Transcript Highlights:

• Have your written testimony available because I do read all the written testimony.
• I will be reading a list of individuals who submitted written testimony for each measure.
• Have your written testimony available because I do read all the written testimony.
• Have your written testimony available because I do read all the written testimony.
• Have your written testimony available because I do read all the written testimony.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened its first hearing of the 2025 session with procedural instructions about testimony limits, Zoom participation, written testimony, and a reconvening date if needed. It then heard SB 200 on speedy trials. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it could create conflicts of interest for prosecutors, potentially make victims or witnesses quasi-parties to criminal cases, force traumatizing testimony on continuance motions, and unfairly delay trials for in-custody defendants. A World Care representative supported the bill and urged broader protections for minors, disabled people, and seniors. The chair also pressed the public defender to suggest improvements, emphasizing that the bill was driven by victims and families. No vote or final action was taken on SB 200. The committee next took up SB 8 on jury duty exemptions for health professionals. Testimony was strongly supportive from nurses, physicians, and disability advocates, who said APRNs and other nurses are in short supply and that jury service can disrupt patient care, especially in rural and neighbor island areas. One witness suggested expanding the exemption to include registered nurses as well as APRNs, while a senator raised concerns about blanket exemptions for non-practicing APRNs and suggested a time limit. The bill remained under discussion with no final action reported. The committee then heard SB 144 on chiropractic, with the state chiropractic board offering comments and the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supporting the measure as a way to address workforce shortages and provide students more hands-on clinical experience. A World Care witness also supported the bill after clarifying her remarks. The chair then moved to SB 107 on medical informed consent, where the Hawaii Medical Board opposed the bill and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and Queen’s Health System offered comments, citing concerns about duplicative standards. A support witness proposed expanding the bill to better address combined mental and physical health conditions. Finally, SB 189 on breast cancer screening drew support from the Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Radiological Society, Queen’s Health Systems, and others, while the Insurance Division raised concerns about possible insurance mandate defrayment and the need for a sunrise analysis. Senators also asked about local demographic data and coverage impacts; the chair indicated decision-making would be deferred to another day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Textbooks are with reading and math.
• Kendall's already reading up a storm. Kendall's already reading up a storm.
• We believe this makes sense given Reading Corps is an effective part of the Read Act and the state's
• > and<01:41:09.199> the effective part of the Read Act and the effective part of the Read
• <01:46:26.800> in<01:46:27.040> trans experience difficulty in trans experience difficulty

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It seems to be that the research indicates that parents are into texting more versus talking or reading
• It seems to be that the research indicates that parents are into texting more versus talking or reading
• In one case, I made multiple calls to a parent in distress as she described her difficulty in sending
• In one case, I made multiple calls to a parent in distress as she described her difficulty in sending
• You are reading my mind.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Finance Committee met on January 28, 2025, to receive updates on chronic absenteeism work funded in the 2024 education finance bill. The chair introduced presentations from districts in the student attendance pilot program—Minneapolis, Columbia Heights, Chisago, and Rochester—and noted that the committee would also hear the student attendance and truancy legislative study group report and later a bill from Senator Weber. The chair also thanked educational assistants and paraprofessionals for their work in schools. Minneapolis Public Schools described common attendance challenges across pilot districts, including inconsistent attendance coding, weak family communication, difficulty identifying interventions, and uneven responses to absences. The district said pilot districts want statewide definitions for absences, tardies, and exempt codes, as well as better internal dashboards and clearer procedures. Minneapolis also highlighted strategies such as attendance teams at each school, quarterly postcards to families after five or more absences, Promise Fellows, home visits, multilingual communication through TalkingPoints, and a morning nurse line to help parents decide whether a child should stay home. The district said its main attendance goal is to raise consistent attendance from 68 percent to 80 percent by 2026. In response to committee questions, Minneapolis said its main post-COVID absenteeism reason has been illness or medical issues, followed by transportation problems, and that it does not penalize students for transportation-related absences. The district said it counts secondary absences when students miss more than three periods in a day, with truancy beginning after seven such absences, while elementary students are counted absent for the full day. Members also asked about whether reduced truancy referrals reflected more attendance or diversionary supports; the district said its approach is to focus on understanding root causes and providing support rather than quickly referring students to truancy processes. The district reported improved communication, greater parent awareness, and fewer truancy referrals so far, and said the attendance team model should be sustainable because it uses existing staff with clearer direction.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have not read the minutes, but I'm sure they're right and I move them. I approve.
• I read this article recently.
• I I read this now as being K-shaped. I I read this article<00:15:53.880> recently.
• I open your email and read about some of the, I mean, I don't know much about your district.
• <01:26:00.600> about I open your email and and read about I open your email and and read about

