Transcript Highlights:

• Think that you need to, before your next committee, put in a protection from malpractice liability into
• Madam Chair, Senator Hickey brought up a great point on the liability, the medical liability of physicians
• If you go to the Guttmacher website, you can see monthly reporting of that data. I appreciate that.
• The form is on the Health Department website if you'd like to look at it.
• I'm sorry, what's that website?

Bills: SB41 , SB33 , SB32 , SB30

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, individualized treatment, investigational treatment, health care, life-threatening illness, patient rights, physician recommendation, informed consent, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, child protection, prosecution, crime amendments, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• It was released, or put on the website, January 17th, as other reports that are required become available
• the</c> though they are online on the though they are online on the department's<00:01:04.040><c> website
• we're not going to department's website we're not going to hear<00:01:06.040><c> every</c><00:01:06.360
• <00:01:44.600><c> uh</c><00:01:45.439><c> January</c> website uh January website uh January 17th 17th
• <01:09:34.799><c> company</c><01:09:35.440><c> an</c> liability company an liability company an LLC<01

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• You can submit written testimony through the position portal on the committee's website, and it will
• You can submit written testimony through the position portal on the committee's website, and it will
• All are encouraged to watch the hearing from its live stream on the Assembly's website.
• It subjects park owners to unnecessary liability.
• The access to the properties, you know, if, I know there was a concern raised about liability, happy,

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills, beginning with SB 1003, which would create pro-housing enhanced infrastructure financing districts to help local governments fund infrastructure needed for housing developments. The author and supporters argued that infrastructure costs often prevent projects from penciling out, while the chair expressed support and said the bill would be taken up later when quorum was available. SB 1014 followed, proposing new disclosure requirements for local jurisdictions to provide good-faith estimates of on-site and off-site improvements within 30 days of application, with supporters saying it would reduce late surprises and opposition from several cities citing implementation concerns with the 30-day timelines. The committee then took up SB 802, a Sacramento-region bill requiring a joint powers authority to coordinate housing and homelessness services. Senator Ashby and former Mayor Darrell Steinberg argued that Sacramento’s fragmented system has failed for years and that a JPA would improve accountability, coordination, and use of state funds. The bill drew broad support from local officials, service providers, business groups, and advocates, while some county and city representatives registered opposition or neutral concerns about state-mandated local governance. Several committee members said they were persuaded by the need for regional coordination, though some raised concerns about local control; the chair noted the bill would be moved when quorum allowed. The committee also heard SB 1092 and SB 1093, both focused on mobile home park residents after disasters or park sales. SB 1092 would give residents a right of first opportunity to match a sale offer for a park, with supporters saying it protects vulnerable seniors and preserves affordable housing, while park owners and their representatives argued it would devalue property and raise constitutional and financing concerns. SB 1093 would require more transparent communication, access to property, and consideration of rebuilding or closure after a disaster; supporters cited the long uncertainty faced by Palisades residents, while opponents warned about liability, safety, and burdensome review requirements. Members split along similar lines, with some emphasizing property rights and market impacts and others stressing the need to protect residents and preserve scarce affordable housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can submit written testimony through the position portal on the committee's website, and it will
• You can submit written testimony through the position portal on the committee's website, and it will
• All are encouraged to watch the hearing from its live stream on the Assembly's website.
• It subjects park owners to unnecessary liability.
• Weizaki raised on liability, this bill asks an owner to really go above and beyond and truly, kind of

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• In Washington State, we have very strong condo liability laws, which is important.

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB6016 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB6190 , SB5574 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5609 , SB5943 , SJM8016 , SB5907 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB5909 , SB6045 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5762 , SB6032 , SB6082 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6319 , SB6308 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB5046 , SB5387 , SB5637 , SB5647 , SB5839 , SB5888 , SB5962 , SB6018 , SB6037 , SB6047 , SB6078 , SB6130 , SB6147 , SB6256 , HB2155 , HB2304 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB5998 , SB6005

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't see anything with regards to liability in this, and that concerns me.
• </c> there's information on uh on the website there's information on uh on the website um<02:16:04.040
• I forgot what the form's called; you can look it up on the DMV website.
• </c> can look it up on the DMV website can look it up on the DMV website um<04:25:10.800><c> yeah</c>
• </c><04:42:13.440><c> on</c> road Road it would increase liability on road Road it would increase liability

