Video & Transcript Research : 'ward boundaries'
Page 82 of 254
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Proposing AI protections in Minnesota | Senator Erin Maye Quade Apr 10th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It could be boundary-pushing content.
- It could be boundary<00:02:30.959><c> pushing</c><00:02:31.280><c> content.
- </c><00:02:31.680><c> And</c><00:02:31.920><c> with</c><00:02:32.160><c> no</c> boundary pushing content
- And with no boundary pushing content.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Plastic bottle excise tax proposed 3/10/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They're found in the bodies of earthworms deep in the Boundary Waters Area Wilderness, the BWCA.
- earthworms<00:21:39.280><c> deep</c><00:21:39.880><c> in</c><00:21:40.000><c> the</c><00:21:40.080><c> boundary
- </c> earthworms deep in the boundary waters. earthworms deep in the boundary waters.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Children and Families Feb 10th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Children and Families
Transcript Highlights:
- That safeguard acknowledged a clear boundary. But today, that safeguard does not exist online.
- And while parents and caregivers should strive to set technology boundaries and keep conversations open
- It is the most profound of human boundary violation and it creates lifelong consequences for children
- I believe that talking to children in age-appropriate ways about their body parts, about their boundaries
Summary:
The committee heard public testimony on House Bills 1839, 2921, and 3015, all aimed at requiring age verification for commercial pornographic websites operating in Missouri. The bill sponsors and supporters argued that online pornography harms children, contributes to addiction, exploitation, sextortion, trafficking, and unhealthy attitudes toward sex and relationships, and that Missouri should align with other states and recent court precedent. Committee members asked about privacy protections, enforcement, whether websites or third-party vendors would handle verification, how companies would be found in violation, and the penalties; the Attorney General’s office said the system is designed to verify only that a user is 18 or older, not to identify the site visited, and that violations would be pursued through court action. Support testimony came from child welfare and abuse-prevention advocates, medical professionals, and faith and family organizations; no one testified in opposition. The committee then moved to House Bill 2610, which would place liability coverage for foster care, case management, and residential service providers under the state legal expense fund instead of private insurance. The sponsor and supporters said insurance has become scarce and unaffordable, threatening nonprofit providers and the services they deliver to foster children and families; the Attorney General’s office explained how legal expense fund coverage would work and noted it has no cap in this proposal. No opposition was offered. Representative Terry then briefly presented House Bill 2044, a grandparents custody bill mirroring another member’s proposal, and the committee later took up executive session. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute and voted House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1696, House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2505 and 2044, and House Bill 1772 do pass, each by 14-0 roll call votes.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- That safeguard acknowledged a clear boundary. But today, that safeguard does not exist online.
- And while parents and caregivers should strive to set technology boundaries and keep conversations open
- It is the most profound of human boundary violation and it creates lifelong consequences for children
- I believe that talking to children in age-appropriate ways about their body parts, about their boundaries
Summary:
The Committee on Children and Families heard public testimony on House Bills 1839, 2921, and 3015, all aimed at requiring age verification for access to online pornography. The sponsors argued the bills are needed to protect children from early exposure, exploitation, sextortion, and related harms, and said the measures mirror laws in other states and recent Texas litigation. Supporters, including the Missouri Children’s Trust Fund, pediatric sexual assault nurse examiners, child advocacy groups, the Missouri Catholic Conference, and the Attorney General’s office, testified that pornography contributes to child sexual abuse risk, addiction, and unhealthy sexual development. Committee members asked about privacy protections, enforcement, penalties, and whether third-party verification or website-based verification would be used; the Attorney General’s office said identifying information should not be retained and that enforcement would occur through court action. No one testified in opposition, and the hearing concluded with the bills remaining under consideration, with a committee substitute to follow for one portion of the legislation.
The committee then heard House Bill 2610, which would use the state legal expense fund to cover claims and judgments involving foster care, case management, and residential service providers under contract with the state. Representative Murphy and supporters said the private insurance market for these providers has become unstable and unaffordable, with some agencies facing large premium increases, repeated denials, or inability to find coverage at all. Testimony from the Missouri Coalition for Children, Missouri Alliance for Children and Families, Family Forward, and the Attorney General’s office described the issue as a market failure that could force providers to close and disrupt services for foster children. The Attorney General’s office explained how legal expense fund coverage would work, noted that it can cover negligence and intentional acts for covered entities, and said the bill would shift risk to the state in the absence of adequate private insurance. No opposition was offered.
