Transcript Highlights:

• 49:03.400><c> once</c><00:49:03.799><c> they</c><00:49:04.319><c> once</c><00:49:04.559><c> they</c><
• <00:49:11.040><c> they</c><00:49:11.240><c> become</c><00:49:11.799><c> part</c><00:49:11.960><c> of<
• <00:49:12.559><c> bargaining</c><00:49:13.040><c> agreement</c><00:49:13.520><c> and</c><00:49:13.839
• </c><00:49:19.640><c> something</c><00:49:20.160><c> that</c><00:49:21.000><c> uh</c><00:49:21.359><c
• <00:49:23.079><c> for</c><00:49:23.240><c> our</c><00:49:23.400><c> j1s</c><00:49:24.000><c> but</c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• They<00:49:18.080><c> then</c><00:49:18.400><c> implemented</c><00:49:19.160><c> the</c><00:49:19.359
• </c><00:49:23.120><c> pupils,</c><00:49:23.680><c> which</c><00:49:23.880><c> we</c><00:49:24.000><c>
• we changed in the<00:49:24.560><c> pupil</c><00:49:25.320><c> act</c><00:49:25.680><c> of</c><00:49:
• That<00:49:28.160><c> was</c><00:49:28.560><c> that</c><00:49:28.960><c> excess</c><00:49:29.359><c>
• So,<00:49:43.040><c> we</c><00:49:43.560><c> had</c><00:49:43.760><c> it</c><00:49:43.880><c> in</c><

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:01.040><c> Do</c><00:49:01.280><c> I</c><00:49:01.440><c> just</c><00:49:01.680><c> get</c
• 00:49:05.200><c> I</c><00:49:05.359><c> can't</c><00:49:05.680><c> contact</c><00:49:06.079><c> them?
• :49:17.520><c> to</c><00:49:17.760><c> Montgomery</c><00:49:19.200><c> to</c><00:49:19.520><c> serve<
• Why<00:49:27.280><c> would</c><00:49:27.440><c> I</c><00:49:27.680><c> even</c><00:49:27.839><c> go</
• c><00:49:28.000><c> and</c><00:49:28.240><c> buy</c><00:49:28.400><c> it</c><00:49:28.559><c> if</c><

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:04.440><c> to</c><00:49:04.560><c> prevent</c><00:49:04.920><c> these</c><00:49:05.120><c>
• Uh Uh Uh But<00:49:07.600><c> this</c><00:49:08.080><c> this</c><00:49:08.320><c> specific</c><00:49:
• .<00:49:30.720><c> I</c><00:49:30.800><c> guess</c><00:49:31.000><c> my</c><00:49:31.160><c> question
• 35.400><c> you</c><00:49:35.480><c> know</c><00:49:35.680><c> is</c><00:49:35.800><c> this</c><00:49:
• and technology<00:49:43.760><c> is</c><00:49:43.920><c> involved,</c><00:49:44.680><c> I'm</c><00:49

