Transcript Highlights:

• </c> mechanism in chapters uh 387 and 388. mechanism in chapters uh 387 and 388.
• </c> like it currently does in chapter 388. like it currently does in chapter 388.
• 109 and chapter 2011B in HRS.
• </c><01:03:21.200><c> We'll</c> added to chapters 2011b and 109.
• We'll added to chapters 2011b and 109.

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• whereas the petition purports to amend certain provisions of the General Laws to extend application of Chapter
• To extend application of Chapter 66 of the General Laws, hereinafter referred to as the public records
• upon the Senate's authority to determine its own rules of proceedings for its records under Part 2, Chapter
• ...for its records under Part 2, Chapter 1, Section 2, Article 7 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth
• Whereas the petition purports to amend certain provisions of Chapter 3 of the General Laws, which currently

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and several ceremonial items, including introductions of championship Tri-County High School football and boys’ cross-country teams and adoption of a resolution honoring Auburn and the Robert and Esther Goddard Centennial Committee for the 100th anniversary of the first liquid-fueled rocket launch. The chamber then gave final passage to several local bills, including measures authorizing payment by the City of Revere, adjusting Wellesley’s senior property tax deferral income threshold, amending the Hopedinton/Hopkinton town charter regarding library trustees, and other local matters, all of which were passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer House petitions to committees and took up several local bills from the Orders of the Day. These included bills enhancing the powers of the Cotuit Fire District’s Board of Water Commissioners, authorizing the Cotuit Fire District to raise money for the Historical Society of Santuit and Cotuit, further regulating the Salem licensing board, and validating the results of Bourne’s May 20, 2025 annual election. Each was advanced by unanimous consent, read a third time, and passed to be engrossed. A major portion of the session focused on two orders from Senator Friedman requesting advisory opinions from the Supreme Judicial Court on initiative petitions. One concerned a public records proposal that would extend public records law to the General Court and Governor’s office; the other concerned a legislative stipends proposal that would alter internal legislative procedures and compensation rules. Senator Feeney argued the requests were needed to clarify constitutional issues before the Legislature acts on the initiatives, and both orders were adopted. The Senate also received a Ways and Means report on Senate Bill 2720, a bill banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and pet sharks, with a new draft, Senate No. 3014, recommended. The chamber adopted an order placing the bill on the Orders of the Day for second reading on March 19, 2026, with amendments in order, and then adopted a separate order to adjourn until Monday at 11 a.m., dispensing with the printing of a calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chapter 248A, can you please offer us a motion to suspend rules to take up House Bill 527 off the notice
• Chapter 248A.
• </c><00:02:14.840><c> The</c><00:02:15.000><c> bill</c> sunset of 30 VSA Chapter 248A.
• The bill sunset of 30 VSA Chapter 248A.
• Chapter 248A. 527, an act relating to extending the sunset of 30 V.S.A. Chapter 248A.

Transcript Highlights:

• through each of the specific things, but this bill relates to those licenses that are issued not by Chapter
• 30, but by Chapter 21 and Chapter 29 of the code.
• This bill relates to licenses issued not by Chapter 30, but by Chapter 21 and Chapter 29 of the code.
• of the polygraph examiner, it says instead of the rational nexus standard that we use throughout Chapter