Finally, Representative Terry briefly presented House Bill 24, describing it as the same as Representative Dolan’s grandparents’ bill and emphasizing that grandparents should have first consideration for custody if a child’s parents are unable to care for them. No testimony was offered on the bill. The committee then moved into executive session and voted do pass on House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1696, House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2505 and 24, and House Bill 1772, each by unanimous 14-0 votes. The meeting then adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Jan 14th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Early Learning & K-12 Education
Transcript Highlights:
- School districts that have federal land within their boundaries may also be eligible for federal impact
- , that space is behind a security fence on a federal installation, and it's just not simply a re-boundary
- We want to make sure that we have clear boundaries as we are setting standards for AI technology.
- And so this bill is about setting those clear boundaries.
Keywords:
school construction, school facilities, capital budget, school plant project, state funding assistance, school construction assistance program, on-base schools, military base, Department of Defense school, military families, public school facilities, instructional space, Superintendent of Public Instruction, SIP, school district capital funding, school housing burden, rapid growth, enrollment growth, free and reduced-price meals, alternative learning experience
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TCA Public Hearing 03-25-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- together to find a path forward so that it's not evasive on their rights, that doesn't overstep the boundaries
- rights uh that doesn't over<00:31:17.840><c> overstep</c><00:31:18.320><c> the</c><00:31:18.480><c> boundaries
- </c><00:31:19.600><c> I'm</c> over overstep the boundaries of FAA.
- I'm over overstep the boundaries of FAA.
Summary:
The Committee on Transportation and Culture heard a series of resolutions covering cultural preservation, civic education, dark-sky protection, Taiwan relations, aviation safety reporting, waterborne cargo subsidies, and Maui transportation planning. Testimony on the Hawaii Theatre resolutions (SCR 131/SR 110) came from the Hawaii Theatre Center in support, with a question about whether acquisition funding was in the current budget; the witness said he was not aware of any such funding. The state archivist strongly supported SCR 169/SR 138 on expanding public outreach and civic engagement, and a student testifier supported the measure while urging stronger language to include Indigenous culture and closer work with Native communities. On STR 12/SR 8 recognizing International Dark Sky Week, testimony emphasized light pollution’s effects on birds, marine life, human health, and astronomy, and suggested stronger lighting ordinances and possible dark-sky reserve efforts. STR 31/SR 17 on Taiwan received support from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, while STR 180/SR 150 on aviation safety reporting drew support from Blue Hawaiian Helicopters but opposition from the Department of Transportation, which said much of the requested information falls under FAA jurisdiction and would be voluntary at the state level. STR 150 on waterborne cargo subsidies was supported by DOT, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, with DOT asking that the working group be smaller to speed a report to the 2026 session. STR 37/SR 21 and STR 38/SR 22 on Kihei road planning drew support from the Kihei Community Association, which described severe congestion and safety concerns in South Maui.
In decision-making, the committee advanced SCR 131/SR 110 on the Hawaii Theatre as introduced. SCR 169/SR 138 was advanced with amendments to address comments about Indigenous culture. STR 12/SR 8 on International Dark Sky Week was deferred for further discussion until the following Tuesday. STR 31/SR 17 on Taiwan was advanced with technical, non-substantive amendments. STR 180/SR 150 and STR 150 were both deferred to the same later decision-making date to allow further work on possible amendments and jurisdictional issues. STR 37/SR 21 was passed as introduced, and STR 38/SR 22 was passed with technical, non-substantive amendments. In each vote taken, the measures were adopted without recorded opposition from the members present.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Mar 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> Many businesses in our state operate across the county and city boundaries of what I think of this
- ensure clarity and continuity in the rules that those businesses that operate across county and city boundaries
- From the boundary of the land from the stack of the incinerator?