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with 98 members present, declared a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received Senate concurrence requests on Senate Bills 263, 281, and 324. The chamber then moved through second readings and committee reports on a range of measures, including education, agriculture, banking and insurance, judiciary, licensing, and task force resolutions. Among the reported bills were measures on KEES scholarships for non-certified schools, a residential safe room rebate program, dual credit scholarships, impeding a first responder, motor vehicles, tallow-based cosmetic products, animal health emergencies, mortgage loan income limits, deferred deposit fees, child protection, Attorney General operations, corrections operations, school leadership, school transportation, advanced mathematics coursework, and task forces on charitable gaming and early childhood education governance. The House passed House Bill 642, a Teachers' Retirement System housekeeping bill, after adopting House Committee Substitute 1. The sponsor said the bill updates survivor benefit documentation, raises the daily earnings limit for retired members returning to work from $170 to $200, removes an unused early-return provision, reinstates a pension waiver program, clarifies benefit tier calculations using an earlier participation date in another state system, and allows a parent member to manage payments for a disabled child without a court order. Members asked about substitute teaching limits, retirement penalties, budget impact, and a removed provision involving index funds; the sponsor said he would follow up on the day limits and stated he did not believe the bill would add to unfunded liability. The bill passed 96-0. The House also passed House Bill 780 on recording commissioner’s deeds, after adopting a floor amendment that removed fines and penalties. The bill allows a city to petition circuit court if a deed is not recorded within 30 business days, and the court may compel filing and award costs and attorney’s fees. Members discussed whether the bill effectively created a lawsuit-based enforcement mechanism rather than a fine, and supporters said it would help local governments identify responsible property owners and address code enforcement and public safety issues. The bill passed 96-0. House Bill 541, concerning peace officers, also passed after a committee substitute; the sponsor said it cleans up Kentucky Law Enforcement Council procedures, strengthens certification standards, clarifies revocation language, and reflects input from law enforcement groups. It passed 95-0. House Bill 195, the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative, passed after a committee substitute and floor amendment. The substitute added Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension alongside UK Cooperative Extension, and the floor amendment changed the pilot’s implementation date to January 1, 2027 and adjusted the program’s term timing. Supporters said the bill would expand urban agriculture education, connect youth to food systems and career pathways, and help students in urban counties learn practical agricultural skills; it passed 97-0. The House then took up House Bill 794 on financial exploitation, which expands protections to all adults age 65 and older, adds felony penalties for knowingly, wantonly, or recklessly exploiting those adults, allows the attorney general to seek extradition from another state, and requires investment advisers to complete three hours of continuing education on financial exploitation. Members cited real-world scam experiences and urged stronger penalties, but the bill passed 96-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:49:10.000><c> And</c><01:49:10.080><c> I</c><01:49:10.239><c> won't</c><01:49:10.400><c> be</
• :49:20.320><c> asking</c><01:49:20.639><c> for</c><01:49:20.800><c> five</c><01:49:20.960><c> minutes
• </c><01:49:21.840><c> two</c><01:49:22.000><c> to</c><01:49:22.159><c> three,</c><01:49:22.400><c> we
• Welcome,<01:49:30.800><c> Captain</c><01:49:31.280><c> Michael</c><01:49:31.679><c> Eastman</c><01:49
• &gt;&gt; Gorski,<01:49:34.000><c> members</c><01:49:34.239><c> of</c><01:49:34.400><c> the</c><01:49:

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:49:08.240><c> you've</c><00:49:08.559><c> made</c><00:49:08.720><c> sure</c><00:49:08.880><c>
• And<00:49:17.040><c> none</c><00:49:17.280><c> of</c><00:49:17.359><c> your</c><00:49:17.599><c> work
• Well,<00:49:21.280><c> that's</c><00:49:21.440><c> why</c><00:49:21.599><c> I'm</c><00:49:21.839><c>
• 00:49:23.280><c> to</c><00:49:23.520><c> aid</c><00:49:23.760><c> to</c><00:49:24.000><c> non-public<
• </c><01:49:06.800><c> that</c><01:49:07.360><c> he</c><01:49:07.600><c> could</c><01:49:07.840><c> do

