Video & Transcript Research : 'explicit content'
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HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TRN Public Hearing - Tue Feb 11, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- It lowers the blood alcohol content threshold for driving under the influence from 0.08 to 0.05 grams
- It lowers the blood alcohol content threshold for driving under the influence from 0.08 to 0.05 grams
- go to HB 1387 relating to use of intoxicants while operating a vehicle, lowering the blood alcohol content
- [No audible content.] [No audible content.] [No audible content.] [No audible content.]
- [No audible content.] Good morning. We're reconvening.
Summary:
The House Transportation Committee met on February 11, 2025, and heard a series of bills focused on transportation funding and roadway safety. HB 1154 would cap Central Services assessments from the state highway, airport, and harbor funds, with a CPI-based process for additional deductions; the Department of Transportation supported it and the Department of Budget and Finance offered comments. HB 1164 would restore highway revenue bond authorization for DOT capital projects, and HB 1286 would prohibit pedestrians from walking along interstate and certain state highways except for authorized duties; both drew DOT support, with Ulupono Initiative and an individual offering comments or support on HB 1286. HB 1162 would require motorcycle instruction permit applicants, beginning July 1, 2026, to complete an approved basic rider course before becoming eligible, and HB 537 would require helmets and chin straps for all operators and passengers of two-wheel motorized vehicles; both had DOT support, with HB 537 also drawing support from AAA Hawaii and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and opposition from one individual.
The committee then took up HB 387, which would expand negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing current law already covers drunk driving and that the proposal would turn alcohol-caused negligence causing injury into a felony; prosecutors from Honolulu and Hawaiʻi counties and DOT supported it, saying serious injuries short of “substantial bodily injury” are not adequately punished and that circuit court would better handle restitution and related proceedings. Members asked about data on cases that might fit the new felony category, and prosecutors said they did not have exact numbers but could try to provide more information.
The committee also heard HB 1084 and the related HB 1387, both of which would lower Hawaiʻi’s per se DUI blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05. Support came from DOT, police departments, the Department of Health, prosecutors, the Governor’s office, MADD Hawaii, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Alcohol Policy Alliance, AAA Hawaii, and the National Transportation Safety Board, all citing research that lower BAC limits reduce impaired driving and fatalities. The Public Defender opposed the change, and some testimony raised concerns about enforcement and the need for an amendment in HB 1084. Several individuals and advocates gave emotional testimony about crashes and losses tied to impaired driving, while supporters emphasized that a 0.05 standard would save lives and would not harm alcohol sales or the tourism economy. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing reflected in the transcript.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill places unprecedented power in the hands of political appointees, stripping faculty, the content
- No one wants to take a class wondering if a politically-driven committee determined the class content
- SB 37's restrictions on the content of history instruction would make it much harder for instructors
- Let's start with political appointees being given control over classroom content and materials and the
- A legislature that would censor course content because it speaks critically about systemic injustices
Bills:
SB 37
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee (4-14-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- over 200 subject matter experts from across the country, including Kentucky, who develop our exam content
- These two exams, across the country, including Kentucky, who develop our exam content.
- over 200 subject matter experts from across the country, including Kentucky, who develop our exam content
- exam review committee which<00:18:12.960>
reviews <00:18:13.360>the <00:18:13.600>content - <00:18:13.919>
and which reviews the content and which reviews the content and methodology
Keywords:
0:22 – Roll Call
0:30 – Approval of minutes
1:04 – Department of Veterans Affairs
2:06 – Board of Pharmacy
3:20 – Board of Optometric Examiners
39:26 – Board of Nursing
40:07 – Board of Emergency Medical Services
41:52 – Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
44:36 – Transportation Cabinet: Department of Vehicle Registration
45:36 – Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
47:00 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services: Department for Medicaid Services
49:59 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services: Department for Community-Based Services, 958, all
Summary:
The subcommittee approved the minutes from the previous meeting and then took up several regulations. The first was a Department of Veterans Affairs regulation, with a staff amendment, to allow nurse practitioners to apply for the Veterans Affairs nurse loan repayment program year-round and to make technical drafting changes. The committee heard from the Office of Kentucky Veteran Centers, then adopted the staff amendment and approved the regulation without objection.