Summary: The Committee on Government Organization met with a quorum present, approved the minutes, and then considered a series of House bills, most of them related to licensing, local government administration, and agency operations. House Bill 5063 would let county commissions appoint a county commissioner as a voting member of a convention and visitors bureau board, including for multi-county CVBs; it was reported to the full Senate. House Bill 5087 would join the interstate cosmetology licensure compact, allowing licensed cosmetologists to obtain multi-state practice privileges in compact states, and it was also reported. The committee then took up a strike-and-insert amendment for House Bill 4793, which combined provisions affecting barbering/cosmetology apprenticeships and lowered certain age and education requirements; after adopting a Jefferson amendment clarifying the salon training language, the bill was reported as amended. Members next approved a strike-and-insert for House Bill 5638, which clarifies the State Chief Information Security Officer’s duties, changes cyber risk review procedures, and updates references to the Office of Technology head as the chief information officer; it was reported as amended. House Bill 4483, dealing with the Board of Funeral Examiners, was amended to change the effective date for licensee-in-charge requirements and make technical corrections, then reported as amended. House Bill 5653, requested by the Department of Revenue, would expand confidentiality protections to cover audit manuals, guidelines, procedures, algorithms, and related materials to prevent taxpayers from gaming audit selection, and it was reported. House Bill 4452 repeals acreage limits on church property ownership, and House Bill 4801 expands permissible uses of hotel occupancy tax funds to include demolition of unsafe structures and planning or improvement of public property; both were reported. The committee also advanced House Bill 5622, which creates an expedited process for municipalities to conform local election terms and procedures to the state requirement that municipal elections be held with statewide primaries or general elections, and recognizes the Secretary of State as keeper of municipal charter rolls. House Bill 4546 would allow business entities to file reports biennially instead of annually, with higher biennial fees and updated enforcement provisions; its strike-and-insert amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended. House Bill 5613 would define and regulate telematics for state fleet vehicles, require reporting on unsafe driving and corrective actions, and include cost-benefit information in annual reports; it was reported. House Bill 5323 would let the Division of Natural Resources adjust license and stamp fees for inflation by removing a prior CPI-based restriction, and House Bill 4819 would revise criminal-record standards for certain non-Chapter 30 occupational licenses, shifting to a direct-relationship standard while preserving existing exclusions for violent sexual offenses; both were reported. The committee then adjourned after closing remarks from the chair and vice chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• It strikes the final sentence of Chapter 272, Section 28.
• If a school employee is acting in good faith to educate, they have nothing to fear from Chapter 272.
• By putting the standards of Chapter 272 back in play, we take the decision out of the hands of the ivory
• If a school employee is acting in good faith to educate, they have nothing to fear from Chapter 272.
• It has to do with Chapter 272. Let's look at the actual law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the years, changes to Chapter 631 have balanced the needs of good providers to ensure they had a
• 627 to Chapter 626, and finally clarifies that the exception to the citizens authorized appointment
• 627 to Chapter 626.
• 627 to Chapter 626.
• And, fun. and S insurers from Chapter 627 to Chapter 626.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several insurance, financial regulation, and public safety bills. SB 1656, a large Office of Insurance Regulation bill, was taken up with a delete-all amendment and extensive discussion. The bill would increase transparency in insurance rates and mitigation data, update reciprocal insurer rules, limit use-and-file rate filings, expand cybersecurity breach notification, and strengthen oversight of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Residents and senior advocates generally supported stronger oversight to prevent bankruptcies like the Unison case, while CCRC operators and industry groups warned that lien authority, reserve requirements, and other provisions could raise borrowing costs and burden well-run communities. The committee adopted the delete-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably after debate and public testimony. The committee also passed SB 1658 on the public records database for uniform mitigation verification forms, with a clarifying amendment protecting policyholders’ personal information. SB 1612 on financial institutions was reported favorably after an amendment and substitute amendment dealing with credit union investment limits and reimbursement rules for board members. SB 1740, an insurance bill aimed at reducing premiums and insolvency risk, was amended to prioritize rate-decrease filings and prohibit AI as the sole basis for claim denials; it was then reported favorably. SB 1212 on firefighter health and safety was amended to add occupational disease language and other firefighter protections, including safer gear, cancer prevention, and possible telehealth mental health services, and was also reported favorably. Finally, SB 1184 on residual market insurers was amended to preserve existing excess-and-surplus line standards, strengthen consumer disclosures, and clarify Citizens-related appointment rules before being reported favorably. Throughout the meeting, committee members repeatedly noted that several bills were still being refined with stakeholders, and multiple public witnesses testified in support of or opposition to the CCRC and insurance provisions, focusing on resident protection, financial stability, and unintended cost impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are largely covered, but not exclusively, in Chapter 13 of the Minnesota Data Practices Act.
• I do not believe so, because currently it's not impacting the Chapter 13 issues.
• 00:15:20.720><c> impacting</c><00:15:21.320><c> the</c><00:15:21.759><c> the</c><00:15:22.079><c> chapter
• </c><00:15:22.480><c> 13</c> not impacting the the chapter 13 not impacting the the chapter 13 issues
• </c><00:15:26.399><c> 13</c> issues I do think the chapter 13 issues I do think the chapter 13 questions