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:02.160><c> the</c> department<00:49:12.200><c> in</c><00:49:12.400><c> addition</c><00:49:13.040>
• </c><00:49:17.040><c> Google</c><00:49:17.400><c> notebook</c><00:49:17.920><c> LM</c><00:49:18.520><
• :49:26.160><c> example</c><00:49:26.559><c> like</c><00:49:26.720><c> I</c><00:49:26.880><c> gave</c>
• c><00:49:36.119><c> put</c><00:49:36.480><c> standards</c><00:49:37.440><c> and</c><00:49:38.079><c>
• <00:49:53.280><c> and</c><00:49:53.440><c> so</c><00:49:53.720><c> our</c><00:49:53.960><c> goal</c><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.760><c> but</c><00:49:02.160><c> use</c><00:49:02.480><c> them</c><00:49:02.880><c> as</c><00:49:
• :49:10.000><c> the</c><00:49:10.319><c> shortcomings</c><00:49:11.040><c> of</c><00:49:11.280><c> our
• Um<00:49:26.720><c> there's</c><00:49:27.040><c> a</c><00:49:27.280><c> there's</c><00:49:27.599><c>
• ><c> we</c><00:49:29.280><c> could</c><00:49:29.520><c> do</c><00:49:29.599><c> a</c><00:49:29.839><c
• </c><00:49:46.480><c> Um</c><00:49:47.280><c> what</c><00:49:47.440><c> is</c><00:49:47.599><c> it?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with Senate Bill 197, which would remove supervision of the legislative facilities committee nurse from the Department of Health and Human Services and instead place the nurse under the Board of Nursing’s scope of practice and the Nurse Practice Act. Ryan Maliti introduced the bill for Senator Pearl, and John Williams of DHHS explained that the current statutory language is outdated, dating back to 1995, and improperly gives medical supervisory authority to a non-clinician. He said the change would align the statute with current practice and that the department, the Joint Legislative Committee’s chief operating officer, and the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification were all comfortable with the language. Committee members asked about the need for the change and confirmed the old supervisory language was no longer being meaningfully used. The chair closed the hearing on SB 197, noting there may be additional amendments before final action. The committee then heard Senate Bill 186, which would authorize the Joint Legislative Historical Committee to accept and display a portrait of former Senator Jeb Bradley in the State House. Max Taylor, speaking for Senator Rashardi, described Bradley’s long public service and urged the committee to move the bill. Members asked whether the portrait was completed, where it would be displayed, and how size and placement would be determined. Taylor said the portrait had not yet been commissioned but would be paid for by Bradley, and that the exact location had not been set. Committee members and staff noted that the Joint Historical Committee is already working on portrait placement and space issues, and that the bill may need to be coordinated with broader updates to the statutes governing portraits and memorials. The committee also heard Senate Bill 200, introduced by Senator Reardon, to allow the Joint Legislative Historical Committee to accept and hang a portrait of former Senator Sylvia Larson. Reardon and Donna Susi, who painted the portrait and had served as Larson’s chief of staff, gave strong testimony about Larson’s legislative record, leadership as Senate President, and bipartisan service. Members asked about the portrait’s status, size, and where it would be displayed; witnesses said the portrait was completed, framed, and currently stored in a box pending approval, and that the committee would decide placement. In the later work session, the chair used the two portrait bills to discuss broader problems in the statutes and the Joint Historical Committee’s responsibilities, including possible size limits, placement rules, and whether New Hampshire should adopt practices used in other states such as waiting periods or moratoriums on portraits. No votes were taken during the work session, but members discussed using the bills as vehicles for larger statutory cleanup.

Transcript Highlights:

• :14.160><c> brought</c><00:49:14.400><c> up</c><00:49:14.559><c> by</c><00:49:14.720><c> the</c><00:49
• Uh<00:49:17.200><c> but</c><00:49:17.440><c> what</c><00:49:17.680><c> I</c><00:49:17.920><c> wanted<
• /c><00:49:18.240><c> to</c><00:49:18.400><c> to</c><00:49:18.720><c> say</c><00:49:19.440><c> to</c>
• :49:20.640><c> is</c><00:49:20.880><c> that</c><00:49:21.040><c> the</c><00:49:21.280><c> intent</c><
• ><c> and</c><00:49:28.960><c> no</c><00:49:29.200><c> doubt</c><00:49:29.440><c> many</c><00:49:29.760

