Transcript Highlights:

• They put in a price for it, but they never purchase it, right?
• straight. office and see what's the value of this property and purchase it straight.
• It just allows you to purchase it straight from the municipality. That's what it does.
• Once that has happened, nobody has purchased the property. Let me just inject.
• Kevin Hayes with the Louisiana Land Association, who is present and in opposition.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 1088, which would authorize state and local sales and use tax rebates for certain items used in aerospace facilities and activities. Chairman Bacala, LED Secretary Susan Bouchois, and governor’s office representative Julie Emerson argued the bill would help Louisiana compete with states like Texas and Florida for aerospace and defense investment, build on Michoud’s history, and attract high-paying jobs. Members asked about job growth, the scope of aerospace versus defense, and whether downstream activities like jet fuel production could qualify. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then approved HB 1179, which extends the ad valorem tax exemption for certain manufacturing establishments to aerospace manufacturing establishments, also reporting it favorably without objection. HB 1122, a placeholder bill tied to a future path toward reducing the state income tax rate, was voluntarily deferred by its sponsor after brief explanation. The committee then heard HB 515, which would let political subdivisions sell certain adjudicated properties directly to buyers at appraised value if the property is under $50,000. The sponsor and supporters said the bill was intended to help parishes clear long-vacant blighted properties and return them to commerce and the tax rolls. Members raised concerns about transparency, competition, title issues, and possible conflicts with recent tax-sale reforms. The committee adopted a conceptual amendment requiring the property to have been offered at public auction within the preceding 12 months before an over-the-counter sale could occur, and HB 515 was reported favorably as amended. The committee next considered HB 440, a constitutional amendment allowing parishes to increase the homestead exemption above the current level. The sponsor said the exemption has not been updated since 1980 and argued that raising it would provide relief from rising property taxes, insurance costs, and cost of living pressures. Amendments were adopted requiring parish approval and a local election before implementation, and delaying effectiveness until 2030. Several members and LABI warned the change could shift tax burdens onto businesses and other taxpayers, create parish-by-parish disparities, and affect bond ratings. The committee voted 5-9 against reporting HB 440, and the sponsor voluntarily deferred the companion bill, HB 543. Finally, the committee took up HB 614, presented with help from eighth-grader Elijah Brown as part of a civics competition. The bill would rebate state sales taxes on lodging and meals for utility company workers performing disaster or emergency-related work. After discussion, the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill to water, gas, and electric utilities regulated by the PSC, limited the rebate period to 10 days after a declared disaster, tied eligible lodging and meal costs to federal per diem rates, and capped annual rebates at $55,000. Members asked about administration, eligible workers, and fiscal impact; the Department of Revenue said it could administer the rebate with existing resources. The discussion was ongoing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also explicitly exempts lands falling within defined historic districts.
• It also explicitly exempts lands falling within defined historic districts.
• One of the biggest cost drivers is land, which we've spoken about.
• Minimum lot size can unintentionally but directly limit supply of land.
• It was the land use subcommittee, and that's correct there.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really to purchase the property.
• </c> then stay in the home once they purchase then stay in the home once they purchase it. it. it.
• </c><01:00:20.160><c> or</c> uh facility facilities um purchasing or uh facility facilities um purchasing
• </c><01:36:27.240><c> the</c> opposed to going out and purchasing the opposed to going out and purchasing
• </c> what it did by doing that is those land what it did by doing that is those land owners<03:03:03.160

Transcript Highlights:

• All of those provide incentives to public fleets to purchase vehicles.
• When you have a need for more corn and you don’t have enough land, then you can...
• Pat mentioned land.
• Pat mentioned land.
• What happens when millions of acres of arable land are used to grow crops for biofuel?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy heard testimony on several transportation and clean-fuel bills. Supporters of H. 3535 argued for delaying or pausing enforcement of Massachusetts’ zero-emission vehicle sales mandate, saying the current ACC2 timeline is unrealistic given low ZEV sales, limited charging infrastructure, dealer inventory concerns, and potential economic impacts on dealerships, consumers, and tax revenue. Opponents of that approach, including automakers and clean transportation advocates, said the state should stay on course with electrification and that the mandate is necessary to meet climate goals. The committee also heard support for H. 3570/S. 2326 to update vehicle emission standards for municipal and utility fleets, with municipal utility representatives saying current electric truck technology, charging access, and costs make the rules impractical for critical public services. A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 2246, the Freedom to Move Act, which would require MassDOT and regional planning agencies to set vehicle miles traveled reduction goals and align transportation spending with climate targets. Supporters said the bill would better coordinate transportation planning, encourage transit, biking, and walking, and help Massachusetts meet emissions goals while saving money and improving public health. Some committee members raised concerns that the bill could duplicate existing transportation climate mandates and could disadvantage rural residents who must drive long distances; witnesses responded that the bill is meant to add coordination and flexibility, not impose a one-size-fits-all solution. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3448, which would set deadlines to electrify school buses and public fleets and create programs for private fleet electrification. Advocates said fleet electrification is a practical way to cut emissions, improve air quality, and save money over time, especially for schoolchildren exposed to diesel exhaust. Several witnesses also supported low-carbon fuel standard bills H. 3576 and S. 2251, arguing they would reduce fuel carbon intensity and generate revenue for charging and clean-fuel investments. Others, including a coalition opposed to private jet expansion, objected to the bills’ treatment of sustainable aviation fuel, saying it is not scalable, is expensive, and could create land-use and food-supply tradeoffs. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the hearing excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• , you know, the state has land, the municipalities have land, you know, how do you identify what land
• And I noticed that you mentioned schools have land, cities have land, counties have land, states have
• land.
• Uh, federal land and to be able to use some BLM land. I mean, it's, it's right in our neighborhood.
• Um, when someone uses state land for a housing development, do they own the land or are they're actually

Committee: House Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have a mix of tribal land, allotted land, and fee land, and so what we had to do in order to make
• At the same time, there was this land that became available for purchase.
• So afterwards, we asked them if they would consider purchasing this land.
• So they purchased this land, and then I wrote a proposal in 2020 to regenerate land.
• land.

Committee: Joint Tribal and State Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, it facilitates the arbitration process when someone purchases a new car that turns out to
• As a matter of fact, it's one of the important reasons why a purchase from a dealer gives you an added
• on this bill and am familiar with a situation in his district related to DNR state forest transfer land
• are the lands that the counties gave to the state to manage in trust and then the money goes back like
• a property tax dollar—that this same policy apply to revenue from those lands.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on nine bills. Senate Bill 5872 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive philanthropic donations for ECAP preschool slots; supporters, including DCYF, the governor’s office, and early learning advocates, said it would help expand access to high-quality pre-K with a 10-year Ballmer Group commitment for up to 10,000 new seats annually. Senators asked how the money would flow, and staff and witnesses explained it would be governed by an MOU and deposited annually; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5879 would eliminate two JLARC studies, one on lodging tax reporting and one on training benefits; supporters said the reports were duplicative and burdensome, while the hospitality industry warned against losing transparency, and no action was taken. Senate Bill 6047 would permanently codify various capital budget administration rules, including minor works flexibility and early learning grant changes; testimony focused on technical cleanup and on provisions affecting co-located child care and community projects, with no vote taken. Senate Bill 5988 would authorize the Department of Health to charge fees for accrediting opioid treatment programs, with support from DOH and tribal/nontribal providers who want the state to continue providing the service; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5923 would allow Island Hospital in Skagit County to qualify as a critical access hospital, with local hospital leaders and residents supporting the measure to improve reimbursement and sustain rural care; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5832 would raise the Lemon Law arbitration fee from $3 to $6 to fund the Attorney General’s consumer protection work, and the AG’s office, dealers, and the sponsor said the program is effective and underfunded; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5970 would make permanent the property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizen centers, with AARP supporting the bill as a benefit to seniors and caregivers; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5994 would preserve timber tax distributions for school districts that recently had qualifying levies, and forest industry witnesses supported the bill while suggesting a possible amendment for state forest transfer lands; no vote was taken. Senate Bill 5949 would narrow the B&O tax exemption for insurance-related businesses so it applies only to the entity paying the insurance premiums tax, retroactive to 2019; the Department of Revenue and bill supporters argued it restores tax equity, while insurers, health plans, and business groups opposed it as retroactive, ambiguous, and likely to raise premiums. The committee heard extensive testimony on that bill, but the transcript ends with adjournment and no recorded vote or executive action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, this conference report finally landed where it needed to land.
• It finally landed where it needed to land.
• billing, and all the Senate did was, for DNR, they are limiting them to $10,000 on a credit card purchase
• They are limiting them to $10,000 on a credit card purchase and electronic funds transfers and then trying

