Transcript Highlights:

• c> you<00:25:06.159> Mr<00:25:06.440> chair<00:25:06.760> uh<00:25:06.880>
• 00:25:09.000> past<00:25:09.159> to<00:25:09.279> my<00:25:09.440> knowledge<
• <00:25:43.399> for<00:25:43.559> that<00:25:43.720> damage<00:25:44.399> okay
• <00:25:52.039> years<00:25:52.760> in<00:25:53.080> residential<00:25:53.600
• <00:25:54.440> ownership<00:25:54.960> and<00:25:55.399> management<00:25:56.399

Bills: HF958, HF688, HF702

Keywords: mental health, behavioral health, psychiatric care, collaborative care model, healthcare funding, service dog, service animal, service dog in training, assistance dog, guide dog, disability rights, housing accommodations, fair housing, landlord, rental housing, homeowners association, HOA, Minnesota human services, accessible housing, reasonable accommodation

Transcript Highlights:

• :25:01.760> four<00:25:02.000> miles<00:25:02.360> away<00:25:02.960> so
• <00:25:04.120> the<00:25:04.279> buffer<00:25:04.600> zone<00:25:05.000>
• this<00:25:19.720> bill<00:25:20.120> does<00:25:20.320> not<00:25:20.640><
• > zone<00:25:37.480> and<00:25:37.640> this<00:25:37.760> is<00:25:37.840
• 25:42.159> which<00:25:42.600> actually<00:25:43.600> the<00:25:44.159> the

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard several measures focused on water quality, waste management, aquifer protection, wastewater, and climate-related funding. SB 984 on water pollution drew opposition from DLNR and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, with the latter arguing the bill could unfairly blame landowners for runoff caused by terrain and storm events; the chair noted there were also supporters and commenters submitted in writing. SB 639 on underground storage tanks received support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, and the Sierra Club, with testimony emphasizing environmental restoration standards after jet fuel releases; no opposition was noted in the live testimony. SB 946 on wastewater management was presented as clarifying that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters applies to treatment plants, and it drew support from the County of Maui, DOH, and Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, with no questions or opposition raised in the hearing. The committee also heard SB 438 on waste disposal facilities near significant aquifers. DOH and the Water Commission offered comments, while the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services opposed the bill because of a provision affecting ash recycling; the Board of Water Supply and Sierra Club supported the measure, and the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board and Energy Justice Network raised concerns about fly ash and bottom ash recycling, landfill capacity, and potential contamination of aquifers. Testimony reflected a split between environmental protection concerns and arguments that the bill could block beneficial reuse of ash. The committee then took up HB 1395 on state funds, which would direct interest from the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to the general fund when the reserve exceeds the state’s target. The Governor’s office, emergency management, the State Energy Office, the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority, the Nature Conservancy, and several other groups supported the bill’s climate-resilience intent, while the Tax Foundation and committee discussion raised concerns that the measure functioned mainly as a revenue transfer without a dedicated spending mechanism. Members discussed whether a special fund or legislative appropriation process would better ensure the money was used for climate mitigation and related projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• :29.719> paid<01:25:30.000> back<01:25:30.639> um<01:25:30.760> but<01:25
• <01:25:32.719> um<01:25:32.880> I<01:25:33.000> like<01:25:33.280> the
• :25:39.119> expenses<01:25:40.040> uh<01:25:40.119> to<01:25:40.360> provide<
• <01:25:43.400> people<01:25:43.639> to<01:25:43.800> where<01:25:43.960> they
• to<01:25:44.440> go<01:25:45.000> in<01:25:45.119> the<01:25:45.280>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This<01:25:17.360> is<01:25:17.520> by<01:25:17.679> far<01:25:17.840> the
• ><01:25:18.080> highest<01:25:18.320> rate<01:25:18.560> paid<01:25:18.800> by
• > department<01:25:19.520> in<01:25:19.760> the<01:25:19.840> Big<01:25:20.000
• <01:25:22.239> this<01:25:22.400> bill,<01:25:22.719> we<01:25:22.880> are
• 25:31.040> of<01:25:31.199> this<01:25:31.360> new<01:25:31.600> era<01:25