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 185, which would add timelines to Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) investigations. Senator Howard Pearl said the bill was prompted by concerns from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors about delays at the Real Estate Commission, and he explained that the proposal would require OPLC staff to make an initial determination within 30 days and, if misconduct is found, complete an investigation within 60 days. He said the goal is to improve transparency and give consumers and licensees more timely information, while preserving the board’s adjudicatory role. He also noted that the bill had been amended to delay implementation to give OPLC time to work through its backlog. Committee members questioned how the bill would work when an investigation is incomplete and whether the board could send a case back to OPLC without a firm deadline. Pearl said the board would have discretion to continue the investigation or make a final determination, and that the bill was intended to streamline OPLC’s process rather than impose a hard cap on complex cases. OPLC Executive Director Deanna Durus and General Counsel Nicholas Fry then testified that the agency has already changed its procedures under prior legislation, including a facial review of complaints and monthly board review of dismissal memos. They said the bill would substantially alter the current structure, could conflict with existing limitation periods and board duties, and would be difficult to implement without additional staff and funding. Durus said the agency’s backlog is large, that new complaints are being triaged and prioritized, and that some urgent matters are moved ahead based on risk and statutory deadlines. She said OPLC had completed a review of about 500 backlog cases that would now be dismissed under current screening standards, and that those cases are being turned into memos for board review. Board of Medicine public member Nina Gardner testified in favor of the bill but said the backlog is significant and that the agency needs more resources to make the process work effectively. She said the board is seeing progress, but not fast enough, and suggested the bill may not go far enough without additional staffing and funding. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:04.040><c> we</c><00:49:04.200><c> pride</c><00:49:04.480><c> ourself</c><00:49:05.040><c>
• ><c> Services</c><00:49:11.160><c> Under</c><00:49:11.440><c> One</c><00:49:11.680><c> Roof</c><00:49
• <00:49:18.040><c> the</c><00:49:18.160><c> things</c><00:49:18.359><c> that</c><00:49:18.520><c> I</c
• <00:49:21.160><c> in</c><00:49:21.480><c> around</c><00:49:22.359><c> evaluation</c><00:49:23.359><c>
• :49:30.520><c> with</c><00:49:30.880><c> all</c><00:49:31.200><c> the</c><00:49:31.359><c> service</c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee convened an informational Division 3 Finance hearing focused on DHHS programmatic issues rather than budget line items. The chair emphasized that members should avoid questions requiring dollar figures and noted that the coming budget cycle would likely be difficult because revenues are expected to be tighter. Commissioner Lori Weaver said the department wanted to use the session to explain its functions at a high level, with more detailed presentations to follow, and to collect questions for later responses. Weaver outlined DHHS’s mission of supporting optimal health for state residents and described the department’s three main responsibilities: protection and prevention, client service delivery, and regulatory oversight. She said DHHS has eight divisions, a $3.6 billion total budget, about $1.217 billion in general funds, roughly a quarter of state positions, and personnel costs that are less than 11% of the budget. She also noted a recent hiring freeze, explained that the department did not request new positions except where required by law, and said vacancy rates had improved from 22% to 14% over the last two years but could rise again because of attrition and the hiring freeze. Weaver and CFO Nathan White then discussed why the DHHS budget is complex, explaining that it is built from multiple funding sources and is shaped by assumptions made months before the fiscal year begins, actual service demand, and cost allocation rules used to draw down federal funds. White highlighted maintenance-of-effort requirements, including TANF, where state spending is needed to secure federal matching funds and shortfalls can trigger penalties. At the committee’s request, DHHS agreed to provide a simplified historical accounting of TANF contributions to show how the match is assembled across positions, contracts, and other factors. The department also reviewed its roadmap, which Weaver described as a framework developed with staff and stakeholders around three themes: culture, community, and customer service. She highlighted priorities such as Mission Zero to end emergency department boarding, expanding access to community-based and residential behavioral health services, reducing reliance on institutional care, improving contract management with nonprofit and provider partners, using data dashboards to guide decisions, and investing in workforce stability and culture. No votes were taken; the main action was DHHS’s commitment to provide additional follow-up materials, including the TANF contribution breakdown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:02.160><c> um</c><00:49:02.640><c> um</c><00:49:03.520><c> uh</c><00:49:03.760><c> you</c>
• know when<00:49:04.400><c> when</c><00:49:05.200><c> you</c><00:49:05.359><c> know</c><00:49:05.440>
• </c><00:49:11.440><c> What</c><00:49:11.920><c> my</c><00:49:13.040><c> what</c><00:49:13.280><c> a</
• > is</c><00:49:15.920><c> on</c><00:49:16.160><c> section</c><00:49:16.640><c> two</c><00:49:17.200><
• </c><00:49:22.480><c> on</c><00:49:22.640><c> line</c><00:49:22.880><c> 11</c><00:49:23.680><c> and</

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:49:03.520><c> go</c><00:49:03.599><c> ahead</c><00:49:03.760><c> with</c><00:49:03.920
• :04.640><c> and</c><00:49:05.040><c> uh</c><00:49:05.200><c> sorry,</c><00:49:05.599><c> on</c><00:49
• </c><00:49:13.920><c> and</c><00:49:14.160><c> I</c><00:49:14.400><c> work</c><00:49:14.559><c> here<
• > airport</c><00:49:16.160><c> as</c><00:49:16.319><c> a</c><00:49:16.559><c> cabin</c><00:49:16.960>
• For many years, I<00:49:25.839><c> have</c><00:49:26.000><c> been</c><00:49:26.240><c> part</c><00:49

