Transcript Highlights:

• 11:17.279> it<00:11:17.519> at<00:11:17.839> as<00:11:18.279> short break
• /c><00:11:19.040> as<00:11:19.480> possible<00:11:20.480> and<00:11:20.959> uh
• <00:11:23.800> to<00:11:23.959> stop<00:11:24.200> snowing<00:11:24.639>
• > we'll<00:11:26.079> see<00:11:26.320> how<00:11:26.519> accurate<00:11:
• <00:11:48.800> parall<00:11:49.360> and Dy<00:11:53.040> there<00:11:53.320>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And<00:11:02.560> three,<00:11:03.040> establish<00:11:03.600> and<00:11:03.839>
• within and outside<00:11:12.160> the<00:11:12.480> state<00:11:12.640> of<00:11
• I believe<00:11:19.040> you<00:11:19.279> may<00:11:19.440> also<00:11:19.680><
• I<00:11:27.279> submitted<00:11:27.680> my<00:11:27.920> written<00:11:28.240>
• OCS<00:11:35.760> presented<00:11:36.160> the<00:11:36.399> CSBG<00:11:37.200>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: A joint informational briefing of the House Committee on Labor and the Senate Committee on Labor and Technology was held on August 19, 2025, to hear testimony on the Office of Community Services’ proposed Community Services Block Grant state plan for federal fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Ray Domingo of OCS explained that the plan is intended to maintain federal CSBG funding and focuses on compliance monitoring, coordination among community action agencies and state agencies, and strengthening partnerships. He also reviewed the program structure, noting that Hawaii’s four CAAs serve low-income residents, that the state must pass through at least 90% of the grant to CAAs, and that Hawaii received about $3.8 million in FFY 2025, with allocations to HCAP, Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council, Kauai Economic Opportunity, and Maui Economic Opportunity. He said statewide CAAs reported serving 40,980 individuals in FFY 2024. Representatives from each CAA testified in support of the plan and described how CSBG functions as flexible “glue” funding that supports overhead, fills gaps, and helps leverage other public and private resources. HCAP’s Robert Piper said the grant helps sustain its broad service network, including Head Start, job training, weatherization, shelter, food assistance, and energy programs, and emphasized its tripartite board structure and annual service to about 20,000 people. Hawaii County’s Chad Hosigal highlighted support for senior farmers market coupons, Meals on Wheels, and transportation services. Kauai Economic Opportunity’s Mabel Fujiuchi said the agency fully supports the plan and described CSBG as nucleus funding that helps support shelter, Meals on Wheels, weatherization, mediation, and other services, including assistance for homeless families and special needs items such as dentures and hearing aids. Maui Economic Opportunity’s Gay Sabonga described CSBG’s role in disaster response after the 2023 wildfires, including shelter transitions, document recovery, housing and utility assistance, bridge grants for small businesses, youth prevention programs, and employment services. Committee members asked about the stability of future federal funding, the frequency of federal assessments, and how satisfaction scores in the state plan were measured. OCS said federal funding information has been mixed and uncertain, that communication with federal partners has been limited and informal, and that the federal assessment website appears outdated; staff said assessments are done every two years. On the satisfaction metric, OCS said the score was 92 out of 100 and believed it reflected participant responses, though they offered to follow up with more detail. No votes or formal actions were taken at the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:03.839> our<00:11:03.960> plan<00:11:04.440> to<00:11:04.560> get<
• Cuz<00:11:06.000> once<00:11:06.280> I<00:11:06.480> lived<00:11:06.760> here
• ,<00:11:07.360> I<00:11:07.480> knew<00:11:07.680> that<00:11:07.839> I
• came<00:11:14.040> back<00:11:14.440> and<00:11:14.560> we<00:11:14.640>
• <00:11:15.720> And<00:11:15.920> why<00:11:16.280> is<00:11:16.560> that?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um<00:11:05.120> relative<00:11:05.600> to<00:11:05.839> the<00:11:06.079><
• <00:11:07.360> the<00:11:07.600> welfare<00:11:08.079> of<00:11:08.320> a
• <00:11:20.880> in<00:11:21.120> another<00:11:21.519> committee<00:11:21.920>
• at the moment.<00:11:23.360> So,<00:11:24.480> if<00:11:25.600> the<00:11:25.920
• <00:11:27.920> ask<00:11:28.720> um<00:11:29.279> the<00:11:29.600> chair

