Keywords: NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P2SebNSBew, 2026-07-02T03:39:36+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/calendars_journals/ 0:00 House Session – Inauguration Day – January 5, 2023 9:23 Call the House to Order 9:25 Adjourn from Session of January 4, 2023 9:38 Leaves of Absence 11:20 Introduction of Guests 11:58 Resolution to form Joint Convention 16:51 Senate Message 17:19 Introduction of Senate and Senate President 18:45 Joint Convention called to Order 18:49 Report by Joint Committee 19:12 Introduction and Seating of Special Guests 28:27 Recess 40:56 Joint Convention called to Order 40:59 Introduction and Seating of Special Guests (Cont.) 42:35 Introduction of Governor Sununu and Mrs. Sununu 43:29 Invocation by Pastor Michael Worsley 48:22 Posting of Colors by New Hampshire National Guard 49:18 Pledge of Allegiance by Charlotte Cotti 49:46 National Anthem by Molly Dennehy 52:40 Administration of Oath to Governor Sununu 54:41 Administration of Oath to Executive Counselors 56:45 Inaugural Address by Governor Sununu 1:23:47 Benediction by Pastor Michael Worsley 1:28:25 Adjournment of Joint Convention 1:29:33 House called to Order 1:29:35 Adjourn from the Early Session 1:30:13 Recess to the Call of the Chair, 928, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Keywords: HI House YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJGbRM02cR8, 2026-07-02T01:22:41+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Conference Notices: 8:30 AM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_AEN_04-29-22_RECONVENED_.pdf 8:35 AM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_AEN_04-29-22_RECONVENEE_.pdf 8:40 AM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_AEN_04-29-22_RECONVENEG_.pdf 9:10 AM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_AGR_04-29-22_RECONVENE_.pdf 9:11 AM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_AGR_04-29-22_RECONVENE_2_.pdf 9:30 AM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_HWN_04-29-22_RECONVENE_3_.pdf 9:40 AM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_EEP_04-29-22_RECONVENE_2_.pdf 10:00 AM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_EEP_04-29-22_RECONVENE_.pdf 10:10 AM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_EEP_04-29-22_RECONVENE_3_.pdf 10:20 AM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_EEP_04-29-22_RECONVENE_4_.pdf 10:30 AM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_ECD_04-29-22_RECONVENE_.pdf 11:15 AM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_EET_04-29-22_RECONVENE_.pdf 1:30 PM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_HWN_04-29-22_RECONVENE_4_.pdf 1:31 PM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_HWN_04-29-22_RECONVENE_.pdf 2:00 PM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_HWN_04-29-22_RECONVENE_2_.pdf 3:00 PM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_HTH_04-29-22_RECONVENE_4_.pdf 5:11 PM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_AEN_04-29-22C_.pdf 5:12 PM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_AEN_04-29-22D_.pdf 5:30 PM http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/hearingnotices/CONF_EET_04-29-22_RECONVENE_2_.pdf, 910, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, it is 12:25.
• BNSF Railway, a major interstate commerce, is inundated.
• Give you an idea of the interstate grade raises.
• A lot of the other lakes have gone up, you know, 10 to 12 feet. So there's really no...
• A lot of the other lakes have gone up, you know, 10 to 12 feet.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• unexpectedly<00:12:18.079> the<00:12:18.240> Library<00:12:18.680> of<00:12:18.880
• /c><01:12:02.880> uh<01:12:03.199> tax<01:12:03.639> caps<01:12:04.639> uh
• ><01:12:18.480> so<01:12:18.679> in<01:12:18.840> your<01:12:19.120> next
• page you<01:12:20.920> I<01:12:21.040> like<01:12:21.239> all<01:12:21.400>
• 12:08.200> it<03:12:08.520> and<03:12:08.720> I<03:12:08.840> think<03:12

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, 12. Senator Johnson, you recognized? So, 12, it has Chico Insights LLC.
• Grants 2 through 12 are all for the Arkansas Soybean Promotions Board.
• So I have two, and that's number one and number 12.
• Number 12, DHS, EGA Associates.
• Number 12, DHS, UHS of Springwoods ALC.