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And<01:49:55.760><c> our</c><01:49:56.000><c> prime</c><01:49:56.320><c> sponsor</c><01:49:56.719><c>
• c> a</c><03:49:01.040><c> good</c><03:49:01.199><c> neighbor,</c><03:49:01.760><c> a</c><03:49:02.000
• <03:49:04.080><c> the</c><03:49:04.239><c> the</c><03:49:04.560><c> core</c><03:49:04.800><c> of</c><
• </c><03:49:13.040><c> Um,</c><03:49:14.479><c> is</c><03:49:14.720><c> there</c><03:49:14.880><c> a</
• &gt;&gt; No.<03:49:26.319><c> So</c><03:49:27.120><c> yeah,</c><03:49:27.279><c> I</c><03:49:27.439><

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 163FN, dealing with requiring current, verifiable evidence of a species’ presence before land-use restrictions are imposed for habitat protection. Members discussed an amendment that had been worked on with agencies and stakeholder groups. Fish and Game testified that, while the amendment improved the bill, the agency still opposed it because of concerns about citizen science, how the proposal would apply to public versus private property, and how the transition to DES would work. Representative Darby argued the amendment was ambiguous, lacked a full hearing, and did not clearly address record verification or private-property access issues. The amendment passed 8-7, and the committee then voted OTPA 8-7, with a minority report noted. The committee then moved to HB 1752FN, which would create a chain of custody for timber and carbon credits. Representative Davis presented an amendment saying it would help law enforcement investigate timber theft and add transparency to New Hampshire’s carbon registry by identifying buyers of carbon credits. Supporters said the change would impose little burden and align with practices in other states. Opponents, including Representative Darby, Representative Vale, and the state forester from DNCR, said the carbon market is complex, the amendment was not fully vetted, and a hearing with all stakeholders was needed; they also raised fiscal-note concerns. The amendment passed 8-7, and the committee then voted OTPA 8-7, again with a minority report. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on HB 1019, which would add an active water treatment professional to the state water well board. Representative Peter Petrino and Representative Wendy Thomas said the board should include expertise on contamination risks and treatment technologies, citing concerns about arsenic, radon, and PFAS in private wells. The chairman of the Water Well Board testified in opposition to the bill as drafted, saying the board supports the general idea of licensing water filtration work but does not currently have authority or rules to oversee that field and believes the proposal would put “the cart before the horse.” Members questioned whether the board’s current mandate even covers filtration systems, and the discussion ended with those concerns unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> 330</c><00:49:13.480><c> 330</c><00:49:14.480><c> 30</c><00:49:14.799><c> to</c><00:49:15.119><c>
• > many</c><00:49:31.640><c> if</c><00:49:31.839><c> it's</c><00:49:32.000><c> 4</c><00:49:32.240><c>
• /c><00:49:36.079><c> 4</c><00:49:36.359><c> million</c><00:49:36.720><c> for</c> 330<00:49:40.040><c>
• how</c><00:49:40.200><c> many</c><00:49:40.520><c> do</c><00:49:40.680><c> you</c><00:49:40.880><c>
• ><c> get</c><00:49:45.640><c> back</c><00:49:45.839><c> to</c><00:49:45.960><c> you</c><00:49:46.119>

