Video & Transcript Research : 'parish council'

Page 55 of 463
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • and any of these councils?
  • Advisory Council as well.
  • and any of these councils?
  • Advisory Council as well.
  • and any of these councils?
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and noted weather-related absences and a large number of new bills. The chair said a subcommittee would be formed to review three cell phone bills, and a full committee work session on bullying would be scheduled for the week after next. The committee then began a hearing on House Bill 121, which would create local special education advisory councils in school districts. Representative Glenn Cordelli, the sponsor, said the councils would be parent-driven, with parents of children with disabilities advising districts on education, safety, program development, evaluation, planning, policies, and communication with administrators. He said the bill would require at least quarterly meetings with district administration, an annual parent workshop, and a year-end report to the school board. He also cited federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Education on parent advisory councils and said the goal was to improve collaboration between parents and schools. Members raised questions about the use of “shall,” how councils would be formed in districts without PTAs/PTOs, whether the councils could function in very small districts, privacy concerns about parents disclosing their children’s disabilities, whether the councils should include guardians or educational professionals, and whether the councils would have any direct tie to the state advisory council. The sponsor said the requirement was intended to make the councils mandatory, that local districts could organize them organically if needed, that participation would be voluntary, that parents would not be required to disclose private information, and that the councils would remain advisory rather than determinative. He also said costs should be minimal. Testimony then began from Nicole Sheath, a pediatric occupational therapist and parent of four children with disabilities, who described her experience balancing advocacy, school collaboration, and the demands of her children’s therapies and education.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session - 2026-03-17 - 10:00AM

Vermont House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Council, Office of Legislative<00:29:12.800> Council Legislative Council Legislative Council General
  • from the Office of legislative council from the Office of Legislative<01:29:14.960> Council,<
  • . council. council.
  • There isn't any advisory council.
  • And council.
Keywords: 926, house, all
Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading for St. Patrick’s Day, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of a resignation letter from Representative Hooper of Burlington. The letter said the House environment had changed significantly and that he was resigning before the next cycle, while thanking colleagues and urging bold leadership to address major problems facing Vermonters. Members then received first readings and referrals for a large slate of bills. House bills introduced included measures on tax administration, hunting license fees, emergency management, oath and affirmation language in statutes, judiciary procedures, a Vermont homelessness response continuum, paperwork reduction, public utility subjects, municipal regulation of agriculture, miscellaneous agricultural subjects, and municipal permitting of ground-mounted solar arrays. Senate bills referred to House committees included vocational rehabilitation, home improvement and land improvement fraud, advanced metering infrastructure devices, water quality, and fair employment practices. Several other bills on the notice calendar were also referred to Ways and Means or Appropriations because they affected state revenue or carried appropriations. The House adopted two concurrent resolutions on the consent calendar: HCR 214, honoring Irish-American patriots and their role in American independence, and HCR 220, welcoming the USS Vermont’s namesake visit and designating April 18, 2026 as USS Vermont Day. Members also offered announcements recognizing guests from the USS Vermont and related veterans’ groups, remembering former Representative Ken Harvey, and noting upcoming events such as March Madness pools, the Legislative Cabaret, a Rural Caucus meeting, and a NAMI Walks team. On the floor calendar, H. 723 on posting of land was taken up, amended as recommended by the Committee on Environment, and ordered to third reading on a 10-0-1 committee vote. The House then began second reading of H. 757 on manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives; committee members described manufactured housing as a key affordable housing option in Vermont and said the bill would clarify how these homes are purchased, titled, taxed, and financed, while reducing costs and improving consistency for homeowners, lenders, and municipalities.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • If you move a little bit further down the list, you'll see potential council actions.
  • Um, and this is an issue that we'll have to bring forward for, for council discussion.
  • Something the council decided, but maybe something that occurred in the design process.
  • We just wanted to make sure that the council had the opportunity.
  • And let me say on behalf of the council, we appreciate the expertise that you.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • the police stand and training council the police stand and training council and<00:16:39.839>
  • <00:19:49.840> wants the present chair of the council wants the present chair of the council
  • the last council meeting is complete. the last council meeting is complete. uh<00:23:40.240>
  • the full council sees as needing more discussion, our hope is to certainly by November have the council
  • Happy to pause there for questions. formulary council to do so. Um that formulary council to do so.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee opened by approving the September 5, 2025 minutes, with one member asking that future minutes use honorifics such as Mr. or Ms. The agenda was then adjusted so Police Standards and Training could present first. Director John Skipa reported on the 2019 performance audit, saying 12 of 16 findings were fully resolved and the remaining items were substantially or partially resolved. He highlighted work on a job task analysis to update curriculum and develop a more realistic physical aptitude test, including possible replacement of the long-used Cooper test and a shift away from mandatory baton training toward electronic weapons training. He said stakeholder work groups would meet in October and November, with a goal of completing the work by the first quarter of 2026. On the strategic planning and performance measurement finding, Skipa said the agency had relied on the 2019 audit and the LEAC report as guides while also implementing a digital records system. He acknowledged that a formal forward-looking strategic plan with the council had not yet been completed, but said he and the council chair wanted to do so, possibly through a retreat-style planning session. Members asked how many LEAC recommendations had been fully implemented; Skipa said he did not know the exact number but believed nearly all of the 22 items assigned to his agency were complete. On the administrative rules finding, he said a part-time former director had been brought back to help revise outdated rules, the council subcommittee had finished its work, and proposed changes would be sent to the full council, then to stakeholders and the public, with a public hearing expected and implementation targeted for 2026. For the Corrections Advisory Committee finding, Skipa said the committee had been reconvened in 2020 and 2021 but had limited usefulness because the statutorily named members were mostly high-level administrators rather than line supervisors or newer corrections staff. He said some positions later went unfilled because of budget and staffing issues, and the committee had not been called back, but he was open to either informal adjustments or possible legislative changes to make the committee more useful. Committee members suggested that the statute may need to be amended to allow more appropriate designees or supervisors to participate. After Police Standards and Training concluded, the committee moved on to the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, where the executive director said he would focus on the partially resolved items in the dental examiner audit and the National Path audit, noting that many changes were tied to recent statutory revisions.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Election Laws

