Transcript Highlights:

• :00.000><c> a</c><00:49:00.480><c> uh</c><00:49:01.200><c> is</c><00:49:01.520><c> a</c><00:49:01.839
• ,<00:49:04.720><c> but</c><00:49:04.960><c> it</c><00:49:05.119><c> needs</c><00:49:05.280><c> to</c>
• market<00:49:19.119><c> is</c><00:49:19.520><c> faced</c><00:49:19.760><c> with</c><00:49:20.000><c>
• dynamics.<00:49:22.319><c> So,</c><00:49:22.480><c> you</c><00:49:22.640><c> can</c><00:49:22.800><c
• :49:38.880><c> and</c><01:49:39.119><c> the</c><01:49:39.280><c> way</c><01:49:39.360><c> we</c><01:49

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll just<00:49:06.800><c> have</c><00:49:06.880><c> to</c><00:49:06.960><c> agree</c><00:49:07.200>
• penalties available<00:49:11.119><c> if</c><00:49:11.280><c> this</c><00:49:11.440><c> is</c><00:49:
• Um misdemeanor<00:49:45.599><c> offenses</c><00:49:46.079><c> carry</c><00:49:46.319><c> a</c><00:49:
• Um generally<00:49:50.160><c> you</c><00:49:50.400><c> can</c><00:49:50.559><c> get</c><00:49:50.720>
• Uh for an<00:49:57.040><c> assault</c><00:49:57.440><c> in</c><00:49:57.680><c> the</c><00:49:57.920>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Education heard testimony on HB 1895, which would add education-worker protections by expanding harassment-related offenses. The Department of Education, HSTA, HGA, and several school employees and principals testified in support, describing increased harassment and threats toward teachers and staff, especially since COVID, and saying the bill would help deter bad actors. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, saying the language was vague and overbroad, could criminalize ordinary parental advocacy or speech, and might not survive constitutional scrutiny. In response to questions, the public defender said existing statutes already cover threatening or assaultive conduct against educational workers, while DOE representatives said the bill was aimed at excessive and repetitive disruptive behavior. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up HB 1592, concerning protections for educational workers and sports officials. DOE, the Charter School Commission, HGA, HSTA, school principals, athletic programs, and many individual testifiers supported the bill, with several describing threats, harassment, and aggressive behavior at schools and athletic events. One principal said he had repeatedly involved law enforcement after threats and incidents on campus, and a teacher testified about the need to keep school environments safe and orderly. The Office of the Public Defender again opposed the bill, arguing that current law already enhances penalties for assaults and terroristic threatening against educational workers and sports officials, and that new offenses would have little deterrent effect. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be a separate statute and how to distinguish passionate advocacy from harassment; DOE said the line was crossed when conduct became excessive and repetitive, while the public defender urged clearer drafting and more emphasis on prevention, education, security, and de-escalation. No vote or final action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.599><c> you</c><00:49:00.760><c> can</c><00:49:00.920><c> use</c><00:49:01.160><c> some</c><00:49
• :49:06.880><c> and</c><00:49:07.000><c> we</c><00:49:07.119><c> do</c><00:49:07.319><c> maybe</c><00:
• </c><00:49:08.839><c> the</c><00:49:09.000><c> education</c><00:49:09.480><c> at</c><00:49:09.599><c>
• <00:49:12.280><c> School</c><00:49:12.920><c> Middle</c><00:49:13.160><c> sign</c><00:49:13.720><c> I
• c> work</c><00:49:14.079><c> with</c><00:49:14.240><c> middle</c><00:49:14.799><c> but</c><00:49:14.960