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:02.600> to<00:11:03.360> that<00:11:03.519> review<00:11:04.279> other
• <00:11:22.600> Medicaid<00:11:23.279> Medicare<00:11:23.720> or<00:11:23.880
• 00:11:34.320> may<00:11:34.519> not<00:11:34.760> be<00:11:35.519> the<00
• > if<00:11:36.959> it<00:11:37.120> is<00:11:37.440> they<00:11:37.560>
• thank you<00:11:44.320> um<00:11:45.320> so<00:11:45.720> the<00:11:46.000>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division III held an informational hearing on Medicaid, Medicare, Choices for Independence, and related financing, while postponing nursing facility financing and the county cap discussion to a later date. DHHS officials Ann Landry, Jonathan Ballard, and Medicaid Director Henry Litman provided an overview of Medicaid’s role, noting it is a federal-state partnership with state-specific eligibility and benefits, and emphasizing that Medicaid is a major funding and programmatic support for other DHHS initiatives. They also distinguished Medicaid from Medicare and explained that Medicaid funding is not the same as grant funding, though some providers may also receive federal grants through other channels. The presentation focused on New Hampshire’s relatively small Medicaid program and why it differs from national averages. Officials said about 184,000 residents are covered, roughly one in seven Granite Staters compared with one in five nationally, and attributed the difference largely to the state’s higher per-capita income and older population. They highlighted that about 65% of Medicaid-enrolled adults in New Hampshire are working, that only 22% of births are covered by Medicaid versus 42% nationally, and that the state’s uninsured rate is lower than the national rate. Members asked about covered services, income limits, federal matching rates, and the names of optional eligibility groups; staff explained that New Hampshire offers the optional groups discussed, with matching rates varying by category, including 90% for Granite Advantage and certain other groups, and 65% for children above the required level. A substantial portion of the hearing covered eligibility rules and recent policy changes. Officials reviewed the history of Medicaid, including HCBS waivers, the CFI program, Katie Beckett, the Olmstead decision, the ACA, and the end of continuous enrollment after the public health emergency. They also discussed the 2023 legislative expansion of postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months and child eligibility changes. In response to questions, DHHS said it is tracking utilization and costs for the postpartum expansion and reported that many maternal deaths occur after the prior 60-day coverage period, often involving substance use disorder or suicide; they said the longer coverage is intended to improve access to treatment and prevention. The committee also walked through household-income examples, clarified that Medicaid eligibility is based on household income and categorical rules, and confirmed that Granite Advantage ends at 138% of the federal poverty level unless another categorical basis applies. No votes were taken, and the hearing remained informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Thank<00:11:03.320> you,<00:11:03.440> Madam<00:11:03.839> Speaker.
• <00:11:10.680> Finance<00:11:11.080> and<00:11:11.200> Policy<00:11:11.640> and
• >> Duran<00:11:34.240> moves<00:11:34.520> that<00:11:34.640> House<00:11:
• :11:37.400> from<00:11:37.560> the<00:11:37.680> Committee<00:11:38.040> on
• Finance,<00:11:39.440> and<00:11:39.600> Policy,<00:11:40.560> and<00:11:40.680