Transcript Highlights:
  • But the council or the city council or the school committee didn't have the same opportunity to use the
  • Can a city council just do it?
  • Their town councils or town meeting and city councils have already voted, and they want to run their
  • Right now, you have potential council elections.
  • So then we required the council to adopt that measure within 90 days.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a public hearing focused primarily on ranked choice voting (RCV) legislation and several local home rule petitions, along with one petition to authorize remote participation in Concord town meetings. Chairs Keenan and Hunt outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would hear both in-person and virtual testimony. The committee also took testimony on Concord’s request for remote participation in open and special town meetings, with supporters arguing it would make town meeting more accessible to residents with childcare, mobility, work, or disability barriers while preserving direct democracy. A large portion of the hearing centered on RCV local-option bills and municipal petitions from communities including Concord, East Hampton, Salem, Chelsea, Arlington, Revere, Amherst, and others. Supporters—among them local officials, legislators, election advocates, educators, veterans, and nonprofit leaders—said RCV would reduce vote-splitting, encourage more candidates, promote more positive campaigning, improve representation, and increase turnout. East Hampton officials described their existing use of RCV, saying it produced record turnout, was easy for voters to understand with education, and could be expanded to multi-winner races without major added cost. Concord and Amherst witnesses said their voters had already approved local steps toward RCV and urged the committee to let municipalities implement the system without further delay. Testimony in favor of the local-option RCV bill emphasized home rule and local control, with several witnesses arguing the state should not block communities that have already voted to adopt RCV. Speakers from MassVOTE, the AFT Massachusetts, Voter Choice Massachusetts, Progressive Massachusetts, the Boston Teachers Union, and Veterans for All Voters said the reform would strengthen democracy, broaden participation, and save money by avoiding low-turnout preliminary elections. Some witnesses also referenced examples from Cambridge, Maine, and Utah to argue that RCV is workable, nonpartisan, and familiar to voters. The hearing ended with no votes or final committee action taken in the transcript provided.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

