Transcript Highlights:

• In response to these unprecedented disasters, our public water systems have invested significant resources
• Water district designs, their geography, their current infrastructure, and their available resources.
• I am an attorney at NRDC, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and I am here in strong opposition to
• Markey's King Mason, on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council, in support. Thank you.
• Markey's King Mason, on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council, in support. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been a challenge from a resource limitation standpoint.
• So, if the legislature authorizes additional resources, permanent resources for **SB 904**, we would
• Including conducting an environmental analysis, an economic analysis, drafting preliminary regulatory
• Those resources could be used elsewhere.
• These communities are the most harmed by the reduction of resources.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , your district-level resources, and reimbursements.
• Those are those restricted resources.
• Wanted to note for the committee regarding school resource officers.
• The school resource officers that we...
• The school resource officers that we have absolutely make a difference.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to see if we can deploy more resources to see if we can deploy more resources to<03:55:07.920>
• We need to update that analysis, and the same analysis being on probation and parole per day was $2.
• day per day the last we did the analysis day per day the last we did the analysis was<04:36:30.840
• But I think that we have been able to resource up to handle the workload, but it is a very big resource
• it is a very big um resource it is a very big um resource commitment<06:22:12.240> but<06

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard an overview from the Agriculture Commissioner on the department’s major divisions and staffing. He described the Office of the Commissioner, Agricultural Development, Pesticides, Regulatory Services, Weights and Measures, Animal Industry, Plant Industry, and Soil Conservation, noting that many programs are federally funded or supported by dedicated fees and fines. He said the department has 44 full-time positions plus one DoIT employee shared with other agencies, and that HR services are now contracted through Administrative Services. He also explained that Soil Conservation is administratively attached to the department and funded through Moose Plate grants and county contributions, not direct state funding. Members asked about specific program functions and issues, including weights and measures inspections, animal health, bird flu response, internships, invasive species, and the Big E/New Hampshire building. The commissioner said weights and measures covers nearly all commercial measuring devices and products sold by weight, and that inspectors are currently part-time police officers, though the department is discussing removing that requirement. He said the department is actively involved in bird flu monitoring, including regular calls with USDA and the state veterinarian and collecting milk samples from dairy farms. On invasive species, he focused on Japanese knotweed and bittersweet, saying the department has only one staff person working on the issue, mainly as a coordinator with DOT and towns, and that eradication is extremely difficult. He also said the department does not run student internships and refers inquiries to UNH Cooperative Extension. The committee discussed budget and revenue issues, including three new general fund positions, one of which is the assistant commissioner and another a biological scientist for invasive species. The commissioner said the department had been in “triage mode,” that an assistant commissioner was needed because of workload, and that the department is a net positive to the General Fund each year. He said some fees and fines have not been updated in decades and would require legislation to change, including a proposed $5 fee for each animal database certificate to help fund a system that costs about $250,000 annually to maintain. In response to questions about budget reductions, he said the department protected personnel, reduced the cost-of-care fund, fair grants, and land preservation funding to about $25,000 each, and did not plan to buy new vehicles or computers. He also said he could not support including the $50,000 Conservation District resilience grant program in his budget under the current reduction targets, though he remained hopeful it might be funded another way.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's very hard to do with our CSAs that we buy just to be able to find other resources.
• First thing we do is we run a urine analysis.
• is<01:24:22.000> clean<01:24:22.159> as analysis.
• The urine analysis is clean as analysis. The urine analysis is clean as a<01:24:22.480> whistle.
• It was a Department of Natural Resources bill that affects Department of Agriculture statutes.

Bills: HF4080, HF3693, HF1857, HF4350

Keywords: agriculture, livestock, retailers, ownership interest, exclusive contracts, meat packing companies, dominant retailers, state law, Department of Agriculture, appropriation, funding, agriculture policy, state budget, animal welfare, cat declawing, animal cruelty, therapeutic procedures, civil penalties, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, aquatic life

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also submitting written testimony and some resources as well.
• We're also submitting written testimony and some resources as well.
• I think that the court was well reasoned in explaining sort of the statutory analysis, and it's almost
• The statutory analysis, and it's almost as if you don't need to get there.
• that if we're just picking a date it's not Birthday, and again, I don't subscribe to that analysis that

