Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it is fewer staff now, and we, uh, because of the flow from the documentation piece of the review
• we had to, uh, reduce the staffing level at certain points, um, because we weren't able to see the flow
• throughout the process and the appeals work had ebbed and flowed, they were at a flow at this point
• throughout the process and the appeals work had ebbed and flowed, they were at a flow at this point
• throughout the process and the appeals work had ebbed and flowed, they were at a flow at this point

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a lot of the federal funds, a lot of the other state funds that flow to municipalities through
• All of the other airports, the federal funds flow through the department to administer those, and there
• <01:29:03.360> uh that flow to municipalities that flow uh that flow to municipalities that
• flow uh through<01:29:04.199> the through the through the department<01:29:06.159> uh<
• through the department to funds uh flow through the department to administer<01:30:44.280> those<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:24.640> from<00:37:24.800> that developed that flows from that developed that
• flows from that assessment.<00:37:26.079> So,<00:37:26.640> uh<00:37:27.359> case
• And so I've been at the state long enough that I've seen sort of the ebbs and flows of this.
• And so I've been at the state long enough that I've seen sort of the ebbs and flows of this.
• es and flows of this. es and flows of this.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• absolute protection that they have right now, potentially limiting their choice and causing a cash flow
• and<00:45:17.359> causing<00:45:17.680> a<00:45:17.839> cash<00:45:18.079> flow
• a cash flow problem for developers.<00:45:20.480> So<00:45:20.640> if<00:45:20.800>
• <00:45:26.079> problem<00:45:26.400> on more risk and less cash flow problem on more
• I understand exactly the cash flow problem here on the one hand, the consumer protection issue on the

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 25, which would allow New Hampshire state-chartered credit unions to choose, by member vote, to compensate their board members. Prime sponsor Senator Dan Innis said the bill is enabling only, does not require compensation, and is intended to align New Hampshire with other states that already permit this. He argued that credit union board service now requires more time and expertise, and that compensation could help attract stronger candidates and improve governance. Representatives from the Cooperative Credit Union Association and St. Mary’s Bank testified in support. They said the change would not create salaries, but could cover modest compensation or reimbursements such as daycare, education, cybersecurity, or accounting training. They emphasized that credit unions remain nonprofit and member-driven, that board members must be credit union members and elected by members, and that any compensation decision would be made by the membership at an annual meeting or through the credit union’s voting process. Witnesses also said the bill would help with recruitment and retention, especially as credit union operations have become more complex and digital, and noted that similar authority exists in 16 other states, including Rhode Island. Committee members asked about the historical reason credit unions were excluded, the amount and structure of compensation, whether there would be a cap, and how voting would work. Witnesses said the bill does not set a statutory maximum, but in practice the amount would be disclosed to members and set through the vote; they also described St. Mary’s Bank’s ballot process and said proxy or ballot procedures depend on each credit union’s bylaws. One witness noted that federally chartered credit unions are subject to different limits. After testimony and questions, the chair closed the public hearing on Senate Bill 25 and then moved on to Senate Bill 26.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, NAVA has responsibility for kind of the whole end-to-end components of the overall application flow
• :33.680> the<00:53:33.839> overall<00:53:34.240> application<00:53:34.800> flow
• <00:53:35.760> um<00:53:36.319> they of the overall application flow. um they of the
• <00:53:45.920> So of those of those adjudication flows.
• So of those of those adjudication flows.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When they're flowing, which is often, they displace the need to burn the aforementioned limited imported
• proliferation of distributed energy resources, modernization of the grid to support two-way energy flows
• <00:25:09.279> which<00:25:09.480> is flowing which is flowing which is often<00:25:11.279
• 26:02.039> that<00:26:02.200> in<00:26:02.320> an<00:26:02.559> energy flows
• and the fact that in an energy flows and the fact that in an energy system<00:26:05.000> all<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• feedback revealed an opportunity to increase the capacity of these organizations by enabling a circular flow
• So, as a result, the security deposit assistance is currently a one-way flow of cash.
• feedback revealed an opportunity to increase the capacity of these organizations by enabling a circular flow
• So, as a result, the security deposit assistance is currently a one-way flow of cash.
• So, as a result, the security deposit assistance is currently a one-way flow of cash.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a cash flow issue that could, of course, put the Medicaid program in a very difficult position
• Yeah, thank you, thank you. cash flow issue that could, of course, cash flow issue that could, of course
• It's a cash flow and budgeting issue at a certain point for the state, should this amount pile up over
• c> fact<01:07:56.800> a if there's in fact a if there's in fact a cash<01:07:58.240> flow
• cash flow problem that we need to cover. cash flow problem that we need to cover.

