Video & Transcript : 'evidence collection' :
Page 58 of 500
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (Part I) May 21st, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Being an attorney, but a preponderance of evidence, 50 plus 1, is not the highest level of evidence.
- 1, how does that go from I've got 50 plus 1 evidence?
- Preponderance of evidence, but for the criminal side, that's definitely beyond a reasonable doubt.
- We're here again; I thought we got—evidently we didn't get your bill over. The line.
- And determined that we absolutely met the definitions and preponderance of evidence.
Bills:
HB1106 , HB3284 , HB541 , HB713 , HB1403 , HB1586 , HB1942 , HB2070 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB3151 , HB3749 , HB3940 , HB3963 , HB4454 , HB4466 , HB4795 , HB5154 , HB5394 , SB1357 , HB1052 , HB4099 , HB4638 , HB5147
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
Keywords:
child abuse, neglect, gender identity, sexual orientation, child welfare, marriage, family, Texas Commission, family welfare, marriage support, stability, premarital education, child development, strong families, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, maternal health
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- that these reforms increase participation. ...inclusive democracy in light of the evidence that these
- This change will maintain the municipal census for data collection...
- This change will maintain the municipal census for data collection and jury selection, but no longer
- It did not serve as a public safety function, and there was no evidence-based reasoning presented at
- And there was no evidence-based reasoning presented that point ...safety function, and there was no evidence-based
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on a wide range of voting-access and election-administration bills. The largest portion of testimony focused on same-day voter registration (H. 834/S. 505), with support from Rep. Gentile, Boston and Chelsea officials, civic groups, and election administrators from Maine and Vermont. Supporters argued that same-day registration would help eligible voters who move frequently, miss deadlines, or face administrative errors, and would reduce rejected provisional ballots. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Vermont elections director Sean Sheehan testified that same-day registration has worked in their states without major administrative problems and has helped increase turnout. A Boston-based panel also described high rejection rates for provisional ballots and the burden of registration cutoffs on renters, students, immigrants, and low-income voters.
A second major topic was restoration of voting rights for incarcerated people, including S. 524 and related House bills. The committee heard extensive virtual testimony from incarcerated individuals at MCI Norfolk and MCI Shirley, who said voting should be restored as part of rehabilitation, civic engagement, and reintegration. They described disenfranchisement as dehumanizing and argued that voting would help maintain family and community ties, reduce recidivism, and give incarcerated people a voice on laws affecting prisons and reentry. Rep. Erica Uyterhoeven also testified in support, saying the bill would restore municipal voting rights for incarcerated residents and align with broader efforts to expand political participation.
The committee also heard testimony on bills affecting election administration and access, including a proposal to reduce or eliminate mandated early in-person voting in primaries and shorten the general-election early voting period, with supporters from the town clerks’ community arguing that low usage, staffing burdens, and costs justify the change. Opponents warned that reducing in-person early voting could hurt voters who do not use mail ballots and could disproportionately affect communities of color. Other bills discussed included decoupling the municipal census from voter registration, requiring periodic accessibility inspections of polling places, and a Somerville home-rule petition on non-citizen municipal voting and another on lowering the voting age in municipal elections. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
SPEED Task Force (STF) - Mon Dec 15, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, you know, we're in year 2025 and we're regulating 2025 systems with assumptions and evidence based
- Um, you know, we're in year 2025 and we're regulating 2025 systems with assumptions and evidence based
- based in the 1990s and much and evidence based in the 1990s and much has<01:18:51.760><c> changed</c
- We need to update rules based on science and not guesswork or anecdotal evidence.
- </c> connect public wastewater collection connect public wastewater collection systems. to<01:24:17.199
Summary:
The Speed Task Force met on December 15, 2025, with members participating in person and via Zoom. After roll call and introductions, the chair filed the previous meeting minutes without objection. The chair then gave a report on outreach presentations statewide about the task force’s permitting-simplification work, noting appearances before groups such as the Chinese Chamber, Small Business Regulatory Review Board, General Contractors Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Chamber, and the Land Use Commission. He also introduced the new task force coordinator, Reginald K. T. King, and outlined a January 6, 2026 process for member-submitted recommendations, including first-come consideration and structured debate. No public testimony or member questions were offered on these items.
