Transcript Highlights:

• , things like Head Start, early childhood family education, pre-kindergarten programs, early learning
• type process where the model learns as we undergo the process.
• <01:02:44.319> and we're trying to take those learnings and we're trying to take those learnings
• And this is something<01:22:22.000> we<01:22:22.400> learned<01:22:22.719> in<01
• remotely hit those effective<01:23:51.120> dates.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Areas of our building are over 100 years old, and the majority of our classrooms and learning spaces
• A sales tax exemption for a small remote school district like ours is a targeted, meaningful way that
• ours small remote school district like ours is<00:23:39.520> a<00:23:39.679> targeted,
• <00:23:49.280> Budgets<00:23:49.679> for proper learning environment.
• Budgets for proper learning environment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to the hybrid nature of this hearing, those wishing to provide remote testimony were required to
• This problem has been exacerbated as a result of COVID, as many people continue to work remotely and
• the CDC, using nicotine during adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning
• And as a result, we learned about other states as well.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a long hybrid hearing on a wide range of tax bills, with testimony covering cigarette and tobacco taxes, nicotine pouches, contractor rental equipment exemptions, aircraft sales tax exemptions, rolling stock, advanced sales tax payments, a gun and ammunition excise tax, a digital services tax, and a psilocybin cultivation/tax proposal. Committee chairs outlined the hearing process and noted that 39 House-filed sales and excise tax bills were being heard for required reporting by November 28. No votes were taken during the hearing. On tobacco-related bills, supporters including Senator Keenan, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and Tobacco Free Mass backed higher cigarette taxes and closing the synthetic nicotine loophole, arguing the measures would reduce youth initiation, encourage cessation, and offset health care costs. Retailers, wholesalers, and convenience-store groups opposed the increases, warning of smuggling, out-of-state purchasing, and harm to small businesses; premium cigar representatives argued cigars should be treated separately from cigarettes. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3067 and related bills concerning nicotine pouches, with public health advocates supporting taxation and industry witnesses urging a lower, more competitive rate. Several other bills drew sharply divided testimony. United Rentals supported H. 3065 to simplify contractor rental equipment exemption paperwork, while airport and aviation groups opposed bills to repeal the aircraft sales tax exemption, saying it would hurt airport competitiveness and jobs. The Transportation Association of Massachusetts backed rolling stock tax exemptions, saying the current tax discourages fleet investment and interstate commerce. Restaurant industry representatives supported repealing advanced sales tax payments and changing penalty rules, saying businesses were hit with retroactive penalties after unclear pandemic-era changes. On H. 3082, an excise tax on guns and ammunition, gun violence prevention advocates, Roca, and Giffords supported the bill as a dedicated funding source for prevention and survivor services, while sportsmen’s groups opposed it as unfair to lawful gun owners and harmful to conservation funding. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3208, a digital advertising services tax, with Representative Paulino supporting it as a way to capture revenue from online advertising and fund public needs, while the Chamber of Progress opposed it as costly and burdensome for small businesses and campaigns. Finally, multiple witnesses testified on H. 4050 regarding psilocybin cultivation and taxation: advocates from Mass Healing, Roca, the Reason Foundation, and individuals describing personal medical benefits urged a regulated, permit-based system, while the hearing ended after all signed-up speakers were heard and the chair adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I live in a very remote area, but I am blessed to have some of the best internet. ...in the
• I know there are folks in Indian lands that live in remote areas.
• Chair, and thank you, Representative Dow, because during our hearings we Learned that the majority of
• People need to learn how to share. We're doing it for teachers.

Bills: HB2, SB152

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• For individuals to bring litigation against oftentimes remote counties, municipalities, and the state
• That means those kids at that school are learning nothing.
• And you'd have to think: is it because they're getting headaches or nauseous that they can't learn?
• Is that why they're not learning? As a teacher, that's what I would believe.
• So these poor little kids, and they're pre-K through, I think, fifth grade, they are not learning.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• During the course of the investigation, BSO learned that she had a pattern of unexplained injuries, including
• devices, whether they are routers, cameras, or batteries, also allow for not just data collection but remote
• Patient monitors were noted by the FDA and the cybersecurity agency for again allowing remote manipulation

Transcript Highlights:

• The days I'm in the office give me the ability to learn about my teammates' lives, their hobbies, their
• Those in Austin are exploring higher-paying fully remote roles.
• Remote work is a valuable non-monetary benefit and easy, no-cost retention tool that boosts productivity