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.080> drinking<00:25:01.480> water<00:25:01.760> to<00:25:01.880> the<
• Chair Fransen, Chair Fransen, I<00:25:21.120> think<00:25:21.320> we<00:25:21.400> can
• <00:25:21.520> all<00:25:21.680> agree<00:25:22.400> that I think we can all
• agree that I think we can all agree that this<00:25:24.240> bill<00:25:24.720> is<00:25
• >> We<00:25:28.880> know<00:25:29.120> that<00:25:29.720> we<00:25:29.960>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:01.600> fee<00:25:01.960> increase<00:25:02.880> that<00:25:03.080>
• <00:25:24.399> we'll<00:25:24.640> follow<00:25:25.000> up<00:25:25.480> when
• > I<00:25:27.120> just<00:25:27.279> wanted<00:25:27.520> to<00:25:27.640
• :49.559> about<00:25:50.039> projection<00:25:50.960> let's<00:25:51.120> say
• question about projection let's say question about projection let's say there's<00:25:51.440>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division 2 Finance Committee heard an overview and budget presentation from New Hampshire Fish and Game, led by new Executive Director Stephanie Simi and Business Division Chief Kathy Leonti. The agency described its mission to conserve and manage fish, wildlife, and marine resources, and emphasized growing pressures from disease, climate impacts, habitat change, and increased public demand. Simi said the department is largely funded by hunting and fishing license revenue and federal grants, is reviewing staffing and internal processes, and faces critical needs including permanent funding for environmental review staff, infrastructure and IT modernization, and possible service reductions if additional support is not found. Members asked about specific program and policy issues, including chronic wasting disease in deer, hemorrhagic disease in rabbits and hares, moose population decline, and a proposed bait-disease bill. The department said it is actively monitoring diseases and did not see a need for the bait bill at this time. Legislators also discussed the Hike Safe program, which the department said has grown from an expected $100,000 annually to more than $300,000, and a possible boating version of that program, which the department said remains under consideration but would involve complex logistics and multiple agencies. Questions were also raised about rescue costs, out-of-state hikers, and whether boat registrations could be used as a revenue source; Fish and Game said boat registration is handled by the Department of Safety, though the department receives $5 per registered boat for the public boat access program. The budget discussion focused on revenue projections, use of unrestricted Fish and Game funds, and dependence on federal reimbursements. Leonti said the department met the governor’s general fund target but not the Fish and Game fund target without using surplus unrestricted funds, leaving only about $100,000 in the fund by the end of the biennium. She said the budget uses more than $18 million in Fish and Game funds annually against about $14 million in unrestricted revenue, and that five of 193 full-time positions remain unfunded. The department warned that if federal grants were halted, it could cost about $5 million over five months and force the Fish and Game fund to cover the gap. Committee members also requested that future presentations be sent electronically in advance, and the department agreed to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• in agriculture<00:25:46.679> but<00:25:46.840> when<00:25:46.960> there's<00:25
• :25:49.679> puts<00:25:49.919> him<00:25:50.200> out<00:25:51.200> last<00
• <00:48:06.000> I project engineer for this project I project engineer for this project I designed
• <01:01:25.720> the about project by project or depends the about project by project or depends
• <01:25:42.199> from<01:25:42.360> the<01:25:42.560> security<01:25:42.960>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard SR 18, which asks DLNR to transfer active agricultural land leases to the Department of Agriculture to support agriculture. DLNR, through Don Chang, opposed the resolution, saying the department has already been transferring parcels by mutual agreement and should not be required to transfer lands it does not consent to. Ranchers and agricultural advocates strongly supported the measure, arguing that the lands are active production areas, that partial transfers would undermine ranching operations, and that water infrastructure built by ranchers must be protected. Testimony from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and others emphasized the importance of preserving agricultural land for food production, wildfire management, and long-term ranch viability. Committee members pressed both sides on acreage, specific parcels, and whether negotiations were still ongoing, with DLNR later clarifying that some parcels remain under negotiation and that some proposed transfers have been narrowed or adjusted. Several specific ranches and parcels were discussed, including Batello, Diamond B, Delo, Nobriga, and Kapala Ranch. Witnesses described the operational importance of water systems, grazing areas, and access routes, and said that losing productive acreage would threaten business viability. Some members expressed concern that the proposal appeared to transfer productive land while leaving less useful land with ranchers, and urged the department to continue transparent negotiations and consider the practical impact on agriculture and conservation. A DLNR representative said some transfers were tied to other needs, such as transportation mitigation, and not to a broader effort to take more land. The Department of Agriculture later stated it supports the intent of the measure, but suggested its concerns would likely be addressed if the resolution were narrowed to the specific parcels at issue. The chair also announced that the related House bill on the same subject remains alive and will be heard by Water and Land on Thursday. After concluding SR 18, the committee moved on to SCR 51 and SR 33, which seek a working group to evaluate establishing and administratively placing an Office of Resilience and Recovery. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development indicated support for the concept, noting the office’s value in Maui wildfire recovery efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• :31.960> the<00:25:32.120> one<00:25:32.279> thing<00:25:32.440> I<00:25:
• 32.559> would<00:25:32.760> say<00:25:33.720> is<00:25:34.720> first<00:25
• <00:25:37.320> amount<00:25:37.520> of<00:25:37.760> uncertainty<00:25:38.760>
• > might<00:25:39.760> happen<00:25:40.720> at<00:25:40.840> the<00:25:40.960
• <01:25:23.600> that<01:25:23.719> is<01:25:23.840> going<01:25:24.000> to