Summary: The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of budget, appropriation, transfer, and contract items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests for several agencies, including the Auditor of State, Department of Education, and Labor and Licensing; ARPA return requests from Workforce Services; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests for State Police and Agriculture; restricted reserve transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic stimulus; a Commerce reallocation of positions and spending authority; cash fund, budget classification, overtime, and pay plan requests; and 17 methods of finance items for universities and other agencies. Most items were approved without objection after brief explanations from staff and agencies. Several items drew questions and were held or discussed further. A Department of Human Services discretionary grant package for the RSVP program was held over after Senator Irvin raised concerns about whether the grants were an effective use of state general revenue and asked for more information on administration costs and program operations. In the contracts section, Representative Richardson questioned a DHS sole-source contract with EMS Link for document management software and a DHS contract with Presidio; the EMS Link item was held for additional answers, while the Presidio item was clarified as not sole-source and was allowed to proceed. Members also asked for more information on a Department of Education mental health referral contract with Care Solace, which officials said is a statewide concierge/referral service connecting students to Arkansas providers and telehealth options. The committee also reviewed monthly reports, including the Medicaid Trust Fund. DHS and DFA officials said the fund was currently sufficient to finish the fiscal year, though it was being drawn down and would likely require a $100 million transfer from restricted reserves in FY27, with another $100 million set aside in the governor’s budget as a backstop. Members discussed the need to define a minimum reserve level and to better account for ongoing Medicaid costs in the budget. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.560> uh<01:12:01.920> he,<01:12:02.320> you<01:12:02.400> know,<01:12
• :13.280> why<01:12:13.520> you<01:12:13.679> I'm<01:12:14.000> just<01:12
• <01:12:18.000> I<01:12:18.239> don't<01:12:18.320> I<01:12:18.480> don't<
• <01:12:20.159> I<01:12:20.480> just<01:12:20.640> tell<01:12:20.719> you<
• 12:21.600> thought<01:12:21.760> I'd<01:12:22.000> tell<01:12:22.159> you

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, then established a quorum with 27 senators present. The body excused absent senators, approved the previous day’s journal, and allowed bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The Senate also welcomed guests in the gallery, including Auburn University McCarter School of Building Science students and retired MPD Sergeant Martin Bean. The chamber received multiple House messages and gubernatorial confirmations, referring several local bills and appointments to the appropriate committees. Committee reports included favorable action on Senate Bills 298 and 91 from County and Municipal Government, and House Bills 297, 365, and 436 from Local Legislation. The Senate adopted several resolutions, including recognitions for Tharptown Baptist Church, Tuskegee University Day, Dr. Bradley Heim, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School volleyball, and a special order calendar resolution setting priority bills for the 15th legislative day. On local bills, the Senate advanced and gave final passage to a series of county and municipal measures, including SB 301 (Perry County), SB 314 (Morgan County), SB 295 (Montgomery County), SB 312 (Marshall County), HB 371 (Pike County constitutional amendment), HB 386 (Elmore County), HB 330 (Etowah County), HB 409 (City of Alabaster), HB 408 (Shelby County), SB 299 (Barbour County), HB 416 (Cleburne County), and HB 421 (Lawrence County constitutional amendment). HB 337 on Madison County was carried over. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring Alabama’s record-breaking economic development year, citing major investments and job creation, and heard a lengthy Black History recognition segment on W.E.B. Du Bois, Patricia Roberts Harris, Langston Hughes, and Maya Angelou. The main policy discussion centered on Senate Bill 240 regarding parole hearings, with the sponsor explaining it would allow the Pardons and Parole Board to hear from inmates and victims by phone or video to reduce travel burdens and improve access. The sponsor said an amendment was being worked on and moved to carry the bill over to the call of the chair, while another senator raised questions about whether inmates currently have an in-person opportunity to speak and whether board members would be able to question participants remotely.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and cities, they represent a small portion of the traveling public as it relates to state and interstate
• State and interstate highways nationally represent a little over 20 percent. of the highways, yet over
• The interstate that have McDonald's and Burger King and KOA campgrounds as an example.
• sign or a wayfinding sign if the business isn't readily visible from the interstate or from the stop
• Over the last 12 months, we've spent over $10,000 on publishing our public notices, which is more than

Transcript Highlights:

• Five of those are boys, and in my home they are 18, 17, 14, 12, and 12.
• For me, that triggers interstate commerce. Why? Because every... ...interstate commerce. Why?
• a concern there; there's a constitutional concern that's not First Amendment, but that is about interstate
• And if there's... ...about interstate commerce.
• If there's a state law that unduly burdens interstate commerce or the ability for businesses in other