LBT Public Hearing 04-13-2026

Labor and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • um for Workforce Development Council. um for Workforce Development Council.
  • Workforce Development Council. Workforce Development Council.
  • And I do have a full Council.
  • , the Workforce Development Council, the Workforce Development Council, especially<00:17:19.920><
  • the workforce development council the workforce development council should<00:19:56.600> be
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee heard and acted on several gubernatorial nominations to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council and one nomination to the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board. For GM 779, Mark Fong Su Wat said he would bring his experience as an electrician and labor community member to workforce development, and he committed to serving if confirmed. Testimony was unanimously supportive, with 10 in support and none opposed, and the committee voted to recommend advise and consent; the recommendation was adopted. For GM 792, Sheryl Cross sought a second term on the Workforce Development Council and described her work on employer engagement, military veteran affairs, and military spouse employment. In response to questions, she emphasized the need to better connect military spouses, underrepresented workers, and students pursuing trades or non-college pathways to jobs, including through school academies and online hiring initiatives. The item was held for later decision-making. For GM 793, Ashley Lohua, also nominated to the Workforce Development Council, said her focus would be helping people stay in Hawaii by improving job retention, listening to community concerns, and building pathways between sectors. Support testimony highlighted her work with marginalized communities and her empathy and leadership. She told the committee she would use her nonprofit and HR experience to help address vacancies and workforce barriers; the item was also held for later decision-making. For GM 774, Douglas Thomas Moore, nominated to the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board, said his first priority would be reducing the backlog. He proposed using informal conferences and mediation to speed workers’ compensation appeals and suggested recruiting more practitioners, especially younger ones, into the field. The committee noted 11 supportive testimonies and no opposition; no vote was taken in the portion provided.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

January 14, 2025 - 01:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • How often does the council meet to approve applications? Thank you, Chair.
  • The PA Council is scheduling interim meetings.
  • The council were actually required to create a long-range comprehensive plan, which is due The council
  • Further, the council has already approved April of this year.
  • Council.
Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met for an introductory and oversight briefing from the Florida Department of Health on implementation of several 2024 laws. The committee heard first from Jennifer Winhold on practitioner-regulation measures, including SB 1716 and SB 1600, which expanded workforce pathways through foreign-trained physician licensure, area-of-critical-need temporary certificates for APRNs and physician assistants, graduate assistant physician licenses, interstate compacts, and a new universal licensure-by-endorsement process. She also reviewed HB 197 on massage therapy enforcement, HB 975 on broader background screening, HB 1561 on office-surgery and liposuction safeguards, HB 159 on pharmacist HIV post-exposure prophylaxis certification, and HB 1063 on chiropractic dry needling and foreign degree licensure. Members asked about compact scope, foreign graduate requirements, massage enforcement overlap with DBPR, and registration thresholds for liposuction procedures. Dr. Emma Spencer then outlined implementation of SB 76 and related programs, including changes to the FRAME and dental loan repayment programs, the volunteer health care provider program, the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, the Health Care Innovation Council and revolving loan program, and the Andrew John Anderson Pediatric Rare Disease Grant Program. She said the department had updated portals, posted forms, launched or was developing public search tools, and submitted required reports and contracts. Members questioned whether loan repayment funds were reaching rural and underserved areas, how nonprofit applicants were being informed about the Alphonse screening grant program, the short application window for that grant, and how the department would evaluate whether the programs were improving recruitment and retention. A third presentation, delivered by Mike Mason standing in for Shea Holloway, covered maternal and child health and other public health initiatives. He reported on the telehealth maternity care program’s expansion from a pilot in Duval and Orange counties to 23 counties, the pregnancy-and-parenting resources website required by HB 415, CMV newborn screening requirements under SB 168, sickle cell registry and research grants under HB 7085, and the swim lessons voucher program under SB 544, which received nearly 10,000 requests for 3,500 vouchers and enrolled 86 facilities. Members asked about utilization, marketing, website launch timing, and how the department was promoting these services. No bills were voted on; the meeting concluded with the chair noting that more committee presentations and bills would follow and that briefing materials would be distributed to members.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pension Funding Council Jun 23rd, 2026