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered Senate Bills 470, 828, 730, and 1383. SB 470 would create a deferred retirement option program for police officers. The Employees Retirement System warned it could worsen the system’s $14.1 billion unfunded liability by stopping employer and employee contributions during the DROP period, and the Attorney General raised possible tax-qualified status, Internal Revenue Code, and age-discrimination concerns. Police and other supporters testified in favor, but the committees ultimately recommended deferring the bill indefinitely. SB 828 would expand workers’ compensation medical benefits for firefighters to cover an additional respiratory condition. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Hawaii Firefighters Association supported the measure, citing occupational exposure and health risks. The committees recommended passage with amendments, and the motion was adopted by both committees. SB 730, which concerns allowance on service retirements, drew support from the Department of Human Resources Development and the Department of Law Enforcement, but also comments from the Attorney General and ERS. DHRD said the bill could help recruitment and retention but requested more time to work on language with ERS, Budget and Finance, and the AG’s office. The committees postponed decision-making until Friday, February 7, at 3:15 p.m. in Conference Room 225. SB 1383, relating to fire protection, received broad support from the Governor’s office, Department of Defense, DLNR, Hawaiian Electric, and others. The committees agreed to pass it with amendments, including language suggested by the Hawaii Insurance Council on wildfire-related insurance issues and a committee report link to the Lina fire forward-looking report, phase three. The amended recommendation was adopted by both committees. Later in the meeting, the committees also heard SB 1360 and SB 1361 on ERS administrative and reporting matters, SB 340 on HLRB enforcement authority, and SB 997 on energy; SB 1360 and SB 1361 were presented as housekeeping measures, SB 340 drew disagreement between the Attorney General and HLRB over enforcement authority, and SB 997 was amended to incorporate prevailing-wage renewable energy rate language from SB 743 and then passed with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.440><c> gone</c><00:49:01.680><c> into</c><00:49:02.000><c> the</c><00:49:02.079><c> the</c><00:49
• 49:36.559><c> that</c><00:49:37.040><c> is</c><00:49:37.280><c> basically</c><00:49:37.680><c> a</c>
• :49:40.400><c> in</c><00:49:40.559><c> just</c><00:49:40.720><c> a</c><00:49:40.960><c> second.
• . uh about<00:49:42.720><c> two</c><00:49:43.040><c> pages</c><00:49:43.440><c> past</c><00:49:43.839
• and then<00:49:48.720><c> the</c><00:49:49.040><c> actual</c><00:49:49.359><c> bill</c><00:49:49.599

Bills: HB0078 , SF0012 , SF0013 , SF0052 , SF0069 , SF0070

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, military, national guard, reenlistment, extension bonus, funding, Wyoming, Wyoming National Guard, recruitment, referral bonus, military service, eligibility expansion, incentive program, wildlife management, environmental restoration

Transcript Highlights:

• By vote 110<00:49:12.880><c> yeas,</c><00:49:13.200><c> one</c><00:49:13.360><c> nay,</c><00:49:13.480
• &gt;&gt; We<00:49:15.680><c> have</c><00:49:15.840><c> item</c><00:49:16.160><c> 12,</c><00:49:16.840
• I call<00:49:18.840><c> that</c><00:49:18.960><c> bill</c><00:49:19.160><c> up,</c><00:49:19.320><c>
• &gt;&gt; Gentleman<00:49:21.800><c> calls</c><00:49:22.040><c> bill</c><00:49:22.280><c> up,</c><00:49
• /c><00:49:23.640><c> to</c><00:49:23.680><c> be</c><00:49:23.760><c> considered</c><00:49:24.280><c>

Keywords: MS House Floor - 25 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> we'll</c><00:49:06.960><c> have</c><00:49:07.119><c> to</c><00:49:08.000><c> um</c><00:49:08.160
• :08.680><c> to</c><00:49:08.960><c> this</c><00:49:09.640><c> um</c><00:49:10.480><c> this</c><00:49:
• :49:17.240><c> uh</c><00:49:18.240><c> a</c><00:49:19.240><c> more</c><00:49:19.760><c> reasonable</c
• <00:49:24.640><c> uh</c><00:49:25.520><c> to</c><00:49:26.079><c> um</c><00:49:26.520><c> uh</c><00:49
• 49:33.799><c> Mr</c><00:49:34.160><c> Gordon</c><00:49:34.960><c> yes</c><00:49:35.520><c> um</c><00:

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that</c><04:49:02.878><c> may</c><04:49:03.040><c> or</c><04:49:03.280><c> may</c><04:49:03.440><c>
• be tainted<04:49:04.480><c> without</c><04:49:05.040><c> any</c><04:49:06.400><c> uh</c><04:49:06.638
• c><04:49:08.240><c> the</c><04:49:08.480><c> food</c><04:49:08.718><c> itself</c><04:49:09.440><c> is
• fact<04:49:10.480><c> suitable</c><04:49:10.958><c> for</c><04:49:11.280><c> sale</c><04:49:11.760><
• In other<04:49:14.000><c> words,</c><04:49:14.638><c> uh</c><04:49:15.040><c> it</c><04:49:15.360><c>