Bills: SB186, SB187

Keywords: internet filtering, child protection, obscene content, civil liability, manufacturers, app store, app store provider, app developer, mobile app, age verification, parental consent, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, age gating, digital privacy, data protection, in-app purchases, online consumer protection, deceptive trade practice

Transcript Highlights:

• staffing this committee actually when this was passed into law a few years ago, and I've done some K-12
• Next up, we have the Sunset Review of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, known as
• K-12 can use it, as can governmental entities and nonprofits that are educationally focused.
• And K-12 can use it, governmental entities, nonprofits that are educationally focused.
• In 2018, it was a $12 million program. It funded 113 positions and 128 schools.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee of Reference met for sunset reviews and first heard a presentation on the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board from the Governor’s Office. The presenter explained that the board, created in 2016, has no dedicated staff or administrative budget and is supported by existing budget and policy staff and the Treasurer’s Office. The board’s purpose is to lower borrowing costs for qualifying schools by using a guarantee fund to enhance credit ratings, and it has largely been used by charter schools. Because the board has reached its statutory leverage cap and has not met since 2022, it is currently in a monitoring role, but it must remain in place to honor guarantees if any approved financing defaults. The committee asked about financing maturities, demand from schools, and whether a shorter continuation period would make sense. No public testimony was offered, and the committee voted to recommend continuing the board for 10 years, until July 1, 2036. The committee then reviewed the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). WICHE’s president described the interstate compact, its regional role in higher education access, workforce development, and data services, and its major student programs: the Western Undergraduate Exchange, the Western Regional Graduate Program, and the Professional Student Exchange Program. She highlighted tuition savings for Arizona students and the state, the return of many PSEP graduates to practice in Arizona, and additional cost savings through cooperative purchasing and technology contracts. The committee asked no substantive questions, and it voted to recommend continuing WICHE for 10 years, until July 1, 2036. The final major item was the Arizona Department of Education School Safety Program performance audit, followed by testimony from the department. The Auditor General reported that the program has grown substantially, especially after expansion to counselors and social workers and increased appropriations, but that ADE did not consistently ensure schools complied with program requirements. In a sample of 16 schools, most had issues such as missing or incomplete operational plans, inadequate safety team activity, incomplete required training, missing activity logs, or reimbursement requests lacking expenditure reports. The audit said these problems reduced the program’s effectiveness and increased the risk of improper spending, and it recommended stronger monitoring, written procedures, and better documentation review. ADE accepted the findings and said it is implementing the recommendations through more direct staff oversight, training requirements tied to funding, encrypted submission of emergency plans, site visits, and representative desk reviews. The discussion then shifted to whether emergency plans should address federal law enforcement actions; the director said the plans are designed for campus safety threats generally and do not specifically contemplate ICE enforcement. The committee took no vote on the audit presentation and adjourned after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I felt like telling him, well, little youngster, you have 12 more years to go and probably even a
• Senate Bill 1, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Act. Thank you.
• The Interstate Medical... Good standing license from another state.
• The Interstate Medical License Compact builds on that foundation rather than replacing it.
• We had the Executive Director for the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact in our meetings.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :34.720> on<00:12:34.880> the<00:12:35.040> interstate<00:12:35.440> system
• <00:12:36.320> And just on the interstate system alone.
• And that's<00:12:36.959> only<00:12:37.200> with<00:12:37.440> our<00:12:37.600>
• the<00:12:40.320> interstate.
• Roy was going<00:12:50.560> to<00:12:50.639> be<00:12:50.720> here<00:12:50.800