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• > pay<00:25:41.679> sales<00:25:42.120> tax<00:25:42.880> submit<00:25:43.279
• <00:25:47.919> goes<00:25:48.200> through<00:25:48.480> a<00:25:48.760> very<
• tedious<00:25:50.919> process<00:25:51.919> uh<00:25:52.360> to<00:25:52.720>
• :54.760> what<00:25:54.880> we<00:25:55.039> have<00:25:55.200> done<00:25
• funds uh the bill<01:25:53.639> that<01:25:53.760> we<01:25:53.920> have<01:25:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:04.640> Do<00:25:04.720> we<00:25:04.880> have<00:25:04.960> any
• >> Members<00:25:13.360> SB<00:25:13.679> 2232<00:25:14.640> chair's<00:25
• Chair votes I vice<00:25:16.640> chair<00:25:16.799> votes<00:25:17.039> I<00:25
• Uh, per federal law, all 4% LIHTC projects must have funded 25% by bonds.
• . project. project.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on five housing-related measures. SB 2232 would create a three-year tiny home grant pilot program within HHFDC, with annual reporting to HHFDC and the Legislature; testimony was mixed, and the bill was later recommended for passage with amendments, including a full-time housing development specialist, a residential-use-only restriction for the tiny homes, and a blanked appropriation. SB 2192 would bar county down-zoning that reduces housing capacity unless equivalent capacity is added elsewhere in the county; it drew support from housing advocates and comments from planning officials, and was also recommended for passage with amendments. SB 2378 would clarify insurance requirements for single- and multifamily projects seeking expedited county permitting; engineers and housing groups supported it, while one testifier opposed it, and it was recommended for passage with a technical amendment. SB 2524 would appropriate funds to the City and County of Honolulu for housing-related departments to comply with prior acts; the Honolulu department supported it, and members asked about prior spending and funding sources. SB 2398 would require residential housing utility availability maps; the Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposed the bill as written, citing infrastructure security, accuracy, liability, and administrative burden concerns, while supporters said it would improve transparency for developers. The chair proposed amendments to make the maps broad and geographic rather than parcel-specific, remove contested-case and reliance provisions, allow disclaimer language, and change the date; the bill was then recommended for passage with amendments, with one member noting reservations. All five measures were ultimately passed out of committee with amendments, with votes recorded and some members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:04.320> Now,<00:25:04.960> uh<00:25:05.200> we<00:25:05.440> have<
• <00:25:08.559> As<00:25:08.960> of<00:25:09.520> September,<00:25:10.400>
• As<00:25:24.720> of<00:25:25.200> November,<00:25:25.919> inflation<00:25:26.640
• 0.3% uh<00:25:29.679> percentage<00:25:30.159> points<00:25:30.559> lower<00:25
• projects? projects?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um in<00:25:12.960> some<00:25:13.200> circles<00:25:13.640> it's<00:25:13.800><
• um there are quite<00:25:18.280> a<00:25:18.360> group<00:25:19.000> that<00:25:
• 00:25:20.560> for<00:25:20.760> the<00:25:20.880> reading<00:25:21.240> today
• years,<00:25:31.840> since<00:25:32.120> I<00:25:32.160> was<00:25:32.520><
• . project. project.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading by poet April Osmon, who read two poems focused on bridging political divides and shared humanity. Members then recognized the final day of service for the legislative pages, thanking them for their work during the 2026 session and presenting each page with a pin and a photo opportunity. The chamber then handled bill referrals: Senate Bill 193, creating a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons, was referred to Judiciary; Senate Bill 198, regulating tobacco products and tobacco substitutes, went to Commerce and Economic Development; Senate Bill 214, concerning pre-kindergarten education in geographically isolated school districts, went to Education; and Senate Bill 218, reducing chloride contamination in state waters and carrying an appropriation, was referred to Appropriations. The House also read and adopted two concurrent resolutions: HCR 237 congratulating Vermont-associated 2026 Winter Olympic medal winners, and HCR 238 honoring the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired on its 100th anniversary. Much of the remainder of the session consisted of tributes and guest recognitions tied to those resolutions. Members highlighted Vermont’s Olympic skiers and coaches, including Ben Ogden, Paula Moltzan, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Jessie Diggins, Mikaela Shiffrin, Barbara Ann Cochran, Bill Koch, and others, and read a note from Diggins thanking Vermont for its support and emphasizing teamwork and community. Speakers also praised VABVI’s century of service and its role in helping blind and visually impaired Vermonters, and several members offered personal remarks honoring retiring Representative Francis “Topper” McFaun for his long service, mentorship, and family legacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:25:05.440> it<00:25:05.600> going<00:25:05.880> so<00:25:06.159> thank
• very<00:25:08.080> much<00:25:08.320> Mr<00:25:08.600> Edgar<00:25:09.520>
• <00:25:14.520> and<00:25:14.880> uh<00:25:15.000> Mr<00:25:15.200> edar
• you<00:25:16.600> were<00:25:16.720> just<00:25:16.840> citing<00:25:17.320
• :25:21.679> Madam<00:25:21.960> chair<00:25:22.360> Seno<00:25:22.960> this