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1738 looks to address this issue and help alleviate the housing crisis by requiring remote virtual
• Requiring these remote inspections will speed up the process for homeowners and building departments,
• AB 1738 looks to address this issue and help alleviate the housing crisis by requiring remote virtual
• Remote inspections aren't a far-fetched technology of the future.
• these remote video inspections under the current law.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:45.000> in children with disabilities learning in children with disabilities learning
• solving but in addition to learning solving but in addition to learning academic<00:26:58.240>
• you day in and day out students learn you day in and day out students learn better better better
• teacher instead of um someone remote teacher instead of um someone remote because<01:25:00.560><
• our city so I really you know learning our city so I really you know learning about<01:44:08.840

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on HB 563, which would revise the education funding formula for pupils receiving special education services by replacing the current single special education amount with three differentiated categories. Representative Rick Ladd, the prime sponsor, said the bill largely tracks a House-passed version from the prior session with minor figure adjustments, and explained that the proposal uses projected FY26 amounts for three categories based on time in general education versus more intensive placements. He also noted that the bill does not address catastrophic aid directly, but that special education aid, CAT aid, and proration all remain issues for later work sessions. Ladd and supporters argued that weighted categories better reflect actual costs and are more sustainable than treating all IEPs the same. Representative Margaret Drye said the approach was one of the best ideas from the education funding subcommittee and urged the committee to support differentiated aid. Representative Ames asked how the category amounts were derived, and Ladd said Category A follows the FY26 base, Category B is a higher weight, and Category C is a still higher weight for more intensive services, though he acknowledged the exact multipliers were developed earlier and could be revisited. He also said the committee would continue discussing whether the weights are appropriate and how they interact with CAT aid. Testimony from Bonnie Dunham strongly opposed the bill. She argued that funding based on placement rather than actual service need would create incentives to move students into more restrictive settings, could stigmatize children with labels such as "Category C," and would undermine the least restrictive environment requirements under federal special education law. She described her son’s experience in inclusive settings as beneficial and said the bill would have penalized the district for serving him there. In response to questions, she said schools and parents should base funding on the child’s actual needs and costs, not on placement, and urged the committee to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Navajo Nation, and we learned about it after the shipment started.
• When we learned that the covering was a tarp covering, we were afforded an actual demonstration on a
• This is, I'm learning quite a bit. With regards to the comment you made, Mr.
• We've got to learn from John. All right, OK, committee, questions. I've got some questions.
• It is a little remote. It's 12 miles east of San Antonio off Highway 380.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next thing, substantively, that 66 does is it says that you can request records remotely.
• You can request records remotely, and if you make a request remotely and ask that the records be provided
• and if you make a records remotely and if you make a request<00:37:22.079> remotely<00:37:23.079
• But if you're asking for remote production, then you have to have a New Hampshire connection.
• be making the requests for remote be making the requests for remote production production production