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Education’s Bureau of Wellness and Nutrition presented an overview of the school meal and child nutrition programs it administers, including the National School Lunch Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), After School Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Special Milk Program. Staff explained which programs are federally funded through USDA, which have state matching funds, and how reimbursement rates are set for different programs and fiscal years. They also walked the committee through a packet showing reimbursement tables, state and federal funding totals, and eligibility data. Members focused much of their questioning on how state and federal reimbursements work for lunch and breakfast, why lunch is shown as a state match while breakfast has meal-based breakdowns, and how the department allocates funds in the budget. The department explained that lunch uses a set state match tied to federal requirements, while breakfast reimbursement is based on meals served. They also reviewed FY 22-24 funding trends, noting higher federal spending during COVID-era waivers and lower amounts as those waivers ended. A committee member asked for the data in Excel and the department agreed to provide it. The discussion also covered summer meal programs and the distinction between the Summer Food Service Program and Summer EBT. Staff explained that SFSP provides meals at approved open or closed sites, while Summer EBT is a separate DHHS-run benefit program that provides funds to families; the two programs coordinate through data sharing but are not the same. Members also discussed CEP, with staff explaining that New Hampshire currently has three schools participating, that the qualifying threshold was reduced from 40% to 25% identified students, and that districts must cover the non-federal share with non-federal funds. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:41.799><c> it</c><00:49:41.920><c> was</c><00:49:42.079><c> a</c><00:49:42.200><c> lot</c><00:49:
• ><00:49:47.400><c> have</c><00:49:47.680><c> any</c><00:49:48.000><c> Vision</c><00:49:48.640><c> I</
• don't have<00:49:49.440><c> the</c><00:49:49.640><c> option</c><00:49:50.079><c> of</c><00:49:50.240
• :49:07.560><c> a</c><02:49:07.760><c> to</c><02:49:07.880><c> pass</c><02:49:08.000><c> as</c><02:49:
• 49:22.080><c> uh</c><02:49:22.239><c> is</c><02:49:22.439><c> there</c><02:49:23.439><c> a</c><02:49:

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Election Law Committee held an orientation and then opened a public hearing on House Bill 67-FN-A, which would make permanent the use of accessible voting machines in local elections and provide funding for additional systems. The chair outlined committee procedures, noting a heavy workload of roughly 70 to 80 bills, mostly Tuesday meetings, likely time limits on testimony, and a default of executive session unless a bill is specifically noticed. Members and staff were introduced, and the Secretary of State’s office described its election-related responsibilities, including voter registration, cybersecurity, ballot-counting equipment, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program. Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary Aon Hennessy explained the current pilot program created by last year’s law, which requires accessible voting systems for local elections and allows the state to share machines with municipalities during the first half of 2025. They said the office has made hardware available, but towns have raised concerns about the speed of implementation and the cost of programming each election, especially for towns with multiple ballot questions. Scanlan said the state is also vetting longer-term options, including devices that could remain in polling places year-round, and suggested the committee consider delaying the bill’s effective date to January 1, 2026 to better align with implementation needs. Hennessy said the current state devices are older and complicated to reset for each election, and estimated programming costs could be about $600 for a small single-election ballot and much higher for towns with multiple elections. Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of accessible voting for people with disabilities. Representative Robert Wy said the measure builds on 2024 law and would move the pilot into a permanent agreement, citing ADA concerns and prior testimony about discriminatory voting experiences. Fred Forier, a legally blind voter from Exeter, testified that accessible voting systems allow him to vote privately and independently and urged support for the bill. Committee members asked about the gap if the pilot ends before a permanent system is in place and about the cost range for programming. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee moved on after public testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.480><c> or</c><00:49:00.720><c> at</c><00:49:00.960><c> a</c><00:49:01.119><c> national</c><00:49
• </c><00:49:08.400><c> We</c><00:49:08.559><c> give</c><00:49:08.720><c> ideas</c><00:49:09.119><c> for
• malaise<00:49:12.160><c> that</c><00:49:12.880><c> leaves</c><00:49:13.280><c> people</c><00:49:13.520
• Uh<00:49:17.359><c> I've</c><00:49:17.599><c> wash</c><00:49:17.920><c> people's</c><00:49:18.599><c>
• I either at<00:49:20.960><c> my</c><00:49:21.119><c> house</c><00:49:21.359><c> or</c><00:49:21.599><