The main item of the meeting was the Board of Optometric Examiners’ proposed amendment to 201 KAR 5:010, which would allow applicants to use the Optometry Examining Board of Canada written exam in place of part one of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry exam for licensure. The board said the change would improve access to care, provide an additional pathway for Canadian-trained candidates, and still require applicants to pass the remaining national board parts. Opponents, including NBEO officials, ARBO, Pearson VUE, and several optometrists, argued the Canadian exam is not equivalent, does not test the same biomedical science content, is not validated for U.S. scope of practice, and raises concerns about test security, transparency, and portability across states. They urged the committee to find the amendment deficient or vote no.
Committee members questioned both sides about prior communication with the board, whether Kentucky would be the first state to adopt such a change, the rationale for the proposal, and the cost difference between the exams. Supporters said the board had received some written comments and one phone call, and that the proposal was driven by access concerns and the presence of Canadian students. Opponents said they had not had direct discussions with the Kentucky board before the hearing. No final vote on the optometry regulation is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee heard extensive testimony and rebuttal before moving on.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Licensing & Administrative Procedures Apr 8th, 2025
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, I think it does. does because obviously if you have a higher alcohol content, you're. going to
- The only difference is the base of the drink, the alcohol content. content is the same.
- In many cases, the alcohol content is lower than some of these drinks that are already sold.
- They will continue to... scan barcodes for mixed beverages of a similar alcohol content to what they
- And the alcohol content at issue here. with these drinks. So talk about marketing to kids.
Bills:
HB679, HB1764, HB1788, HB2186, HB2204, HB2418, HB2885, HB2983, HB2996, HB3250, HB3352, HB3756, HB3816, HB3913, HB3928, HB4077
Keywords:
environment, regulation, land use, public health, community development, alcohol, Sunday sales, local option election, Texas, business hours, alcohol sales, liquor, off-premise consumption, alcoholic beverages, CPA, Certified Public Accountant, licensing, accountancy, state regulation, continuing education
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- And this one we do not yet have been released, though I think we have agreement on the content, so should
- think we have agreement on the content think we have agreement on the content um<00:17:45.760>
- Why don't you maybe we can describe the contents of... Okay. While we're waiting for...
- While we're waiting contents of Okay.
- And we've agreed, if I could describe the contents of the measure.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Artificial intelligence in psychotherapy services 3/18/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The idea is that those transcriptions cannot be, uh, the content quality, like pulling out the important
- The idea is that those transcriptions cannot be, uh, the content quality, like pulling out the important
- The idea is that those transcriptions cannot be, uh, the content quality, like pulling out the important
- The idea is that those transcriptions cannot be, uh, the content quality, like pulling out the important
- The idea is that those transcriptions cannot be, uh, the content quality, like pulling out the important
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EDT-TCA, EDT Public Hearings 04-10-2025
Economic Development and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- And in the course itself, there's maybe, you know, three pages of content that is relevant to timeshare
- And in the course itself, there's maybe, you know, three pages of content that is relevant to timeshare
- And in the course itself, there's maybe, you know, three pages of content that is relevant to timeshare
- And in the course itself, there's maybe, you know, three pages of content that is relevant to timeshare
- And in the course itself, there's maybe, you know, three pages of content that is relevant to timeshare
Summary:
The Senate Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and on Transportation, Culture, and the Arts heard HCR 142, which urges the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Department of Transportation to expand the airport greetings program to display art in all neighbor island airports. Testimony from CARES supported the measure, emphasizing that public art and youth art competitions help educate keiki, strengthen cultural understanding, and support economic development through Hawaii’s creative industries. No one testified in opposition, and members raised no questions.