- So different facilities have different boundaries.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing: Committee on Education Policy and Committee on Education Finance - 05/06/26
Transcript Highlights:
- World War II, it was the USS Ward that fired the first shot at Pearl Harbor, sinking a mini Japanese
- World War II, it was the USS Ward that fired the first shot at Pearl Harbor, sinking a mini Japanese
- World War II, it was the USS Ward that fired the first shot at Pearl Harbor, sinking a mini Japanese
- World War II, it was the USS Ward that fired the first shot at Pearl Harbor, sinking a mini Japanese
Summary:
The committee held a joint hearing recognizing the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and focusing on civic education, free speech, voting, and Minnesota’s America 250 commemorations. Opening remarks emphasized the importance of education, Indigenous land acknowledgement, and the idea that democracy depends on informed and engaged citizens. The chair then invited student debaters from the Minnesota High School League to testify about how debate, free speech, and evidence-based reasoning have shaped their education and civic participation. The students argued that debate teaches critical thinking, helps young people engage with difficult issues, and should be protected as part of a healthy democracy; one also urged lawmakers to move beyond empty promises and take action on issues such as eviction moratoriums, ICE collaboration, and protest protections.
Commissioner Willie Jett of the Minnesota Department of Education testified that public education is where citizenship first becomes real, and that schools, libraries, and educators help students learn to listen, question, debate respectfully, and understand both the ideals and failures of American history. He said democracy is something each generation must learn and strengthen, and thanked the committee for convening the hearing. Former students Sarah Griffin and Charlie Crocker then offered tributes to Senator Swedzinski, describing how his teaching encouraged civic engagement, disagreement, and action, and how his classroom shaped their lives and public service. Their remarks emphasized that democracy is not a spectator sport and that ordinary people build it through small, courageous acts.
Secretary of State Steve Simon followed with testimony on Minnesota’s civic culture and voter participation. He said Minnesota has long ranked near the top nationally in voter turnout, including youth turnout, and attributed that to a combination of good election laws and a strong pro-voting culture. He highlighted school-based civic education efforts such as pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds and the Students Vote mock election program, and noted that Minnesota’s congressional delegation was unanimous in supporting the Voting Rights Act in 1965 as an example of the state coming together on major moral questions. The Minnesota Historical Society then began its presentation on America 250, with Kent Whitworth describing the organization’s role, the new edition of the Northern Lights curriculum, and broader commemorative activities; Dr. Bill Convery introduced historical context about how Americans have celebrated independence and how the semiquincentennial can leave a legacy for future generations.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 18 March, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, Ben and Aaron happened to remodel parts of the hospital in the pediatric ward and uh she was there
- hospital<00:27:59.600><c> in</c><00:27:59.840><c> the</c><00:27:59.919><c> pediatric</c><00:28:00.399><c> ward
- </c><00:28:01.120><c> and</c><00:28:01.600><c> uh</c> hospital in the pediatric ward and uh hospital
- in the pediatric ward and uh she<00:28:02.000><c> was</c><00:28:02.159><c> there</c><00:28:02.559><c>
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Thu Mar 5, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 23
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- over 240,000 volunteers since its creation, including our friend, late friend and colleague, Gene Ward
- friend and including our friend, late friend and colleague,<01:43:51.679><c> Gene</c><01:43:52.000><c> Ward
- </c> colleague, Gene Ward. colleague, Gene Ward.