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• but it's on interstate or state right of way property.
• So, you know, we operate statewide in all 77 counties were divided into 12 different field troops.
• Yes, so now you just want an interstate number for state highways. Yeah, I can't.
• OK, so I've got 9 that are on motorcycles and they work the interstate and the turnpikes.
• They're on the interstates. They don't necessarily work crashes as their full-time duty.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um I wanted to briefly<00:12:53.200> ask<00:12:53.600> um briefly ask um briefly ask um
• >> I<00:12:54.639> wanted<00:12:54.800> to<00:12:54.959> briefly<00:12:55.279
• > ask<00:12:55.839> with<00:12:56.079> any<00:12:56.399> project >>
• :56.880> we're<00:12:57.360> um<00:12:57.600> incorporating<00:12:58.240> tolls
• for the<00:12:59.040> project<00:12:59.279> or<00:12:59.440> the<00:12:59.680><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its June 3 meeting and received an opening update on transportation revenues. Leadership noted that the gas tax formula dropped 4.1 cents on July 1, reducing road fund revenue by about $125 million, and warned that city, county, rural, and secondary road funding will be affected. The chair said the committee would likely have to be selective about transportation project requests given the reduced revenue outlook. The main presentation was an update on the I-69 bridge project. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials said the project is the missing link in the Henderson-Evansville corridor and is being delivered in three sections, with Kentucky leading section two. They said section two is a $933 million project, with Kentucky’s share described as $58 million and the balance Indiana’s, and that toll revenue will be used to finance the project through a TIFIA loan and Garvey bonds. Officials said Kentucky and Indiana have executed an agreement under House Bill 546 to use tolls, are working on a broader bi-state development agreement, and will ask the General Assembly next session to carry forward $150 million in general funds without conditions and to ratify the agreement. Members asked about the timeline, toll sharing, whether tolls would sunset, and whether US 41 bridges would remain open for local traffic; officials said construction is planned for 2027, tolling would begin in 2031, toll revenue would be shared 50/50, and at least one US 41 bridge would remain open for local use. The committee then heard a combined update from the Department of Vehicle Regulation and the Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing on implementation of several recent changes. Officials reported that the new registration category for special-purpose vehicles is fully operational statewide, with all counties enrolled and 292 vehicles processed so far; they also said counties received at least five plates each and that the program is permissive, not mandatory. They described implementation of Senate Bill 43’s medical review board reforms and third-party driver’s license issuance framework, saying the medical review process has been updated and that third-party partners may eventually handle easier transactions such as renewals, name changes, and address changes, while initial issuances would remain at KYTC regional offices. They also reported that the sheriff’s inspection process has been integrated into CAVIS, reducing paperwork and fraud and improving tracking. Members asked about communication to counties and cities with differing local rules, the number of counties participating, and how to coordinate multiple policy changes; officials said all counties are enrolled, though not all have submitted applications, and that they are still finalizing the scope of third-party services.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have another market which are called transportation market, which probably for the last 12 years
• I do want to just quickly touch over the different interstate gas pipelines.
• Financial pipeline is our interstate Transmission.
• If you think about the interstate pipelines Ftt Gulfstream Sabal Trail, those are the 3 largest that
• >> I just got a quick comment on, you know, so the interstates have Fct 8 phases.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Yes,<01:12:09.040> I<01:12:09.280> know<01:12:09.440> where<01:12:09.600
• >> It<01:12:14.719> was<01:12:14.960> not<01:12:15.199> up<01:12:15.360>
• <01:12:18.159> I<01:12:18.320> have<01:12:18.560> seen<01:12:18.800> it.
• And<01:12:23.120> you<01:12:23.440> have<01:12:23.760> no<01:12:24.159> concept
