yes; Senators Fevella and Rhoads were excused; the recommendation was adopted. The committee then heard SB 603 and SB 608, both relating to veterans benefits consulting and compensation. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to address First Amendment, Contracts Clause, and savings-clause issues, and testimony was mixed, with several supporters from veterans-related organizations and several opponents, including some testifiers from the public and industry groups. The committee later adopted chair recommendations to pass both bills with amendments, including preambles about protecting veteran consumers from misleading or unfair practices, savings clauses, and effective-date changes to July 1, 2077. SB 601, relating to law enforcement search notices and securing entrances, drew support from the Office of the Public Defender and a private citizen who described the bill as a response to warrantless searches and a transparency measure; there was also opposition from Maui County police and one other testifier. The committee then moved to SB 871 on arson, where the Department of the Attorney General raised drafting and constitutional concerns and the Public Defender opposed the measure as vague, overbroad, and creating problematic sentencing provisions, while HPD supported it as a public-safety tool. The chair ultimately recommended SB 871 pass with amendments softening mandatory language, adding parole language, and changing the effective date to July 1, 2077; the recommendation was adopted. The final measures were SB 1130, exempting certain construction rebuilding materials from general excise tax in federally declared disaster areas, and SB 104, restricting solitary confinement in correctional facilities. The Department of Taxation requested third-party certification and a later effective date, and the committee adopted amendments reflecting those requests and moving the effective date to January 1, 2026. On SB 104, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed the bill, citing staff assaults and existing policy updates, while the Oversight Commission, Public Defender, and multiple advocates supported it as a safeguard with oversight and due process protections. The committee passed SB 104 with amendments, including adopting the commission’s definition language, changing terminology to “restrictive housing,” and setting the effective date to July 1, 2077.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speakers are asked to limit their testimony to no more than three minutes.
  • Speakers are asked to limit their testimony to no more than three minutes.
  • I want to emphasize that testimony should be limited to three minutes max.
  • Great questions, and for Chair Lanatra and your team, powerful testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony. Are there any questions from the committee?
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery held a public hearing on 14 bills focused on insurance, parity, opioids, behavioral health access, and mental health system reform. Chair Mindy Domb and Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would accept written testimony. The hearing featured testimony from legislators, providers, advocates, and behavioral health organizations, with most speakers urging favorable reports on the bills they addressed. A major topic was psychiatric collaborative care, including H. 222/S. 1390, which would raise reimbursement for collaborative care codes to at least Medicare levels and allow billing outside the MassHealth primary care subcapitation model. Supporters said the model improves access, outcomes, and cost savings by embedding behavioral health in primary care, and several witnesses described successful implementation in practices and schools. Committee members asked questions about how the model works, what specialties use it, barriers to adoption, and whether copays, deductibles, and subcapitation rules should be changed. Witnesses also supported related innovation legislation, including H. 2224, which would create a mental health innovation fund and support nontraditional trauma-healing approaches. Other bills discussed included H. 2212, which would require prescribers to discuss opioid and pain-medication risks, alternatives, and addiction/overdose concerns with patients or guardians; H. 2232 and H. 2233, which would address equitable payment and equitable access for behavioral health providers serving MassHealth patients; and S. 1406, which would add opioid maintenance treatment information to MassPAT and allow patient-authorized access to that information. Witnesses also strongly backed S. 1399, which would set targets to increase behavioral health spending within the overall health care cost benchmark, arguing that Massachusetts underinvests in behavioral health and that greater investment could reduce emergency, hospitalization, homelessness, and criminal justice costs. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and committee questions.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you for your testimony. All right, thank you.
  • Um I stand on my testimony, but I'm Um I stand on my testimony, but I'm really<00:22:22.440> here<
  • We stand on our written testimony in support. Thank you.
  • <00:27:23.679> and I'll stand on my written testimony and I'll stand on my written testimony
  • <00:27:37.120> in Okay, members, we also have testimony in Okay, members, we also have testimony
Bills: HCR112
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Then we'll open up public testimony.
  • Hearing none, we're going to open up public testimony.
  • But I do have testimony if the committee would like to hear it. Go ahead and give your testimony.
  • We're going to open up public testimony.
  • We're going to close public testimony, and Mr.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/09/26

Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:
  • With that, we’ll proceed with further testimony. Thank you.
  • Hoping for a couple minutes of testimony.
  • FOR A COUPLE MINUTES OF TESTIMONY. YOU COULD INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND PRESENT YOUR TESTIMONY. PLEASE.
  • Please introduce yourself and present your testimony.
  • Fleming, appreciate your testimony. Other members?
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Transportation May 14th, 2025

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right, we'll open up public testimony on House Bill 647.
  • If not, we'll close public testimony.
  • Okay, I'll open that up to public testimony on HB 4804.
  • Okay, we'll open up public testimony on House Bill 2003.
  • Hearing none, public testimony is closed.
Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard testimony and took action on a series of transportation-related bills. Early in the meeting, Senator Hagenbuch presented HB 647, which would let drivers who have had corrective eye surgery update their licenses by submitting physician verification without an in-person DMV visit; he argued it would reduce DMV lines, though a fiscal note estimated setup costs. The committee also heard HB 2029, a cleanup bill clarifying that travel trailers are not subject to safety inspections after prior legislation removed inspections for trailers and all vehicles, and HB 4804, which would remove Texas’s CDL appeals hearing process to align with federal law and avoid jeopardizing highway funds, while also authorizing DPS action related to the terrorist offender registry. All three bills were left pending after testimony, along with HB 2003, which would require annual public reporting by entities with projects in the Texas Rail Plan, especially in light of the Dallas-Houston high-speed rail project and landowner concerns; supporters said it would improve transparency, while opponents warned it would force disclosure of proprietary financial information from a private project. The committee also heard HB 2775, adding Ector County and Odessa to the I-27 Advisory Committee, and HB 791, authorizing a specialty plate for Central Catholic High School in San Antonio; both were left pending after brief discussion and no opposition testimony. The committee then heard several local or commemorative measures. HB 1242 would designate part of U.S. Highway 281 in Brooks County as the Ernesto Solis-Cantu Memorial Highway, and HB 2061 would name a bridge on State Highway 242 in Montgomery County for Lance Corporal Armando Hernandez. Hernandez’s mother testified emotionally in support, describing his military service and the family’s wish to have the bridge mark his return home; members responded supportively. The committee also heard HB 1729, which would impose term limits on Freeport commissioners, and HB 3751, transferring a DPS commercial vehicle enforcement office building in Woodville from TxDOT to DPS. HB 3611, the “bandit sign” bill, was presented as a targeted enforcement measure against illegal commercial signs in medians and right-of-ways, with added safeguards to avoid affecting political signs and to require written notice before fines. All of these bills were left pending after testimony. At the end of the meeting, the committee took up pending business and voted out multiple bills favorably. HB 3751, HB 261/HB 2061, HB 647, HB 791, HB 1242, HB 1729, HB 2003, HB 2029, HB 2775, HB 3611, HB 4804, and HB 2522 were each reported favorably to the full Senate, generally on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Most were also sent to the local and uncontested calendar, though HB 2029 was ultimately not placed there after an objection. The committee then recessed.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you for your testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony and Ms. Thank you for your testimony and Ms.
  • participate and add their testimony. participate and add their testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your testimony.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: House File 29 was heard in committee as a proposal to suspend adoption of the revised social studies standards, push implementation to 2030-31, repeal the requirement to embed ethnic studies across all standards, and cancel related appropriations. The bill sponsor argued Minnesota schools should focus on basic academic achievement and that ethnic studies requirements add burdens and distract from reading, math, and science. The chair moved the bill to the Committee on Education Finance after opening the hearing and then took extensive public testimony. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters of HF 29, including Katherine Kersten, Deanna Moose, Kendall Qualls, Hillary Swanson, and Diane Smith, argued the ethnic studies framework is ideological, overly focused on race, insufficiently transparent, and costly in professional development time; several said it would divide students or burden teachers. Some supporters also claimed the standards or framework promote activism, critical race theory, or racial stratification. Opponents, including Mark Westfall, Crystal Johnson, Jim Grathwol, Marcus Penny, Claude Sigman, and Courtney Major, said the standards are inclusive, research-based, and designed to help students understand multiple perspectives, civic life, and the contributions of diverse Minnesotans. They emphasized that ethnic studies can improve engagement, critical thinking, and representation, and that teachers should be trusted to implement the standards. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal action noted was the chair’s motion to re-refer House File 29 to the Committee on Education Finance.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