Bills:
HB2246, HB2119, HB1929, HB1953, HB1572, HB2549, HB2594, HB2551, HB2595, HB2548, HB2459, HB1931, HB1604, HB1616, HB1736, HB2233, HB2241, HB1891, HB1803, HB2567, HB2534, HB2399, HB2172, HB1595, HB1811, HB2168, HB1780, HB1781, HB1785, HB2122, HB2012, HB2398, HB1779, HB2296, HB1894, HB1925, HB2019, HB1896, HB2294, HB2298, HB2300, HB2344, HB2345, HB2391, HB2037, HB2201, HB1941, HB1635, HB1943, HB2325, HB1926, HB2490, HB1710, HB2545, HB1976, HB2173, HB1804, HB1563, HB2015, HB1619, HB2475, HB1889, HB2367, HB2187, HB1765, HB1452, HB2231, HB1700, HB1705, HB1626, HB1897, HB1642, HB1523, HB2593, HB815, HB1655, HB1596, HB1732, HB1842, HB2476, HB2478, HB2022, HB1588, HB2575, HB1163, HB2153, HB772, HB1519, HB2050, HB2309, HB2147, HB2329, HB2274, HB2280, HB2547, HB2275, HB2452, HB2306, HB2148, HB2088, HB1764, HB2438, HB2117, HB1860, HB2604, HB2118, HB2017, HB2155, HB1832, HB2216, HB1601, HB1934, HB2297, HB2397, HB1893, HB2533, HB1890, HB2454, HB2004, HB2427, HB2207, HB1810, HB1840, HB1644, HB1645, HB1946, HB1648, HB2324, HB2323, HB1509, HB1514, HB1515, HB2164, HB2165, HB2283, HB1691, HB2386, HB2423, HB2121, HB1984, HB1593, HB1671, HB2619, HB1481, HB2314, HB2319, HB1643, HB2558, HB1864, HB1898, HB2214, HB2167, HB2488, HB2009, HB2007, HB322, HB1964, HB2218, HB2616, HB1535, HB1574, HB1977, HB2054, HB2046, HB146, HB2094, HB2181, HB2250, HB2515, HB2444, HB2385, HB1740, HB1724, HB1733, HB1799, HB1725, HB2049, HB2161, HB1970, HB2519, HB1790, HB2416, HB1873, HB2001, HB2151, HB1603, HB1880, HB1753, HB2198, HB1511, HB1991, HB2546, HB1615, HB1939, HB2140, HB2429, HB1870, HB1850, HB1782, HB2137
Keywords:
agriculture, federal grants, Hawaii, grant administration, revolving fund, department of agriculture and biosecurity, grant compliance, financial support, coffee, pest control, subsidy program, coffee berry borer, coffee leaf rust, economy, biosecurity, invasive species, Molokai, advisory board, quarantine, environmental protection
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriation and Revenue. (3-4-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- a nursing technician or some other health care provider who's in the newborn nursery or postpartum ward
- nursery<00:33:26.720><c> or</c><00:33:27.600><c> um</c><00:33:27.840><c> postpartum</c><00:33:28.520><c> ward
- 00:33:28.760><c> to</c><00:33:28.920><c> be</c><00:33:29.120><c> able</c> nursery or um postpartum ward
- to be able nursery or um postpartum ward to be able to<00:33:29.560><c> test</c><00:33:29.960><c> that
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:10
SB 6 Discussion 00:40
SB 6 Vote 00:13:30
Cochlear Implants 00:16:25, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee heard Senate Bill 6, sponsored by Senate President Robert Stivers, which would create an endowed research fund to support collaborative university research in Kentucky. Stivers described the bill as an extension of earlier higher-education research efforts, arguing that Kentucky should build research “hubs” by requiring or encouraging partnerships among universities and outside entities, with potential focus areas including health care, engineering, aerospace, agriculture, and other emerging fields. He said the proposal would establish five research tranches over five years and sought a $30 million endowment for each, generating annual interest to fund consortium-based research and leverage additional private and federal dollars. Senators Frommeyer, Neal, Givens, Boswell, and Richardson spoke in support, emphasizing economic development, job creation, and examples from other research clusters such as Boston and North Carolina’s Research Triangle. The committee voted 12-0 to report the bill favorably to the Senate floor.
The committee then received a presentation from Dr. Matthew Bush of the University of Kentucky on pediatric hearing loss and cochlear implants. Bush explained that early hearing detection and intervention is critical because hearing loss in newborns is a neurocognitive emergency that affects language, literacy, and long-term outcomes. He outlined national screening benchmarks, Kentucky’s incidence of childhood hearing loss, and the high educational and societal costs of untreated hearing loss. Bush also highlighted disparities in rural and western Kentucky, where children face delayed diagnosis, longer waits for hearing aids or cochlear implants, and more difficulty accessing follow-up care. He described cochlear implants, the multidisciplinary care they require, and research showing improved language development, quality of life, and cost savings when children are treated early.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
JLCAR Administrative Rules (02/20/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, Senator Ward, would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?