Bills: HF2435

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:02.079><c> out</c><00:49:02.319><c> several</c><00:49:02.720><c> times</c><00:49:04.079><c> um
• </c><00:49:06.400><c> Uh</c><00:49:06.800><c> so</c><00:49:07.040><c> we</c><00:49:07.200><c> will</c
• However,<00:49:10.559><c> you</c><00:49:10.800><c> will</c><00:49:10.960><c> have</c><00:49:11.119><c
• <c> is</c><00:49:15.200><c> from</c><00:49:15.440><c> last</c><00:49:15.680><c> year</c><00:49:16.960
• 49:04.560><c> the</c><02:49:04.800><c> users</c><02:49:05.200><c> of</c><02:49:06.240><c> um</c><02:49

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> all</c><00:49:08.760><c> of</c><00:49:08.839><c> them</c><00:49:09.040><c> but</c><00:49:09.319>
• ><c> asking</c><00:49:11.319><c> us</c><00:49:11.520><c> to</c><00:49:12.160><c> um</c><00:49:12.359>
• </c><00:49:43.599><c> want</c><00:49:43.720><c> to</c><00:49:43.880><c> help</c><00:49:44.079><c> you
• work through<00:49:45.000><c> this</c><00:49:45.920><c> but</c><00:49:46.119><c> it</c><00:49:46.440
• ><c> uh</c><00:49:46.720><c> but</c><00:49:46.839><c> on</c><00:49:46.960><c> the</c><00:49:47.079><c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Law Enforcement on its priorities following the January 1 transfer of law enforcement assets into the department, including the sheriff’s division, narcotics enforcement, criminal investigations, homeland security, and the inspector general’s office. DLE said its goals are to improve public safety, accountability, communications, training, and standards. The department outlined planned initiatives such as stronger federal partnerships, narcotics and gun-violence enforcement, an agricultural crime unit, traffic and commercial vehicle enforcement, an explosive/fireworks enforcement section, gun buybacks, new police facilities in the airport area, Aahu, and the leeward side, a state training center, upgraded law-enforcement IT, and efforts to narrow salary gaps with county departments to improve recruitment. A major portion of the discussion focused on illegal fireworks enforcement after the recent explosion tragedy. DLE said its current task force is small and relies on ad hoc support from HPD, the Attorney General’s office, criminal investigations, and sheriffs, which is not sustainable. The department requested eight FTEs for the effort—one administrator, two clerical staff, and six investigators—plus funding for a laboratory, equipment, storage, disposal, vehicles, safety gear, and a criminalist. DLE said the explosive enforcement section would use an existing facility and that the initial lab startup cost is about $2 million. Members asked for follow-up materials, and DLE said it would send the explosive enforcement forms and additional details to the Finance and Judiciary chairs. Members also questioned staffing vacancies, interagency coordination, and whether new specialized units could be filled. DLE said it has about 119 vacancies and that recruitment is hindered by a roughly $28,000 starting pay gap with county police departments; academy classes are down to about 12 to 14 recruits. The department said it is streamlining hiring, using QR-code recruitment, and hopes specialized units will attract applicants. On coordination, DLE said it works closely with HPD and other agencies on operations such as fireworks enforcement and public events, and that DOCARE remains a case-by-case partner but is not currently moving into DLE. The committee also received updates on the Silver Alert program, which is nearing rollout with county MOUs and a coordinator expected later in the month, the special duty officer program, which is being moved to a web-based vendor-managed system at no cost to the department, and the SaferWatch school safety system, which is being deployed statewide with annual software costs of $3,500 per school in the first year and $2,500 thereafter. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the<00:49:01.920><c> police</c><00:49:02.079><c> can</c><00:49:02.240><c> come</c><00:49:02.400>
• :49:05.440><c> does</c><00:49:06.000><c> does</c><00:49:06.319><c> remedy</c><00:49:06.720><c> that.
• It<00:49:07.520><c> says</c><00:49:08.000><c> essentially</c><00:49:08.400><c> if</c><00:49:08.640><c
• c> assault</c><00:49:10.960><c> that</c><00:49:11.200><c> you</c><00:49:11.359><c> can</c><00:49:11.440
• </c><00:49:25.280><c> The</c><00:49:25.440><c> other</c><00:49:25.599><c> part</c><00:49:25.760><c> of