Summary: House File 23, authored by Representative Robbins, was heard on a motion to advance it to the next committee. The bill, as amended by the A1 author’s amendment, would clarify the statutory definition of abuse, fraud, and waste and expand whistleblower protections for state employees who report those issues to legislators, the legislative auditor, or constitutional officers. Robbins said the measure is intended to protect state workers and align whistleblower language with existing Inspector General definitions; he also cited recent fraud investigations as the backdrop for the bill and noted a Senate companion, SF 475, with bipartisan support. Devon Bruce of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees testified in support of the bill’s protective intent but raised concerns that it only covers classified state employees, creating uneven treatment between classified and unclassified workers and between state and local public employees. Bruce also warned that the bill does not fully address data practices issues, including the handling of nonpublic, private, or proprietary information, and suggested broader privacy protections for whistleblowers’ identities. In response to questions, Robbins said the bill was not meant to change data practices law and that those issues should be addressed separately. Members debated whether the bill was ready for further consideration and whether it should also go to the fraud oversight committee or Judiciary. Motions to lay the bill over and to re-refer it to the fraud prevention and state oversight committee both failed. After a roll call vote, the committee approved the bill 7-6 and sent House File 23 to Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is under North Dakota Century Code Chapter 54-7.
• And so just if you can picture this, there's this chapter of law that's on...
• Most of my comments will be based around Chapter 48, public buildings.
• This will move us out of Chapter 48 into Chapter 54, but it's a very similar comment related to the construction
• Moving away from Chapter 54, Chapter 15, this is related to our projects here.

Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 2025 legislative law changes in chapter 2025 legislative law changes in chapter 141.<00:40:34.720
• Uh, Director Asterout, you said that this rule references chapter law.
• But it just—the fee says, or the form says, 2025 NH law is chapter 141.
• The chapter law is law and it will be it The chapter law is law and it will be it will<00:54:04.160><
• When you go 2025 NH law is chapter 141.

Summary: The committee convened after briefly waiting for a quorum, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and then moved through several agency rule items. The Department of Transportation’s outdoor advertising rule filing was approved after staff noted the department had addressed substantive comments, though the rules had been expired since 2021 and the agency said it had been operating under statute. Members asked about a denied digital sign proposal, and DOT said that decision was based on statute rather than the rule. The Department of Safety’s administrative license suspension item was postponed with a waiver so the agency could submit conditional approval materials and resolve issues between its forms and rules. The Board of Architects item was conditionally approved, with the condition that the board later approve updated incorporation-by-reference materials at its April 3 meeting or the matter would return as a preliminary objection. The Department of Agriculture’s expired rules prompted extended discussion. Staff and committee members questioned why the department was seeking to adopt rules that had been expired for many years and whether the statutes already provided enough authority to operate without them. Agriculture officials said they were working through a broader modernization effort, focusing on statutes that use mandatory language and updating outdated rules to match current practices, federal standards, and current products such as apples, cider, eggs, and other agricultural commodities. They said the rules before the committee were part of that effort and recommended approval, but members remained concerned about whether some rules were unnecessary. The committee ultimately granted a waiver and postponed the agriculture item for one month so staff could review the underlying statutes and determine whether rulemaking is actually required. Under other business, the committee took up an emergency Department of Safety rule to update DMV forms to reflect statutory fee changes enacted in the 2025 budget. DMV officials said the new fees were already in effect, but the corresponding forms still showed old amounts, causing confusion for customers and elected officials who were fielding complaints. They argued the forms needed immediate updating because the affected forms are widely used, and they said the department had already tried to treat the changes as editorial before being told full rulemaking was required. The department emphasized it was trying to follow the process while avoiding continued use of incorrect fee forms, and asked the committee to allow the emergency rule to proceed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:14.920><c> nrat</c> Muslim Community Minnesota chapter nrat Muslim Community Minnesota chapter
• So, members, I would urge a no vote because it's not in the same chapter of law.
• We don't need to see it because it's in Chapter 13.
• I see it because it's in Chapter 13.
• ><c> so</c> he's to operate under chapter 13 so he's to operate under chapter 13 so there's<00:15:29.199