Both committees recommended passage of HCR 142 unamended. The measure was adopted by voice vote in each committee, with some members excused.
Later, the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard HTR 102, which concerns translating the real estate salesperson exam into Japanese for timeshare-related sales. Supporters, including DBEDT and ARDA Hawaii, argued the change would help Japanese-speaking applicants, improve workforce recruitment, and support Hawaii’s timeshare industry and Japanese visitor market. A representative from APAC Hawaii supported the idea but suggested considering additional languages such as Korean, Chinese, and Filipino. Some senators questioned whether the proposal adequately addressed continuing education and long-term English proficiency, and the Real Estate Commission explained it does not currently issue a limited timeshare salesperson license and that the proposal would not restrict licensees from selling other real estate products.
The committee also heard HCR 156, which asks the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to increase its focus on advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity to support economic diversification, high-wage jobs, innovation, and national security. HTDC and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council supported the resolution, citing the recent federal discontinuation of the local Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, Innovate Hawaii, and the loss of related staff positions as reasons to reinforce state support. Testimony and discussion stressed cybersecurity, supply-chain resilience, automation, and the need to sustain manufacturing momentum in Hawaii. Both HTR 102 and HCR 156 were recommended for passage as is and were adopted by the committee, with some members excused.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Because they're supposed to be measured by the content of their character, not the color of their skin
- Our children are being exposed to radical ideologies, sexualized content, and political agendas in the
- It creates vague and overly broad guidelines that can and will be used to target educators and content
- Even if you look at the health textbooks these days, there's an incredible amount of mental health content
- By banning identity-based content and punishing staff for acknowledging systemic inequalities, SB 12
Keywords:
parental rights, education, social transitioning, diversity, equity, inclusion, school policy, student clubs, residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, school boards, transparency, public meetings, attendance, recording, released time, religious instruction
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And so there's not an explicit requirement for the Texas Education Agency (TEA) other than to make sure
- convening a workgroup of educators and other subject matter experts to make recommendations for the content
- Not, this is not something that we necessarily have explicit authority to monitor.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (01/15/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- [No audible transcript content.] [No audible transcript content.] [No audible transcript content.]
- [No audible transcript content.] [No audible transcript content.] [No audible transcript content.]
- [No audible transcript content.] [No audible transcript content.] [No audible transcript content.]
- [No audible transcript content.] [No audible transcript content.] [No audible transcript content.]
- [No audible transcript content.] [No audible transcript content.] [No audible transcript content.]
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met for its first meeting of the new session with opening remarks, member introductions, and a discussion of committee logistics. Members described their backgrounds and priorities, including criminal justice, right-to-know and privacy issues, domestic violence, death-with-dignity legislation, abortion, firearms, landlord-tenant policy, housing, and technology/privacy concerns. The chair noted there were already 34 bills assigned to the committee and expected more, and said the committee would likely continue to have a heavy workload this session.
The chair also outlined how the committee would operate: meetings would generally be on Wednesdays, with possible Mondays as needed; hearings would not require a quorum, but executive sessions would; and members were asked to provide updated phone numbers and email addresses, especially cell numbers. He explained that the committee would continue its practice of seating members in a mixed partisan arrangement to encourage communication, and that the new clerk had joined the committee.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on procedures for executive sessions and meeting times. The chair said the committee would follow the traditional rule allowing executive sessions on bills heard that day if proper notice was given, but he would avoid taking up controversial matters without full attendance. Members then discussed whether meetings should start at 9, 9:30, or 10 a.m., with concerns raised about long commutes, evening obligations, and winter driving after dark. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the chair indicated he would try to accommodate the committee’s preference while balancing the workload.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Jun 8th, 2026
Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon recently stated that AI apps are using other people's content without
- There is no single fingerprint system or comparable system that can reliably work across every content
- Even if content can be identified, the committee’s analysis itself notes that determining the current
- copyright owner is often difficult, especially for older, licensed, and collaborative works or content
- all these works that has characterized the industry so far in the future, or today whether that's content
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection heard three Assembly bills. AB 412, the AI Copyright Transparency Act by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, would require developers to let copyright holders query whether their works were used to train generative AI systems. Supporters, including voice actors, artists, labor groups, and Professor Ben Zhao, argued the bill is a narrow transparency measure that helps creators protect their rights and that the underlying technology is feasible. Opponents, including business and tech groups, argued the bill goes ahead of unsettled copyright law, is technically difficult to implement at scale, and could burden startups. The author accepted committee amendments narrowing the bill, and the committee voted 6-2 to pass it as amended to the Judiciary Committee.