Bills: HF3526, HF3375, HF3469

Keywords: home care, licensing, fines, advisory council, grant program, client safety, healthcare regulation, HF3375, Minnesota disability waiver, waiver rate system, human services, individualized home supports, individualized home supports with training, individualized home supports with family training, positive support services, employment support services, employment development services, employment exploration services, billing limits, service authorization year

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a river flowing under all these properties and from the parking garage.
• ><01:21:41.600> There's<01:21:41.840> a<01:21:42.080> river<01:21:42.239> flowing
• There's a river flowing it's the same.
• There's a river flowing under<01:21:43.679> as<01:21:43.920> we<01:21:44.080> know
• under all these properties river flowing under all these properties and<01:21:46.560> from<01

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, basically the flow.
• You know, basically the flow.
• You know, basically the flow.
• You know, basically the flow.
• I I don't want to pop basically the flow I I don't want to pop there<00:36:40.480> and<00:36:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that third mainline rail on the BNSF right-of-way, improving passenger service, yes, but also freight flow
• that third mainline rail on the BNSF right-of-way, improving passenger service, yes, but also freight flow
• passenger service yes but<00:52:49.480> also<00:52:49.760> Freight<00:52:50.119> flow
• /c><00:52:50.480> on<00:52:50.640> the<00:52:50.799> busiest but also Freight flow
• on the busiest but also Freight flow on the busiest Corridor<00:52:51.640> in<00:52:51.760>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• seawalls, removing or upgrading outdated dams, and repairing culverts so they handle higher stream flows
• The Mass Ready Act also makes significant... ...so they handle higher stream flows.
• The original forests changed how water flowed on Earth by creating spongy, fertile soils under their
• water, the remaining 50% of rainfall that naturally comes from the oceans will cause more floods and flow
• From the oceans, it will cause more floods and flow quickly back to the ocean.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill. Administration officials said the bill would fund climate resilience, clean water, land conservation, parks, PFAS remediation, food security infrastructure, and coastal and inland flood protection, while also streamlining permitting for housing, restoration, and other resilience projects. They emphasized that the bond authorizes spending but does not itself obligate it, and said the proposal includes deauthorizations as housekeeping. Committee members asked about the new Resilience Revolving Fund, flood and drought management, MVP funding, land acquisition, Chapter 61 right-of-first-refusal changes, salt marsh carbon sequestration, and how the bill would help smaller municipalities and offset expected federal funding losses. Officials said the revolving fund would be managed through EEA and the Clean Water Trust, with criteria aimed at directing aid to communities most in need, and noted that drought issues would continue to be handled through existing DEP and drought commission tools. Several committee members and witnesses discussed specific policy provisions, including flood disclosure requirements for homebuyers and renters, expanded authority for regional planning and small-town access to grants, and permitting reforms that would exempt or expedite certain environmental restoration and priority housing projects from more time-consuming review processes. Administration witnesses defended the reforms as a way to achieve the same environmental outcomes faster and with more certainty, while some advocates argued the bill should go further, especially on Chapter 91 and restoration permitting. The administration also described investments in DCR facilities, water and wastewater systems, open space, agricultural easements, and a new focus on blue carbon and salt marsh restoration. Public testimony largely supported the bill. Mass Audubon, the Trustees of Reservations, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, The Nature Conservancy, MAPC, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, municipal officials, and others praised the bill’s resilience, conservation, and water infrastructure investments. Some witnesses urged additional funding for land protection, coastal resilience, buyouts, and restoration, and several called for stronger or simpler permitting reforms. Municipal witnesses from Boston, Beckett, Beverly, Conway, and regional planning organizations stressed the need for flexible financing, especially for small and rural communities facing costly infrastructure and climate adaptation projects. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the committee heard testimony and asked questions before moving on to additional panels.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have constant cash flow coming in. Like a business, right?
• They have constant cash flow coming in each and every year.
• , because our cash flow is mainly in particular that 6% sales tax.
• And the capacity really depends on, again, not only their cash flow, what is coming in, but also how
• to try to mitigate any of that and really try to solidify, you know, that those dollars continue to flow