Bills: HF4621, HF4123, HF4616, HF1183

Keywords: child tax credit, financial assistance, low-income families, state revenue, tax policy, net investment income, taxation, business income, self-employment, tax increase, wealth tax, fairness, public services, high-income earners, economic equity, Internal Revenue Code, employee classification, federal law, Minnesota statutes, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• So reading some of their notes as well.
• reading it.
• I'll just backtrack a little bit and read.
• .<00:59:45.000> Um read.
• Um read.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, for me, um, so I read some of the information that you provided in preparation for this bill,
• Reading the IEP documents was causing a lot of anxiety.
• That's when she discovered her 10th-grade son was reading at a third-grade math level.
• could speak English just fine reading could speak English just fine reading the<01:47:26.040>
• Edwards did provide a copy of her testimony, which I'm happy to read if that's allowable.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I spent the next 12 weeks preparing for the unthinkable, reading stories of being induced to have a stillbirth
• I read to her, rested with her, and when I needed a moment to collect myself, I could place her in what
• encourage families to spend as much time as they need with their child after death, whether it's reading
• They changed it to full spectrum, and he goes to the front and reads in 90 days. Thank you.
• General Paxton said knowing the difficulties that await them if they attempt to adopt a native child.

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744, HB18, HB37, HB116

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

Transcript Highlights:

• idea of social inflation or some kind of a tort tax is just PR spin that does not show up in a close read
• Honestly, I didn't, when I read this bill, I think of it more as a personal injury lawyer.
• Stressors commonly cause physical pain too, such as dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, and shortness
• She's reading her notes to write her. Take her time. Okay. Thank you. She says hello? Hello!
• You've got a hard two minutes, so if you want to read your testimony.