Summary: The Transportation Committee held a public hearing on HB 249, which would allow bicycles, and in the bill’s language human-powered vehicles and e-bikes, to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs when safe. The bill sponsor, Rep. Seth Miller, said the measure is intended to improve cyclist safety and traffic flow at no cost to the state, citing Idaho and Delaware as examples where similar laws were associated with fewer crashes or injuries. He emphasized that the bill would remain optional, would not let cyclists ignore cross traffic, and would help riders avoid the unstable “wobble” that comes from repeatedly stopping and starting, especially on cargo bikes or other heavier bicycles. Committee members raised concerns about predictability, liability, and whether the proposal creates a special class of vehicle. Rep. Crawford asked why the bill also addresses left turns on red for one-way streets; Miller said that provision is meant to address situations where bicycles do not trigger signal equipment and could otherwise be stranded at a light. Rep. Gannon questioned the lack of explicit liability language, and Miller said he did not know of a separate provision but would be open to an amendment if the committee wanted clearer language. Rep. Hill and Rep. Emble expressed concern that other drivers would not know what cyclists intend to do and that the bill could create special rules; Miller responded that cyclists would still be required to yield and that the law would not change right-of-way rules. Several witnesses testified in support. Michael Frank, a Spofford cyclist and League cycling instructor, said the bill would help him safely commute and carry heavy groceries by reducing the effort and exposure involved in restarting after a full stop. Tim Blagden, former head of the Bike Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, said the bill reflects how many people already ride, saves energy and time, and would still require cyclists to stop at red lights unless the intersection is clear. He also noted that traffic signals often do not detect bicycles. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they are posted on our website as well. So you can find those on our website.
• So they are posted on our website as well. So you can find those on our website.
• You've made a reference that in the discussion with the lab, he had a comment about the liability of
• So how much of this is a question of reducing their liability or transferring their liability with the
• of the concern, that if they're having a statement on the planning, we're removing some of that liability

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Summary: The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward. Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft. The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be taken against your B&O tax liability for the year 2026, correct?
• For, yes, B&O or public utility tax if they have a liability.
• And if they don't have a liability, which I can't imagine doesn't happen, but that happens.
• But if they don't have a liability, what do they do with the unused donation? So a business can...
• These forms are available on their website.

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be taken against your B&O tax liability for the year 2026, correct?
• For yes, B&O or public utility tax if they have a liability.
• And if they don't have a liability, which I can't imagine doesn't happen, but that happens.
• But if they don't have a liability, what do they do with the unused donation? So a business can...
• These forms are available on their website.

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on August 4, 2026, with all five commissioners present. The commission approved the May 26, 2026 minutes, welcomed new commissioner Diane Tabilius, and re-elected Andy Knopfsiger Meadows as chair and Dr. Sharon Keiko as vice chair. JLARC staff also introduced two Evans School interns who are assisting with preliminary research for the 2027 review cycle. JLARC presented preliminary findings on seven tax preference reviews, focusing most heavily on the Main Street communities credit, the Equitable Access to Credit Program, and the urban data center exemption. Staff concluded that the Main Street preference has helped increase the number of communities and businesses and recommended continuing it, while also recommending that DAHP collect more detailed and standardized business-count data. The Equitable Access to Credit Program was found to support underserved communities and was also recommended for continuation. The urban data center exemption was found to have been used only for refurbishment projects, not new construction, and staff recommended letting it expire; commissioners and Representative Paulette discussed the need for better performance measures, cost-per-job analysis, and clearer legislative intent language in tax preference statements. Staff then reviewed airplane modification, landfill biogas, automotive adaptive equipment, and housing for people with developmental disabilities. The airplane modification preference was found to likely support jobs and state tax revenue and was recommended for continuation. The landfill biogas preference was also recommended for continuation, with a suggestion for more detailed reporting on use and renewable natural gas production. The automotive adaptive equipment exemption was found to continue providing relief to disabled veterans and service members and was recommended for continuation, while the housing transfer exemption for adults with developmental disabilities had not been used and was recommended to expire. No public testimony was taken at this meeting, and the commission noted that public testimony would be heard at its September meeting before final comments are adopted in October.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, the liability landscape changed. That's not tenable and not safe.
• Obviously the liability landscape changed. That's not tenable and not safe.
• Is this at all a liability concern for the firefighters?
• We have more details on our analysis in Appendix C and in the publication on our website.
• We also have our publication on our website, but I'm available for any questions.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began with a presentation from the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter and Dr. Anna Burke of Barrow Neurological Institute on the growing impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia in Arizona, the need for earlier diagnosis, better provider education, caregiver support, and continued research funding. They described current gaps in training and access to specialists, but also highlighted new therapies, lifestyle interventions, and Arizona-based research efforts. Members expressed support and optimism, but no action was taken on the presentation. The committee then heard HB 2202, which appropriates $300,000 from the general fund over fiscal years 2027 through 2029 for a dementia care tele-mentoring grant program through the Department of Health Services. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, a dementia specialist, and a patient advocate, said the program would help primary care providers diagnose dementia earlier and improve care. The bill was passed out of committee on an 11-0 vote. Next, the committee took up HB 2251, the midwifery bill, which would authorize certain licensed midwives to dispense and administer specified medications and devices, require liability insurance disclosure and annual reporting, and create a Midwifery Advisory Committee. A committee amendment removed some medications and renamed the bill the Jordan and MacTerry Act. ACOG and the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association opposed the bill as drafted, citing concerns about oversight, peer review, and the medication list, while licensed midwives and other supporters argued the bill would improve safety, transparency, and alignment with national standards. The bill was held for further stakeholder work, with members indicating more amendments were likely. The committee then heard HB 2252, which would allow certified nurse midwives, certified professional midwives, or licensed midwives to accompany a patient in a ground ambulance during an out-of-hospital birth if approved by medical direction. Supporters described cases where continued midwife involvement during transport helped newborns and mothers, while firefighters and EMS representatives opposed the bill as written, saying it created ambiguity about command and scene control and could raise safety concerns. The chair said the bill would be held for further stakeholder meetings and possible language changes. After a recess, the committee reconvened for presentations on federal Medicaid and rural health funding impacts, beginning with JLBC’s overview of H.R. 1’s Medicaid provisions and the rural health transformation grant program.