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1651, which would create a civil sexual assault protective order for survivors who do not have a domestic violence or stalking relationship with the offender, and would also update the sexual assault survivors’ bill of rights regarding evidence kit retention and tracking. Representative Jennifer Rhodes, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to fill gaps for survivors assaulted by strangers, acquaintances, or others outside existing protective-order categories, and to ensure evidence is preserved for the longer of the statute of limitations or the retention period. Committee members asked whether the new order could be misused and how the bill would prevent frivolous petitions; the sponsor said the same legal process would apply and a victim would still have to prove they were actually assaulted. Representative Eileen Kelly and Lynn Shallet of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence testified in support, saying current law leaves many sexual assault survivors without a meaningful civil remedy unless they qualify for domestic violence or stalking relief. Shallet said the gap has existed for decades and noted that other states already have standalone sexual assault protective orders. She also said the bill would clarify survivors’ rights to know the status and location of their evidence kits. Shauna Foster of New Beginnings Without Violence and Abuse described local cases where survivors were denied protective orders because they lacked the required relationship with the offender, including a co-worker assault and an assault involving an unhoused survivor. Lisa Curtis, a survivor and founder of Safe Haven Ballet, gave emotional testimony in support, describing her own sexual assault and the difficulty of seeking protection and justice. She said survivors need safety to recover and that the bill would better align the justice system with trauma-informed support. Janet Carroll, a sexual assault nurse examiner and advisory board co-chair, testified that the bill’s evidence-kit provisions reflect federal changes and existing tracking practices. She explained that New Hampshire uses a kit tracking system that lets patients and professionals follow kits through the process, and said the bill would codify the right to be informed of a kit’s status and location. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• :01.000><c> um</c><00:49:01.680><c> the</c><00:49:01.880><c> office</c><00:49:02.119><c> of</c><00:49
• so if you<00:49:12.559><c> can</c><00:49:12.760><c> point</c><00:49:13.000><c> that</c><00:49:13.119
• ><c> out</c><00:49:13.520><c> I'm</c><00:49:13.720><c> still</c><00:49:14.200><c> I</c><00:49:14.280>
• 00:49:17.720><c> funded</c><00:49:18.160><c> and</c><00:49:18.280><c> my</c><00:49:18.440><c> office<
• /c><00:49:23.240><c> every</c><00:49:23.400><c> day</c><00:49:23.559><c> huh</c><00:49:23.760><c> I</

