Video & Transcript Research : 'exceptions'
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AR
Transcript Highlights:
- And while the reasons may vary, without exception, their time here has been noticed by the many contributions
- Without exception, their time here has been noticed by the many contributions they have made through
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then recognized guests including law enforcement, a doctor and nurse of the day, school groups, and the Highland High School state championship band. After dispensing with the previous day’s journal and noting no committee reports or unfinished business, the chamber proceeded to final action on Senate Bill 1, which would reduce income tax rates for individuals, trusts, estates, and corporations. Representative Eaves explained that it was the Senate version of the House bill passed the day before, and the House passed the bill by a vote of 79 yeas to 18 nays.
Before adjournment, the Speaker offered extensive recognition to members who were leaving the House due to term limits or other reasons, including members of the 2011 freshman class and several others who would not return for the 96th General Assembly. The chamber gave them applause and arranged for group photos. Representative Fred Allen then delivered a personal privilege speech reflecting on his long battle with stage four cancer, thanking colleagues for their support and encouragement over the years and expressing appreciation for the opportunity to serve.
With all items on the governor’s proclamation completed, Representative John Milligan moved that the House adjourn sine die the first extraordinary session of the 95th General Assembly and consent to the Senate doing the same. The motion carried, and the House adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education Apr 24th, 2025
S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education
Transcript Highlights:
- result, I filed HB1209. time, to prohibit schools from adopting a four-day school week with some exceptions
- Exception one, this bill does not apply to school districts that have student enrollment of 8,000 or
Keywords:
school funding, instructional days, education, public schools, school performance, four-day school week, performance rating, school governance, school calendar, education funding, emergency closures, school district, school operations, Texas education, public school accountability, academic distinction designation, postsecondary readiness, career and technical education, CTE, P-TECH
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (02/17/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- not just based on insurance exception not just based on insurance exception but<00:53:01.680>
- And we already have an exceptions process.
- And we already have an<02:08:51.520>
exceptions <02:08:52.159>process. - So, but that's an exceptions process.
- does provide a clear override exception does provide a clear override exception mechanism<02:21:
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives May 26th, 2026
Louisiana House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- provides relative to wearing masks while committing felonies, providing enhanced penalties and exceptions
- I'm doing pretty good except for this bill.
- I'm doing pretty good except for this bill.
- I'm doing pretty good except for this bill. even though the list is in addition or maybe I think one
- transfer of certain state property, sale or removal of property by state agencies, provide for exceptions
Bills:
HR320, HR321, SCR55, SCR69, SCR75, SCR77, SCR78, SCR79, SB259, SB295, SB312, SB348, SB444, SB485, HR73, HR118, HR144, HR196, HR237, HR249, HR260, HR267, HR272, HR278, HCR85, HCR100, HCR105, HCR107, HCR114, HR245, SCR5, SCR29, SCR33, SCR37, SCR63, SCR30, SCR40, HB62, HB193, HB210, HB220, HB246, HB364, HB420, HB475, HB584, HB622, HB772, HB784, HB949, HB953, HB1043, HB1070, HB1092, HB1134, HB1162, HB1176, HB1196, HB1214, HB119, HB129, HB233, HB283, HB538, HB789, HB850, HB870, HB1236, HB1241, HB54, HB137, HB321, HB368, HB386, HB414, HB431, HB552, HB555, HB578, HB590, HB593, HB618, HB638, HB670, HB692, HB707, HB708, HB715, HB718, HB732, HB741, HB748, HB776, HB796, HB807, HB822, HB848, HB856, HB887, HB888, HB917, HB921, HB1082, HB1243, HB1246, HB378, HB509, HB1090, HB1259, SB80, SB131, SB143, SB251, SB254, SB279, SB367, SB384, SB388, SB389, SB398, SB408, SB431, SB468, SB469, SB496, SB4, SB52, SB57, SB83, SB145, SB152, SB194, SB276, SB319, SB333, SB448, SB450, SB465, SB484, SB501, SB509, SB149, HR168, HB463, HB998, SB123, SB353, SB479, SB495, SB82, SB97, SB283, SB326, SB518, SB197, SB268, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB89, HB74, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB468, HB956, HB1117, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB78, SB208, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB341, SB379, SB382, SB387, SB401, SB441, SB449, SB487
Keywords:
Arsenal, Arsenal F.C., Premier League, English football, soccer, football club, Mikel Arteta, Emirates Stadium, North London, Tottenham Hotspur, Gunners, sports resolution, commendation, celebration, championship, silverware, Louisiana House Resolution, ceremonial resolution, domestic violence, forensic medical examinations
Summary:
The House was called to order, a quorum was established, and the meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members also observed several personal privileges and recognitions, including International Preeclampsia Awareness Month, the Hudson Cup award presentation to Rep. John Illg Jr., recognition of the Delcambre Shrimp Festival Queen, and a visit from U.S. Sen. John Kennedy. The chamber also received Senate messages, conference committee appointments, enrolled reports, and a conference report on SB 483 dealing with psychedelic-assisted therapy, which was laid over.