AB 2448 by Assembly Member Berman would require electronic health record vendors to implement technical safeguards that help providers protect sensitive reproductive and gender-affirming care information. Planned Parenthood affiliates, the Attorney General’s office, and other supporters said the bill clarifies existing law and strengthens patient privacy amid threats to reproductive care access. There was no opposition testimony. The committee voted 7-1 to pass the bill to the Health Committee.
AB 2561 by Assembly Member Valencia would prohibit changes to consumers’ privacy settings without their consent, aiming to prevent apps and software updates from resetting user preferences. CalChamber and TechNet representatives said they now supported the bill after the author accepted their amendments. The committee voted 8-0 to pass AB 2561. The hearing included multiple roll calls as quorum was established and bills were held on call before final votes were taken, and the committee then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 22, 2026 - 10:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- You have HB 491, Faith-Based Content in Batterers Intervention Program. You are recognized, sir.
- It allows but does not require batterer intervention programs to offer voluntary faith-based content
- It's about individuals being able to choose faith-based content if they desire to in the batterers intervention
- Anthony Parduego: Not to allow them to choose faith-based content is actually discriminatory and hostile
- Faith-based content has shown high success rates despite low recidivism success rates and there's no
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 112 May 6th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The amendment protects consumers by ensuring that the bill targets explicit discrimination, not lawful
- 02:31:10.479>
the <02:31:10.640>bill <02:31:10.960>targets <02:31:12.160>explicit - that the bill targets explicit that the bill targets explicit discrimination, discrimination, discrimination
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received several committee reports and conference committee permissions. It also adopted a Senate resolution recognizing the 125th anniversary of Western Colorado University (SR 8) by a 35-0 vote, with remarks highlighting the university’s history, workforce role, mountain rescue team, athletics, and ties to Gunnison and the Western Slope. The resolution was adopted and co-sponsors were added.
The chamber then took up third reading and final passage on several bills. Senate Bill 152, concerning automated vehicle identification systems, was amended on the floor with a technical correction and passed 32-3. House Bill 1322, creating civil actions related to conversion therapy efforts, prompted emotional testimony from Senator Mullica about his mother and passed 23-12. House Bill 1123, addressing sexual abuse prevention in jails, passed 27-8 after a technical amendment. House Bill 1226, reducing emissions from certain electric generating units, passed 22-13. House Bill 1076, modifying transportation statutes, passed 28-0, and House Bill 1207, requiring employer disclosure of demographic workforce data, passed 23-12.
Senate Bill 115, a postconviction relief measure for certain older incarcerated people, was amended and debated at length. Supporters described it as narrowly tailored to a small number of eligible inmates and emphasized victim-rights protections and exclusions for serious offenses; opponents remained opposed. The bill ultimately passed 18-17. The Senate then approved a Committee of the Whole report advancing Senate Bill 181 and several House bills—1338, 1344, 1336 as amended, 1227, 1314, 1028, 1282, and 1317 as amended—to third reading and final passage, and later adopted the consent-calendar bills in special orders without objection.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, February 3, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Congress holds an explicit mandate that's outlined in our Article I responsibilities to appropriate funding
- Congress<00:32:04.960>
holds <00:32:05.600>an <00:32:06.080>explicit <00:32:07.279 - >
mandate Congress holds an explicit mandate Congress holds an explicit mandate that's<00:32:09.039
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Resources, Recreation and Development (04/16/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The law is explicit: it's the natural mean high water.