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, with the longest discussion focused on House Bill 426 and Senate Bill 263, which would prohibit the sale in Massachusetts of cosmetics known to rely on vertebrate animal testing. Supporters from Animal Defenders International, Humane World for Animals, and the Animal Rescue League said animal testing is cruel, outdated, and unreliable, and pointed to non-animal alternatives and similar laws in other states and countries. No opposition was heard on that bill during the excerpt, and witnesses urged the committee to report it favorably. The committee also took testimony on House Bill 4543, which would clarify an existing pipe-fitting exemption for certain work performed on property owned by industrial plants, utilities, colleges, and similar institutions. A representative for Construction Industries of Massachusetts supported the bill, saying it would preserve longstanding practice for outside contractors doing yard piping work. Pipefitters Local 537 opposed it, arguing the work is properly licensed pipefitting and that the bill would weaken licensing standards and undermine state inspectors. Another major topic was Senate Bill 237 on regulating self-checkouts in grocery establishments. The Mass AFL-CIO and UFCW Local 1445 supported the bill, saying self-checkout has reduced staffing, increased worker stress and customer conflict, and contributed to theft and safety problems. Workers described being responsible for multiple machines at once, verbal abuse, and even assaults, and said the bill’s staffing and machine limits would improve safety and customer service. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 355, which would allow veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship via telehealth; ASPCA, MSPCA, and several veterinarians supported it as a way to expand access to care, while the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association and several veterinarians opposed it, arguing that an in-person exam is essential for proper diagnosis and that telemedicine should only follow an in-person VCPR. Finally, the committee heard testimony on House Bill 330, Senate Bill 221, and House Bill 371, which would preempt local boards of health from adopting tobacco-related age or sales restrictions beyond the statewide standard. Public health advocates opposed the bills, arguing they would block local innovation and undermine nicotine-free generation policies adopted by municipalities, while retailers and tobacco trade groups supported them as necessary to preserve a uniform statewide age-21 standard and avoid confusion for consumers and businesses. No votes or final actions were taken during the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• regarding a fiscal note that resources regarding a fiscal note that resources are<01:46:11.840><
• resource management and utility policy. resource management and utility policy.
• have you done that analysis? have you done that analysis?
• analysis you're speaking about? analysis you're speaking about?
• , energy technologies and resources, energy technologies and resources, providing<04:25:16.319>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm kind of looking at your list here and then our analysis.
• But anyway, you got a special heart on this on my analysis sheet today.
• Members, any other questions for the resource witness? Thank you.
• Members, we just have resource witnesses. Does anyone need a resource witness?
• Members, we just have, I'm sorry, resource witnesses, does anyone need a resource witness?

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with several members initially absent, then later established a quorum. The committee heard multiple bills, with most testimony focusing on access to care, insurance practices, senior safety, and health care worker protections. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes, and public testimony was limited to two minutes per witness. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with no final votes taken in the portion provided. Senate Bill 2069 would create a work group to study the feasibility of a statewide acute psychiatric bed registry; the substitute shifts appointment authority to the Health and Human Services Commissioner and extends reporting and sunset dates. Senate Bill 463 would expand workplace violence protections to additional hospice, home and community support, intermediate care, and state-supported living center settings. Senate Bill 1283 would require background checks and transparency measures for senior retirement communities after testimony about the Dallas-area serial killings of elderly residents. Senate Bill 1784 would require 60 days’ written notice before medical debt is sent to collections. Senate Bill 527 would require medical insurance coverage for general anesthesia for medically necessary pediatric dental procedures for children under 13 with qualifying conditions; pediatric dentists testified that denials delay needed care. A major portion of the meeting centered on prior authorization. Senate Bill 1380 would eliminate prior authorization for a broad list of services, including emergency, primary, mental health, substance use, chemotherapy, preventive, pediatric hospice, and certain chronic-condition care. Physicians and hospice advocates supported the bill, describing delays, administrative burden, and patient harm, while health plans opposed blanket exemptions and argued prior authorization helps prevent unnecessary care and control costs. Relatedly, Senate Bill 547 would require insurers to report gold-card prior authorization exemptions to TDI and create a centralized database and annual report; TMA supported better tracking, while health plans warned of duplicative reporting and administrative cost. Senate Bill 407 would require health care facilities to honor conscience- and religion-based vaccine exemptions for employees, with testimony from a physician and vaccine-choice advocate supporting the bill. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1383, which would regulate senior living referral agencies, allow more flexible compensation structures, and add disclosure and consumer protections; an out-of-state referral company and A Place for Mom supported it. Senate Bill 1511 would allow freestanding emergency centers to provide outpatient services in addition to emergency care, with consumer protections such as estimates, limits on facility fees, and restrictions on balance billing. The chair repeatedly announced that bills were being left pending after testimony, and no final committee action or recorded votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• indigenous health education resource indigenous health education resource task<00:08:38.959>
• That's critical in relation to the resources that we commit to.
• That's critical in relation to the resources that we commit to.
• That's critical in relation to the resources that we commit to.
• That's critical in relation to the resources that we commit to.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will look at that against other resources.
• That's all modeled as part of the resource plan.
• And so happy to share that resource.
• So we have a significant amount of resource.
• They took uranium analysis off those samples.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When we talk about natural gas, you're not going to see a huge increase because it's a finite resource
• They told me they do a yearly analysis on cost effectiveness for that, and then they said they would
• It will be— they testified it will be in 2027 before there will be any kind of analysis on that.
• What I had asked was for the analysis, which they testified they do every year.
• “It provides us a lot of analysis that we don’t currently have.” “Right. Thank you.” “All right.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I tell you, hats off to the staff because the U.S. the bill analysis is very well written.
• questions over the weekends and even this morning to members, it was easy just to refer to the bill analysis
• and spend the supplemental revenue while simultaneously reducing public visibility into how those resources
• Getting rid of priority admission for students in need of this resource.
• And if you read the superb bill analysis, you would see that the speaker gets a audit report on an annual