• <01:12:31.440> on<01:12:31.760> the<01:12:32.000> computer,<01:12:32.960>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened without a quorum, so approval of the prior draft minutes was deferred until later. The committee then heard a DHS update from Commissioner Lori Weaver and COO David Weers, who described the recent flood at the Brown building and the relocation of nearly 400 DHS staff while operations are restored. They also outlined New Hampshire Care Connections, a privacy- and consent-focused closed-loop referral platform intended to improve referrals among providers, reduce duplication, and support continuity of care, with an Upper Valley implementation partnered with Dartmouth Health and an Epic integration already underway. Members asked whether the system would merge medical records or simply track referrals. DHS said it is not intended to store or transmit full medical records, but to integrate with providers’ electronic health record systems so referrals can be sent, received, and tracked, with consent controls limiting what information can be shared. Officials said the project will be tested over the coming months, with metrics, governance, and advisory committee oversight, and that it is tied to broader rural health transformation efforts and statewide implementation after the regional pilot. The committee also received the annual report from the Child Care Advisory Council. Maryanne Barter and Jessica Carver said the council worked with licensing to streamline the child care licensing rules, reducing the handbook by about 30%, and is now helping develop an informal dispute resolution process, revising the Granite Steps for Quality system, and creating a clearer handbook for providers handling state scholarship audits. They reported ongoing concern about child care closures and workforce shortages, said there is currently no wait list for child care assistance, and discussed questions about federal CCDF immunization requirements, which DHS said it would follow up on with federal technical assistance partners. After quorum was established, the committee moved to approve the minutes from the prior meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:12:45.199> that<00:12:45.360> they<00:12:45.519> report<00:12:46.040> having
• spayed<00:12:47.120> nuner<00:12:47.920> has<00:12:48.079> gone<00:12:48.320>
• <00:12:52.560> I<00:12:52.680> think<00:12:52.839> we<00:12:53.160> can
• <01:12:01.400> firewood<01:12:01.800> so<01:12:01.960> that<01:12:02.120>
• <01:12:05.840> and<01:12:06.000> stuff<01:12:06.159> like<01:12:06.320> that<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered SB 1023, which would create a spay-neuter special fund to reduce pet overpopulation and free-roaming cats, with funding sources including an income tax checkoff. The Department of Taxation had no substantive comment, while the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supported the measure but opposed any trap-neuter-release or re-release approach, saying spay-neuter is important but release does not reduce cats on the landscape. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised concerns about creating another special fund and tax checkoff, saying the fund may not meet statutory criteria and could create administrative burdens. The Hawaiian Humane Society strongly supported the bill, arguing the state currently provides little funding for animal overpopulation control and that the measure would help nonprofits and align conservation and animal welfare goals. Several other supporters testified, including a cat sanctuary representative who described the need for a dedicated funding mechanism and a possible Oahu sanctuary to remove cats from sensitive areas. After questions about the effectiveness of trap-neuter-release and the need for alternative management tools, the committees voted to recommend passage with amendments, including blanking appropriation amounts, moving them into the committee report, setting the effective date to July 1, 2050, and noting Budget and Finance concerns; the recommendations were adopted in both committees, with some members voting with reservations. The hearing then moved to SB 1120, relating to transportation and a clean fuel standard. The Department of Transportation said it supported the intent but wanted more information on economic impacts. Electrify America and Neste supported the bill, saying a clean fuel standard would help finance EV charging, encourage investment, and expand lower-carbon fuel options such as renewable diesel. In response to questions from senators about rural and agricultural transportation needs, witnesses said the standard could support both electrification where feasible and cleaner liquid fuels in the interim for equipment that cannot yet be electrified. DOT also described county transit efforts and said it was working with Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island on assessments for zero-emission bus replacement and charging infrastructure. The committees also heard testimony on SB 586, relating to climate change and zero-emission buses by 2045, with the State Procurement Office supporting the intent but suggesting the language be moved to a different statute; DOT said it was providing pass-through funding to counties and had some zero-emission bus purchases and charging stations on order. The discussion emphasized infrastructure costs and implementation challenges, but no final vote on SB 1120 or SB 586 was described in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sir, >> let's<00:12:19.600> see<00:12:19.760> if<00:12:19.839> I<00:12:19.920
• > can<00:12:20.079> find<00:12:20.240> my<00:12:20.399> slide<00:12:20.720
• >> Know<00:12:24.160> I<00:12:24.320> know<00:12:24.480> John<00:12:24.720
• > Moore<00:12:24.880> is<00:12:25.040> back<00:12:25.200> there<00:12:25.279
• :25.440> to<01:12:25.679> update<01:12:26.080> them<01:12:26.320> on<01:12