The House then moved through a long series of concurrence and rejection votes on Senate amendments to House bills. Among the measures concurred in were bills affecting the Louisiana Women’s Policy Research Commission, the Louisiana Sickle Cell Commission, child exploitation reporting on covered platforms, the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board, DCFS background checks, AI disclosure in health care, foster care placement and related terminology, criminal history record confidentiality, parish court jurisdiction, court costs, developmental disability office renaming, insurance claims and contractor licensing, Medicare Advantage coverage, colorectal cancer screening, health facilities, highway memorial designations, jury compensation, school employee protections, juvenile court fees, off-road vehicle seizure, residential property insurance cancellation, child support enforcement, and several others. The House rejected Senate amendments on bills including ethics retroactivity, sex offender registration notification, plumbers licensing, and health insurance formulary placement, sending some to conference.
Several bills were finally passed, including measures on obstructing public passages with motorized vehicles, class six injection well hearings, arson of religious buildings, wearing masks while committing felonies, professional board attorney fees, bulletproof vests for peace officers, critical infrastructure protection from foreign adversaries, debit card surcharges, electronic stock certificates, watershed restoration funding, and innovation economic development pilot hubs. The innovation hub bill drew extensive debate over no-bid contracting, transparency, and the role of elected versus unelected bodies; an amendment to limit contracting authority to parish governing authorities was withdrawn, and the bill later proceeded to final passage after extended floor discussion. The House also took up and passed or concurred in multiple other bills and resolutions, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to divided on a few measures.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Apr 1st, 2026
Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- Doesn't mandate anybody to do anything except for municipalities, class 3 municipalities, to provide
- <00:26:01.279>
for anybody to do anything except for anybody to do anything except for municipalities - Constitution for our entire history is the centralization of power in Montgomery, with the notable exception
- Constitution for our entire history is the centralization of power in Montgomery, with the notable exception
- Constitution for our entire history is the centralization of power in Montgomery, with the notable exception
Keywords:
HB450, judges, judicial office, constitutional amendment, Alabama Constitution, age limit, mandatory retirement, judicial eligibility, supernumerary judge, judicial retirement, state judicial retirement benefits, election law, appointment, voter approval, ballot measure, Judiciary Committee, ambulance services, balance billing, health insurance, emergency transportation
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- a floor amendment in the House version or in the Senate version of SB 181 that, in the list of exceptions
- a floor amendment in the House version or in the Senate version of SB 181 that, in the list of exceptions
- So, I've swapped out one of the exceptions in House Bill 67, which was section—oh, excuse me, let me
- So, that is what is in the committee sub. list of exceptions, we had SROs and um list of exceptions,
- in House Bill 67, which was exceptions in House Bill 67, which was section<00:07:01.200>
Oh, <
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Equality doesn't mean that everyone's equal except this one group that we don't agree with or understand
- for people who are crazy exception for people who are transgender<00:32:57.679>
and <00:32:57.919 - <00:33:13.600>
equal doesn't mean that everyone's equal doesn't mean that everyone's equal except - 15.279>
group <00:33:15.600>that <00:33:15.840>we <00:33:16.080>don't except - this one group that we don't except this one group that we don't agree<00:33:16.720>
with <00:
Keywords:
accessible parking, disability, kupuna, public accommodations, small business exemptions, Hawaii Revised Statutes, parking permit, blind, deaf, accessibility, deafness, traffic safety, law enforcement, vehicle registration, communication, emergency services, commercial driver's license, first responders, public safety, authorized emergency vehicle
Summary:
The joint hearing covered House Bill 251, which would require hospitals to report costs associated with Medicare and uninsured patients, and House Bill 1875, which would expand protections for gender-affirming health care services. On HB 251, the Department of Health said it supported the intent but described the bill as complicated and potentially impractical as drafted because the department lacks the expertise to produce the required analyses without outside help. Hawaii Health Systems Corporation echoed those concerns, while the Queen’s Health System said it was willing to work with the department to provide the information. In committee discussion, officials explained that hospital support in Hawaii includes public hospital appropriations and the provider tax program, which uses hospital and nursing home contributions to draw federal matching funds; a department witness estimated the net benefit at about $150 million for hospitals and $20 million for nursing facilities, though exact figures would be provided later.
On HB 1875, the Insurance Division testified with concerns that the bill’s language on prohibited actions by malpractice insurers was broad and vague, and that a rate-increase prohibition could conflict with actuarially based insurance pricing. The division also noted it was not the primary enforcement agency for the statute. In contrast, many testifiers strongly supported the bill, including the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, PFLAG Oahu, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, the Hawaii County Democratic Party, and others. Supporters argued that gender-affirming care is medically necessary, evidence-based, and protected by privacy and bodily autonomy principles, and that the bill would protect patients and providers from outside political interference. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (02/11/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- And of those 47, the office head is an attorney in all but five of them, the exceptions being Arizona
- <00:17:13.280>
being five of them, the exceptions being five of them, the exceptions being - <00:18:41.600>
issue duties of the company are at issue duties of the company are at issue except - <00:18:44.720>
I've <00:18:45.039>made except through an attorney. - I've made except through an attorney.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- >> Except for... Yeah. >> Spilled water. >> The napkins hang up or something. Clean eggs.
- >> Except<00:15:14.399>
for <00:15:14.639>Yeah. >> Except for Yeah. - >> Except for Yeah. >> Spilled<00:15:15.920>
water. >> Spilled water. - ><00:42:12.240>
the government to be involved with the government to be involved with the exception - of veterans pensions and exception of veterans pensions and social<00:42:14.480>
services <00:
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing with Professor Colin Moore on democratic norms and their erosion in the United States, with a focus on what that could mean for Hawaii. Chair Carl Rhodes introduced the topic and the professor, noting the briefing was livestreamed and could be rescheduled if technical problems arose. Moore defined democratic norms as unwritten guardrails that make written constitutional rules work in practice, emphasizing two core norms from political science: mutual toleration, meaning acceptance of political opponents as legitimate, and institutional forbearance, meaning restraint in using legal powers to the maximum for partisan gain.
Moore used historical examples to show how norms develop and erode, including George Washington’s resignation, the Alien and Sedition Acts, the contested 1800 election, Franklin Roosevelt’s court-packing plan, and Watergate. He argued that democracies usually erode gradually rather than through sudden coups, often through leaders who reject opponents’ legitimacy, tolerate political violence, restrict civil liberties, or attack the press. He said the United States is vulnerable because of its strong presidency, an 18th-century constitutional design that did not anticipate modern political parties or a neutral civil service, and because polarization has encouraged “constitutional hardball” and retaliation.