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:13.520> the<00:25:13.679> committee.
• The department<00:25:18.720> stands<00:25:18.960> on<00:25:19.120> its<00:25:19.279
• > in<00:25:20.240> support<00:25:20.400> of<00:25:20.559> this<00:25:20.799
• Mr.<00:25:21.679> Davis<00:25:22.080> has<00:25:22.320> served<00:25:22.880>
• status of projects? status of projects?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education heard several advice-and-consent nominations to the School Facilities Authority. For GM779, Shelley Pa was introduced as a nominee for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported her nomination, citing her large-scale operations and stakeholder-engagement experience. In her testimony, Pa said she retired from community policing, wanted to give back to teachers and students, and believed her strengths were collaboration, listening to community input, and helping balance differing priorities. Committee members questioned her about the construction and infrastructure focus of the board, her lack of direct construction experience, and how she would handle disagreements and budget limits; she responded that she would rely on collaboration, ask questions, and keep decisions centered on students, teachers, and the community while staying within budget. The committee then heard GM777 and GM778 for Robert Davis, with terms ending June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2029. Davis described more than 30 years with the Department of Education, including roles as teacher, coach, counselor, vice principal, principal, and complex area superintendent, and said he had worked on major facilities projects and managed pandemic-era funding. He emphasized communication, transparency, and trust, and explained that his experience on the Early Learning Board helped him understand how to set policy, identify schools for pre-K, and use data and community factors in decision-making. Members asked how he would handle SFA’s growing pains, the need to balance DOE wishes with practical and budgetary limits, and the board’s role when the legislature controls funding; Davis said the board must keep communication open, include the right people, and make sensible decisions that move projects forward without stalling. For GM780, nominee Michael Unbasami was introduced for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported him, highlighting over five decades of public service and experience in facilities management, finance, and legislative affairs. Unbasami said he had recently retired after 31 years as associate vice president for administrative affairs for the community colleges and had extensive experience with facilities planning, construction, renovation, repairs, and working within budgets. He stated that the DOE should be treated as the SFA’s client because it knows student, teacher, and facility needs best, while SFA’s role is to implement construction work and collaborate on priorities. Committee members pressed him on how to balance DOE requests with practical project delivery, especially for teacher housing and other non-classroom needs, and he said the legislature funds the work, SFA must keep projects moving, and the workflow should involve collaboration but also realistic decisions that fit the budget and avoid delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• :32.000> and<00:25:32.159> jobs<00:25:32.520> act<00:25:32.960> so<00:25:
• :25:35.399> own<00:25:35.600> concerns<00:25:36.000> with<00:25:36.120> the
• <00:25:37.200> in<00:25:37.399> duth<00:25:37.960> which<00:25:38.120> we
• :25:40.120> for<00:25:41.120> uh<00:25:41.240> with<00:25:41.360> the a billion
• :25:41.840> Wisconsin<00:25:42.679> that's<00:25:42.880> a<00:25:43.159> significant