The task force heard a presentation from the Building Permit PIG. The presenter said the group reviewed 79 SWAT recommendation forms over seven meetings, with participation from 15 disciplines and about 270 hours of work. The group’s findings emphasized workforce shortages, inconsistent plan quality, limited departmental resources, and a lack of centralized tools for applicants to self-resolve issues. Recommendations focused on building a workforce pipeline, expanding training on codes and technology, and developing a universal platform, including AI-assisted review tools. The presenter also raised offsite construction, including factory-built, modular, tiny homes, and ADUs, as an area needing clearer state and county alignment to speed permit review and support housing needs. No public testimony or Q&A followed, and discussion and voting were deferred to the January 6, 2026 meeting.
The task force then began the Chapter 6E Historic Preservation PIG presentation. The chair described historic preservation as a broad process covering research, protection, restoration, rehabilitation, and interpretation of significant properties, including burial sites and iwi kūpuna, and said Chapter 6E is intended to guide responsible development rather than stop it. The presentation explained SHPD’s role and the complexity of 6E review, including archaeological surveys, monitoring, and preservation plans. Early findings highlighted uncertainty in sensitivity determinations for iwi kūpuna and subsurface resources, repeated review of the same projects, and staffing and technical capacity shortages among SHPD and consultants. Public testimony was closed and no immediate Q&A was allowed; further discussion and voting on recommendations were scheduled for January 6, 2026.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Civil Rights & Judiciary Feb 25th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Civil Rights & Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- And the evidence... But when you break up like that, it really affects the child quite a bit.
- am now facing accusations of being an abusive litigant for appealing trial court orders. and the evidence
- And the evidence that is used is my support for this bill.
- You can't present evidence. You can't bring in witnesses. You can't do anything in these hearings.
- It requires evidence-based, reviewable findings when decisions substantially affect parental rights and
Committee:
House Civil Rights & Judiciary
Keywords:
family law, constitutional floor, legal standards, child custody, divorce, SB 5868, superior court, judge, judgeship, judicial vacancy, court administration, Skagit County, Yakima County, RCW 2.08.061, Washington courts, county judges, caseload, docket backlog, judicial workload, elected judge
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee and Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, we don't think there's strong evidence.
- collections shoot up dramatically.
- Evidence was collected in the context of those Supreme Court cases about the compliance burden posed
- Evidence was collected in the context of those Supreme Court cases about the compliance burden posed
- The first year they started collecting this data.
Summary:
The joint informational hearing examined California’s taxation of multinational corporations, especially the state’s water’s-edge election versus worldwide combined reporting. The LAO and Franchise Tax Board explained the basic mechanics of unitary taxation, apportionment, and how water’s-edge generally excludes most foreign subsidiaries while worldwide reporting includes the full unitary group. FTB officials said water’s-edge filers are a small share of corporate filers but account for a large share of tax liability, and they described filing trends, industry mix, and the administrative steps needed to administer either system.
Members and witnesses debated the policy trade-offs. Supporters of moving away from water’s-edge argued that it enables profit shifting, especially for large multinational and IP-heavy firms, and that eliminating it could raise significant revenue and improve fairness for smaller domestic businesses. They cited estimates of billions in potential revenue and said California already has the audit and reporting infrastructure to handle worldwide reporting, though some transition time would be needed. Opponents argued that worldwide reporting would tax foreign activity unrelated to California, create double taxation, increase compliance burdens and litigation, and could be difficult for foreign-based multinationals to document. They also warned that some of the revenue estimates are highly uncertain because foreign affiliate income is not directly observable.