Pension Funding Council

Transcript Highlights:
  • Good afternoon, Madam Chair, members of the Council.
  • With that, the council members' indulgence, I'll go ahead and move us... ...the council members' indulgence
  • So council members heard earlier about the evaluation report that OSA conducted... ...Council members
  • So, and I believe we've lost some of the council members... Okay.
  • I believe we have no further business before the council.
Summary: The Pension Funding Council met on June 23, 2026, for a work session that began with an overview of the Higher Education Supplemental Retirement Plan (SRP) and a 2025 accounting valuation of that plan. Staff explained that the SRP is a closed defined benefit supplement for higher education employees hired before the 2011 closure, with employer contributions currently pre-funding benefits in institution-specific trusts while institutions still pay benefits on a pay-as-you-go basis. The State Actuary’s office reported that the plan’s accounting position has improved, with combined market assets of about $245 million against $377 million in accrued liability, and that strong market performance since 2022 has increased the asset-to-liability ratio. The office emphasized that this was an educational accounting valuation, not a funding valuation for rate-setting. The council then received the 2025 actuarial valuation report for the state retirement systems. Actuaries reviewed the recent demographic experience study, noting updated assumptions for mortality, retirement, termination, and salary growth, and said the net impact on most plans was small. They reported that most plans’ funded ratios improved, with all plans at least 94% funded and several at or above 100%, and that contribution rates for the 2027–2029 biennium are generally lower than current rates. They also noted that future rates could be affected by market volatility as deferred gains are recognized over the next few years. During public comment, a representative of the Association of Washington Cities urged the council to consider rate reductions to help local governments facing budget pressures. In executive session, the council first approved a motion directing the Office of the State Actuary to perform an actuarial evaluation and analysis of each institution’s Higher Education Supplemental Retirement Plan, including institution-specific contribution rates, asset sufficiency, and funding policy options, due by July 1, 2028. The council then adopted the 2027–2029 pension contribution rates based on the 2025 actuarial valuation report. Both motions passed 5-0, with one member excused. The meeting concluded with no further business.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Environment and Natural Resources Nov 4th, 2025

Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • The council is a 10-member governing body comprised The council is a 10-member governing body comprised
  • The council then provides a recommendation to the governor and the cabinet, who make the determination
  • And again, the council is responsible for reviewing and making a recommendation.
  • And again, the council is responsible for reviewing and making a recommendation.
  • My understanding is that this actually did not go in front of the ARC Council first.
Summary: The committee first received a Department of Environmental Protection presentation on Florida Forever and the sale or exchange of conservation lands. DEP described Florida Forever as the state’s main conservation land acquisition program, funded in recent years at high levels, and said most acquisitions since 2019 have been within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The presentation also explained the legal process for disposing of conservation lands: requests are reviewed by the Acquisitions and Restoration Council, then the governor and cabinet decide whether land is no longer needed for conservation or whether an exchange provides a net conservation benefit. Senator Smith asked several questions about recent land-swap proposals, public notice, political influence, and whether any transactions had bypassed the usual sequence; DEP said applications can be withdrawn before ARC review, notice is posted seven days in advance, and the council and cabinet are the decision-makers. Senator Harrington asked about the difference between Florida Forever land sales and water management district surplus lands, and DEP said the reported 2.3 acres sold referred only to Florida Forever-funded projects. The committee then heard presentations from the Department of Health and DEP on PFAS and PFOA. DOH outlined what PFAS are, their common uses, possible health impacts, and ways Floridians can reduce exposure, including water filtration and avoiding certain products. DOH said it conducts well investigations, health consultations, fish consumption advisories, and monitoring in coordination with DEP and FWC. DEP followed with a more technical overview of PFAS regulation and cleanup, explaining federal testing and drinking-water standards, Florida’s provisional cleanup levels, and the state’s response at contaminated sites, including bottled water and filtration for affected residents. Senators asked about testing requirements for public systems and private wells, disposal of used filters, and how federal rulemaking and litigation could affect Florida’s standards; DEP said public systems are required to test under EPA monitoring rules, private wells are not directly required to test, and Florida may adopt its own standards if federal action does not occur by the statutory deadline. Finally, the committee took up SB 150, which would designate the flamingo as the state bird and the scrub jay as the state songbird. The sponsor argued the bill better reflects Florida’s identity and conservation values, noting the flamingo’s iconic status and the scrub jay’s status as a Florida-only species. Members asked lighthearted questions about mockingbirds, flamingo color, and feeding costs, and an appearance card was filed in support by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The committee debated the bill briefly and then passed SB 150 favorably by roll call vote, with all members present voting yes except Senator DiCeglie, who was excused.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Finance - 05/06/26