Transcript Highlights:

• resource block grant model. resource block grant model.
• <00:24:38.480> related and that's before any analysis related and that's before any analysis
• provided by the K-12 education resource provided by the K-12 education resource block<00:28:01.640
• capacity analysis. capacity analysis.
• education resource block grant model. education resource block grant model.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's all modeled as part of the resource plan.
• And so happy to share that resource.
• And so happy to share that resource. Yes. advanced nuclear and so happy to share that resource.
• So we have a significant amount of resource.
• They took uranium analysis off those samples.

Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency performed a compensation analysis which revealed pay efficiencies for specific positions like
• With expected continued growth at 4% annually, we will need additional resources to maintain current
• We anticipate next session, and this is going to be a major information resources project.
• With additional resources appropriated, we can now move more cases through enforcement.
• One, which has resources for a variety of things, again, that we have to ask them for.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So all of our resources at the department are kind of focusing on the greatest risk and then kind of
• We need to talk about the big price tag, the big cost, because that's a finite resource there. OK.
• I want to ensure that we are providing enough resources for your agencies and what you do.
• I believe that was co-drafted with Energy Minerals and Natural Resources and New Mexico Tech.
• It's not their resource. It's our resource. And we appreciate the investment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that the Texas Commission on Jail Standards is here as a resource witness.
• I encourage the chairman to bring up our resource witness if possible. Thank you so much.
• I am here as a resource witness in order to answer any questions that you may have.
• House Bill 4462 addresses a significant gap in the resources available for our constables.
• be used to truly... ...resources that will be needed to enforce these measures.

Bills: HB240, HB2097, HB2731, HB3087, HB3234, HB3319, HB3394, HB3687, HB4105, HB4205, HB4350, HB4462, HB4642, HB4801, HB5403

Keywords: quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code

Summary: The subcommittee on county and regional government heard a long agenda of county-related bills, with most measures left pending after testimony. HB 2097, by Rep. Martinez, would let counties that opt in use an independent hearing examiner instead of a civil service commission for certain deputy sheriff discipline appeals; the bill drew support from CLEET’s Robert Leonard, who said it would be fairer and faster, and it was left pending. HB 4642, by Rep. Gonzalez, would require counties that contract with out-of-state jail facilities to include Texas jail-standard protections and oversight; Gonzalez, detainee Jess Hampton, his wife, Texas Jail Project’s Krish Kundu, and TCJS director Brandon Wood all discussed deaths and poor conditions in Louisiana facilities, staffing shortages, and the need for guardrails and data collection. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4350, by Rep. Capriglione, allowing peace officers to request redaction of personal information from online real property records. Supporters said officers face targeted threats and should have protections similar to judges; a title industry witness warned about preserving the integrity of land records. The bill was left pending. HB 3687, by Rep. Harless, would require county fire marshals in counties over 100,000 to meet training and certification standards within set timeframes; Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen supported professionalization, and the bill was left pending. HB 4105 would let very large counties give a local-bid preference for construction and infrastructure contracts, and HB 4205 would require pay parity for similar law enforcement ranks within large counties; both were supported by Harris County officials and constables and left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 5403, which would repeal a special rule limiting Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs’ control over commissary funds; the author said it would remove an outdated population bracket, and the bill was left pending. HB 4462 would require large counties to allow elected officials named in civil suits to seek outside counsel and have a role in settlement decisions; supporters argued county attorneys and commissioners court can have conflicts of interest, while questions focused on who qualifies and whether the bill could complicate settlements. The bill was left pending. Finally, HB 240, by Rep. Swanson, would restore a five-member quorum requirement for Harris County tax levies, effectively preventing tax action without all commissioners present and defaulting to the no-new-revenue rate if quorum is not met; urban counties opposed it as a potential budget obstruction, while supporters said it protects taxpayers and representation. That bill was also left pending. The transcript ends as the committee begins HB 3319, which would create a civil service system for constable department employees in large counties, but the discussion is cut off before testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• > for<00:38:01.760> the Only new resources projected for the Only new resources projected
• investment in new power resources? investment in new power resources?
• But why just generation resources.
• resources and different types of them. resources and different types of them.
• <02:14:51.199> that for distributed energy resources that for distributed energy resources