Committee members asked about foreign government pushback, the risk of companies leaving California, the effect on intellectual property shifting, and whether federal or Supreme Court action could block a change. Witnesses generally said major firms would be unlikely to leave because California taxes sales rather than physical presence, but some costs could be passed on to consumers. The panel also discussed alternatives such as conforming to federal international tax rules like NCTI/GILTI and adding anti-abuse rules. No vote or bill action was taken; the hearing was informational only.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships May 5th, 2025
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships
Transcript Highlights:
- Without standardized evidence-based safeguards, children of Texas are being subjected to unregulated,
- non-evidence-based or harmful services that do not lead to better outcomes for the family.
- that the evidence base use the scientific method, i.e., the results were peer reviewed, repeatable,
- But it just seems to be When you say there needs to be a Um, Evidence-based, generally accepted proof
- There are instances where a parent will be entitled to and will collect child support yet do not have
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 1, 2025 - 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- How would it ensure data collection, because we're working with people across...
- How would it ensure data collection, because we're working with people, again, across different agencies
- This bill does not alter the evidence-based foundation of these programs.
- This bill does not alter the evidence-based foundation of these programs.
- The data collection does not include behavioral health symptoms, treatment, and outcomes.
Summary:
The Human Services Subcommittee met with a full agenda and reported all measures favorably. The committee first heard HB 1327, which would codify the Hope Florida program in state law, and HB 1329, the related public-records exemption for Hope Florida participants; both bills drew questions about oversight, duplication of services, staffing, and data privacy, and both passed 17-0 after an amendment to HB 1329. The committee then approved HB 391, allowing certified batterers intervention programs to include optional faith-based content while remaining grounded in required therapeutic models; an amendment clarified that participation in faith-based components must be strictly voluntary. Supporters argued the bill restores choice and access, while opponents raised concerns about church-state separation and uneven availability of secular alternatives; the bill passed 17-0.
Members also advanced HB 1065, creating an Alzheimer’s disease awareness initiative through the Department of Elder Affairs, with broad support from members who shared personal experiences and emphasized early detection and public education. HB 1163, dealing with recovery residences, passed 12-5 after debate over local zoning authority, home rule, and whether the bill would help or hinder placement of level four recovery homes near urban cores. Several members said they supported recovery housing in principle but wanted more clarity on task force findings and local impacts before fully backing the measure.
The committee next approved HB 969, which shifts evaluation of school district mental health assistance programs to OPAGA and requires reports on outcomes and effectiveness; members stressed the need to know whether substantial mental health funding is improving student outcomes. HB 1191, which decriminalizes allowing children to travel to school, play outdoors, or stay home for reasonable periods and codifies current DCF policy, passed 16-0 with support framed around parental rights and child development. Finally, HB 1207, the Tristan Murphy Act, passed 15-0 and would expand mental health diversion and treatment options, including training for first responders, a forensic hospital diversion pilot, a behavioral health data repository, and additional evaluation requirements before inmate work assignments. The meeting adjourned after all agenda bills were reported favorably.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I move the A2 amendment, which simply adds a definition for evidence-based math, as we discussed when
- And regarding what assessments may be collected via the same screeners.
- We are collecting that data now.
- Why are we messing around with how we're collecting data without looking at the data first?
- based on the science of reading, evidence-based reading.
Committee:
House Education Policy
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Mar 11th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- There is owner information collected on the Federal level, but it isn't Much help.
- at a collection and seeing and helping with the. algorithms to find those outliers?
- And we do that through testimony, documentary evidence, expert testimony. etc.
- We go, however... we're the facts and the evidence leads us.
- If the evidence, in fact, us to that conclusion, then we're going down a different path.
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The attorney general convened a special grand jury, the reviewed testimony and evidence over three days
- In 2007, McDougal was accused of indecency with a child, but due to lack of evidence, he pleaded to a
- There was some evidence, and so there was a film of this. extraction in a cell and the violence it's
- The bill defines location information broadly covering bring data collected without consent and sets
- But that seems like that would be, unless there's some data collection company that's getting like all
Bills:
HB166 , HB2000 , HB3248 , HB3513 , SB155 , SB1659 , SB1730 , SB1778 , SB1790 , SB1848 , SB2017 , SB2105 , SB2794 , SB2917 , HB2756 , HB353 , HB166
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Keywords:
child endangerment, controlled substances, penalty group, elderly protection, disabled individual rights, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, defense, peace officers, local government, security, juvenile board, Moore County, appointments, juvenile justice, county legislation, dangerous dogs
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Mar 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Last year, Assembly Bill 1113 did require that the state start collecting enrollment data in expanded
- We also have evidence from California and nationally that teachers who are National Board certified are
- But the evidence base that we have on early learning does suggest that the full day, and perhaps even
- through CDE or whatever mechanism we're utilizing to collect data on that.