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division II committee heard a Department of Education budget presentation from Commissioner Frank Edelblut and CFO Tammy Valen-cour. The department outlined its organizational structure and emphasized that it functions largely as a flow-through agency for school funding. The commissioner reviewed general fund and Education Trust Fund items, including state aid, dropout prevention, special education, building aid, lease aid, charter schools, Education Freedom Accounts, and the district adequacy calculation. He also highlighted the public school infrastructure fund, saying the state has invested well over $50 million in school safety since 2018 for measures such as access controls, locks, and window film, and argued that safety spending should be ongoing rather than reactive. Members asked about the variability in the school infrastructure line, special education aid, and the Discovery Education learning platform. Edelblut explained that some safety funding had come from one-time surplus appropriations rather than the agency line, and said special education aid was underappropriated because districts submitted more invoices than expected; he said the governor added $16 million to address the shortfall. He also described CTE renovation funding, noting four projects were initially proposed but only Jaffrey and Milford were still moving forward, with local votes required and the state covering 75% of costs. He said Milford’s project was omitted from the governor’s budget by oversight. The department also reviewed enrollment trends, noting public school enrollment has fallen from about 230,000 students in 2002 to about 185,000 today. Edelblut clarified that charter students are not eligible for Education Freedom Accounts, while EFA students attending non-public schools are counted as EFA students. He described several one-time surplus-funded initiatives, including Student Clearinghouse, MTSSB work, civics curriculum development, computer science education, and adult education. He also discussed a $4 million CTE tuition and transportation grant, saying it was kept as a competitive grant rather than a formula grant to avoid creating an ongoing maintenance-of-effort commitment that could jeopardize federal Perkins funding. In the final portion, Edelblut identified prioritized needs in the department’s budget, especially funding for a state administrator for assessment to support the legislatively required civics assessment, and additional support for the Discovery Education platform. He said every school in the state is using the platform and cited more than 1.5 million educator engagements, while a member raised concerns about mixed reviews and uneven district awareness of the program. No votes or formal actions were taken during the presentation and question period.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh<00:49:00.000><c> so</c><00:49:00.240><c> you</c><00:49:00.559><c> have</c><00:49:00.880><c> ivormectin
• </c><00:49:27.760><c> uh</c><00:49:28.000><c> those</c><00:49:28.319><c> two</c><00:49:28.559><c> are
• are being monitored<00:49:29.520><c> for</c><00:49:29.680><c> a</c><00:49:29.839><c> period</c><00:49
• ><c> if</c><01:49:12.560><c> it</c><01:49:12.800><c> works</c><01:49:13.040><c> at</c><01:49:13.280><
• :49:14.880><c> stages</c><01:49:15.360><c> of</c><01:49:15.679><c> CO</c><01:49:16.639><c> but</c><01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The New Hampshire House Special Committee on the COVID Response Efficacy met to continue its fact-finding review of the state’s pandemic response, with the chair restating the committee’s mission and focus on federal guidance, federal funding, emergency use authorization vaccination efforts, long COVID, patient rights, and vaccination policies. The chair said the committee had previously reviewed materials about the U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear a COVID vaccine case and CDC internal emails about vaccine risks, and introduced additional research on CDC testing and communications failures. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to summarizing articles and a recent U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations report titled *Unmasked: How Biden Health Officials Purposely Turned a Blind Eye Toward COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Signals*. The chair argued that CDC testing and guidance were flawed, citing delayed data publication, confusing guidance, a faulty early COVID test, missed opportunities to study silent spread, and alleged suppression of safety information. The Senate report was described as alleging that FDA and CDC officials knew their surveillance systems could mask vaccine safety signals, that officials discouraged internal analysis from being shared externally, and that newer analytical methods identified multiple statistically significant adverse-event signals. The chair also discussed the V-safe system, VAERS, and claims that federal officials downplayed or concealed adverse-event data. Members and the chair connected these federal issues to New Hampshire, noting changes in the state’s health care landscape since the pandemic, including more urgent care facilities and satellite ERs. The chair suggested New Hampshire should develop independent scientific assessment resources to validate federal information in future emergencies. Representative Wheeler noted that the materials would be entered into the committee record and made available on the House website. No votes were taken; the committee discussed the materials, invited further questions, and indicated that a proposed committee communication would be revisited later after additional supporting information is gathered, with a goal of issuing a statement by the end of June.

Transcript Highlights:

• That<00:49:01.480><c> is</c><00:49:01.600><c> amazing</c><00:49:02.040><c> amount,</c><00:49:02.440><
• </c><00:49:24.720><c> all</c><00:49:25.200><c> all</c><00:49:25.400><c> for</c><00:49:25.560><c> us</
• ><00:49:30.080><c> got</c><00:49:30.280><c> the</c><00:49:30.359><c> money</c><00:49:30.600><c> to</c
• We<00:49:33.320><c> collect</c><00:49:33.640><c> premium</c><00:49:34.000><c> taxes</c><00:49:34.480>
• ><c> to</c><00:49:57.480><c> go</c><00:49:57.640><c> to</c><00:49:57.760><c> our</c><00:49:57.960><c>