ECD Public Hearing - Fri Mar 14, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST

Economic Development & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • please continue with your testimony please continue with your testimony thank<00:22:55.919> you
  • So, C.H.C., please at least be aware when you're looking at testimony whose testimony do they have, you
  • So, C.H.C., please at least be aware when you're looking at testimony whose testimony do they have, you
  • So, C.H.C., please at least be aware when you're looking at testimony whose testimony do they have, you
  • We did submit written testimony. We're going to send on the written testimony.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 1343, which would amend quorum requirements for the Small Business Regulatory Review Board. The board chair testified in support, saying it has been difficult to fill all seats and that using active seats for quorum would help the board function more effectively. No opposition or questions were raised, and the committee moved on. The committee then heard SB 1578, which drew mixed testimony. DBEDT supported the measure and the Attorney General suggested inserting preamble language from HB 1025 to provide historical context on the East-West Center. Austin Martin of the Libertarian Party of Hawaiʻi opposed the bill, arguing it could invite improper behavior, create loosely regulated satellite offices, increase foreign influence, and add competition for land ownership. The committee took no vote during the hearing. The bulk of the meeting focused on SB 1641, a measure to establish a Hawaiʻi film commission/authority and related funding and governance structure. DBEDT supported the intent and offered friendly amendments to clarify the distinction between film and media industries, while the Honolulu Film Office and labor representatives from IATSE, Teamsters, and Pride at Work supported the bill but urged changes. Their concerns centered on conflicts of interest, especially having producers on the commission, and they asked for more labor representation and clearer oversight rules. The Attorney General raised constitutional and special-fund concerns, saying the grant standards and special-fund language needed work. Committee members discussed renaming the entity as a Hawaiʻi Film Authority, broadening its scope beyond cultural production, adjusting the commission makeup, and clarifying funding sources, including the existing film and creative industries fund and the 0.2% rebate contribution. No final vote was taken in the portion provided, but members indicated the bill would need substantial revisions and an HD1.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

WAL Public Hearing - Thu Feb 13, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST

Water & Land

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yes, we've submitted testimony in support.
  • <00:31:09.559> in um yes we we've submitted testimony in um yes we we've submitted testimony
  • probably okay and your your testimony probably okay and your your testimony was<00:48:36.720>
  • You have a written testimony in support.
  • So that's my testimony.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 13, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of housing, land, and resource bills. Early bills included HB 743 on fiscal sustainability, HB 1318 on affordable housing, and HB 1409 on the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board. Testimony on the housing measures was largely supportive from agencies and advocacy groups such as the Office of Planning, Hawaii Housing Future, Hawaii Appleseed, Catholic Charities, and the County of Kauai, while the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) raised concerns on HB 1318 about public trust duties for ceded lands. On HB 1409, members questioned whether the bill needed updating in light of a separate bill changing the board structure, and witnesses said the measure did not change funding but only the board’s mission and scope. The committee also heard HB 1410, which would create a supportive housing special fund. Supporters, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Hawaii Appleseed, argued that predictable dedicated funding is needed for supportive housing, social services, and long-term homelessness solutions. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed tax earmarks in general, saying they subvert the constitutional budgeting process. Members asked how the fund would be administered and who could access it; witnesses said HHFDC and the counties would coordinate the process, but DLNR noted the bill did not provide additional administrative capacity and suggested language to address that. Later bills included HB 528 on residential leaseholds, HB 1359 on flood mitigation, HB 1087 on historic preservation reviews, HB 868 on disabilities, and HB 1323 on transfer of non-agricultural park lands. HB 528 drew limited testimony, with a Catholic Charities/Hawaii Public Housing Authority representative offering a general example of leasehold development but saying the bill’s exemptions had not been discussed in detail. HB 1359 prompted discussion of homeowner and county responsibilities for drainage and flood damage, with DLNR saying private owners are responsible for drainage on private property and counties for county roads. HB 1087 was supported by DHHL, which said historic preservation reviews currently take about 165 days and the bill could improve timeliness, while Hawaii Historic Hawaii Foundation opposed it. HB 868 drew support from the Disability Rights Center and DCAB, with testimony focusing on beach access and the need for clearer legal authority. On HB 1323, DLNR opposed the bill, saying it did not reflect Act 90 and that some agricultural parcels should remain under DLNR for conservation, watershed, recreation, or fire protection reasons; DOA, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the measure, arguing that productive agricultural lands should be transferred to agriculture to protect local food production and family ranches.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Administration Apr 8th, 2025

Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • Hearing none for public testimony. Public testimony is closed.
  • OK, public testimony is now open.
  • Oh, public testimony. Excuse me. We're now open for public testimony.
  • Hearing none, public testimony is closed.
  • No questions open for public testimony.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Children and Family Law (04/03/2025)

Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • I just ask you with your testimony. testimony. testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony. Do Court. Thank you for your testimony.
  • So that's my testimony. So I senate do. So that's my testimony.
  • that's my testimony. So thanks. that's my testimony. So thanks.
  • for your testimony. Thank you. for your testimony. Thank you.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Public Works and Highways (03/24/2026)

Public Works and Highways

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's a page of testimony.
  • <00:12:48.399> that's have those pages in testimony that's have those pages in testimony that's
  • ,<00:12:53.760> that's through them in my testimony, that's through them in my testimony,
  • , Thank you very much for your testimony, Thank you very much for your testimony, sir.<00:53:34.160
  • I appreciate the testimony.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 497, a technical correction to last year’s capital budget. Shannon Reid of the Community College System of New Hampshire explained that the bill removes leftover state-agency boilerplate from a repurposed capital appropriation and replaces it with community college language, without changing any dollar amounts. She also described a requested amendment to rename a respiratory therapy renovation appropriation at Nashua Community College as an allied health instructional center, so the space can be used more flexibly for programs such as phlebotomy, radiologic technology, and LNA training. Terry Poff of the General Court then testified on the second part of the bill, which changes legislative space references to support the move of General Court offices from the second floor to the fourth floor of the annex as part of the legislative office building reconfiguration. Members asked whether the community college changes affected funding, and Reid confirmed the amounts do not change and that the bill simply speeds up a correction that otherwise would have been handled later in the lapse process. Poff said the annex space change is part of a permanent transition, though the work cannot proceed until the General Court has legal control of the space. The committee then entered executive session, adopted Amendment 1031H on a 12-0 vote, and voted ought to pass as amended on SB 497 by a 12-0 vote, with several members absent. The bill was placed on the consent calendar. The committee next opened a hearing on Senate Bill 529FN, which would give preference to lumber sourced in the United States on state-funded building projects. Representative Davis, introducing the bill for Senator Roachford, argued that New Hampshire timber is disadvantaged by grading rules that treat U.S. lumber differently from Canadian SPF lumber, even when the wood is from similar species and climates. He said the bill is intended to support New Hampshire’s timber industry and that architects and engineers would still be able to specify stronger materials when needed. Committee members questioned whether the bill should instead refer specifically to New Hampshire lumber, how it would be enforced, and what the cost impact would be. Davis and later witness Mike Olette said the issue is tied to industry grading standards rather than a government code, that the bill is meant to create a preference rather than a mandate, and that price differences are hard to pin down because lumber is a commodity. Olette, who lives near the border, testified that New Hampshire logs are often sent to Canada for milling and then return under a different grade, which he said puts New Hampshire loggers and mills at an economic disadvantage.