Keywords: MS House Floor - 10 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:29.880><c> interesting</c><00:49:30.880><c> okay</c><00:49:31.559><c> all</c><00:49:31.720><c>
• right so go<00:49:32.559><c> ahead</c><00:49:32.799><c> yes</c><00:49:32.920><c> we</c><00:49:33.040
• so this<00:49:44.880><c> is</c><00:49:45.040><c> an</c><00:49:45.240><c> estimate</c><00:49:45.720><
• <00:49:51.760><c> um</c><00:49:52.000><c> $12</c><00:49:52.400><c> million</c><00:49:53.040><c> in</c
• :49:49.719><c> to</c><01:49:50.440><c> pay</c><01:49:50.599><c> for</c><01:49:50.840><c> the</c><01:49

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ budget, with testimony from division leadership on staffing, funding sources, and program changes. Early discussion focused on vacant positions in the agency, including a senior planner tied to FEMA requirements, a federally funded program assistant, a program specialist to be reclassified during a planning reorganization, and two Housing Champions positions that were authorized but not funded in the current biennium and are requested for 2026-27. The witnesses also explained that temporary welcome center positions are filled as funds allow, and that the agency’s requested general fund increase is driven largely by the Division of Travel and Tourism Development and its formula-based funding. Members then reviewed rest areas, welcome centers, outdoor recreation, economic development, procurement, and workforce opportunity lines. The department said there are 12 rest areas, with 5.8 million foot counts in FY 24, and that welcome centers are generally open year-round, though Sutton is currently closed and staffing relies on a mix of full-time and temporary employees. The outdoor recreation position is federally funded through USDA and supports business outreach, trade shows, and industry promotion. In economic development, the agency said increased dues reflect participation in the Northern Borders Regional Commission, and that a marketing line item is intended to support recruitment and promotion of growth industries such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences. The Apex Accelerator Program was described as a state-federal partnership requiring a state match and providing government contracting assistance to businesses, while the Office of Workforce Opportunity was explained as a federally funded WIOA-related effort administered through multiple agencies and subrecipients. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which members said had generated significant public concern. The department described SBDC as a highly effective technical assistance program for new and small businesses, but said the cut was one of the few places it felt it had room to reduce funding. Members asked about federal support and matching requirements for various programs, and the department said less than half of its overall budget is generally funded by the state and that some programs require state match. The committee also discussed travel and tourism marketing and the Joint Promotional Program, with the department saying those funds support broader advertising campaigns and grants to chambers and trade associations for events such as Bike Week, Restaurant Week, and the Seafood Festival. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none,<00:49:01.000><c> the</c><00:49:01.080><c> question</c><00:49:01.400><c> before</c><00:49
• Mr.<00:49:10.840><c> Scheible,</c><00:49:11.160><c> please</c><00:49:11.400><c> read</c><00:49:11.520
• &gt;&gt; House<00:49:14.080><c> Bill</c><00:49:14.240><c> 1312</c><00:49:14.800><c> by</c><00:49:14.920
• I<01:49:05.760><c> do</c><01:49:06.040><c> believe</c><01:49:06.440><c> it</c><01:49:06.560><c> was</
• :49:31.800><c> how</c><01:49:31.960><c> much</c><01:49:32.280><c> it</c><01:49:32.400><c> is.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with 58 members present and seven excused, establishing a quorum, and approved the April 15, 2026 journal as corrected. The chamber then moved through announcements recognizing visiting railroad workers, LIUNA Local 720, Colorado West Christian Schools, Religious Freedom Day, and several school and community groups, along with birthday acknowledgments and committee schedule notices. The House also adopted a motion to remove House Bill 1245 from special orders and returned it to the general orders second reading calendar, and set House Bills 1290, 1312, and 1321 as special orders. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 18, recognizing Nowruz and expressing support for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people, including the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Supporters described Nowruz as a holiday of renewal and resilience and tied the resolution to solidarity with Iranian communities. Representative Zokaie also spoke at length about the personal impact of war on Iranian families and urged a vote. The resolution passed 59-2 with four excused. The chamber then considered several bills in committee report. House Bill 1290, concerning assault and clarifying sentencing, was amended in Judiciary to remove the medical professional provision and passed after testimony emphasizing strangulation as a serious warning sign in domestic violence cases; it then passed the House. House Bill 1312, dealing with peace officer participation, POST Board composition, academy training, and related grants, was amended for clarity and passed the Judiciary report and then the bill. House Bill 1321, modifying the School Security Disbursement Program, had the Education Committee report defeated, but amendments were adopted to broaden eligible service providers and adjust funding language; the bill then passed as amended.