- It's been moved by Senator Ward, seconded by Senator McGough.
- It was seconded by Senator Ward. Moving on to the regular calendar.
- It was seconded by Senator<00:10:46.959><c> Ward.
Summary:
The committee convened after briefly waiting for a quorum, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and then moved through several agency rule items. The Department of Transportation’s outdoor advertising rule filing was approved after staff noted the department had addressed substantive comments, though the rules had been expired since 2021 and the agency said it had been operating under statute. Members asked about a denied digital sign proposal, and DOT said that decision was based on statute rather than the rule. The Department of Safety’s administrative license suspension item was postponed with a waiver so the agency could submit conditional approval materials and resolve issues between its forms and rules. The Board of Architects item was conditionally approved, with the condition that the board later approve updated incorporation-by-reference materials at its April 3 meeting or the matter would return as a preliminary objection.
The Department of Agriculture’s expired rules prompted extended discussion. Staff and committee members questioned why the department was seeking to adopt rules that had been expired for many years and whether the statutes already provided enough authority to operate without them. Agriculture officials said they were working through a broader modernization effort, focusing on statutes that use mandatory language and updating outdated rules to match current practices, federal standards, and current products such as apples, cider, eggs, and other agricultural commodities. They said the rules before the committee were part of that effort and recommended approval, but members remained concerned about whether some rules were unnecessary. The committee ultimately granted a waiver and postponed the agriculture item for one month so staff could review the underlying statutes and determine whether rulemaking is actually required.
Under other business, the committee took up an emergency Department of Safety rule to update DMV forms to reflect statutory fee changes enacted in the 2025 budget. DMV officials said the new fees were already in effect, but the corresponding forms still showed old amounts, causing confusion for customers and elected officials who were fielding complaints. They argued the forms needed immediate updating because the affected forms are widely used, and they said the department had already tried to treat the changes as editorial before being told full rulemaking was required. The department emphasized it was trying to follow the process while avoiding continued use of incorrect fee forms, and asked the committee to allow the emergency rule to proceed.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- guardian, conservator, attorney, or guardian ad litem who is seeking compensation from the estate of a ward
- necessity of compensation sought and requires the court to approve the projected cost levied against a ward
- guardian, conservator, attorney, or guardian ad litem who is seeking compensation from the estate of a ward
- necessity of compensation sought and requires the court to approve the projected cost levied against a ward
Bills:
SB1067, SB1234, SB1285, SB1295, SB1392, SB1413, SB1436, SB1470, SB1476, SB1489, SB1512, SB1535, SB1540, SB1556, SB1568, SB1569, SB1570, SB1573, SB1585, SB1609, SB1627, SB1634, SB1635, SB1644, SB1647, SB1648, SB1650, SB1653, SB1654, SB1655, SB1656, SB1657, SB1658, SB1661, SB1662, SB1664, SB1666, SB1667, SB1669, SB1709, SB1720, SB1723, SB1725, SB1743, SB1746, SB1748, SB1755, SB1786, SB1820, SB1822, SB1829, SCR1027, SCR1040, SCR1048
Keywords:
tax lien, property tax lien, real property tax lien, foreclosure, right of redemption, redeem, excess proceeds, county abatement lien, abatement lien, lien priority, assessment lien, easement, county treasurer, certificate of purchase, tax delinquency, delinquent property taxes, property owner equity, judgment foreclosure, title report, Arizona Revised Statutes
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 13th, 2026 at 11:03 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Kiyara Senna, Eric Smith, Brandy Stone, Meredith Tripp, Anthony Umi, Elizabeth Ward, and Elizabeth Ward
- Tripp, Anthony Umi, Elizabeth Ward, and William Ward, Nick Williams.
Bills:
HB145, HB164, HJR6, HR1, HB20, HB65, HB66, HB80, HB166, HB295, HB306, SB29, SB37, HB99, HB206, HB213, HB270, HJR5, SB104, SB193, HJM2, HJM3, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM39, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50
Keywords:
high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, lobbying, transparency, public records, government oversight, accountability, constitutional amendment, legislative sessions, veto override, New Mexico legislature, session length, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Fiscal Committee (12/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Thomas Ward is a financial audit manager in our office.