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:03.119><c> is</c><00:49:04.119><c> um</c><00:49:04.280><c> I'm</c><00:49:04.400><c> not</c
• ><c> we</c><00:49:09.319><c> are</c><00:49:09.720><c> a</c><00:49:09.920><c> lapsing</c><00:49:10.359
• 00:49:13.440><c> that</c><00:49:13.599><c> goes</c><00:49:13.839><c> back</c><00:49:14.040><c> into</
• state<00:49:15.240><c> Coffer</c><00:49:15.920><c> so</c><00:49:16.400><c> that's</c><00:49:16.640><
• do</c><00:49:40.119><c> that</c><00:49:40.880><c> no</c><00:49:41.599><c> we</c><00:49:41.760><c> we<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The working session focused on the New Hampshire Prescription Drug Affordability Board’s budget request and its recent work. Early discussion centered on a technical question about a statutory dedicated fund for donations: members asked why the budget did not show a line item for accepting donations, and DHHS CFO Nathan White explained that the statute already authorizes the fund, but because no revenue has been received yet, it does not appear in the budget. He said any future donations would go through the normal process under RSA 14:30-a, with fiscal committee and Governor and Council approval and a memo to the Department of Revenue Administration. The chair clarified that the account was not a prerequisite to soliciting donations, and White said the fund would supplement, not replace, General Fund support. Kirk Williamson, the board’s executive director, then presented the board’s mission and budget. He said the governor’s budget provides about $256,500 in the first year and slightly more in the second, all General Funds, and that the board had distributed a technical amendment to continue the executive director position. He described the board’s role as analyzing prescription drug costs, identifying savings opportunities, monitoring market trends, promoting transparency, and making recommendations to the legislature and public payers. He also emphasized that the board operates publicly, with live-streamed meetings and a stakeholder advisory council that includes unions, state agencies, Medicaid, corrections, higher education, and other stakeholders. A major topic was the board’s estimate of $6 million in potential savings, based on Medicare’s newly negotiated prices for 10 drugs. Williamson explained that the board used those federal negotiated prices as a benchmark to estimate what New Hampshire public payers might be missing by not having similar leverage, and said the board is trying to build evidence for future recommendations rather than directly setting prices. Members asked how those potential savings could become actual savings, and Williamson said the board is sharing findings through its advisory council and feedback loops, though it has not yet sent a formal recommendation letter to specific purchasers. He also discussed the difference between pharmacy-benefit spending, which relies heavily on PBM-negotiated rebates, and medical-benefit spending, which is administered differently and is being added to the board’s next report. Williamson highlighted other work, including a model on Humira and a pending legislative effort to improve biosimilar competition, plus a proposed state-backed pharmacy savings card that would be no cost to the state and could save users about $240 per prescription based on Connecticut’s experience. No votes were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> in</c><00:49:00.319><c> the</c><00:49:00.400><c> house</c><00:49:00.559><c> and</c><00:49:00.720
• Uh moving<00:49:05.119><c> next</c><00:49:05.359><c> to</c><00:49:05.599><c> line</c><00:49:06.200><c
• </c><00:49:07.200><c> Uh</c><00:49:07.520><c> so</c><00:49:07.760><c> this</c><00:49:08.720><c> um</c
• </c><00:49:16.000><c> Uh</c><00:49:16.319><c> this</c><00:49:16.480><c> is</c><00:49:16.559><c> a</c>
• c><00:49:20.160><c> um</c><00:49:20.400><c> is</c><00:49:20.720><c> funded</c><00:49:21.040><c> at</c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :15.160><c> that</c><00:49:15.280><c> are</c><00:49:15.400><c> going</c><00:49:15.480><c> to</c><00:49
• :16.400><c> put</c><00:49:16.559><c> in</c><00:49:16.680><c> a</c><00:49:17.119><c> lawsuit</c><00:49
• we</c><00:49:19.480><c> found</c><00:49:20.040><c> that</c><00:49:21.040><c> it</c><00:49:21.240><c>
• 00:49:29.839><c> class</c><00:49:30.160><c> was</c><00:49:30.359><c> filed</c><00:49:31.240><c> we</c
• > Fanny</c><00:49:33.280><c> May</c><00:49:33.839><c> Freddy</c><00:49:34.200><c> Mack</c><00:49:34.520