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:03.639> B<00:12:04.320> multiplier<00:12:05.320> was<00:12:05.639>
• /c><00:12:09.760> cost<00:12:10.440> and<00:12:10.560> that<00:12:10.720> was
• > did<00:12:13.320> that<00:12:13.519> affect<00:12:13.959> both<00:12:14.199
• :14.760> and<00:12:14.959> group<00:12:15.279> two<00:12:15.800> no<00:12
• 12:45.679> from<01:12:45.880> hb2<01:12:46.880> I'm<01:12:47.000> on<01:12

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2 provisions affecting the New Hampshire Retirement System, focusing on Group 2/Tier B retirement changes in pages 25 through 39 of the bill. NHRS Executive Director Jan Goodwin and deputy chief counsel Mark Kavanaugh explained that the 2025 bill is largely similar to prior versions and to HB 727, with the main difference being that the 2025 version does not include the earlier increase in the maximum benefit. They also said the fiscal note for HB 2 is based on earlier actuarial work and that an updated valuation was expected later in the week. A major topic was whether the bill accidentally removed an anti-spiking or special-duty compensation limit. NHRS said the omission appears to be a scrivener’s error caused by moving language between Group 1 and Group 2 definitions, and they planned to flag it in the fiscal note. Members also reviewed the bill’s intent to restore Tier B members to pre-2011 benefit rules, including changes to earnable compensation, average final compensation, and the comp-over-base rule. Some members questioned whether restoring those older rules was appropriate, arguing the 2011 changes were meant to curb pension spiking and that undoing them could be problematic. The committee also discussed the bill’s cost and funding assumptions. NHRS said the 2025 bill would reduce unfunded actuarial liability by about $98.2 million and would have a more favorable effect than the 2023 version, while employer contribution impacts would remain relatively small. Members noted the bill assumes annual appropriations of $27.5 million for 10 years, but House Bill 1 currently provides only $5 million in the first year, and NHRS had not yet analyzed the effect of that shortfall. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the discussion was informational and focused on clarifying the bill’s language, intent, and fiscal impact.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can meet all of our water needs for the next 12 years.
• All right, it is 12:25.
• BNSF Railway, major interstate commerce, is inundated.
• It goes to the interstate commerce that it's significant.
• A lot of the other lakes have gone up, you know, 10 to 12 feet.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm calling the remote meeting of the Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge to order.
• I am the interim program administrator for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program.
• Chris Regan is our environmental manager for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. Next slide.
• The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program issued a draft supplemental in September of 2024.
• And then separately, there are costs that are unique to the I-5 Interstate Bridge.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge met remotely with Washington legislative members to receive updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including environmental review, cost and funding, tolling, and procurement for construction. Program staff said the final supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April 2026, with a federal record of decision expected in early summer. They described the recommended design as a single-level fixed-span bridge, centered I-5 alignment, C Street ramps, one auxiliary lane in each direction, and dispersed park-and-ride parking. Members raised concerns about transparency, the closed chat function, and the decision not to include two auxiliary lanes; staff said the one-lane option was recommended through consultation with partner agencies and analysis, but the final decision would come with the record of decision. Staff also said the diversion analysis projected less than 3% traffic diversion to I-205 in 2045, though members from Oregon and Washington expressed concern about impacts to their communities and asked for more detail on mitigation and decision-making. The committee also reviewed a major cost update. Staff said the full five-mile program is now estimated at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely cost of $14.4 billion, up from a 2022 estimate of $5 billion to $7.5 billion, citing inflation, schedule delays, scope changes, and more detailed risk modeling. They said the first funded phase has been reduced to a $5.68 billion package focused on the Columbia River bridge replacement, connections to I-5, Hayden Island and SR-14, bridge demolition, tolling infrastructure, and advancing light rail design. Funding for that phase was described as $5.69 billion, including $2.1 billion federal funds, $1 billion from each state, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue. Members asked what would happen if costs rise further; staff said the estimate includes substantial contingency, the project will use progressive design-build to manage risk, and the team will continue updating the finance plan annually. A separate tolling and traffic-revenue presentation explained that four toll scenarios were analyzed using regional travel demand modeling, a toll diversion model, and a post-processing review. All scenarios assume pre-completion tolling beginning July 1, 2028, a 50% low-income discount for eligible users, and exemptions for tribal preemptions, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and organized militia. Staff said the low-income discount would affect about 4% to 6% of annual transactions and reduce annual revenues by roughly 2% to 3%. They said Scenario 2 was used for the financial analysis and is sufficient to support the $1.5 billion toll contribution in the funded phase. Members asked about toll collection costs, revenue impacts of the discount, and how the scenarios differed; staff said collection costs are expected to be in line with other WSDOT toll facilities, but exact costs are not yet set because toll rates are not final. Finally, WSDOT staff outlined procurement and delivery steps for construction. They said WSDOT will be the lead contracting agency, using progressive design-build, with a request for qualifications targeted for early July 2026, a request for proposals in October, contractor selection in April 2027, construction starting in 2028, and tolling beginning in 2028. Staff said the approach is intended to consolidate scope, reduce interface risk, and allow transparent negotiation with an independent cost estimator, while preserving an off-ramp if a fair price cannot be reached. Members asked for more detail on timing, cost allocation, and the share of the first phase funded by tolls; staff estimated tolls account for about 26% of the first phase cost.