- For the record, my name is Thomas Ward.
- Ward, is this your first time you've been in charge of one? >> Yes, sir. >> Very thorough.
- Ward, is this your first time you've been in charge of one? >> Yes, sir. >> Very thorough.
Summary:
The Fiscal Committee met on December 19, with Senators Long and Lang serving as replacements. The committee approved the November 21 minutes and adopted the consent calendar after removing two Department of Health and Human Services items for separate discussion. It then took up an HHS request involving nursing facility rates, where Nathan White explained that $2.2 million would be transferred from a long-term care Medicaid eligibility contract to the nursing facilities budget. He said the funds would offset an otherwise projected 3.9% average rate decrease and bring the overall average change to zero for the next six months, with rates reset again in July under state law. Members asked about the budget adjustment factor, bed counts, and whether additional funds could raise rates further; White said the factor is statutory, capped at 28.76%, and that more money would lower the factor and increase rates. The committee also corrected a date in the request from February 1, 2025 to February 1, 2026, and approved the item.
The committee next approved another HHS item related to rural health transformation grants. Members confirmed the request covered the full amount applied for this biennium, and asked about the technology component. HHS said the grant is not solely about AI, but about broader technology improvements such as electronic medical records, back-end systems, and tools to improve access and sustainability in underserved areas. The committee approved that item as well.
The Judicial Council then requested funds for contract attorneys providing indigent defense on a fixed-fee basis. The council said current funds had already been exhausted and that the new appropriation would be used immediately. Members questioned the size of the request and the number of people awaiting counsel; the council reported about 150 incarcerated people and about 300 non-incarcerated people waiting for counsel, more than in recent years. It attributed the increase to competition for attorneys, public defender offices closing intake in some locations because of caseload limits, and broader case and court-system changes. One member raised constitutional concerns about delays in counsel for incarcerated defendants. The committee ultimately amended the request downward to $1 million, approved it, and then approved a motion to place several annual financial reports on file and release them to the public when available. The committee also discussed dashboard reporting from HHS, asking for more detail on community mental health center caseloads and budget-reduction information, and HHS agreed to provide more useful monthly detail.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Oct 9th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We will go to the Honorable Marie Ward.
- got together on a unified approach to how to handle crossover kids—thanks to the leadership of Judge Ward
- I'm also the co-chair with Chief Judge Marie Ward of the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Alternative
- founder and Executive Director of La Placita Institute and currently co-chair with Chief Judge Marie Ward
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (05/13/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I think, you know, that's one thing even in NSHA, we have, you know, our different wards, and each ward
- I think, you know, that's one thing even in NSHA, we have, you know, our different wards, and each ward
Summary:
The Family Court Subcommittee of the Children and Family Law Committee convened under Chairman Mark Pearson to continue work begun by the prior special committee on the family division of circuit court. Pearson emphasized a collaborative, consensus-based approach with the judiciary and said the subcommittee would build on earlier “low-hanging fruit” reforms while tracking how prior changes are actually working. He also explained that the subcommittee would likely form smaller working groups, with informal meetings allowed so long as they stayed within open-meeting limits.
The main policy focus was House Bill 652, which was retained by the committee, along with broader questions about what additional changes family court should make. Members divided the work into two broad areas: pre-trial and trial issues. Pre-trial topics included alternative dispute resolution, mediation training and supervision, counseling/therapy for litigants with issues such as PTSD, and improving materials for pro se litigants, including New Hampshire Bar forms and instructions. The committee also discussed whether to use input from prior testimony, former litigants, other states, and legislative researchers, and whether some of the work should be assigned to two-person subgroups to allow flexible research and outreach.