- The law<00:49:17.119>
is <00:49:17.280>explicit <00:49:17.839>is <00:49:17.920> <00:49:18.079>- the
natural <00:49:18.400>mean <00:49:18.640>high law is explicit - is the natural mean high law is explicit is the natural mean high water.<00:49:19.200>
If <00:
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.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Oversight Commission on Opioid Settlement Funds Mar 19th, 2025
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee BR Sub. on Econ. Dev., Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy (2-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- funds also pay for our international and group sales, trade shows, product development, asset and content
- <00:07:21.400>
and shows product development asset and shows product development asset and content - <00:07:22.080>
creation <00:07:22.960>research <00:07:23.680>and content creation - research and content creation research and fulfillment<00:07:25.039>
it <00:07:25.240>also
Summary:
The committee met for the second Budget Review on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. After a quorum was confirmed, members heard a presentation from Melissa Brewer of the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet, along with Olivia Atkins of Kentucky State Parks and Commissioner Mike Manet of the Kentucky Department of Tourism.
The presentation focused on the state’s 1% tourism meeting and convention marketing fund and the broader role of tourism in Kentucky’s economy. Brewer explained that the fund is used only for marketing and promoting tourism-related activities, cannot be used for capital or construction projects, and must be reported annually to the governor and LRC. She said the Governor’s budget and enacted budget increased appropriations in response to growing transient room tax receipts, adding $3 million in FY 2025 and $7 million in FY 2026, and noted legislative support for the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority, the National Quilt Museum, and the Southern Kentucky Tourism Initiative.
Manet emphasized that tourism marketing drives overnight visitation, local spending, jobs, and economic development, and described the 1% fund as the source for marketing, advertising, website development, public relations, international and group sales, trade shows, research, and regional matching funds. He highlighted efforts to secure media coverage and said the matching funds program distributed $2 million last year to 87 local tourism commissions across the state. No votes or other committee actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Data Practices 1/22/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- report<00:34:26.639>
lists <00:34:26.960>the In addition, the report lists the content - I would also urge that we have coverage of these explicit technologies that are not location-based.
- on court reporting requirements that includes certification and oversight language for AI-assisted content
Summary:
The committee continued its hearing on enforcement and compliance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, first taking additional public testimony from Melissa Zimmerman and Matt Senot of the East Side Corridor residents in Owatonna. They described submitting roughly two dozen data requests across several government entities related to a proposed highway project, saying some agencies responded but others did not, and that even after they substantially prevailed in a data practices complaint and the court imposed a maximum civil penalty, they still did not receive meaningful access to the records. Zimmerman said the lack of access harmed their ability to comment on the project’s environmental review, and both witnesses argued that the law needs stronger enforcement, realistic timelines, better communication, and more accessible remedies for requesters who cannot afford repeated litigation. They also raised practical barriers such as inaccessible file formats, missing software on a county-provided laptop, and the need for electronic delivery options.
The committee then heard from Eric Johnson of Anoka County, who testified about Chapter 13 issues involving third-party polygraph data used in probation monitoring. He argued that when the state relies on third-party-generated summaries, the responsible authority’s obligations for access, retention, and correction are unclear, and there is no effective remedy when the third party does not respond. Johnson said the county directed him to seek raw data from the third party, which had not responded, and he warned that short retention periods can make data subject rights unenforceable if the records are destroyed before a request is resolved. Members asked about statutory citations and retention schedules, and several commented that the issue may warrant review of data-retention rules.