Transcript Highlights:

• Chapter 183A, our elections have been counted.
• I think that should be totally deleted from Chapter 183A.
• I'm the executive director of the Massachusetts chapter of NARO.
• House 1551, which would streamline public procurement rules under Chapter 149, and House 1550, which
• This would streamline the complicated procurement rules under Chapter 149.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hearing on a wide range of housing bills focused on manufactured housing, condominiums, public housing, tiny homes, and protections for elderly and disabled residents. Chairs Haggerty and Cyr opened by emphasizing the importance of these housing types and the need to hear from many speakers. Testimony on manufactured housing was especially extensive and sharply divided. Supporters of bills such as H. 1475, S. 990, and H. 1513 argued that out-of-state corporate owners are buying communities, raising rents and fees, reducing services, and exploiting legal gray areas. Residents and lawmakers from affected communities like Taunton, Middleborough, Attleboro, and Oak Point described steep rent disparities, fear of displacement, and the need for stronger protections, while Representative Hawkins urged an omnibus approach and said the bill would create a local board to ensure compliance with existing law. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Manufactured Housing Association and Hometown America’s counsel, argued that current law already provides protections, that the bills would create uncertainty or unfairly restrict owners, and that H. 1475 was intended to clarify the post-Blake legal landscape. The committee also heard testimony on condominium reform through S. 980, with owners describing lack of transparency, surprise assessments, and limited accountability, and urging updates to Chapter 183A and more owner rights. Public housing bills also drew support from housing authority advocates. MassNAHRO backed S. 955, H. 1517, H. 1512, H. 1550, and H. 1551, saying housing authorities need more flexibility to preserve and expand affordable housing. Witnesses supported tax relief for replacement public housing units and streamlined procurement rules, arguing these changes would help projects move faster and make better use of capital funds. Committee members asked questions about PILOT agreements, tax treatment of new developments, and whether state and federal public housing would be treated similarly. The committee also heard from Senator Lovely and advocates for S. 1007/H. 1525, which would prevent and respond to bullying of elderly and disabled residents in housing. Supporters described the bills as a long-needed response to harassment in senior and public housing, calling for building-level plans, staff training, and AG oversight; Jerry Halberstadt said the measure should be strengthened with enforcement and tenant advocacy support. Pamela and other witnesses described severe personal impacts from bullying and management retaliation. Another major topic was S. 1474/H. 1474 on movable tiny houses as permanent dwellings and accessory dwelling units. Supporters, including Representative DeCoste, Vera Struck, Kaylee DeCrease, and Abundant Housing Massachusetts, said tiny homes are a safe, affordable, sustainable option for seniors, workers, and others facing the housing shortage, and urged the committee to legalize them and align state rules with emerging standards. They also discussed tax classification and the need for a clear building code and DMV category. Finally, H. 1476 on pet-friendly elderly housing drew support from animal welfare groups, who said the bill would restore and modernize a prior pet program, expand access across state-aided housing, limit pet deposits, and reduce pet surrender caused by housing barriers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, a grad chapter would let us know who the advisor is for an undergraduate chapter, whereas
• So, and I think one of the important parts would be increasing the training for the chapter advisors
• I'm the current acting president of the Zeta Beta chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated,
• They should risk liability and removal for not keeping their chapters, their organizations, and their
• Local chapters are not truly independent. They're often broke.