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think<00:11:02.079> there's<00:11:02.240> a<00:11:02.399> very<00:11:02.560
• :11:03.440> you<00:11:03.600> would<00:11:03.680> not<00:11:03.839> be<00
• > by<00:11:05.120> the<00:11:05.279> state<00:11:05.360> of<00:11:05.519>
• <00:11:19.760> you<00:11:19.920> want<00:11:20.000> to<00:11:20.160> do.
• ><00:11:37.760> a<00:11:37.920> defense<00:11:38.160> to<00:11:38.320> that.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.080> want<00:11:00.240> to<00:11:00.360> look<00:11:00.600> at<00:11:
• 00.720> in<00:11:00.760> this<00:11:00.960> way,<00:11:01.440> but<00:11:
• Um<00:11:28.480> that's<00:11:28.760> that's<00:11:28.960> been<00:11:29.120>
• frustration<00:11:30.400> is<00:11:30.640> is<00:11:31.200> in<00:11:31.520>
• <00:11:32.960> we're<00:11:33.120> not<00:11:33.480> doing<00:11:33.760> so

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee heard from Superintendent Megan Degenfelder on several interim topics centered on student-centered learning. She highlighted work-based learning and dual/concurrent enrollment, saying the state is updating accountability measures and should examine whether these programs are helping students progress, avoid duplicative costs, and reduce the need for remedial college coursework. She also discussed broader life-skills education, including financial literacy and soft skills, and said districts vary widely in what they offer. On gifted and talented programs, she noted that districts are statutorily required to provide them but the state does not have a clear picture of how consistently they are implemented, and she suggested the committee may want to study that area further. Members asked follow-up questions about whether dual enrollment should be evaluated only by time-to-degree, and Degenfelder said the analysis should also consider additional credentials and remedial coursework. Senator Schuler and others raised the idea of making financial literacy or other life-skills content more common, though Degenfelder said she did not favor a statewide mandate and instead preferred incentives and district-level implementation. The committee also discussed artificial intelligence in schools as an information-sharing topic, with Degenfelder saying the department is beginning a landscape analysis with districts and teachers. She then reviewed NAEP results, noting Wyoming performs strongly in fourth grade but drops sharply by eighth grade, and said the state wants to understand where students are falling off. Members also raised concerns about international comparisons and the need to improve literacy and math outcomes. The committee then moved to member-submitted topics. Representative Strock proposed reviewing the governance structure of state education, arguing that the current split among the Department of Education, State Board of Education, and other boards creates inefficiency and confusion, especially for licensure and programs like CTE. Senator Scott noted that turnover in the superintendent’s office could be a practical issue in any restructuring, and Strock responded that administrative staff could handle day-to-day operations. Representative Williams then introduced a discussion of common core standards and literacy, arguing that standards may be too broad and not specific enough, especially in early grades, and that Wyoming should emphasize phonics, basic reading, math, and civics more directly. Representative Guggenmos agreed that narrowing early-grade focus to math and literacy could improve outcomes. Finally, Representative Williams raised virtual education, saying it is growing quickly and the committee should study funding, accountability, and student support more closely; the chair opened that topic for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rule 45, the<00:11:03.519> meetings<00:11:03.760> of<00:11:04.000> committees.
• We are striking<00:11:05.360> the<00:11:05.680> COVID<00:11:06.240> era<00:11:06.480
• era paragraph that allows<00:11:07.839> members<00:11:08.240> to<00:11:08.399> vote
• Rule<00:11:11.279> 55,<00:11:12.000> printing<00:11:12.320> of<00:11:12.480>
• So there are<00:11:49.920> not<00:11:50.160> any<00:11:50.560> general<00:11:51.120