Bills: HB4806

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have a list of some of the local rural municipalities in my district, and I read some out to you
• Associated General Contractor American Audodesk, nearly all of the surveyed companies were having difficulty
• Up next, we have Malroy Henry, the writing's a little tough to read here, representing himself, waving
• Henry, the writing's a little tough to read here, representing himself, waving in opposition.
• I know when I read the bill, it says that it’s voluntary.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 703 on utility relocation, as amended by a strike-all. The sponsor said the bill would require government authorities that order communication service providers to move infrastructure to pay the relocation costs, clarify expedited timelines, and align the House bill with the Senate version. Supporters argued the communication services tax should help cover these costs, while cities and counties warned the bill would shift major unfunded costs to local governments and taxpayers, especially in fiscally constrained counties. After public testimony from local government and industry representatives and debate over fairness, coordination, and the tax’s intended use, the committee adopted the strike-all and then passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote. The committee then heard and passed CS/HB 379, a securities package updating Chapter 517. The bill and conforming amendment made several technical and policy changes, including expanding certain exemptions, updating foreign jurisdiction and exchange considerations, revising merger-and-acquisition broker rules, aligning fingerprinting requirements with FBI standards, and adding protections related to financial exploitation of specified adults. Industry and Office of Financial Regulation witnesses supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably without opposition. Next, the committee passed CS/HB 867 establishing the Coastal Link Commuter Rail Service Act to create a legal framework for commuter rail operations along Florida’s coastal corridor and to help Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties secure insurance and indemnification for service on the Florida East Coast Railway right-of-way. The Florida Chamber supported the bill, and it was reported favorably without debate. The committee also passed CS/HB 1161, which revises Florida’s deepfake law to require covered platforms to remove altered sexual depictions and copies upon request by the victim; the bill drew emotional testimony from a student victim and broad support from members, and a severability amendment was adopted before the bill passed unanimously. The committee then passed CS/HB 453 on pool and spa contractors, which updates Chapter 489 terminology and scope-of-practice rules and, through amendment, limits certain equipment to commercially available products. Finally, the committee passed HB 955 requiring all private employers to use E-Verify for new hires, removing the small-employer exemption. Supporters framed it as workforce integrity and rule-of-law legislation, while opponents warned about labor shortages, burdens on small businesses, and impacts on immigrant workers. After debate, the bill passed 19-3. The committee then began hearing CS/HB 541 on minimum wage requirements, which would allow voluntary waivers of minimum wage for certain internships, pre-apprenticeships, and on-the-job training; the sponsor presented an amendment limiting the duration and clarifying minor waivers, and the committee heard both support from small business groups and opposition from labor, immigrant, and worker advocates before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• . difficulty recruiting and retaining foster parents.
• I've got a letter right here, Madam Chair... and Senator, if you don't mind me reading.
• Santa, is it OK to read this? Oh, there, I can keep it brief. We have other items on the agenda.
• And when you read page 9, starting with, "If the department determines that an infant left pursuant to
• I did read it enough to know that, that, you know, so that we're raising the thresholds to be more in

Transcript Highlights:

• It led to significant difficulties for me to be able to move past my assault while at the university.
• uh for me to significant uh difficulties uh for me to be<00:08:16.800> able<00:08:17.039>
• It led to significant difficulties for me to be able to move past my assault while at the university.
• This is referenced several times throughout the report, so I'd ask you to give it a close read.
• but we we do um give it a close read but we we do know<00:58:10.319> uh<00:58:10.480> still

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we have had a little bit of technical difficulties, so we're trying to make sure that the people
• uh Senator McQuade moves to would read uh Senator McQuade moves to amend<01:19:43.520> Senate
• through this it's a great bill I reading through this it's a great bill I think<01:22:25.600> what
• Madam Chair, can I just have a second to read this? Yes, thank you.
• So I guess I'm just reading through this, and I was trying to understand, Senator Lieske, I'm trying

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I couldn't even listen to your first ten minutes because I was reading all the interesting things you've
• In the morning, I go in there and he says, "I want to know why I had to read in the Dallas Morning News
• Texans in California, you know, I heard that, and I've seen I've been reading it in the media.
• Since I was very involved in COVID and also hurricanes, I seem to read to be very involved with that
• Those difficulties have caused some budget challenges for the university that we've been dealing with