Transcript Highlights:

• , sometimes $10,000 worth of tax liability on the back end.
• On the liability situation, can you tell me, I know the sheriffs maintain insurance.
• On the liability situation, can you tell me, I know the sheriffs maintain insurance.
• That report is available on his website.
• or if you were accused, do you believe the city has that liability?

Bills: HB343 , HB378 , HB394 , HB396 , HB426 , HB439 , HB491 , HB523 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB1025 , HB1038

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: parole eligibility, juvenile offenders, rehabilitation, first-time offenders, reentry programs, substance abuse treatment, education programs, emergency responders, law enforcement, obstructing traffic, public safety, penalties, parole, criminal justice, release extension, prison reform, autopsy, criminal evidence, photographs, court proceedings

Transcript Highlights:

• The striking amendment modifies the requirement for the WSP to develop and provide on its website a standard
• missing endangered persons and shifts responsibility for maintaining the statewide missing persons website
• missing endangered persons and shifts responsibility for maintaining the statewide missing persons website
• And it is because of the liability that it carries with use-of-force training and PTI training and all
• But then again, liability purposes was that we felt most across the state that that wasn't the best practice

Committee: House Community Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• another agency, such as the Supreme Court or HR or the AOC HR, assist us with our HR needs might bring liability
• Well, through the website, Madam Chair Excuse me.
• Of course, they get information through the website, and a lot of people don't know that they can file
• They have to find that out and they refer to our website or to us. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• I mean, you're talking about like liability by having the AOC or yeah, who is managing your HR right

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Victims often don't realize what's happened until they're facing bills, legal trouble, or tax liabilities
• We must ensure that our state sees older adults not as a liability, but as contributors to our society
• Subsection eight is to ensure that there is public awareness, and this is to maintain a website and publish
• program: whispers at an encampment, word of mouth from other recipients, scouring the Metro Transit website
• Websites for the various public benefits programs will help case managers, county workers, and social

Bills: HF1837 , HF361 , HF2725 , HF2566 , HF2744 , HF1685 , HF501 , HF1889 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• But if there are firms out there with tens of millions of dollars of diesel excise tax liability and
• So given that many of these firms, their largest liabilities are in the motor fuels area, the diesel
• , but they can never go negative on their diesel excise tax liability.
• Can you speak to that as relates specifically to this diesel excise tax liability?
• So our understanding is that Phillips 66 does have diesel excise tax liability.