Transcript Highlights:

• Flat fees, like I said, about $15 for most, can sometimes exceed the value of the original purchase,
• They just know the total amount that you purchased at Walmart.
• You all have different sales tax levels for various different types of items purchased.
• It moves, and it lands with smaller merchants and it lands on consumers.
• It moves and it lands with smaller merchants and it lands on consumers.

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Business held a public hearing focused on credit card interchange fees, cashless transactions, chargebacks, fraud, and possible reforms affecting small businesses in Massachusetts. Chair Paul Feeney opened the meeting, outlined the commission’s charge, and noted that the hearing would hear from small business owners, industry representatives, and others on the effects of payment trends and proposed policy changes. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that universal card acceptance and the current interchange system are important to Massachusetts tourism and should not be disrupted ahead of a busy summer season. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates, who said processing fees are especially burdensome because restaurants operate on very thin margins and are charged fees on sales tax and tips that are not retained as revenue. Testifiers including Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, and Kerry Colzer described rising operating costs and gave examples of annual or monthly fee totals, urging relief from fees on tax and gratuity amounts. Ryan Lotz also asked for chargeback reforms, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, proportional fees, and safeguards against repeat abuse. Several witnesses, including Dan Swanson, argued that states have authority to regulate aspects of the payment system and cited the Illinois litigation and federal court rulings as support for state action. Opposing testimony came from credit unions, banks, payment industry representatives, and policy groups, who warned that changing interchange rules could create compliance burdens, reduce rewards, raise account fees, and shift costs elsewhere. Witnesses such as Alex Vereen, Brad Popolado, Keely McEwen, David Montero, Hunter Hamburlin, and Luke Bondar emphasized fraud prevention, network security, consumer protections, and the need for a stable, uniform payment system. Some suggested alternatives such as vendor compensation, surcharging, instant payments, or QR pay code standards, while others argued that sales tax and tip amounts cannot easily be separated within current card-network architecture. The chairs said the commission is still exploring options, discussed possible state-level solutions, and announced plans for one more public hearing before moving toward recommendations and a report. The commission then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're one of six regions within the state, the largest land area that we take care of.
• this project, we're talking about the orange area there, which is a river crossing, going over some land
• We have about 180 parcels we need to purchase to go to construction for this corridor.
• addition to the Port Madison Reservation, the Suquamish Tribe maintains roughly 200 acres of trust land
• Paused purchases of new aircraft, put hangar leases on hold, and delayed airport expansion projects.

Bills: HB2495

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: vehicles, streetcar operation, public safety, urban regulation, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• A bill to be entitled an act relating to state land management.
• phosphate mine and also to have B.O.H. conduct a radiation survey on their land.
• , lease purchases, and leases.
• I don't practice land use, but I'm happy to talk to a land use attorney who could tell me if the language
• I don't practice land use, but I'm happy to talk to a land use attorney who could tell me if the language