He cited comparative examples such as Hungary, Turkey, and other countries that slid toward authoritarianism over time, and said the U.S. has been rated a flawed democracy by outside indexes. Moore said the erosion predates Donald Trump, though he believes Trump has accelerated it, and pointed to recent actions and rhetoric as moving beyond ceremony into government practice. He also warned that Congress has not consistently checked executive power and that public willingness to excuse anti-democratic behavior from preferred candidates is troubling. The briefing ended with Moore turning to federalism and Hawaii, arguing that the state depends heavily on federal funding for health care, schools, housing, and infrastructure, and that delays or disruptions from an unstable federal government could create serious local harm even if no law is formally broken.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (09/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- So eliminating Class 2 does nothing except that because of the one of the customers who are eligible
- 26.479>
nothing So eliminating class two does nothing So eliminating class two does nothing except - 00:04:30.240>
the <00:04:30.479>one <00:04:30.720>of <00:04:30.960>the except - that because of the one of the except that because of the one of the customers<00:04:33.040>
who< - doicile, but driver's license except doicile, but driver's license helps,<00:44:53.599>
a <00:
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 219, which would revise the renewable portfolio standard by changing several class definitions, eliminating Class 2, lowering the utility obligation for Class 1 thermal renewable energy certificates from 2.2% to 1.7%, and adjusting alternative compliance payments. Representative Vose said the bill would save ratepayers an estimated $5.7 million annually, arguing that Class 2 is already saturated and that the changes would not materially affect renewable energy development. Members questioned the fiscal impact, with an amended fiscal note cited as showing a $1.2 million reduction in general fund revenue, and some members raised concerns that the bill could weaken one of the remaining incentives for renewable investment. The committee also reviewed the bill’s history, including that it had been added to HB 2 and then removed in conference committee. No vote was taken in the work session.
The committee then heard House Bill 164, concerning local records retention and the creation of a local records manager position. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the position has existed in statute for years but has never been funded, and said the need has grown as records management has become more digital and ADA accessibility has become more important. He described the bill as a way to help towns preserve and digitize records, especially for smaller communities with limited resources, while keeping records locally when possible. Members asked about the fiscal note, the potential cost of a public website and storage system, and whether the state could start by funding the position alone; the secretary said the staffing cost estimate remained accurate but that storage costs could rise over time. Several members expressed support and suggested further discussion with the Department of Information or other agencies. The work session was then closed without action.
Finally, the committee opened House Bill 365, which would provide proof of U.S. citizenship assistance for indigent voters. Secretary Scanlan said the bill is intended to help voters comply with the new voter registration documentation requirements by allowing the state to verify eligibility through federal, private, and other state databases, and by providing vouchers to cover the cost of obtaining documents such as birth certificates. He compared the proposal to the earlier voter ID law, which he said was successfully implemented with accommodations for voters lacking acceptable ID. Members asked how “indigent” would be defined and how the process would work for out-of-state-born applicants; the secretary said indigency would likely be based on a voter’s statement of inability to pay and that the state would help identify where to obtain records and, if necessary, verify them through outside databases. The discussion continued as the transcript ended, with no vote recorded.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (03/25/2025)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- It would have been on the consent calendar of the House except we had a typo in it, and so we had to
- :38.720>
house the consent con calendar of the house the consent con calendar of the house except - we had a typo in it and so we had except we had a typo in it and so we had to<00:42:40.839>
do - I have one company that hasn't heard from the PUC except the filings, and all they do is file these and
- the filings and all they do is except the filings and all they do is file<00:53:09.240>
these
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 3/10/25
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- light speed to get here on Republican-only party-line votes, with no defense from any Republican except
- I was glad to see that, with just a few handful of exceptions, the bulk of our bill model process and
- I was glad to see that, with just a few handful of exceptions, the bulk of our bill model process and
- I was glad to see that, with just a few handful of exceptions, the bulk of our bill model process and
- I was glad to see that, with just a few handful of exceptions, the bulk of our bill model process and
Bills:
HF550
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (03/04/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- We have not seen a lot of extra traffic yet except when it was opening.