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're welcome to read prepared remarks, but please refrain from reading any testimony that you also
• It's 770 pages, if you want to read it.
• I know you can all read, so we don't need to go through them.
• , or a screen reader to read a digital sign.
• Let me read just a quick comment here.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing covered several environment and natural resources bills focused on natural and working lands, forest protection, municipal reforestation, trail accessibility, and a park naming bill. Representative Moschino and Senator Comerford described the natural and working lands bill as part of the state’s climate roadmap, arguing that protecting these lands supports carbon sequestration, resilience, biodiversity, and helps prevent development pressure on the least expensive land. Senator Comerford also testified on a separate bill to expand access to trails for people of all abilities, saying it would build on the administration’s Trails for All initiative and create a permanent advisory structure and trust fund. Representative Consolvo and family members testified in support of H. 4259 to name the tennis courts at Wether Park in Roslindale after Kim O’Connell, describing her long community service and activism. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 952 and H. 953, bills to protect watershed and state forest lands as parks or reserves. Supporters, including environmental advocates, scientists, and organizations such as Standing Trees, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and the Massachusetts Forest Alliance’s opponents, debated whether state forests and watershed lands should be permanently reserved from logging and other active management. Supporters said the bills would improve carbon storage, water quality, biodiversity, flood and drought resilience, and would protect large acreages of public land at no cost. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Forest Alliance, argued that sustainable forest management and a mix of reserves and managed forests are needed for climate, water quality, wildfire prevention, rural jobs, and carbon outcomes, and urged the committee to allow the administration’s existing reserve process to continue. The committee also heard extensive testimony on the municipal reforestation bill, H. 1013/S. 553, which would create a statewide program, advisory council, and trust fund to support urban tree planting and maintenance. Municipal officials and advocates from Wellesley, Cambridge, Boston, the Mystic River watershed, and other communities said urban trees are critical for cooling, stormwater control, air quality, public health, and equity, especially in environmental justice neighborhoods with low canopy cover and high heat. Several witnesses emphasized that consistent funding is needed because trees take years to mature and many municipalities lack staff or watering capacity. Some witnesses asked that the bill be funded at $100 million and tied to the Mass Ready Act or environmental bond funding. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was moved to today, partly because of some difficulties with transit and weather yesterday.
• Okay, without further ado, if I could ask the clerk to read the first bill.
• So I do not read this as narrowing the range of reasonableness that could be considered.
• I don't want to speak entirely about what the sponsor intended by that, but I do not read it the way
• you're reading it.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee met with quorum present and considered a full agenda of housing, code enforcement, and rent regulation bills, many of which had passed the Senate in prior years. Early measures included a statewide residential rental registry (S.912), penalties and reporting for vacant and abandoned properties (S.925), and extending tenant response time for major capital improvement rent increase applications (S.1461). The committee also advanced several code-enforcement and fire/building-code bills, including measures to expand remedies for Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code violations (S.3406), increase the Secretary of State’s code enforcement powers (S.4165 and S.4534), and authorize investigations into code administration and enforcement (S.4535). Members raised concerns about local fiscal impacts, the scope of state authority, contractor use, and whether the bills adequately define or limit “imminent threat” and related enforcement powers. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on S.4852, which would require the Codes Council to review and act on updates to international model codes within 18 months. Senators debated whether the bill would speed up code adoption or, as some feared, weaken economic reasonableness considerations by striking the word “economically” from the statutory standard. Supporters said the bill was intended to ensure prompt review of widely used model codes and noted other statutory safeguards remain in place; opponents worried about reduced attention to cost and practical impacts, especially amid housing and utility capacity constraints. The committee also discussed S.6368A, requiring complainants to receive copies of compliance orders issued after code complaints, and S.6600B, mandating inspections of certain non-fireproof buildings in New York City. Additional bills advanced included standards for all-gender bathroom design and construction (S.7131A), compensation for required code-enforcement personnel training (S.7159), and audits of individual apartment improvements in rent-regulated units (S.8046A). Several measures were reported to Finance, while others were reported to the floor. Throughout the meeting, votes were largely along expected lines, with some members voting negative or “without recommendation” on the more expansive code-enforcement bills. No bill was defeated, and all items on the agenda were reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk will read the bill."
• Clerk will read the bill."
• Clerk will read the bill."
• Clerk will read the bill."
• Clerk will read the bill."