Summary: The task force met with a quorum to continue work on Caleb Wilson hazing-prevention recommendations, with the Wilson family present and repeatedly acknowledged. Members discussed Southern University’s expulsion of Omega Psi Phi and the family pressed for clarity on whether the fraternity could return; counsel said the expulsion appears permanent on its face but there is legal ambiguity, prompting legislators to say a statutory fix is needed to define suspension versus expulsion more clearly. The group also reviewed data on hazing-related suspensions since 2018 and hearing-panel practices across the public postsecondary systems, including panel composition, annual training, and appeals processes. The task force adopted several recommendations focused on prevention and accountability. These included annual hazing-prevention training for students, advisors, and faculty/staff; a state-provided training framework with campus-specific flexibility; stronger attention to mandatory reporting; an amnesty policy to encourage reporting and help-seeking; reverting hazing proceedings back to a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard; adding hazing to the annual power-based violence report; tying noncompliance penalties to loss of State Bond Commission borrowing authority; and identifying sustainable funding for training and reporting. Members debated scope and implementation, especially whether training should cover all employees or only those who interact with students, whether external advisors and graduate advisors should be included, and how to avoid unintended consequences for advisor recruitment. Several amendments were made, including narrowing one recommendation from “all” to “appropriate,” and the amnesty discussion was clarified to avoid creating a loophole for misconduct. The task force also discussed K-12 considerations, including applying bullying and hazing materials to nonpublic schools, updating prevention materials, and improving data collection. In closing remarks, student members and family representatives emphasized that hazing is about power, not tradition, and called for culture change, accountability, and earlier education. University leaders from the University of Louisiana System, Southern University System, and LSU said they support the effort and will implement the recommendations if enacted, while also urging stronger individual and organizational accountability beyond training alone. A public commenter from Nicholls State’s SGA praised the task force’s work before the meeting moved into public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, during the interim we reviewed Chapter 9 U.S. bankruptcy codes to make sure that this bill aligns
• </c><00:42:10.319><c> 9</c><00:42:10.720><c> US</c> interim we um reviewed chapter 9 US interim we um
• reviewed chapter 9 US bankruptcy<00:42:11.760><c> codes</c><00:42:12.560><c> to</c><00:42:12.800><c>
• This was a hospital up north, and they were able to file Chapter 9 and reorganize.
• to use chapter 9 and couldn't<00:48:57.680><c> because</c><00:48:58.000><c> statutoily</c><00:48:58.720

Bills: SF0010 , SF0005

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also have a reference to Chapter 381, which is our public health code.
• And we also have a reference to Chapter 381, which is our public health code.
• Senator, this would not conflict with Chapter 381, which is our public health chapter, or analogous state
• That would be covered under Chapter 265 with regard to arts and culture.
• So it would apply to any that are not within these chapters that we have...

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, introductions, and a moment of silence honoring service members killed in the conflict in Iran, including Florida native Captain Cody Cork. The chamber then moved through a special order calendar, taking up several bills on education, public safety, insurance, health, and local government policy. Many measures were accompanied by sponsor explanations and supportive remarks from members, often emphasizing constituent impacts, public safety, and administrative efficiency. The first major bill, SB 1062 on speech and debate education, was expanded through a delete-all amendment and passed 37-0 after extensive floor debate praising debate programs as a civic and educational tool. SB 1072 created an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office; an amendment clarified that criticism of Israel is not prohibited, and the bill passed 37-0. SB 1230/HB 1019 addressed PFAS “forever chemicals,” especially in firefighting foam, with phase-outs, testing, enforcement, and exceptions for certain federal, military, and emergency uses; it also passed 37-0 and was dedicated in memory of former firefighter Joe Casello. SB 1706 expanded the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program with tighter eligibility rules, and SB 186 required broader seizure-response training and seizure action plans in schools; both passed unanimously. The Senate also approved SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 990 authorizing protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 modernizing nonprofit corporation law, SB 560 streamlining foster care medication and oversight procedures, SB 684 easing electronic signature requirements for total-loss vehicle and vessel titles, and SB 778 revising forensic client services for certain defendants with intellectual disabilities or autism. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including SB 432, SB 928, and SB 620. Most of these measures passed by votes of 36-0 or 37-0 after brief debate or no debate. The most contentious item was SB 1134 on official actions of local governments related to DEI. The sponsor argued the bill would stop taxpayer funding and promotion of discriminatory or indoctrinating DEI practices, citing examples from several counties and cities. Multiple amendments sought to narrow penalties, protect good-faith officials, and preserve local proclamations and observances, including LGBTQ Pride Month and other cultural events, but those amendments were rejected. Debate centered on vagueness, local discretion, and whether the bill would chill legitimate government activity. The transcript cuts off during questioning on the underlying bill, before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chapter inherent and unalienable rights.
• </c> chapter 32. chapter 32. &gt;&gt; Member<00:26:55.360><c> from</c><00:26:55.600><c> Burlington.
• </c> provisions of 17 PSA chapter 32. provisions of 17 PSA chapter 32.
• 1, Article 1 and Chapter 1, Article 7.
• 1, Article 1 and Chapter 1, Article 7.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tribal perspectives is a standalone chapter and then a piece of each chapter as well, as a missed targets
• But each chapter includes targets to get closer to our goals within that chapter.
• So this chapter of the framework.
• ><c> protecting</c><01:10:08.960><c> health</c> chapter is focused on protecting health chapter is focused
• ,</c> particularly in the buildings chapter, particularly in the buildings chapter, but<01:12:16.880>