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So in '24, we had $22.6 million available for new projects, and '25, similarly, we had $26.1 million.
• It shows what districts and the projects and eligible costs and the payments for fiscal year 24 and 25
• It shows what districts and the projects and eligible costs and the payments for fiscal year 24 and 25
• It shows what districts and the projects and eligible costs and the payments for fiscal year 24 and 25
• It shows what districts and the projects and eligible costs and the payments for fiscal year 24 and 25

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee Division II met with the New Hampshire Department of Education to review school nutrition programs and related funding. Department staff Melissa White and Kelly Rambo walked through a packet covering the National School Lunch Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Community Eligibility (CEP), After School Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program, explaining that these are federally funded USDA programs, with some state supplemental funding in certain areas. They also reviewed reimbursement rates for lunch, breakfast, child/adult care, and summer meals, noting that summer rates follow calendar-year timing while most others follow the state fiscal year. Members asked several questions about how the funding works, especially the difference between federal reimbursements and the state match. Staff explained that the state lunch line in the budget is a fixed match amount tied to federal participation, while breakfast funding is broken out by meal type and reimbursement category. They also discussed why FY 2022 federal spending was much higher during COVID, when USDA covered meals at the free rate for all students, and why FY 2023 and FY 2024 dropped as normal income-eligibility rules returned. A committee member also asked about the “severe need lunch” two-cent rate, and staff said they did not know USDA’s formula. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on summer meals and the distinction between the Summer Food Service Program and Summer EBT. Staff explained that SFSP provides meals at approved sites, which can be open or closed sites, while Summer EBT is a separate DHHS-operated benefit program that provides funds to families. They said some schools or sites may not qualify under USDA rules, but eligible children can often use another nearby open site, and the department posts an interactive map and phone line to help families find locations. The committee also discussed the Community Eligibility Provision. Staff said New Hampshire currently has three CEP schools, that the eligibility threshold had recently been lowered from 40% to 25% identified students, and that the program allows participating schools to offer free meals to all students while the local district covers the non-federal share. Members asked whether any districts in the 25% to 40% range had joined; staff said no. The department offered to provide the eligibility report in Excel and noted that the CEP intent is to reduce application burden, though the lower threshold can make the local cost share harder for some districts to absorb.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> uh<00:25:22.960> funding<00:25:23.279> for<00:25:23.520> our<00:25:23.760
• 00:25:32.640> replanting<00:25:33.279> our<00:25:33.600> roots<00:25:34.320>
• And<00:25:35.840> so<00:25:36.240> this<00:25:36.559> was<00:25:36.720> a
• uh this project.<00:25:57.440> Um<00:25:58.080> now<00:25:58.400> that<00:25:58.640
• > being<00:25:58.880> said<00:25:59.760> um<00:26:00.559> that project.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee opened with quorum and decorum reminders, then approved the minutes from February 26, 2026. Members briefly set aside a planned follow-up on GO students from Minnesota State after being told the questions had been fully answered, and moved on to Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College’s storm damage presentation. Bemidji State President John Hoffman and facilities staff described the June 21 derecho that hit Bemidji, causing widespread roof, window, tree, and infrastructure damage across both campuses and the surrounding community. Hoffman said the institutions were already recovering from pandemic-era enrollment and budget losses, but had improved new student enrollment, retention, fundraising, and deficits before the storm. He emphasized that the campuses were well insured, but that restoring the tree canopy and campus character would take far longer than repairing buildings. Facilities worker Brent Steinmets gave a personal account of the storm response and cleanup, describing days of chainsaw work, debris removal, window repairs, and stump grinding, and noting that many employees were also dealing with damage at their own homes. Members asked what kind of funding request was being made, and Hoffman said Chair Duran was preparing a bill tied to the storm damage and reforestation needs, while alumni had already raised more than $80,000 through a “Replanting Our Roots” campaign. He said the institutions had spent about $50,000 in deductible costs and another $25,000 in unreimbursable overtime, and had hired a landscape architect to plan reforestation. Members also asked about enrollment growth and staffing reductions; Hoffman said overall enrollment was up a little more than 2% since fall 2022, new student enrollment had risen 17%, NTC headcount was up 75%, and the campuses had reduced about 30% of instructional faculty and close to 30% of overall employees while reorganizing programs and administration. Discussion also focused on preserving liberal arts and applied liberal arts offerings, with Hoffman saying the institutions were emphasizing critical thinking, communication, citizenship, interdisciplinarity, and human intelligence alongside workforce training. No vote was taken on the storm-related funding proposal during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> The<00:25:10.159> other<00:25:10.559> way<00:25:10.799> that<00:25:11.279
• > to<00:25:17.360> go<00:25:17.520> live<00:25:17.760> to<00:25:17.919>
• <00:25:20.000> Uh<00:25:20.240> we<00:25:20.400> have<00:25:20.480> a
• :25:21.840> helped<00:25:22.080> us<00:25:22.320> to<00:25:23.360> u new
• <00:25:30.000> And<00:25:30.240> basically<00:25:30.799> it<00:25:31.120>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will<00:25:00.000> uh<00:25:00.159> continue<00:25:00.480> to<00:25:00.640>
• <00:25:45.440> And<00:25:45.600> so<00:25:46.320> uh<00:25:46.400> we
• we will<00:25:52.159> reduce<00:25:52.559> them<00:25:53.039> more<00:25:53.360
• So thank<00:25:54.480> you<00:25:54.559> for<00:25:54.720> the<00:25:54.880>
• It was a pleasure to work on this uh<00:25:58.640> project<00:25:59.520> uh<00:25:59.840