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Amortizing these costs impacts business investment and can negatively affect cash flow.
• offsets, and many of the provisions that score as costs do balance out over time. negatively affect cash flow
• . negatively affect cash flow.
• This improves small business cash flow by allowing businesses to recover costs in the year the investments
• This increased limit will improve business cash flow and allow small businesses to reinvest and grow

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This structure prioritizes local communities. 75% of the revenue flows directly back to counties and
• /c><00:02:55.560> of<00:02:55.720> the<00:02:55.840> revenue<00:02:56.240> flows
• communities. 75 75% of the revenue flows communities. 75 75% of the revenue flows directly<00:02
• It can flow off your roof and onto the lawn, but I can't collect it in a bucket and then put it on my

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We create events that have positive cash flow.
• parents can't afford to get them into clubs, and this might be the opportunity to get their blood flowing
• <01:04:07.920> blood the opportunity to get their blood the opportunity to get their blood flowing
• 01:04:10.319> is<01:04:10.559> that<01:04:10.880> I<01:04:11.119> know flowing
• Uh the other is that I know flowing.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:19 Signage Value & Tourism Growth Along the Hatfield-McCoy Feud Trail 00:03:12 Building a Stronger Community Through Sports 00:32:03, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the prior meeting and then heard a presentation from Pike County/Pikeville tourism officials about improving signage for the Hatfield-McCoy historic sites. Bob Scott, Tony Tacket, and Jay Shepard said visitors increasingly come to the area but often cannot find the sites because cell service and GPS are unreliable in the mountains. They argued that clearer signage along routes 119, 319, and 1056 would help visitors navigate the historic loop, strengthen branding, and increase dwell time and local spending. The Pike County presenters emphasized the economic importance of tourism, citing growth in tourist spending from $72.93 million in 2017 to $103.2 million in 2023 and $114.6 million in 2024. They said tourism helps offset the decline of coal, supports local mom-and-pop businesses, and benefits from partnerships with nearby West Virginia sites such as Matewan and other Hatfield-McCoy-related locations. Members asked about cross-state promotion, lodging capacity, and the possibility of a dinner show in Kentucky; the presenters said lodging is up 33% but more is needed, a new Crown Plaza hotel is planned in Pikeville, and a dinner show would require local investment and community buy-in. Committee members from the region spoke in support of the tourism effort and the need to preserve and teach local history. The chair and others said signage would help visitors and noted that a business without signs is no business. The committee then moved on to a separate presentation from the Louisville Sports Commission, introduced by Senator Jason Howell, which began with an overview of the commission’s role in sports tourism and economic development in Louisville.

Transcript Highlights:

• How does that revenue flow into the service fund or does it, or what fund does that flow into?
• And then that does flow in and show as revenue into the financials that you'd see in that annual report
• Its data is flowing through it, or it's being used as a middleman or a piece of middleware between multiple