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first corrected a procedural issue by revoting on House Bills 98 and 164, which had previously been reported out unanimously before the notice had been placed on the calendar. HB 98, concerning professional limited liability company assistant managers, was again voted ought to pass by roll call 16-0 and was placed on the consent calendar. HB 164, dealing with local records, was amended with a fiscal note update from the Secretary of State’s office and then voted ought to pass as amended 17-0; because it was going to Finance, it was not eligible for consent. The committee also set aside HB 111 briefly while the amendment language was corrected. The committee then took up HR 6, a resolution condemning the judicial doctrine of disparate impact. The sponsor argued the resolution was intended to criticize the doctrine, but several members said it was too broad, legally problematic, and in need of more work, including a drafting error in the addressee. The committee voted ITL on HR 6 by 15-2, and with no objection it was placed on the consent calendar. The final major item was HB 111 FN, which would extend the right-to-know ombudsman position for two years. Representative Kuttab offered an amendment to limit remote records requests to people with a New Hampshire connection, citing testimony about out-of-state requests and the burden on municipalities. Members discussed the broader policy of the bill, with supporters saying the ombudsman has reduced court filings and saves time and money, while opponents said the office needs restructuring or more resources and that they were not ready to extend it without changes. The amendment was adopted 16-1, and the committee then voted ought to pass as amended 15-2, sending the bill to Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can request records remotely, and if you make a request remotely and ask that the records be provided
• and if you make a records remotely and if you make a request<00:37:22.079> remotely<00:37:23.079
• But if you're asking for remote production, then you have to have a New Hampshire connection.
• be making the requests for remote be making the requests for remote production production production
• Anybody can request records and get records remotely.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first corrected a procedural issue by revoting on House Bills 98 and 164, which had already been reported out unanimously. HB 98, concerning professional limited liability company assistant managers, was again voted ought to pass by a 16-0 roll call and placed on the consent calendar. HB 164, concerning local records, was reopened because of a fiscal note amendment; the committee adopted Amendment 2025-0087 unanimously and then voted ought to pass as amended 17-0. Because HB 164 goes to Finance, it will not go on consent, and the chair asked for the updated report that night. The committee then took up HR 6, a resolution condemning the judicial doctrine of disparate impact. Representative Manos moved inexpedient to legislate, arguing the resolution overreached because disparate impact is a judicial doctrine and the legislature cannot bind the courts. Representative Cordelli also supported ITL, citing drafting problems and the need for substantial revision, including an outdated reference to the New Hampshire governor. The committee voted 15-2 to ITL the resolution, and it was placed on consent; the chair asked for the report by the end of the day and noted there would be no minority report. Finally, the committee discussed HB 111, which extends the right-to-know ombudsman position. Representative Kuttab offered an amendment to address concerns raised in testimony about discouraging use of the office and shifting attorney-fee burdens; the amendment was adopted 16-1. The committee then voted 15-2 to ought to pass as amended. Supporters said the ombudsman saves money by reducing court filings and should be continued, while opponents argued the office needs restructuring and that additional funding was not justified. The bill will go to Finance, and the chair requested the report by the end of the day. The committee also began discussion of HB 66 and related bills on right-to-know access, with the chair outlining a proposed amendment to limit remote records requests to people with a New Hampshire connection, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it would be similar and not everybody would have to learn new rules and things like that.
• And it would be similar and not everybody would have to learn new rules and things like that.
• But in practice, the numbers aren't adding up to that it's even remotely close to equal.
• There's a lot of people that don't, but people learn very quickly.
• And parents learn how to move on, and we end up indirectly— And parents learn how to move on.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Child Custody Review Task Force met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and reviewed a memorandum compiling member suggestions for possible legislation. The memo grouped ideas into topics including creation of a family court, expanded education for parents, attorneys, and judges, expedited hearings for parenting-time violations, limiting law enforcement involvement in custody disputes, creating parenting time expediters, and adopting more uniform court procedures. Members also discussed whether to form subcommittees, but the task force decided to continue working as a full committee rather than create subcommittees at this time. The committee then heard testimony from Dr. John Perez, a mental health professional, who described his personal custody experience and his professional work with families he believes have been affected by parental alienation. He argued for stronger education, faster court response times, and better tools to address intentional interference with parenting time. Members questioned him about his case history, the concept of parental alienation, and whether specialized family courts or judges with family-law training could help. Dr. Perez said a dedicated family court and faster hearings would likely have helped his situation. The task force spent substantial time discussing the possible creation of a family court. Judge Hovey supported the idea of a specialized family court or at least a study of one, saying family cases are distinct from ordinary adversarial litigation and that judges with family-law experience could better handle them. Several members agreed that a family court could improve consistency, expertise, and speed, but others cautioned that the task force’s current directive is focused on enforcement of existing orders rather than broader custody policy, and noted that voters had previously rejected equal shared parenting proposals. The group also discussed expedited procedures for parenting-time disputes, with Judge Hovey suggesting a 30-day hearing timeline may be workable. On education, members generally supported requiring parents to complete a parenting education course and adding educational materials explaining court process, child support, and what judges can and cannot do. Mr. McLean suggested a short instructional video for litigants and more family-law education for judges and attorneys, while Ms. Moldenhauer said education could be incorporated into scheduling orders or mediation orders. Members also discussed the Parents Forever course, including whether it should be mandatory in all counties and whether cost is a barrier; no vote was taken on any of these proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• 17% of people doing remote work. 17% of people doing remote work.
• um uh especially with remote work. um uh especially with remote work.
• apply for remote workers. apply for remote workers.
• educated this did not apply to remote educated this did not apply to remote workers.<01:16:23.520
• this legislation that omits remote this legislation that omits remote workers.<01:16:32.640>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• line 222, there is an appropriation of $896,000 each biennium to the Minnesota STEM ecosystem and learning
• It just means that you would vote remotely.
• It just means that you would<00:52:47.599> vote<00:52:47.920> remotely.
• if<00:52:49.359> you<00:52:49.520> all<00:52:49.760> can would vote remotely
• But if you all can would vote remotely.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also learned about ignition interlock, which is like a breathalyzer for your car.
• I also learned that far too many people don't go on interlock and drive anyway.
• So, as I've learned, this is a quite complex area of law.
• And, but along the way, I learned many things.
• And, but along the way, I learned many things.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's, if you're talking about SMRs, they're going to be manufactured remotely for the most part, so
• If it's, if you're talking about SMRs, they're going to be manufactured remotely for the most part, so
• <00:09:36.600> for going to be manufactured remotely for going to be manufactured remotely
• It provides better access to remote learning opportunities through the internet, hotspots, etc.
• Care it provides better access to remote Care it provides better access to remote learning<05:01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will take the roll for members voting remotely.
• <00:04:51.919> sensor remotely sensor remotely sensor mura<00:04:55.240> go<00:04:55.360
• The clerk will call the name of the members voting remotely. Senator Mura? No.
• <00:25:00.840> sensor remotely sensor remotely sensor mura<00:25:04.120> censor<00:25:04.559
• <00:35:00.400> sensor remotely sensor remotely sensor mura<00:35:03.880> sensor<00:35:04.320