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 719, the capital investment/bonding bill, and members spent much of the debate praising committee staff and describing the bill as a bipartisan product shaped by statewide bonding tours and negotiations. Supporters highlighted major infrastructure and public facility projects, including water and sewer work, transportation projects, housing, natural resources, and specific local needs such as Grand Marais, the Manomomen County hospital/nursing home, and airport tower funding. Several members emphasized that the bill was a “Team House” effort and argued that infrastructure funding should not be treated as partisan. During debate, members also focused on the bill’s water infrastructure investments and the need for broader, dedicated funding to address lead pipes, PFAS contamination, and rising wastewater costs. Representative Lee noted that more than $400 million in the package went to water infrastructure, while other speakers pointed to transportation funding and a one-time reduction in tab fees as important elements of the bill. Representative Franson and others urged support, saying the package reflected statewide needs and was a down payment on larger asset-preservation needs. The House adopted three technical amendments to House File 719, then gave the bill its third reading. After floor discussion, Representative Niska moved to lay House File 719 on the table, and the motion prevailed, tabling the bill. The chamber then moved on to House File 2484, the cash portion of the infrastructure package, where members again described the measure as a small but important funding bill and discussed a Lower Sioux Indian Community Dakota language item and the limited size of each caucus’s cash allocation.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:09.679> that<00:25:09.840> if<00:25:10.000> I<00:25:10.159> own
• > is<00:25:13.440> land<00:25:14.400> to<00:25:14.640> the<00:25:14.880><
• > of<00:25:15.600> the<00:25:16.200> land,<00:25:17.200> I<00:25:17.440><
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Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 27FN, which would change how improvements to dwellings over water are handled and align those projects more closely with the state building code. The bill was presented by Trisha Milo on behalf of Senator Lang, and attorney John Cronin explained that it arose from a specific New Hampshire Supreme Court case involving the Newcombs’ lakeside property, but that it could affect a small number of older waterfront homes statewide. He said the intent was to give the Department of Environmental Services (DES) limited waiver authority for improvements that do not harm water quality, plant life, or fish, while still requiring DES review and local permits. Committee members asked several questions about the scope of the bill, including whether it was tied to one case, how many properties might be affected, what counts as “living space,” and whether the language could allow larger decks or other expansions. Cronin said the bill was meant to be narrow, focused on access and egress and not on creating new living space, and that DES would still be able to deny unreasonable requests. He also described the Newcombs’ project as a rehabilitation of an older structure that had been approved locally and later challenged by DES, leading to the current dispute. Darlene Forst, the Wetlands Bureau administrator at DES, testified in opposition. She said the department was surprised the bill was being heard because it believed the Senate had sent it to interim study, and she argued the language was unclear and could have broader statewide effects than intended. Forst also said the underlying case was still active and should not be effectively re-litigated through this bill. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.