- I think the evidence, the research base would suggest that you need a program that is both enrichment
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- These are a wide-ranging collection of actions, including more frequent inspections of the utility system
- And these are a wide-ranging collection of actions, including more...
- And these are a wide-ranging collection of actions, including more frequent inspections of the utility
- So it is evidence that replacing those is going to be very helpful for us.
- You've heard, you know, Evidence that replacing those is going to be very helpful for us.
Committee:
Senate Regulated Industries
Summary:
The committee met to hear invited presentations on storm recovery and storm protection from the Florida Public Service Commission, Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric, Chesapeake Utilities, and the Office of Public Counsel. The PSC reviewed the history of storm restoration financing and utility hardening efforts after major storms such as Hurricane Andrew, the 2004-05 hurricane seasons, Irma, and Michael, explaining storm reserve funds, storm recovery bonds, and the current three-year storm protection plan process. The commission’s role in approving plans and later reviewing prudence of actual costs was emphasized, along with the types of work included in the plans such as vegetation management, pole replacement, undergrounding, feeder hardening, and substation flood protection.
The utilities described their own storm-hardening investments and recent storm performance. FPL said it has spent about $4.9 billion on storm protection and recovery-related efforts, highlighted improved restoration times during Helene and Milton, and said it is expanding undergrounding, feeder hardening, and smart-grid technology. Duke Energy reported more than 40,000 hardened poles and structures since 2021, major gains from self-healing grid technology, and faster restoration during recent storms. Tampa Electric described a roughly $200 million annual storm protection effort, including vegetation management, undergrounding, substation hardening, and new storm surge protections, and Chesapeake Utilities discussed its smaller-scale hardening program, vegetation work, pole replacement, and rapid restoration after Helene in Nassau County.
Committee members asked about how utilities prioritize neighborhoods for lateral hardening, whether maps of planned projects could be shared, how much each utility has spent on undergrounding and hardening, and how reliability comparisons are normalized against the national average. Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler argued that storm recovery and hardening costs fall too heavily on investor-owned utility customers, said the current framework lacks a meaningful cost-benefit or prudence check at the planning stage, and urged broader sharing of storm costs because the benefits extend to the whole state. Senators also discussed whether the commission can review the reasonableness of approved programs and whether future reports or recommendations from Public Counsel would be helpful. No votes or formal actions were taken.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The MVCPA collects these fees and handles refunds, but procedural gaps and inefficiencies persist under
- House Bill 4401 utilizes the controller's expertise in this area by formally transferring MVCPA fee collection
- Uh, committee substitute House Bill 4401 does not change the MVCPA fee amount on how the collected funds
- The bill does not mandate eliminating stamping, only the requirement to show evidence of stamping for
- Early evidence shows that it does. And with that, I will leave it for questions.
Bills:
HB 341 , HB 469 , HB 971 , HB 1624 , HB 2721 , HB 2959 , HB 3365 , HB 3731 , HB 3793 , HB 3861 , HB 3946 , HB 3966 , HB 4348 , HB 4401 , HB 4402 , HB 4924 , HB 4966 , HB 5563
Committee:
House Transportation
Keywords:
affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- At the same time, what you've started to collect based on the science of reading, evidence-based reading
- At the same time, what you've started to collect based on the science of reading, evidence-based reading
- At the same time, what you've started to collect based on the science of reading, evidence-based reading
- At the same time, what you've started to collect based on the science of reading, evidence-based reading
- At the same time, what you've started to collect based on the science of reading, evidence-based reading
Committee:
House Education Policy
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, Representative, your passion was very evident here. Complexity, you're 100% correct.