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You will also see firsthand the great benefits of remote proceedings.
• You didn't think I would get through this without mentioning remote proceedings.
• Each business day, more than 6,500 remote hearings in both civil and criminal cases take place in our
• Remote proceedings have been universally... ...to courthouses annually.
• Through budget trailer bills,... ...for an extension of remote proceedings.

Summary: The California Legislature met in joint convention for the annual State of the Judiciary address, with judges and justices from across the state in attendance along with Governor Newsom and other statewide officials. The opening included prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the formal introduction of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and the California Supreme Court justices. Speakers emphasized the importance of judicial independence, the courts’ role in protecting rights and democracy, and the value of collaboration between the legislative and judicial branches. Chief Justice Guerrero focused on the state of the judicial branch, beginning with budget pressures from prior cuts and noting partial restoration in the governor’s proposed budget, while urging continued stable funding for courts, court-appointed counsel, and judgeships in high-need counties. She highlighted the expansion and benefits of remote proceedings, ongoing judicial vacancies, workload growth, and efforts to improve data collection and case-weighting. She also discussed implementation of the CARE Act, the court interpreter workforce pilot, CASA and kin-first child welfare efforts, courthouse security and facilities projects, and the judiciary’s work on generative AI guardrails. A major portion of the address addressed the recent problems with the California bar exam and broader State Bar oversight. Guerrero said the court would pursue remedies for examinees harmed by the failures and would strengthen admissions oversight, including the role of the Committee of Bar Examiners. She also reiterated support for pro bono legal services and discussed immigration-related courthouse access, citing state laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in courthouses. The convention concluded after remarks thanking the judiciary and Legislature, and the joint session adjourned without any recorded votes or formal legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• um address some of the things we learned um address some of the things we learned um<00:19:39.360
• Um, this seems to be unclear about whether a remote meeting might even be possible.
• Um, this seems to be unclear about whether a remote meeting might even be possible.
• Um, this seems to be unclear about whether a remote meeting might even be possible.
• Um, this seems to be unclear about whether a remote meeting might even be possible.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee met to hear a non-germane amendment to House Bill 131, which concerns bullying and cyberbullying prevention. Representative Glenn Cordelli, the prime sponsor, said the amendment was intended to revise and improve language from last year’s SB 210 and to incorporate measures from a cyberbullying bill previously passed by the House. He described changes to school communication requirements, mandatory reporting of bullying and retaliation, stronger investigation and collaboration requirements for cross-district cases, added safety and remediation language, a required conference with the alleged perpetrator and parents if available, updated reporting deadlines, and disciplinary consequences for harassment, intimidation, retaliation, and false reports. He also noted a later amendment would be needed to insert the words “the perpetrator” in one section, and he explained that some changes were meant to align with prior legislation and legislative drafting suggestions. Committee members raised several concerns. Representative Murray questioned the treatment of private and parochial schools, the change from gross negligence to negligence, and the removal of a definition of bullying based on imbalance of power and perceived characteristics. Representative Damon also objected to deleting that definition, arguing it would narrow the scope of bullying too much. Representative Han spoke in opposition, saying the amendment was too broad, unnecessary in parts, and not ready for final action; he criticized the removal of the imbalance-of-power language, the conference requirement when parents may not participate, and the reporting obligations for bus drivers and others. Cordelli responded that some issues were already addressed in prior law or SB 210 and that private schools have their own policies. Michelle Wongran of New Hampshire Legal Assistance testified in opposition, saying the bill was being heard without enough notice and that it does far more than the committee analysis suggests. She said the amendment adds undefined retaliation language, imposes reporting duties on school vendors and contractors, may conflict with FERPA and other federal privacy rules, and includes provisions that could have serious implications for schools and students. She said she supports parental involvement and some conference provisions in concept, but urged the committee to reject the amendment or at least send it through the normal legislative process for fuller review. No vote was taken during the hearing portion described in the transcript.