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Senate convened for the opening of the 2026 regular session with an invocation and pledge, then administered the oath of office to Senator-elect Gary Clemens of Jefferson 37. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 1, establishing the 2026 Senate membership, and declared a quorum present with 36 members. The absent senators were excused, and the journal from March 28, 2025 was approved. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 2, which set the rules of procedure for the 2026 session. The rule changes included moving certain resolutions and announcements, removing the 12-member limit on standing committees, shifting administrative regulation jurisdiction, eliminating hard-copy posting and bill-printing requirements in favor of electronic versions, allowing same-day action on conference reports, striking COVID-era remote voting language, tightening floor privilege and lobbying access rules for the temporary chambers, and repealing vote-pairing language. Democratic leadership also reported a change in majority whip, naming the senator from Jefferson 19 after the former whip resigned. The clerk reported a large number of newly filed measures, including memorial resolutions, policy resolutions, and bills on topics such as safe room rebates, trauma center coverage, planning commission membership, paid maternity leave for state employees, veterans benefits, wages, CASA, podiatry, mushrooms, motor vehicle operation, schools, city government, music therapy, dual credit scholarships, geoengineering, educational discrimination, cremation, solid waste, motor vehicle commission, economic infrastructure, recovery residences, property transfer at death, oaths, and an Article V convention term-limits resolution. Senate Resolution 3, inviting Frankfurt-area pastors to open sessions with prayer, was adopted. Members also announced an ethics training for the next day and a reception for Senator Clemens. The Senate then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting date announced by the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• be<00:11:05.320> allowed<00:11:06.279> leeway<00:11:07.279> we<00:11:07.399
• what<00:11:23.040> problems<00:11:23.399> are<00:11:23.600> solved<00:11:23.959
• one as<00:11:28.079> judges<00:11:28.399> and<00:11:28.639> family<00:11:28.959
• > before<00:11:34.600> a<00:11:34.720> mediator<00:11:35.279> with<00:11:
• > such<00:11:53.399> mediators<00:11:54.360> have<00:11:55.360> and<00:11

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee on the Children and Family Law Committee met organizationally to continue work on family court issues, building on a prior special committee’s report and taking a collaborative approach with the Judiciary. The chair said the group would focus on solutions rather than rehashing public complaints, and identified three main topics for early study: specialization and training of family court judges, the extent to which judges should be bound by the rules of evidence, and whether mediation in family cases should be mandatory or voluntary and what qualifications mediators should have. A fourth concern was also raised about overlap between superior court domestic violence cases and family court custody/support matters, and whether one judge should hear both. Members discussed whether to divide into smaller subcommittees, but the prevailing view was to work as a committee of the whole at first. Most members agreed that additional public testimony was unlikely to add much, though recent concerns could still be emailed to the committee. The committee then heard from Attorney Erin Krian, general counsel for the judicial branch, and Judge Michael Mace. Krian said the judicial branch could provide additional witnesses on mediation and judicial training, including Judge Kissinger, and noted the branch was preparing materials on how other states handle the issues. Mace described the history of the Family Division and said he had reviewed older reports going back to the 1990s. He also outlined current judicial branch efforts, including expanded shadowing for new judges, monthly family-law trainings, and a year-long focus on family law topics. He reported that court rules had been updated to clarify notice requirements for minor guardianship changes, and that the branch had received positive feedback on the family access motion, which provides a statutory timeline and listed remedies for parenting-time disputes. Members also discussed prior committee work on rules of evidence and family court procedures. One member recalled recommending quiet review of any judges who appeared to apply evidence rules inconsistently, and Krian said the administrative judge can review complaints even if they come from a single person. The committee also received a status update on prior initiatives, including a federal grant for guardian ad litem services for indigent litigants in four locations, testing of redesigned court forms, and continued training improvements. The chair scheduled the next subcommittee meeting for April 1 and the full Children and Family Law Committee for April 8, with further documents from committee research and NCSL to be circulated.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:11:03.360> briefly,<00:11:03.839> is<00:11:04.000> there<00:11:04.240><
• Chairman.<00:11:08.560> No,<00:11:08.800> I<00:11:08.959> agree<00:11:09.200>
• <00:11:10.880> I<00:11:11.120> think<00:11:11.200> they<00:11:11.680> the
• > um<00:11:29.279> it's<00:11:29.600> just<00:11:29.839> we<00:11:30.160>
• Um Uh<00:11:35.839> but<00:11:36.279> it<00:11:37.279> obviously<00:11:37.839>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed HB 771, the open enrollment bill, which had returned from the Senate with language clarifying that districts should list both tuition expenses and offsetting revenue estimates from sending districts. The chair and Representative McGuire supported concurring with the Senate changes, while Representative Luno raised broader concerns about the bill’s structure and equity, arguing that tuition based on 80% of the sending district’s average cost could be unfair and could create problems for receiving districts with different cost structures. After a show of hands, the committee voted to concur and send that recommendation to the House floor, with Luno indicating he would speak against it there. The committee then took up SB 9 in executive session. An amendment, 1920H, was offered to clarify that the tuition calculation should use the sending district’s average cost and to support access to CTE programs, including allowing students to take academic courses at the receiving school and, in some cases, attend the nearest CTE center. Supporters said the bill would help more students participate in career and technical education and noted bipartisan sponsorship in the Senate. Opponents argued the amendment would increase district costs, strain property taxpayers, and could reduce CTE participation or create logistical problems. The committee adopted the amendment 10-8, then voted 10-8 to recommend OTPA as amended; Representative Lad was assigned the majority report and Representative Luno the minority ITL report. After closing the SB 9 executive session, the chair reminded members that committee reports were due immediately and announced retained-bill subcommittees. One subcommittee will address adequacy and school funding issues arising from HB 651, HB 772, HB 491, and HB 434, chaired by Representative Spillsbury. Another will address school building aid issues from HB 295 and HB 366, including whether to keep the current formula or revise it, and how to handle renovations, new construction, and lease arrangements.