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, confirmed a quorum, and heard several ceremonial recognitions, including an invocation by seminarian Benjamin Oler and a resolution honoring Taiwan’s ambassador, Alexander Ui Tore, for strengthening Maryland’s partnership with Taiwan. Senators also welcomed the day’s doctor, Dr. Larry Green, AFCEA Central Maryland chapter members, Chesapeake Bay Foundation student leaders, and Salisbury University students visiting for committee work. On legislation, the chamber referred Senate Bill 995 on cannabis licensing, labor peace agreements, and collective bargaining rules to the Rules Committee, and a bond initiative for New Market Town Hall to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 241, which would automatically restore voter registration for individuals released from state correctional facilities; the committee amendments were adopted without objection, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 323, the Juvenile Court Jurisdiction Youth Charging Reform Act. One amendment to keep first-degree assault in automatic adult charging was offered and debated at length, with supporters arguing the offense is extremely serious and should begin in adult court, and opponents saying the bill allows judges to make individualized decisions and aligns Maryland with other states and federal juvenile practice. The amendment failed by a 27-vote negative roll call. A second amendment from the minority whip sought to exclude firearm-in-drug-crime offenses and firearm use with felony drug convictions from automatic juvenile court treatment; the sponsor argued these offenses involve serious armed drug activity and should remain in adult court, while the bill’s supporters emphasized juvenile services and judicial discretion. The transcript cuts off before the vote on that second amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:04.040> and I read through this bill and I read through this bill and uh uh uh for<
• That difficulty? Mr. Sigurson. Mr.
• That difficulty? Mr. Sigurson. Mr.
• That<02:03:01.320> difficulty? That difficulty? That difficulty?
• Well, I'm just reading it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is not without difficulty.
• >> Certainly striving towards all of those beds being filled. >> Yes. >> Some of the difficulties faced
• >> Certainly striving towards all of those beds being filled. >> Yes. >> Some of the difficulties faced
• >> Certainly striving towards all of those beds being filled. >> Yes. >> Some of the difficulties faced
• Certainly striving towards all of those beds being filled. >> Yes. >> Some of the difficulties faced

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes from September 26. Senator Gray then raised the idea of creating a continuing subcommittee or recurring agenda item on palliative care and hospice, noting that the issues are evolving and suggesting the committee revisit the idea in coming months. The bulk of the meeting focused on Department of Health and Human Services updates. Officials described contingency planning for SNAP amid the federal shutdown, including a USDA notice that November benefits may not be fully funded, letters to participants warning of possible delays, and coordination with the New Hampshire Food Bank and local pantries. They said New Hampshire serves about 42,000 SNAP households, with average benefits around $300 a month, and that the department is also preparing to transfer funds for a special fiscal committee meeting. WIC was discussed separately: officials said WIC benefits had been extended through November 7 using additional USDA funds, but that some community agency-based WIC services may need to pause while money is redirected to food benefits. Officials also outlined New Hampshire’s rural health transformation grant application under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill, describing a potential five-year, up-to-$1 billion opportunity focused on critical access hospitals, small rural hospitals, federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, and EMS. Members asked about transportation, workforce, and nursing retention; officials said transportation is included in the proposal, housing is not, and workforce supports may include lower tuition or awards but not loan repayment or traditional scholarships. They also said the final application would be submitted in early November and that priorities would be adjusted depending on the eventual federal award. Finally, Medicaid director Henry Lipman gave a quarterly postpartum coverage update. He said postpartum coverage is now nearly universal nationwide, and in New Hampshire 2,351 women had used the benefit through May 2025. He reported that mental health services were the most frequently used postpartum service, followed by preventive care, substance use disorder treatment, and cardiovascular-related care, and noted that Medicaid women have experienced a disproportionate share of maternal deaths. Committee members asked about rural distribution and the share of women receiving mental health services, and Lipman said the department would follow up with additional data. The meeting then moved into the annual update on New Hampshire’s 10-year mental health plan, with staff describing progress toward a more integrated continuum of care and improved data infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• , second reading; House Law Number 202, second reading; House Number 247, second reading; House Law Number
• 500, second reading; House Law Number 688, second reading; House Law Number 764, second reading; House
• Law Number 1052, second reading; House Law Number 1233, second reading.
• second reading; House Law Number 1401, second reading; House Law Number 1445, second reading; House Law
• Number 1491, second reading; House Law Number 1492, second reading; House Law Number 1693, second reading

Transcript Highlights:

• Read and oh, yes, Fremont. Yes. Yes. The bill passes. >> Thank you, Kimberly. By your vote.
• office has only had the experience. >> That people who are eligible for these benefits have massive difficulties