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee met on February 12 and heard several bills. HB 97, relating to travel insurance, drew only brief testimony: the Insurance Division stood on written testimony, one industry witness supported the bill and requested a minor amendment, and no one else testified or asked questions. HB 226, relating to window tinting, received support from the Department of Transportation, while the Honolulu Police Department offered comments on the proposed amendments, asking for clearer language on what it means to roll windows down, when the requirement applies, how it handles bad weather, and what sanctions would apply for noncompliance. No further testimony was offered on that measure. The committee also heard HB 1179, relating to rural emergency hospitals. The Department of Human Services stood on written testimony, and Maui Health Systems strongly supported the bill, saying it would help critical access hospitals better serve kūpuna and provide long-term care beds. There were no questions or additional testimony. HB 420, relating to remedies and the contractor repair act, generated extensive and sharply divided testimony. Opponents, including attorneys representing homeowners and AARP Hawaii, argued the bill was anti-consumer, would weaken homeowners’ ability to recover for construction defects, and would shift costs and risk to consumers. Supporters, including builders, realtors, the Chamber of Commerce, and D.R. Horton Hawaii, said the bill would create a more balanced and efficient process, reduce unnecessary litigation, and help builders address legitimate defects more quickly. Testimony on HB 420 focused heavily on whether the contractor repair process and class actions help or hinder repairs. Opponents said the bill would delay or limit homeowner recovery, especially for life and safety defects, while supporters said current class-action litigation can prevent direct communication with homeowners and slow repairs. Committee members asked questions about when communication with homeowners stops and whether repairs could be made before a class is certified. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

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• :27.280><c> we</c><01:49:27.400><c> have</c><01:49:27.560><c> in</c><01:49:27.719><c> place</c><01:49
• </c><01:49:33.560><c> have</c><01:49:34.560><c> um</c><01:49:34.920><c> and</c><01:49:35.080><c> so</
• really<01:49:35.800><c> Envision</c><01:49:36.639><c> um</c><01:49:36.840><c> a</c><01:49:37.000><c>
• 01:49:39.320><c> just</c><01:49:39.520><c> go</c><01:49:39.719><c> through</c><01:49:39.960><c> and</

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed HB 443, which would change terms and vacancy language for members of a higher education commission. Members raised concerns that the bill was too narrow to address broader issues with commission membership, including expired appointments, attendance expectations, and whether the Department of Education could replace the commission’s role. Several members suggested the bill was not ready for action and favored holding it for further work, possibly through a subcommittee or work session. One member suggested that if attendance standards were added, no more than two unexcused absences should trigger removal, given the commission’s meeting schedule. The chair said he would defer action and form a small subcommittee to report back before the committee deadline. The committee then moved to HB 484, dealing with repurposing Career and Technical Education classroom space after 20 years of exclusive use. The chair explained that the bill was aimed at the Milford CTE project, where shared use of space could allow a school to repurpose part of a CTE facility while still using it for CTE-related instruction. Members discussed other possible situations around the state, including Claremont, North Conway, and Jaffrey/Rindge, and whether the bill should be limited to Milford or broadened to allow local districts more flexibility. Some members favored passing the bill now to help CTE projects move forward, while others argued for an amendment removing the requirement that the space be vacated specifically to expand the CTE program occupying it. Testimony and discussion emphasized that the Milford project had state approval but reduced funding, requiring a smaller scope and repurposing of existing space. Supporters said the bill could help preserve CTE programs while also benefiting general education space needs, and that local districts should have flexibility after 20 years. Opponents or cautious members noted that the language might not fit every district situation and asked for feedback from Director Beard and Steve Rothenberg before final action. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, and instead discussed waiting for an amendment and additional input before acting.

Transcript Highlights:

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• <00:49:41.720><c> who's</c><00:49:42.040><c> the</c><00:49:42.600><c> he</c><00:49:42.680><c> was</c>
• He<00:49:48.720><c> said,</c><00:49:48.920><c> "Well,</c><00:49:49.120><c> because</c><00:49:49.440><
• </c><00:49:50.720><c> He</c><00:49:50.800><c> said,</c><00:49:50.960><c> "Where</c><00:49:51.080><c>
• <00:49:51.600><c> He</c><00:49:51.760><c> said,</c><00:49:51.960><c> "Well,</c><00:49:52.400><c> I</c