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up SB 200/HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, which directs DEP to develop a statewide recycling strategy by 2026 with stakeholder input and a three-year implementation roadmap; the House bill was substituted and passed 38-0. Senators then approved CS/CS/SB 492 on mitigation banking and land development after adopting two McLean amendments, including one on out-of-service credits and another incorporating phosphate mining lands provisions; the bill passed 35-3 after debate over possible constitutional issues. CS/SB 494 on aggravated animal cruelty was also amended and substituted with the House companion to add a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers and a sentencing multiplier, with an agriculture-related exemption; it passed 37-0. The Senate next passed CS/CS/SB 500/HB 711 creating the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, including training and coordinated alert procedures, with a House amendment to align implementation timing and funding; it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 524/HB 1089 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening tests and passed 36-0. CS/CS/SB 592/HB 393 revised the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program by lowering approval thresholds, clarifying eligibility and ownership issues, and adding sliding-door wind-driven rain mitigation devices; it passed 37-0 after discussion about funding and insurance premium credits. CS/SB 742/HB 1145 on workforce education allowed charter schools direct access to grant funding and expanded money-back guarantees for certain programs, and it passed 37-0. CS/CS/SB 822/HB 443 on charter schools generated extensive debate and multiple amendments, including a Jones amendment requiring parent acknowledgment of school rules; the bill would expand charter autonomy, reporting flexibility, enrollment capacity, and governance provisions, and it was placed on the calendar for third reading after the amendment process. Later, the Senate passed HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, which would examine job displacement, wages, vulnerable regions, and training needs, by a 35-0 vote. It also passed CS/CS/SB 964/HB 181 on parole guidelines, CS/SB 976/HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, and CS/SB 1084/HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment and digitally forged intimate images, all unanimously. CS/CS/SB 1156 on a Home Health Aid for Medically Fragile Children Program was amended to clarify training requirements and passed 37-0 after supportive debate about helping parents care for medically fragile children. Finally, CS/CS/CS/SB 1240/HB 1091 on substance abuse and mental health care was amended to allow designated facilities to retain certain stabilized patients during the 72-hour involuntary examination period and passed 37-0. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, and the chamber also recognized guests and interns throughout the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:27:50.080><c> agreements</c> hp420 would upend purchase agreements hp420 would upend purchase
• Uiro said housing starts are low because of high land costs and a limited amount of land zoned for housing
• Uiro said housing starts are low because of high land costs and a limited amount of land zoned for housing
• </c> starts are low because of high land starts are low because of high land costs<00:39:31.280><c> and
• </c> contact any of your um home purchasers contact any of your um home purchasers once<00:44:32.599>

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

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:

• You'll see on your desks today a big brown box, a Land of Enchantment awaits.
• pursuant to Article 4, Section 5(B)(1), ordered printed, and referred to the House Rural Development, Land
• House Bill 168 was referred to the House Rural Development, Land Grants, and Cultural Affairs Committee
• to the House Government Elections and Indian Affairs Committee, then the House Rural Development, Land
• It should actually be the other way around: referred first to the House Rural Development, Land Grants

Transcript Highlights:

• IT JUST AN IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER TO NOTES, WE DON'T DO EVERYTHING RIGHT SO WE ARE THE BACK, A LOT OF LAND
• OVER 21,000 FAMILIES TO PURCHASE THEIR FIRST HOME AND THEN YOU WILL SEE THE TOP NUMBER, THE 331 MILLION
• RENTAL AND HOMEOWNERSHIP, FOR EXAMPLE REHABILITATION OR PURCHASE EXISTENCE.
• FOR MAXIMIZING LAND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY THROUGH MIXED-USE PROJECTS ONE EXAMPLE IS TO INTEGRATE ESSENTIAL
• THOSE INCLUDED THE COST OF LAND AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, LOCAL OPPOSITION TO DEVELOPMENT AND LACK

Transcript Highlights:

• People have great land in between all the beautiful land, but where there's a source of energy, there
• It's productive land.
• loss of productive land.
• We could have taken the money and run, but we have purchased additional land and now we operate. 800
• Enel doesn't just have it leased for solar production; Enel has taken options to purchase the land and

Bills: SB458 , SB819 , SB1238 , SB1642 , SB1643 , SB1644 , SB1791 , SB1810 , SB1824 , SB1825 , SB758 , SB1455 , SB1706

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• them in a court's... ...of laws and regulations that could land them in a court system charged with
• They purchased their aluminum we use from post-aluminum based out of the Portland area.
• They test everything and use a max lead level of 50 parts per million, and they purchase.
• They purchased their aluminum we use from post-aluminum based out of Portland area.
• They test everything and use a max lead level of 50 parts per million and they purchase.