Transcript Highlights:

• > but<00:11:26.000> as<00:11:26.079> you<00:11:26.200> know<00:11:26.399>
• > um<00:11:37.360> around<00:11:37.560> a<00:11:37.720> bill<00:11:38.040
• ><00:11:39.600> into<00:11:39.880> Data<00:11:40.160> a<00:11:40.279> lot
• ><00:11:50.120> no<00:11:50.320> data<00:11:50.639> to<00:11:50.800> dig<
• chair<00:11:53.279> I<00:11:53.519> think<00:11:53.680> if<00:11:53.800>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.159> um<01:11:00.320> I<01:11:00.560> think<01:11:00.640> what<01:11:
• We've<01:11:02.880> negotiated<01:11:03.360> with<01:11:03.520> the<01:11:03.679
• <01:11:07.840> We<01:11:08.400> probably,<01:11:09.040> as<01:11:09.280>
• for<01:11:10.960> a<01:11:11.120> while<01:11:11.360> know,<01:11:12.000>
• 11:17.360> in<01:11:17.600> this<01:11:17.760> and<01:11:18.000> what say

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 12 March, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee began by noting the plan to suspend the rules later that afternoon so several measures could be taken up on the floor, including bills that may be on final passage or contain reverse repealers. Members were reminded to clearly identify which bills were final passage measures so the chamber would know it might be the last opportunity to vote on them. The committee then moved through a series of appropriations bills. In the education and judicial budgets, Senator DeBar explained House Bills 1928, 1933, 1935, 1936, and 1937, covering the legislative operations budget, DFA buildings reappropriations, K-12 education, MPB, and the library commission. He described increases for teacher pay, special education supplements, testing contracts, ELC coaches, financial literacy, ESA funding, and other adjustments, along with reductions in some areas and a decline in student enrollment affecting the funding formula. The bills were adopted by title sufficient, do pass, with strike-all motions where applicable. Senator Wiggins presented House Bills 1924, 1926, 1927, 1930, and 1931, covering the Attorney General, Capital Postconviction Council, district attorneys and staff, the Office of State Public Defender, and the Supreme Court/AOC budget. He highlighted salary increases for agency attorneys, human trafficking funding, new district attorney positions from judicial redistricting, public defender support for family defenders and the rural legal services pilot, and major court-system items such as judicial salary increases, youth court intake, CCID courts, and the MyCIDS replacement system. Questions focused on the meaning of personal services, vacancy funding, and possible use of opioid settlement funds for AOC; the committee was told those issues could be handled through the reverse repealer or other vehicles. The bills were advanced, with the committee noting which ones contained reverse repealers and which were final action. Subcommittee 5 and 6 then handled human services, health, licensing, and transportation-related measures. House Bills 1906, 1909, 1912, and 1921 covered Child Protective Services, Human Services, Medicaid, and Rehabilitation Services, with explanations for new attorney positions, salary and vacancy funding, SNAP administration, Medicaid agency funding, and restoring positions in rehab services. House Bill 1908 for the Department of Health added money for Jackson water litigation and public health priorities such as obesity management, remote monitoring, cancer screenings, and maternal-infant health. House Bills 1913, 1914, 1915, 1917, and 1918 were taken up together for licensing boards, with most changes described as cloud services, PIN restoration, or vacancy funding; only the Board of Medical Licensure bill had a reverse repealer. Finally, Senator Thompson handled special fund and transportation bills, including the Port Authority, waterway and river districts, Yellow Creek, and MDOT. He noted overtime concerns at the Port Authority, special-fund increases for contractual services and capital improvements at the water districts, and MDOT increases for salaries, commodities, equipment, and the three-year highway plan. Senator Wiggins raised a question about utility relocation costs in transportation projects, saying some municipalities were being told to pay those costs themselves; Senator Thompson said he would follow up with MDOT.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:11:04.519> looking<00:11:04.839> at<00:11:05.600> um<00:11:06.600> a
• <00:11:24.800> at<00:11:25.440> um<00:11:26.440> things<00:11:26.720> such
• <00:11:49.720> emotional<00:11:50.279> harm<00:11:51.079> as<00:11:51.160> a<
• c> well<00:11:58.760> as<00:11:58.920> the<00:11:59.279> impact<00:11:59.560
• ><01:11:08.760> the<01:11:08.880> 3D<01:11:09.159> at<01:11:09.320> 11<01