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; More<00:49:16.880><c> confusing</c><00:49:17.280><c> than</c><00:49:17.520><c> it</c><00:49:
• &gt;&gt; Yeah,<00:49:31.119><c> I</c><00:49:31.280><c> think</c><00:49:31.440><c> we</c><00:49:31.599
• They work really<00:49:37.920><c> hard</c><00:49:38.079><c> and</c><00:49:38.240><c> where</c><00:49:
• ><c> I'm</c><00:49:44.160><c> I'm</c><00:49:44.480><c> going</c><00:49:44.559><c> to</c><00:49:44.720
• ><c> not</c><00:49:54.480><c> he's</c><00:49:55.200><c> he's</c><00:49:55.839><c> traveling</c><00:49

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call and approval of the prior minutes, including a requested correction to Thomas Han’s statement about a Granite State Division of the Society of American Foresters subcommittee studying the timber yield tax and current use forest land tax assessment formula. The correction was adopted, and the minutes were then approved as amended. The main agenda item was a hearing of landowners on forest taxation and carbon credits. Several scheduled speakers canceled, so the committee received a letter from Ross Karen, a Coos County landowner and forester, who opposed carbon credit sales because of “leakage” and argued that diverse local markets and productive forests are better than carbon sales. Aean Kelly of White Mountain Lumber and the Randolph Town Forest also testified, saying many Coos County landowners and forest managers have declined carbon credit offers because they do not fit New Hampshire’s working-forest tradition. He argued that carbon agreements should be treated on a level playing field with traditional harvesting and that, if they are to be encouraged, they should face a fiscal adjustment comparable to the timber tax. Kelly also gave a detailed history of the timber tax, explaining that it was created in 1948 to replace uneven local property taxation on standing timber, discourage clearcutting, and stabilize the tax base while preserving working forests. He said the tax was intended to be collected when timber is harvested, not to stop logging, and that a later commission found the 10% rate roughly matched the revenue towns lost. In response to questions, he said pre-1948 assessments varied widely by town and tax collector, and that carbon projects today are already being valued by sophisticated models, so he believes carbon should be included in the assessment system. He also said short-term carbon agreements may simply monetize existing forest value, while 100-year agreements raise enforceability concerns. No votes or other formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

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• 49:37.440><c> the</c><00:49:37.599><c> agrieve</c><00:49:38.240><c> to</c><00:49:38.400><c> be</c> an
• <00:49:39.359><c> the</c><00:49:39.760><c> governing</c><00:49:40.240><c> board,</c><00:49:41.200><c>
• 00:49:43.119><c> board</c><00:49:43.920><c> to</c><00:49:44.400><c> redress</c><00:49:44.880><c> and<
• <00:49:56.079><c> to</c><00:49:56.240><c> work</c><00:49:56.480><c> out</c><00:49:56.640><c> the</c><

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:49:08.640><c> one</c><00:49:08.880><c> of</c><00:49:08.880><c> the</c><00:49:09.119><c> main</c>
• Uh<00:49:22.880><c> I</c><00:49:23.119><c> think</c><00:49:23.280><c> in</c><00:49:23.440><c> terms</
• c><00:49:23.599><c> of</c><00:49:23.760><c> the</c><00:49:23.920><c> issue</c><00:49:24.240><c> of</c
• </c><00:49:46.640><c> Uh</c><00:49:47.040><c> so</c><00:49:47.760><c> I</c><00:49:48.000><c> agree</c
• nationally<00:49:51.040><c> but</c><00:49:52.000><c> with</c><00:49:52.240><c> each</c><00:49:52.480>

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

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• 10.240><c> their</c><00:49:10.480><c> way</c><00:49:10.559><c> to</c><00:49:10.720><c> the</c><00:49:
• </c><00:49:20.319><c> Is</c><00:49:20.559><c> there</c><00:49:20.800><c> currently</c><00:49:21.119><
• c> this</c><00:49:23.280><c> list</c><00:49:23.599><c> such</c><00:49:23.760><c> as</c><00:49:23.920>
• First of all,<00:49:35.200><c> the</c><00:49:35.440><c> national</c><00:49:35.680><c> list</c><00:49:

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all