For trial-related issues, members identified additional training for family court judges, whether judges should be dedicated solely to family court, and how to handle the overlap between civil and criminal matters, especially domestic violence and divorce cases. Representative Raymond raised concerns about courtroom recordings and whether judges’ behavior and record preservation were adequate; Aaron Kan of the court system responded that circuit court recording practices and staffing had not changed, that circuit court lacks the court monitors used in superior court, and that resource limits prevent similar staffing. Raymond also raised the cost of obtaining trial transcripts for pro se litigants; Kan explained that transcripts are produced by private vendors because the court system no longer employs court reporters, and that the fees reflect that outsourced service rather than a court-imposed markup. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans to continue gathering information and assigning subtopics for further study.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Committee of Conference on HB 751 (05/18/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- : Okay, under the lottery, there was a line in here that we removed having to do with geographic boundary
- , having a preference for a student in a geographic boundary.
- </c> geographic boundary geographic boundary having<00:23:36.640><c> a</c><00:23:36.720><c> preference
- </c><00:23:40.280><c> So,</c> a student in a geographic boundary.
- So, a student in a geographic boundary.
Summary:
The committee of conference on HB 751 reviewed amendment 2026-1904H page by page, focusing on open enrollment rules, capacity definitions, statewide enrollment limits, denial criteria, transportation, and funding. Members discussed clarifying that districts may set capacity at zero if they truly have no room, creating a statewide enrollment cap of 500 that can increase by 25% if it reaches 90% utilization, and exempting seats already used by open enrollment students before October 1, 2026. They also discussed how the Department of Education would allocate seats through rulemaking, while local districts would still set capacity, with grandfathered seats preserved where districts already allow open enrollment.
A substantial portion of the meeting centered on when districts may deny open enrollment applications. The amendment would allow denials for reasons such as chronic absenteeism or disciplinary history, while requiring districts to consider whether those issues are tied to disability, McKinney-Vento status, foster care, or bullying. Members emphasized that such factors are to be considered, not used as the sole basis for rejection, and noted that the bill separately prohibits receiving schools from accepting or rejecting applicants based on pupil needs, special education needs, disability, aptitude, or athletic achievement. There was also discussion of whether interdistrict transfers should count toward open enrollment capacity, with a suggestion that a carve-out may be needed.
The committee also reviewed provisions on program-specific capacity, continuous enrollment, and transportation. It was explained that capacity can apply to a school, grade, program, or class, including CTE programs, and that students may be denied if a specific program is full or if they do not meet prerequisites. The group clarified that open enrollment pupils would maintain continuous enrollment without reapplying, though there was concern about how that would work if district capacity changes over time. Transportation would generally be the parent’s responsibility unless required by an IEP or 504 plan, though students may use an existing bus route if seats are available and the receiving district allows it.
On funding, the committee noted that the amendment changes the earlier HB 751 approach and instead ties open enrollment funding to base adequacy, differentiated aid, and an additional grant modeled on charter school funding, with dates removed at the department’s request. Members also raised concerns about how open enrollment would interact with existing tuition agreements and whether districts could use the new pathway to alter or pressure those arrangements. Department staff said districts would still be required to maintain a school of record and provide an adequate education free of charge outside the open enrollment program, and that if open enrollment enrollment became unusually large relative to district adequacy enrollment, the issue could be brought to the state board. No votes were taken in the portion provided.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- We can protect the rights of families while also establishing firm boundaries against harassment.
- We can protect the rights of families while also establishing firm boundaries against harassment.
- We can protect the rights of families while also establishing firm boundaries against harassment.
- We can protect the rights of families while also establishing firm boundaries against harassment.
- </c> also establishing firm boundaries also establishing firm boundaries against<00:42:23.200><c> harassment
Keywords:
military families, family leave, qualifying military exigency, Hawaii Revised Statutes, financial support, Hawaii National Guard, civil-military program, education, collective bargaining, exemption, SB3251, Hawaii public safety, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol, law enforcement hiring, state employment ban, police powers, Department of Law Enforcement, DLNR
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/04/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- From the Boundary Waters to the prairies and lakes in the south, and by a uniquely diverse economy.
- First, pollution does not obey county boundaries, and Minnesota's environmental review laws are meant
- First, pollution does not obey county First, pollution does not obey county boundaries<00:37:16.720><
- environmental boundaries and Minnesota's environmental review<00:37:18.240><c> laws</c><00:37:18.480
- So if we have a project in the Boundary Waters or in Superior National Forest in Lake or Cook County,