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met on House Bill 553, which concerns the definitions of child abuse and neglect in RSA 169-C, including psychological maltreatment and the rebuttable presumption of harm. The chair and members emphasized that the bill is intended to clarify definitions rather than create punishments, and they discussed concerns that had arisen after the bill’s earlier drafting. Representative Eimon stated his view that the bill is constitutional, citing case law, and members noted that amendment 114 would restore language refined by the prior study committee and address trauma-informed wording, especially around substance use disorder and newborns. A major portion of the discussion focused on whether the bill could be read to treat ordinary parental discipline or disagreements with a child—such as grounding, taking away car keys or a phone, or refusing gender-affirming care—as abuse or neglect. DCF Deputy Director Jen Ross explained that screeners look at the nature of the allegation and whether the parent’s conduct is likely to cause serious psychological or emotional harm; she said routine discipline or prudent parenting would not be screened in, while persistent ridiculing, terrorizing, bullying, isolating, threats, or similar conduct could qualify. She also said that denial of gender-affirming care, by itself, would not be treated as neglect, but the agency would consider the full context and any resulting harm or need for mental health care. DCF General Counsel Susan Larby added that the legislature’s earlier definition of psychological maltreatment and related policy already focus on pervasive emotionally abusive behavior, and that the bill is meant to make the statute more understandable and transparent, not to change the core neglect standard. She and other speakers said the goal is to identify serious harm and provide services, not to remove children for ordinary parental decisions. Lisa Massio of the Office of the Child Advocate said the bill and related placement language are intended to preserve family unity and fill gaps where courts have interpreted neglect too narrowly or inconsistently. Members also discussed a proposed concise analysis from Representative Maral and asked about CPSW qualifications and training; DCF said staff generally have backgrounds in human services, social work, psychology, or education and receive a 12-week Core Academy on policy, law, investigations, and family engagement. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and members indicated they wanted to continue refining the amendment before sending anything to the Office of Legislative Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah.<00:11:19.680> And<00:11:19.920> that's<00:11:20.160> how<00:11:20.320>
• Everyone,<00:11:25.839> that<00:11:26.079> is<00:11:26.240> how<00:11:26.399>
• pick<00:11:39.920> him<00:11:40.160> up,<00:11:40.720> and<00:11:40.959>
• >> So<00:11:43.839> in<00:11:44.079> the<00:11:44.320> story,<00:11:44.720
• :11:52.720> let<00:11:52.959> him<00:11:53.120> go.