Transcript Highlights:

• series of documents and updated information on the... ...and updated information on the legislature's website
• That's located on the LSO's legislative website under the school finance section.
• visualizations for the... ...data visualizations for the school finance pieces on the legislature's website
• You can find that on the legislature’s website.
• Our guidance has included the instructional guidance we have posted on our website right now.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to expose us to an incredible amount of risk and liability.
• So you're going to have an arrest record on the state controller's website, and then you go through adjudication
• It's still going to be on the website. How do we justify that? Mr. Hockets, Mr.
• I don't know that it would be on the website.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We encourage the public to provide written testimony before the hearing by visiting the committee website
• We encourage the public to provide written testimony before the hearing by visiting the committee website
• All are encouraged to watch the hearing from its live stream on the Assembly's website.
• information about the victim's past in order to incriminate the deceased and shield officers from liability

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 9, 2025, with a large regular-order agenda and a consent calendar. The committee first approved a set of unanimous consent bills, then heard and acted on several measures, generally with authors describing them as having minor or absorbable fiscal effects. Bills discussed included AB 439 on Coastal Act streamlining, AB 322 on school-based health and mental health reimbursement participation, AB 679 on state park land acquisition exemptions, AB 482 updating the California Table Grape Commission law, AB 681 increasing the Dream Loan Program cap, AB 40 clarifying emergency services include reproductive health care, AB 454 making the California Migratory Bird Protection Act permanent, AB 572 creating protections for families of people killed or seriously injured by peace officers, and AB 639 narrowing the definition of dams to avoid extra regulation for certain water operators. Testimony was largely in support of the bills. Supporters included representatives from the University of California, the California Table Grape Commission, Audubon California, Sempervirens Fund, emergency physicians, health equity groups, water districts, and several impacted family members and advocacy organizations on AB 572. AB 572 drew especially emotional testimony from family members describing police-involved deaths and the need for transparency and protection from coercive questioning. No organized opposition was raised on most of the bills heard in committee, though AB 439 drew no-votes from some Republicans, and AB 572 and other measures were framed as low-cost or cost-neutral. The committee reported the bills out on roll calls after motions and seconds, with several measures passing on B-roll calls and AB 482 passing on an A-roll call. After the hearing on presented bills, the committee also approved the suspense calendar and accepted brief public comment on bills not heard that day, including opposition to AB 339 and support for AB 335. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's riveting on the assembly's website. We will accept public.
• I would say, you know, just kind of today, that any liability of this case sort of came before me right
• An electronic copy of the agenda is available at the Assembly Appropriations Committee website, which
• following today's hearing, the committee will post the results of the suspense file hearing on the same website

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• and through the General Court website, the LBA legislative budget assistant.
• and through the general court website and through the general court website<00:04:53.440><c> the</c>
• believe that the document in question is on the website.
• Strengthening third-party liabilities, coordination of benefits, and third-party liability—strengthening
• That would be great, and then it can be posted to our website of information.

Summary: The House Finance Division Three work session on February 21, 2025 focused on the Division of Medicaid Services budget. The chair opened with procedural guidance, noting the division’s role is to make recommendations to the full Finance Committee, that the budget must be balanced, and that members should track possible amendments ahead of a March 26 target for House Bills 1 and 2. Members also discussed the importance of using official budget documents and online resources, and the chair said no motions would be taken at this session. A major early topic was concern over a five-point Medicaid policy document and the timing of House Bill 2. Representative Tarki objected that the document appeared to be an unofficial draft and argued that significant Medicaid policy changes should have been transmitted by February 15 under state law. He said the lack of an official, posted document raised transparency concerns because the changes could affect tens of thousands of residents. Committee leadership responded that the five-point document was a working document, that it would be posted online within minutes, and that House Bill 2 is often delayed while the Office of Legislative Services finalizes and formats the governor’s proposed trailer bill. DHHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White and Medicaid Director Henry Litman then began the budget presentation. White said the committee would use the PowerPoint as the document of record, starting with the governor’s operating budget pages 885-893, and noted that Medicaid is the largest accounting area in the state budget. He said the governor’s budget reflects about $60 million in reductions within the Medicaid area, with Granite Advantage handled off-budget and another $10 million in reductions there, for roughly a $70 million difference overall. Members asked whether the comparison was being made against an efficiency budget or a prioritized-needs budget, and White said the department could look at it different ways. The presentation then outlined Medicaid’s role in New Hampshire: it provides health coverage, serves as the state’s direct interface with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and helps finance related services such as long-term supports, school-based services, adult dental coverage, and re-entry programs for people leaving correctional settings. White also reviewed enrollment and program context, saying New Hampshire has about one in seven residents enrolled in Medicaid, making it the fourth smallest Medicaid program in the country by enrollment, and described recent efforts such as youth re-entry and the Medicaid unwind after the end of the federal continuous coverage period. He said the state had to process more than 238,000 redeterminations after the public health emergency and that the department tried to avoid unnecessary coverage loss during that transition.