Bills: HF3556

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're a landlord, you are governed by chapter 504B, section 216 of that chapter.
• If you're a landlord, you are governed by chapter 504B, section 216 of that chapter.
• If you're a landlord, you are governed by chapter 504B, section 216 of that chapter.
• If you're a landlord, you are governed by chapter 504B, section 216 of that chapter.
• If you're a landlord, you are governed by chapter 504B, section 216 of that chapter.

Bills: HF1606 , HF3733 , HF743 , HF2627 , HF4071

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So if I went over to the State Library and pulled down the laws of 1967, there would be chapter 1, chapter
• 2, chapter 3.
• </c><00:29:28.159><c> one</c><00:29:28.360><c> chapter</c> 1967 there would be chapter one chapter 1967
• there would be chapter one chapter 2<00:29:28.919><c> chapter</c><00:29:29.200><c> 3</c><00:29:29.519
• </c><00:29:40.799><c> 113</c> uh the H Bill 25 in 2023 is chapter 113 uh the H Bill 25 in 2023 is chapter

Summary: The subcommittee met to review the lapse extensions in the back of House Bill 25, which governs capital budget appropriations and bonding. Members were walked through how the bill is structured: section 1 covers general, federal, and other funds; section 2 covers highway fund appropriations; later sections authorize borrowing, restrict spending to the stated purposes, and explain why community colleges and the university system operate through their boards of trustees. The chair also explained that lapse extensions are needed because capital projects can span multiple years, and that appropriations normally expire at the end of the biennium unless extended. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on how to identify unspent balances and whether they should be extended, repurposed, or allowed to lapse. Members discussed that if a project is complete or an agency confirms it no longer needs the money, the remaining balance can be reused for another project or, if not needed, lapse back. The committee also reviewed the meaning of bill references and chapter numbers, and how to read prior-year appropriations and extensions in the worksheet. One example discussed was a 2023 Department of Administrative Services courthouse generators item, and members noted that some agencies may rely on encumbered balances rather than explicit lapse extensions, though the chair said he prefers including the extension for flexibility. The committee identified at least one specific change: the Jeffrey Ringe CTE renovation was removed from the governor’s recommended budget because the required local match was not approved, freeing about $18.5 million for possible reuse. Later, the chair noted that lapse extension 49 on the worksheet was no longer needed and could be removed, leaving an unspent balance of $81,500 available for repurposing. The discussion also referenced a Department of Transportation item, Caroline Stratford Freight Rail Improvements, which the agency asked to keep alive through a lapse extension so the funds would not expire on June 30. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• As 1 Timothy chapter 1 states, the goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart, a good
• A.R.S., amending Title 5, Chapter 2, Article 1, A.R.S., relating to marital agreements.
• House Bill 2960, amending Title 12, Chapter 1, Article 1, Section 12-119.06, amending Title 41, Chapter
• House Bill 4004, amending Title 8, Chapter 4, Article 1, A.R.S., relating to child welfare.
• Amending Section 35-1-44, A.R.S., relating to Title 41, Chapter 11.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 859, by Ways and Means Committee, an act relating to child custody, amending Chapter 7, Title
• Section 16-24-8, Idaho Code, relating to confidentiality and disclosure of information, repealing Chapter
• relating to rural health transformation, amending Title 56, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new Chapter
• Amending Title 56, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new Chapter 25, Title 56, Idaho Code, to establish
• And so then we say it shall be a violation... ...of the provision of this chapter for the issuer to..