During member discussion, legislators broadly agreed that the Data Practices Act’s enforcement mechanisms are not working well enough and that many requesters cannot afford to pursue administrative or court remedies. Co-Chair Scott suggested staff compile the testimony into a report to identify possible legislative fixes, while Senator Lucero said there may be some “low-hanging fruit” that could be addressed quickly in the short session. The chair also floated the idea of involving the Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution in a mediation role to improve communication and reduce gridlock, though members noted that any process would still need to produce results consistent with the law. The committee then moved on to its next agenda item, a discussion of the BCA Fusion Center and its annual reporting requirements.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/29/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:25:14.960>
experts, <00:25:15.760>with be done with content experts, with be done - with content experts, with teachers,<00:25:16.720>
with <00:25:16.960>stakeholders <00: - We don't necessarily have the content expertise historically to do that.
- We don't necessarily have the content We don't necessarily have the content expertise<00:34:28.480
- on them that internet could have content on them that could<04:16:20.000>
be <04:16:20.080>
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on House Bill 1571, which would direct the Department of Education to review and revise statewide academic standards and curriculum and make an appropriation. Representative Kristen Noble, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to update outdated standards, especially in math, and to have the department create a list of high-quality curriculum and materials aligned to the revised standards. She noted she would likely amend the bill to change a requirement that districts “shall” select from the list to “may,” and said a misplaced crossed-out section would need to be restored and moved by amendment. She also said assessments would need to be updated to match any new standards.
Testimony from Marie Banfield strongly supported the bill and the move away from a mandate, arguing that current standards are outdated and that Common Core and related standards have not improved student outcomes. She criticized the math standards for emphasizing multiple strategies and written explanations over computation, and said stronger standards would better support students, including those with learning or communication challenges. She also argued that New Hampshire should follow examples such as Massachusetts, which she said used rigorous standards successfully.
Nate Green of the Department of Education did not take a position on the bill but explained that the bill would affect statewide academic standards, state assessments, and potentially federal compliance. He distinguished academic standards from minimum standards in statute, said any standards revision would require work with content experts, State Board approval, and then a corresponding assessment update that could take about two years. He estimated assessment development costs could range from about $200,000 to $500,000 for minor revisions and $1 million to $2 million for a wholesale new set of standards. He also said the bill would apply to public and charter public schools, not private or homeschool students, and that the department does not currently provide a statewide list of curriculum materials because curriculum decisions have historically been local.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (05/27/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- if you are directly referencing or linking affirmative action with this statement, if you can be explicit
- whether discrimination can be taught based on what race the discrimination is targeting. if you can be explicit
- here. if you can be explicit here.
Summary:
The committee opened hearings on SB 69, including a germane amendment on school board votes to accept or reject gifts and donations, and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Prime sponsor Rep. Glenn Cordelli said the literacy program was modeled on earlier HB 671, would be funded through gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements to the governor and legislature. Members questioned changes from the earlier bill, including the move away from center-based language, the lack of a dollar threshold for school board action on donations, anonymous gifts, and whether the amendment preserved enough evaluation data.
Testimony on the donation provisions raised concerns about broad language, timing, and public-meeting requirements. Rep. Timothy Han and Becky Wilson of the New Hampshire School Boards Association both noted that school districts already have policies and asked how the bill would work for routine donations, anonymous gifts, and situations that might require non-public discussion under right-to-know law. Wilson cited examples such as field-trip scholarships, backpack drives, and sports uniforms, and said the association was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails. Rep. Han said school boards may need to discuss some gifts in non-public session and that the bill should better address those circumstances.
On the early literacy amendment, Wilson and others questioned whether the program was sufficiently developed, whether it was appropriate to rely on a primarily online model for very young children, and how it would interact with special education services and IEPs. A representative from Waterford.org, Rob Riley, testified in support, saying the program would be supplementary, adaptive, and family-engagement based, and that Waterford could provide devices and internet access for families who need them. He said the program would work alongside school districts and IEP teams rather than replace existing services. No vote was taken during the hearing; the chair said the committee would later exec the bills and try to get reports in for the calendar.