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, February 2, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House took up House Bill 444, Public Safety, Immigration Enforcement Agreements Prohibition, which would end 287(g) agreements and related formal understandings with federal immigration authorities. The main debate centered on whether the bill would interfere with the transfer of detainees to ICE and whether counties should be required to give advance notice before release. The sponsor argued the bill should be amended to require 48-hour notice and transfer of convicted detainees, saying it would protect public safety while respecting detainee rights. Opponents said the amendment was unnecessary because notice is already given in practice and that the bill would not allow holding anyone beyond a court-ordered release time. Members discussed a recent news story about a Prince George’s County detainee who was released after serving time and later picked up by ICE, using it as an example of why clearer procedures were needed. The floor leader and other opponents responded that the person had been released by court order and that the proposed amendment would not have changed that outcome. A delegate from Prince George’s County said the county followed standard correctional procedures, checked for detainers, notified ICE, and could not lawfully hold the person once the judge ordered release. A delegate from Baltimore County argued that formal agreements and MOUs with ICE are necessary because informal arrangements are inconsistent and detainers are often ignored; another member cited Baltimore County detainer statistics to support that point. The first amendment to HB 444 was put to a roll call vote and failed, with 36 votes in the negative. After that, a second amendment was offered that would ban arrest quotas, drone use in law enforcement, warrantless unmanned aerial surveillance, and no-knock warrants. The sponsor described it as a civil-liberties measure aimed at preventing quota-driven policing and intrusive surveillance. The transcript ends while that second amendment is being introduced and explained, before any final action on it is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• from<00:11:25.519> parties<00:11:25.920> seeking<00:11:26.240> to<00:11:26.399>
• 11:32.800> this<00:11:32.959> work<00:11:33.200> I've<00:11:33.440> had no
• <00:11:41.279> or<00:11:41.600> a<00:11:41.760> private<00:11:42.160> business
• > faster<00:11:43.839> and<00:11:44.000> to<00:11:44.079> a<00:11:44.399>
• <00:11:58.720> And<00:11:58.959> at<00:11:59.120> this<00:11:59.279> time

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate<00:11:16.839> conferees<00:11:17.320> are<00:11:17.400> Chair<00:11:17.600
• Uh<00:11:20.960> this<00:11:21.760> Uh<00:11:22.000> sorry,<00:11:22.240> we<
• /c><00:11:22.360> do<00:11:22.520> have<00:11:22.880> um<00:11:23.600> FIN
• So, um I believe<00:11:28.280> we're<00:11:28.400> ready<00:11:28.680> to<00:11:
• This<00:11:30.560> bill<00:11:30.880> amends<00:11:31.200> the<00:11:31.240>

Bills: SB2057, SB2109, SB2400, HB1752, SB2599, SB2930

Keywords: immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, detainer, ICE, federal immigration authorities, 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 U.S.C. 1373, 8 U.S.C. 1644, deportation, undocumented immigrants, noncitizen, migrant rights, local police cooperation, law enforcement cooperation, hold request, judicial warrant, probable cause, civil immigration enforcement, county police, state police

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:40.160> uh<00:11:40.320> in<00:11:40.560> 2011<00:11:41.120> and
• I with<00:11:41.839> the<00:11:42.000> inflation<00:11:42.399> it<00:11:42.560>
• So as we<00:11:49.440> go<00:11:49.680> forward<00:11:50.160> I<00:11:50.480>
• do<00:11:50.640> have<00:11:50.800> a<00:11:51.200> request<00:11:51.680>
• 11:30.240> I<03:11:30.319> I<03:11:30.640> got<03:11:30.720> to<03:11:30.800