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then received a quarterly update on major IT projects from NDIT. Staff reported the portfolio included 116 major projects totaling about $546 million, with the overall portfolio under budget but slightly behind schedule. They reviewed projects over the 20% variance threshold, including an Industrial Commission grants management system and DOT’s roadway pre-construction replacement, and then heard startup and closeout reports from HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT. Several previously troubled projects were closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning; some projects finished under budget and ahead of schedule, while others were significantly behind schedule or over budget but were now closed or being remediated. The committee also reviewed NDIT’s annual report, including service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how service-fund revenue and grant administrative charges are accounted for, how chargebacks work, and whether NDIT tracks customer satisfaction scores. NDIT said it does track CSAT-type measures in some service areas and has survey data, but it is not planning another customer survey this summer. Members encouraged more regular reporting of customer satisfaction, service-level metrics, and performance data to help guide future improvements. A major portion of the meeting focused on the state’s mainframe modernization effort. NDIT said the overall effort is still targeting about 2030, with multiple HHS and DOT projects underway and a $15 million tech-debt appropriation already removing some components. Staff described the main obstacles as data cleanup, complex integrations, limited staff capacity, retirements, and vendor constraints, and said they are seeking a vendor with modernization support in the next contract cycle. Members pressed for clearer accountability and faster progress, and NDIT and HHS emphasized that they are working jointly but need continued support and better tools. The committee then heard a cybersecurity update on NDIT’s statewide services and maturity assessments. NDIT explained that it provides vulnerability scanning, endpoint protection, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that these services are tied to a cybersecurity maturity assessment based on CIS controls. Members questioned the sharp drop in participation since 2020 and whether the self-assessment should be mandatory or tied more strongly to StageNet access or insurance incentives. NDIT said participation is voluntary, but Enderf is now requiring annual assessments to keep a 4% insurance discount, and members discussed whether stronger requirements or audit authority may be needed. The meeting ended as the committee began a follow-up discussion on BEAD broadband connection costs and why some locations are much more expensive to connect than others.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's just this cash flow gap of when you'll be reimbursed and you want to pay us in the future.
• So who should cover that cash flow? It should be Edison because they got all the money.
• So who should cover that cash flow?
• Lloyd pointed out, flow directly to ratepayers.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on the California Earthquake Authority’s SB 254 report and possible reforms to California’s utility wildfire recovery system. The chair framed the discussion around the Palisades and Eaton fires, the high and growing wildfire-related costs on utility bills, and the need to weigh tradeoffs among survivors, ratepayers, utilities, insurers, and taxpayers. The chair emphasized that the SB 254 report is an inventory of policy pathways rather than recommendations, and that the Legislature’s role is to evaluate the options publicly. The first panel featured wildfire survivors William Abrams and Joy Chen, who described severe ongoing displacement, housing insecurity, delayed compensation, and frustration with what they characterized as opaque and unfair compensation structures. They argued for greater transparency, clearer accountability for utilities, stronger oversight of wildfire mitigation spending, and incentives tied to safety performance. They also urged faster survivor payments, but only if they are full, fair, and not financed by shifting more costs to taxpayers or ratepayers. Committee members asked about gaps in the SB 254 report, the meaning of “full” compensation, and how a fast-pay facility might work. The second panel included the California Earthquake Authority, RAND, PG&E, LADWP, Consumer Attorneys of California, and the Public Advocates Office. Tom Welsh of CEA explained the report’s process and the current wildfire fund structure, including that utilities remain liable, the fund reimburses eligible claims, and prudency reviews can require reimbursement to the fund. RAND’s Lloyd Dixon outlined how roughly $38 billion has been paid to survivors, insurers, and public entities since 2017, and noted substantial litigation costs and cost-shifting among stakeholders. Utility representatives supported reforms that preserve financial stability and reduce risk, while consumer and public-interest advocates opposed shifting more costs to ratepayers and stressed accountability, audits, and safety-linked recovery. No votes or formal actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because it's the flow of the water that flows down from Hurricane Lake that trickles down and will be
• great example of we as, like,... on why or not should it be allowed in that county because it's the flow
• of the water that flows down from Hurricane Lake that trickles down and will be coming into the Doves