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• There were some situations in Washington State where folks who had purchased bad insurance for a number
• Speaker, I don't like permits to purchase firearms. However, Mr.
• Speaker, although the permit to purchase, I believe, does restrain Mr.
• It allows land to be permitted on septic systems in addition to just sewers, and it's important that
• we incentivize more housing growth inside of land.

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1002 , HB1065 , HB1155 , HB1916 , HB2264 , HB1078 , HB1687 , HB1701 , HB1717 , HB1795 , HB1859 , HB2088 , HB2091 , HB2107 , HB2109 , HB2110 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2133 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2151 , HB2152 , HB2155 , HB2165 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2211 , HB2219 , HB2228 , HB2229 , HB2230 , HB2235 , HB2238 , HB2242 , HB2245 , HB2249 , HB2253 , HB2254 , HB2269 , HB2272 , HB2283 , HB2304 , HB2317 , HB2340 , HB2343 , HB2385 , HB2406 , HB2417 , HB2426 , HB2445 , HB2452 , HB2472 , HB2492 , HB2501 , HB2531 , HB2574 , HB2606 , HB2664

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House considered and passed a series of bills on topics including public employee bargaining communication, condominium and middle-housing development, building code changes for scissor stairs, substance use disorder monitoring for nursing assistants, pet insurance continuity, liquor licensing flexibility, voter registration challenges, concealed pistol license records exemptions, social housing public development authorities, services for people with developmental disabilities, rent increase notices, and unlawful detainer notices. Members repeatedly described the housing bills as efforts to increase supply, improve affordability, and fix prior statutory problems, while the health-related bills were framed as improving patient comfort, provider flexibility, or workforce consistency. Several measures were advanced without amendment, while others were substituted with committee recommendations before final passage. The most debated item was Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1916 on voter registration challenges. Supporters said it would curb mass or frivolous challenges, protect voters, and give election officials clearer standards and more accountability. Opponents argued it would make legitimate voter challenges harder, reduce citizen oversight of voter rolls, and weaken election integrity. Multiple amendments were offered to reduce penalties from felony to gross misdemeanor, allow electronic challenges, remove county-residency limits, and strike sections of the bill; most were rejected, though one amendment removing the same-county requirement was adopted. The bill ultimately passed after a divided vote. Other notable debate included House Bill 2152, which would allow terminally ill patients in hospitals and similar facilities to use medical cannabis; supporters emphasized dignity and comfort at end of life, while one opponent worried about added burdens on rural hospitals. House Bill 2235, concerning Public Records Act exemptions tied to concealed pistol license records and a permit-to-purchase framework, passed with strong support. House Bill 1687 on social housing public development authorities passed after an amendment restored city council involvement in housing cooperation decisions, while House Bill 2249, relating to Washington Technical employees and civil service treatment, passed with a larger number of nays. The House then placed additional bills on second reading and adjourned until the next legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> forth to redo our entire you know land forth to redo our entire you know land use<00:27:02.480><
• </c><00:56:52.839><c> that</c> for either rent or to purchase that for either rent or to purchase that
• He then urged incentives for land development, including development of underutilized land and repurposing
• available, highest and best use of land available in a community.
• </c><01:41:19.560><c> a</c> for young families to purch purchase a for young families to purch purchase

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So that would, it would not qualify for conservation land. It would have to be new land.
• It could be working land, which is great. We need working land.
• But that's different from what It could be working land, which is great. We need working land.
• They landed on my desk.
• They landed on my desk.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• area the coastal 95% of the uh the land area the coastal land<01:30:50.520><c> area</c><01:30:50.920
• </c><01:31:17.960><c> the</c> not only in uh in purchasing the not only in uh in purchasing the properties
• </c> residential but any conservation land residential but any conservation land would<03:41:28.960><
• You'd be dragging it through a lot of land. And this land is open for the public.
• </c> by the sponsor where uh open space lands by the sponsor where uh open space lands with<04:25:08.640

Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.