- initiated, meaning a citizen collected the signatures to put each of these items on their respective
- it and we’ll put it in a form that comports with the law of evidence and is not hearsay.
- So it’s not really new evidence that comes in. That’s what’s delaying the process.
- I mean, it’s true under 249 Section 4 and 3814, so some new evidence can come in for that.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hybrid hearing on bills related to land use, zoning, permitting, municipal governance, and homelessness. Early testimony focused on a home rule petition for Ipswich to remove a residency requirement for a town manager, with supporters saying it would broaden the applicant pool and help fill a vacant permanent manager position. Another panel backed legislation to change the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission’s governance so ratepayers in surrounding communities would have representation, arguing the current board structure leaves many users without a voice in rate-setting and capital decisions.
Several housing and zoning bills drew testimony. Senator Keenan and the Home Builders and Remodelers Association supported a bill to toll the one-year period for acting on a variance while an appeal is pending, saying appeals should not consume the time needed to implement approved projects. Representative Murray and the Real Estate Bar Association also testified on broader zoning reforms, including changes to undersized lots, merger rules, hearing deadlines, appeals, and variance standards; they argued the proposals would reduce delay and uncertainty and help housing production. Committee members questioned whether shifting zoning appeals from de novo to closed-record review would limit new evidence, and the witnesses said the change would speed cases while preserving limited opportunities to supplement the record.
The committee also heard testimony on bills to end the criminalization of homelessness. Representatives, advocates, and shelter organizations said local camping bans and fines are counterproductive, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Grants Pass decision, and urged a statewide response centered on housing and public health rather than punishment. Other municipal bills included remote participation in open town meetings for Wayland and a statewide local option, Fairhaven and Mattapoisett charter changes, and Cambridge’s request to use automated parking enforcement and mail parking tickets. The hearing also included testimony supporting fairground zoning flexibility, a Shrewsbury solar siting bill, and an Inspector General bill clarifying county land disposition procedures by requiring written notice to DCAM and a defined response period. No votes were taken during the hearing.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/14/2026 - Senate Judiciary and Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- And despite the assertion that there's no evidence, actually, there's ample evidence.
- It’s talking about the weight of fentanyl collectively in the pills.
- Madam Chair, to that point, Vicki, I guess I’m, as one who has collected a lot of drug evidence and prosecuted
- There’s no evidence that suppressors increase violent crime.
- ActBlue collects occupations and employers.
Summary:
The committee began with lengthy testimony and affidavits criticizing the Arizona State Bar, with speakers alleging selective discipline, due process problems, and retaliation against attorneys who take controversial cases. Committee members questioned the witnesses and discussed whether the bar and court system properly oversee attorney discipline, but no action was taken on that testimony.
The committee then considered several election-related bills. SB 1037 would impose stricter security requirements on voting and tabulating equipment, including no internet access, tamper-proof seals, chain-of-custody documentation, nonstop video at accounting centers, and criminal penalties for violations; it passed 4-2 with one not voting. SB 1038 would require rapid public release of cast vote records, but an amendment changed the timing and transmission process; the amended bill passed 4-2 with one not voting. SB 1040 would expand public access to voter registration rolls through an internet portal and a read-only format; it also passed 4-2 with one not voting.
The committee next approved SB 1039, which would allow attorneys who prevail in bar discipline matters to seek damages for reputational harm and lost earnings; it passed 4-2 with one not voting after extensive discussion about bar procedures, interim suspension, and whether attorneys can practice while under investigation. SB 1053, reducing concealed carry permit fees for Arizona residents, passed 4-2 with one not voting. SB 1057, requiring ballot paper fraud-countermeasure features, also passed 4-2 with one not voting. SB 1060, removing a voting exemption for U.S. citizens who have never resided in the United States, passed 3-2 with two not voting. The committee then heard SB 1061, which would lower the fentanyl threshold for enhanced sentencing from 200 grams to 9 grams; testimony focused on whether the bill would sweep in users as well as dealers, but the transcript ends before a vote is taken.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- And despite the assertion that there's no evidence, actually, there's ample evidence just because my
- Collectively in the pills. That's my understanding of the bill.