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be not impossible, but without adding resources, just incredibly burdensome.
• It would be not impossible, but without adding resources, just incredibly burdensome.
• And I think many of you have seen the CO2 UR analysis. So that was about a year and a half ago.
• Can everybody see the cover slide okay: Stripper Well Oil Production Analysis and Tax Implications?
• Stripper well oil production analysis and tax implications? Yes, we do. Thank you, Charles.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be, not impossible, but without adding resources, just incredibly burdensome.
• And I think many of you, many of you have seen the CO2 UR analysis.
• Nathan Anderson from the Department of Mineral Resources.
• Can everybody see the cover slide okay: Stripper Well Oil Production Analysis and Tax Implications?
• Stripper well oil production analysis and tax implications? Yes, we do. Thank you, Charles.

Summary: The committee met to receive updates from the Tax Commissioner’s office on property tax relief programs and related compliance work. Commissioner Brian Croshys reviewed the Homestead Property Tax Credit, Disabled Veteran Credit, and Primary Residence Credit, noting that the Homestead program expanded significantly after HB 1158, that some households are “adjusting out” of eligibility as incomes rise, and that the committee may want to consider indexing income thresholds. Members asked for additional data on bracket breakdowns, possible costs of eliminating income limits for seniors, and how many households are zeroed out by the combined programs. Croshys also discussed the simpler administration of the disabled veteran credit, the growth in participation, and the heavy workload and auditing safeguards built into the new primary residence credit system. He said the department found no material compliance findings and that the program is designed to be digital-first, with county auditors and the Tax Commissioner’s office both involved in review and notification. The committee recessed for lunch and later reconvened, with the chair noting that more detailed PRC information would likely be available at a September meeting. Shelly Myers then presented the statewide property tax increase, or “zero growth,” report and the 2025 statistical report. She explained how county auditors report levy and valuation data, how increases and decreases are counted, and which jurisdictions showed the largest percentage changes in countywide, citywide, school district, and park district levies. In the statistical report, she summarized recent trends in assessed values: agricultural values remained relatively flat, while residential, commercial, and centrally assessed property values increased over the past five years. She also reviewed statewide tax levies by property class and clarified that centrally assessed growth figures were annual averages. Members discussed how shifts in land use and annexation can make it appear that tax burdens are moving from ag to residential/commercial property. Myers then summarized the interim study on the 3% levy limitation under HB 1176, saying most counties complied without budget changes, while some used hiring freezes, deferred purchases, or reserve funds; 23% of counties had to reduce levies, and the affected funds were mainly general, road and bridge, and weed control. She said 12 counties reported zero new growth in the data and that 35 counties reported not using all of their cap. The committee also received an oil tax presentation from Croshys on the stripper well extraction tax exemption. He outlined the number of active stripper wells, the production and revenue implications of the exemption, and projections for future biennia under different tax scenarios. He said the exemption represents substantial savings to operators but also corresponds to production tax revenue that would otherwise be collected, and he emphasized that future outcomes depend on oil prices, well counts, and technology such as CO2 enhanced oil recovery. Nathan Anderson of the Department of Mineral Resources briefly answered a question about why Red River wells have a different production threshold than Bakken wells, explaining it was tied to completion costs and lateral length. The committee then heard from Charlie Gorecki of the EERC, who presented an analysis of typical Bakken well decline curves and argued that most oil is produced before a well reaches stripper status, but that keeping wells open and investing in refracturing or other interventions can recover additional production. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting; the main actions were receiving reports, asking for follow-up data, and scheduling further discussion for a later meeting.