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I again Outdoor Heritage Council.
  • Uh I'm the LCCMR and other councils.
  • from the council from the council and<00:41:28.120> then<00:41:28.320> recommend<00
  • It is the legislature that has created the council.
  • It is the legislature that the council.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • We have the Sunset Review of the Arizona Beef Council, so we will have our presentation.
  • am Lauren Mailing, and I respectfully request your support in the continuation of the Arizona Beef Council
  • The Arizona Beef Council conducts the promotion, education, and research efforts on behalf of Arizona's
  • I'd like to highlight a few points about the council.
  • The council has been given the authority to establish an industry-financed program to develop, promote
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference met to conduct the sunset review of the Arizona Beef Council. Lauren Mailing, the council’s executive director, testified in support of continuation, describing the council as a state-created, industry-funded organization that promotes, educates, and conducts research for Arizona beef producers. She explained that the council is financed through the federal beef checkoff program, with half of the $1 per-head assessment sent to national programs and half retained in Arizona for promotion, education, and research. She also emphasized that checkoff funds cannot be used for lobbying and highlighted programs such as ranch tours for nutrition professionals, classroom lesson plans, grants, and digital consumer outreach. Committee members asked about whether checkoff dollars are refundable; Mailing said they are not under the federal program and Arizona does not have a separate refundable state checkoff. Members also offered supportive comments recognizing the council’s work and the service of former board member Andrew Grissetta, who had recently passed away. Several senators spoke in favor of the council’s educational efforts and its role in supporting ranchers, feeders, dairy farmers, and youth programs such as FFA and 4-H. The vice chair moved to recommend continuing the Arizona Beef Council for eight years, until July 1, 2034. The motion passed on a 7-0 roll call vote, and the committee adjourned with no further business.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on State and Local Government - 03/27/25

State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • healthc care Workforce advisory Council healthc care Workforce advisory Council um<00:07:28.199>
  • > Express use so the council wouldn't need Express use so the council wouldn't need Express um
  • , in this case another council advisory council legislature.
  • in this case another counil Council in this case another counil advisory<00:18:59.559> Council
  • Council, Ms. James, Mr.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/18/25

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • of Minnesota to create this council. of Minnesota to create this council.
  • ,<00:31:47.200> which industry partnership council, which industry partnership council, which
  • The advisory council would be it.
  • , looking at the makeup of this council, looking at the makeup of this council, um,<00:35:30.240>
  • c><00:36:58.000> um<00:36:58.160> from council might have priorities um from council might
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Appropriations Committee, April 30, 2026 - PM

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:10:31.279> do having the Wyoming Business Council do having the Wyoming Business Council
  • that the that the uh business council that the that the uh business council kind<00:14:02.320>
  • :26:54.640> far where the business council comes too far where the business council comes too
  • I'll give you an Business Council.
  • If the legislature is council?
Keywords: 916, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

ACT 310, SLH 2025 Nonprofit Grants Program Informational Briefing 11-20-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Charities Hawaii, $300,000 Seeds of Peace, $75,000 Child and Family Service, $1 million Hawaiian Council
  • Charities Hawaii, $300,000 Seeds of Peace, $75,000 Child and Family Service, $1 million Hawaiian Council
  • Hawaiian<00:04:48.800> Council,<00:04:49.759> 400,000. Hawaiian Council, 400,000.
  • Hawaiian Council, 400,000.
  • <00:05:38.320> 86,000 Hawaii Cattleman's Council 86,000 Hawaii Cattleman's Council 86,000
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The hearing was an informational briefing on Act 310, which set aside $50 million for nonprofit and community organizations facing uncertainty, especially amid federal funding disruptions. Speakers thanked Aloha United Way for handling applications, as well as the governor, lieutenant governor, House and Senate leadership, and legislative staff for helping craft the measure and review more than 200 applications totaling over $150 million in requests. They noted the funding was intended as a safety net for organizations serving at-risk populations and those that had lost federal support, with priority given to healthcare, human services, education, the arts, and food distribution. The co-chair then presented the recommended award list, describing it as aimed at programs with broad reach and high impact. The list included a large number of nonprofits and community providers across the state, such as food banks, health centers, youth and family services, domestic violence and legal aid organizations, cultural and educational groups, and hospitals. Several of the larger awards mentioned included Hui Food Bank, Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island, West Hawaii Community Health Center, The Food Basket, and multiple Maui and Oahu service organizations. After the full list was read, the chair asked for discussion or objections. Hearing none, the committee adopted the list of nonprofit awards as read. The briefing then adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Republican Press Conference 2/24/25