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:03.560> Well,<00:11:03.800> and<00:11:03.960> Dylan<00:11:04.240> can<
• uh<00:11:12.360> of<00:11:12.520> a<00:11:12.560> new<00:11:12.839> project<
• Uh<00:11:16.720> and<00:11:16.920> so,<00:11:17.480> they<00:11:17.600> work<
• Ford<00:11:24.640> uh<00:11:25.000> later<00:11:25.560> uh<00:11:25.800>
• c> kind<00:11:32.800> of<00:11:32.840> stray<00:11:33.200> into<00:11:33.480

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductions, approval of the March 6 minutes as amended to add an attendee list, and a brief overview of the day’s agenda. The committee heard two presentations from carbon project developers, with the first from Dylan Jenkins of Finite Carbon. He described Finite Carbon’s work in improved forest management projects, its role in developing carbon methodologies and protocols, and its experience with projects in New England, Appalachia, Alaska, and Canada. He also outlined the difference between compliance and voluntary carbon markets, the role of registries and intermediaries, and the types of buyers in the market, including large corporate buyers and long-term off-take partners. A major focus of the presentation was how forest carbon projects are structured and how credits are monetized. Jenkins distinguished between removals and reductions, explaining that removals come from new forest growth while reductions are tied more closely to baseline assumptions and standing stock. He said improved forest management projects can generate both types of credits, and that removals generally command higher prices because they are easier for buyers to understand and verify. He also emphasized that carbon project commercialization can occur before, during, or after credit issuance, and that landowners may be paid through a variety of structures, including leases, advance fees, per-unit payments, or off-take agreements. Jenkins then addressed the committee’s tax-related questions, saying House Bill 123 appeared intended to treat carbon credit sales similarly to timber sales for local tax purposes. He argued that carbon credits are a forest product and that taxing them can be reasonable in principle, but he stressed that lawmakers should distinguish between commoditization and commercialization when deciding what event to tax. He noted that credits may be created but never sold, and that in some programs landowners retain timber and carbon rights while in others the developer has deeper control over those rights. In response to questions, he said the industry uses protocols, verification, and third-party oversight to address baseline and quality concerns, but acknowledged that baseline setting remains a major point of debate in the market.

Transcript Highlights:

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• <00:11:54.160> the<00:11:54.399> need<00:11:54.560> for<00:11:54.800> a
• :11:18.080> made<01:11:18.239> a<01:11:18.480> couple<01:11:18.640> offers
• <01:11:20.080> we<01:11:20.239> had<01:11:20.400> more<01:11:20.560> than
• :11:24.400> made<01:11:24.560> a<01:11:24.800> couple<01:11:24.960> hires

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met to hear the Legislative Budget Assistant Office’s performance audit of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights. Auditors said the commission was inefficient and ineffective in investigating discrimination complaints and closing cases in a timely manner during fiscal years 2020 through 2023. The report contained 25 observations; the commission fully concurred with 24 and concurred in part with one. Auditors highlighted major problems with case processing delays, inaccurate case data, lack of a case management system, weak strategic planning and risk assessment, outdated and disorganized policies, confidentiality issues, expired administrative rules, fee-setting practices, incomplete financial-interest filings, and failure to complete required reports and reconciliations. Two recommendations, involving complaint screening and conciliation, may require legislative action. Several observations focused on the commission’s intake and investigation practices. Auditors said complaints may have been screened out before docketing, potentially preventing commissioner review required by statute, and that the investigation process lacked clear rules and guidance. They also found investigators were assigned non-investigative tasks, training was inadequate, interview requirements were unclear, supervisory duties were burdensome, and confidential information was not always protected by encrypted email. The audit recommended clearer administrative rules, better internal controls, more focused staffing, a supervisory investigator position, and improved training and documentation. Commission representatives said they had already made progress on several items since the audit began, including posting overdue biennial reports and moving toward a case management system expected to go live in June. They said they were working with EEOC counterparts and legal counsel, but emphasized staffing shortages and high turnover, noting the commission currently had nine people working out of 15 authorized positions, with three investigator vacancies and a vacant paralegal position. Committee members thanked the auditors and commission staff, discussed the history of the audit request, and raised concerns about how long the recommended corrective actions might take. The committee took no vote or formal action during the hearing.