Summary: The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and heard an extended discussion with Spirit Lake tribal leaders and program directors about government-to-government relations with the state. Chairwoman Street and others outlined a number of concerns and requests, including taxation of tribal and trust lands, state school support for non-beneficiary students, homelessness services, Indian-managed health care, gaming/e-tabs, the Feather Alert system, industrial farming near waterways, tourism and cultural issues, and the need for more consistent tribal consultation. Committee members responded that many of these issues had previously been passed along without direct action, and several members emphasized the committee’s role in education, communication, and preparing possible legislation or resolutions for the next session. Tribal representatives also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to help legislators better understand tribal jurisdiction and billing issues. A major portion of the meeting focused on Spirit Lake Fish and Wildlife concerns, especially jurisdictional “gray areas” around hunting and fishing on the reservation, recognition of tribal licenses, and the boundary of the reservation around Spirit Lake/Devils Lake. Tribal officials said they wanted a co-stewardship agreement or MOU with the state to clarify jurisdiction, improve cooperation, and address invasive species and aquatic nuisance species. Committee members discussed whether to draft legislation or a resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and they asked for further input from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at a future meeting. The committee also discussed county involvement in land status changes and trust land issues, with Spirit Lake leaders describing a past Benson County resolution that tried to block fee-to-trust transfers and saying it was later rescinded. The committee then heard from Benson County tax equalization director Randy Thompson, who explained how the county values land and handles tax-exempt, inundated, and fee-to-trust parcels. Members asked about the impact of tax-exempt lands on county services and discussed prior legislation that helped counties with large tax-exempt bases. The committee also received a presentation from Dr. Steven Smith of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, including support for non-beneficiary students and workforce training. Members asked about expanding tribal college education into correctional settings, and Smith said the idea was worth exploring through the tribal college system. Finally, HHS interim medical services director Christoph Framing presented remotely on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion, explaining current state funding mechanisms for inpatient and residential behavioral health services and the bill draft directing HHS to pursue a waiver for IMD payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's just this cash flow gap of when you'll be reimbursed and you want to pay us in the future.
• So who should cover that cash flow? It should be Edison because they got all the money.
• So who should cover that cash flow?
• Lloyd pointed out, flow directly to ratepayers.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on the California Earthquake Authority’s SB 254 report and broader options for reforming California’s utility wildfire recovery system. The chair framed the discussion around the Palisades and Eaton fires, the scale of wildfire-related costs on utility bills, and the need to weigh trade-offs among survivors, ratepayers, utilities, insurers, and taxpayers. The first panel featured wildfire survivors William Abrams and Joy Chen, who described long delays in compensation, housing insecurity, and what they viewed as a system that protects utility shareholders more than victims. They urged greater transparency, clearer accountability for utility spending and safety performance, faster and fuller compensation for survivors, and reforms such as independent audits and better alignment of utility incentives with wildfire prevention and restitution. The second panel began with Tom Welsh of the California Earthquake Authority, who explained that the SB 254 report was intended as a broad inventory of policy pathways rather than recommendations. He described the report’s process, including stakeholder submissions, workstreams, and a convergence process, and outlined the current wildfire fund structure: utilities remain liable, the fund reimburses eligible claims after a covered wildfire, and the CPUC later determines prudency and possible reimbursement back to the fund. RAND’s Lloyd Dixon summarized compensation data, saying utilities paid about $38 billion between 2017 and 2024, with major shares going to injured parties, insurers, and public entities, while litigation costs and survivors’ own losses remain substantial. He noted that legal fees and delays reduce the amount survivors ultimately receive. Utility and public-interest witnesses offered differing views on the report’s pathways. PG&E’s Tyson Smith said the report shows inaction is the worst outcome and argued for community wildfire risk reduction, equitable allocation of catastrophe costs, and state-led resilience tools. LADWP’s Fernando Valero emphasized the vulnerability of municipal utilities and cities, and supported inverse condemnation reform, a state-sponsored liability insurance framework, damages and subrogation limits, and stronger insurance access. Consumer Attorneys of California’s John Fisk argued that IOU-caused fires are not natural disasters but the result of negligence and sometimes criminal conduct, and opposed reducing utility liability while supporting stronger oversight and audits. The Public Advocates Office’s Nathaniel Skinner focused on affordability, saying ratepayers already bear large and growing wildfire costs and warning against shifting more costs onto bills without measurable risk reduction and tighter accountability. Committee members then began questioning witnesses about what counts as measurable mitigation, how to define full and fair compensation, and how any fast-pay process should work.