Transcript Highlights:
  • /c><00:03:34.640> and<00:03:34.879> how<00:03:35.080> they dysfunction of me Council
  • to date second a six-year Council to date second a six-year construction<00:08:19.000> timeline
  • which means Jordan is a Council which means Jordan is a neighborhood<00:13:03.560> and<00:13:
  • to the Met Council that until they're<00:15:08.759> comparable<00:15:09.720> LRT<00:15
  • Met Council has shown they cannot manage a large LRT project, and most of all, no one wants a repeat
Keywords: 1183, house
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Feb 9th, 2026 at 11:18 am

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • the Eastern Plains Council of Governments; Priscilla Lucero of the Southwest Council of Governments;
  • of Regional Councils.
  • appreciation for the many contributions of our councils of government.
  • in Action; Madison Sal's, Student Council; and Camilla Fierro, Student Council.
  • Alexa is a big She is a member of the CAMP Student Council.
Keywords: 996, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Education Finance - 03/17/26

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:42:47.280> So, Center via an advisory council. So, Center via an advisory council.
  • Council. Council.
  • Um, in terms of who is on the council, again, you know, the council provides advisory information to
  • Council, which is um ancillary to that. Council, which is um ancillary to that.
  • council makeup.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 2/25/26

Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am the city council president in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, where I serve on the city council there
  • So, we city council do something.
  • And as a former city council member myself, I know that we as council members are the closest to voters
  • the Minnotonka City Council the Minnotonka City Council um<00:36:22.320> and<00:36:22.720
  • that you trust mayors and city councils that you trust mayors and city councils to<00:43:05.440>
Bills: HF3351
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (02/21/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • across the state every year the council across the state every year the council was<01:36:07.840
  • <01:36:24.119> at<01:36:24.239> least Council the council self meets at least Council
  • Council and many of those people were Council and many of those people were waiting<01:43:56.000>
  • weeks lengthy detention without Council weeks lengthy detention without Council not<01:44:00.840
  • of lium and contract Council guardians of lium and contract Council because<01:45:16.320> of<
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony from Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt on the New Hampshire Insurance Department budget. He said the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers based on New Hampshire premium volume, with about $8 billion in premiums written in the state and a department budget of roughly $15.5 million. He explained that the department has 88 authorized positions, eight vacancies, and that three full-time positions were unfunded after the governor’s requested 4% reduction exercise. He also said the department is trying to balance staffing needs with not overburdening carriers during a hard insurance market. A major topic was the department’s $2.6 million rebate to industry from the prior fiscal year, which Bettencourt described as a credit against the next assessment rather than a direct cash payment. Members questioned why that credit was not reflected as a reduction in the upcoming budget, and Bettencourt and staff explained that the budget assumes full staffing and full spending, with any year-end surplus returned to insurers. The commissioner said the department had added staff in recent years for succession planning and to preserve institutional expertise, and that the rebate reflects careful budgeting rather than excess spending. Members also asked about staffing changes by division, including positions unfunded in fraud, property and casualty examinations, life and health examinations, and tax. Bettencourt said fraud investigations remain strong and that the department can use outside contractors for examinations, with those costs billed to the company being examined. He also described the department’s examination process, including periodic financial exams and targeted market conduct reviews triggered by consumer complaints or trends. Additional questions covered OIT transfers, the department’s oversight of fully insured health coverage, the insurance premium tax and fines going to the general fund, and the department’s limited role in auto repair reimbursement disputes, where he said complaints have recently declined.