- Madam Chair, to that point, Vicki, I guess I'm, as one who has collected a lot of drug evidence and prosecuted
- There's no evidence that suppressors increase violent crime.
- ActBlue collects occupations and employers.
Bills:
SB1003 , SB1006 , SB1029 , SB1037 , SB1038 , SB1039 , SB1040 , SB1053 , SB1057 , SB1060 , SB1061 , SB1068 , SB1069
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Elections
Keywords:
election, canvass, certification, ballot tabulation, write-in candidates, registration, voting procedures, campaign finance, contribution limits, reporting requirements, political action committees, elections, campaign contributions, candidate committees, posthumous provisions, termination process, Arizona Revised Statutes, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/23/2026 - Senate Federalism and Family Law
Senate Federalism and Family Law Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- based solely on the format of the evidence, hearsay classification of the evidence, or procedural process
- The court, after the admission of evidence, may evaluate the reliability, source, and weight of the evidence
- of the evidence, how the evidence was collected or obtained, and any potential bias that may be associated
- with the evidence.
- There are ways to admit evidence into proceedings that can help you figure out how to admit evidence
Summary:
The committee first heard HB 2793, which would let cities and towns expedite annexations when 100% of the affected property owners request it, and would modernize notice requirements by allowing electronic newspaper publication and a single on-site notice for small single-parcel annexations. Buckeye supported the bill as a way to streamline uncontested annexations and reduce delay and cost, while a senator raised concerns based on a recent contentious Tucson annexation and the speed of public notice. The committee voted 4-3 to give HB 2793 a do pass recommendation.
Members then considered HB 2041, which would prohibit a parent, guardian, or custodian from being found to have abused or neglected a child solely because poverty prevented them from providing supervision, clothing, food, shelter, or medical care. Child welfare advocates supported the bill as a step toward decriminalizing poverty, while another witness argued it did not go far enough because it still allowed investigations based on poverty. Several members said they supported the concept but wanted further changes, and the bill passed 4-3. The committee also approved HB 2239, creating a child care grant program and infrastructure fund at DES to expand access in underserved areas; testimony from child care providers and parents emphasized shortages, workforce challenges, and the need for facilities, and the committee adopted an amendment adding tax credit language and eligible applicants before passing the bill 6-0 with one not voting.
HB 2321, requiring DCS to place a credit freeze on a child’s credit report when the child enters care, passed 7-0 without testimony. HB 2371, allowing consenting divorcing parties without minor children to use AI-assisted arbitration and adding an amendment on therapeutic interventions and expert testimony in parenting cases, drew concerns about using AI for binding family-law decisions and about the amendment’s relevance; it passed 4-3. HB 2594, strengthening protections for participants in the address confidentiality program in family-law matters and sealing related voter records, received strong support from a witness describing repeated attempts by an ex-partner to obtain a protected address and passed 7-0 after amendment. HB 2661, requiring DCS to inform parents under investigation that they may delegate temporary guardianship and, as amended, limiting additional documentation requirements, passed 4-3 despite concerns that it gave too much discretion to parents accused of abuse or neglect.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (11/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:47:37.359><c> approaches</c> interesting uh evidence-based approaches interesting uh evidence-based
- </c><00:47:54.079><c> that</c> uh that is there's no evidence that uh that is there's no evidence that
- > practices,</c> looking at evidence-based practices, looking at evidence-based practices, those<01:12
- </c><01:12:48.000><c> um,</c> going through an evidence-based um, going through an evidence-based um,
- </c> evidence does show it works. Okay. evidence does show it works. Okay.
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.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Create evidence-based instruction that connects physical and mental health.
- They collected signatures and worked with an organization to collect signatures to be able to refer that
- And they collected signatures and worked with an organization to collect signatures to be able to refer
- The voters of Marana collected signatures with an organization helping them.
- In which voters collected signatures with an organization's help.