- 00:22:35.799>
extra <00:22:36.200>traffic <00:22:36.760>yet <00:22:37.559>except - seen a lot of extra traffic yet except seen a lot of extra traffic yet except when<00:22:38.400>
- But on line 15, it says any person who imports or causes to be imported oil into the state, except those
- to be imported oil into the state except to be imported oil into the state except those<00:42:03.599
Summary:
The committee first held a public hearing on HB 660, which would require historic horse racing facilities to pay 10% of HHR winnings to host communities as mitigation. Representative Om said the amendment was intended to leave charities and the state whole while funding local costs tied to large gaming facilities. Supporters argued the measure would address future municipal expenses, while opponents said host towns have not reported current problems and that the bill would single out one industry. Members questioned the 10% rate, whether the proposal was retroactive, and whether it would apply to existing facilities; the sponsor said it would apply to facilities already in place or later added. The hearing was then closed without any vote recorded in the transcript.
The committee then opened a hearing on HB 658-FN, which raises reimbursement caps and adjusts fees for the Oil Discharge and Disposal Cleanup Fund and the Oil Pollution Control Fund. Representative Malloy introduced the bill, and Representative Aly explained the funds as a state-backed insurance mechanism for oil spill cleanup and prevention, including replacement of leaking home heating oil tanks for low-income homeowners. Bob Scully of the Energy Marketers Association supported the bill, saying the fee structure helps fund remediation and tank replacement, though costs are ultimately passed on to consumers. Department of Environmental Services officials Robert Bishop and Jennifer Marts described the bill as extending the fee collection for 10 years, changing reporting dates, increasing the cap for low-income tank replacement, and rebalancing fees based on an actuarial review.
DES testified that the actuarial study found the fund needed to remain solvent and that home heating oil releases are the largest category of new releases, with the fuel oil fee otherwise needing to rise by more than 200% to cover projected costs. The board instead proposed a smaller increase and adjusted other fees accordingly, while maintaining a reserve to cover the first days of a major coastal spill before federal funds become available. Members asked about the basis for the fee changes, the role of the actuarial review, and the statutory language governing who pays the fees. The transcript ends during this hearing, with no final committee action or vote shown.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Children and Family Law (02/20/2025)
Children and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- And then you have the two RSA that have listed those exceptions, you know.
- you know those listed those exceptions you know those are<00:37:00.920>
those <00:37:01.040> so I I I agree with all except so I I I agree with all except um<00:50:03.960>- So yeah, I agree with all except... assumption of confiden chity in that but assumption of confiden chity
- c><00:50:00.520>
agree <00:50:00.880>with <00:50:01.040>all <00:50:01.559>except we <00:50:04.520
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Many agencies will be requesting through their exceptional items additional funding for salary.
- So it's basically the same thing with a CPAN, except for OB-GYN providers across the state of Texas.
- In our lar and put in the some of our exceptional items our programs that would be run by local mental
- I'll kind of give you a flavor of a couple of the exceptional items.
- Cross the board, actually, that is the case, with the exception of we've seen an increase.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, June 4, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But Jane's exceptional record reaches beyond our veterans.
- But Jane's exceptional record reaches beyond our veterans.
- But Jane's exceptional record reaches beyond our veterans.
- honor a good man and an exceptional honor a good man and an exceptional leader<00:55:50.559>
- <07:21:45.360>
US 23rd anniversary of an exceptional US 23rd anniversary of an exceptional
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (02/04/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- It doesn't create a list of exceptions, which is a good thing, because whenever you start a list of exceptions
- It doesn't create a list of exceptions, which is a good thing, because whenever you start a list of exceptions
- It doesn't create a list of exceptions, which is a good thing, because whenever you start a list of exceptions
- It doesn't create a list of exceptions, which is a good thing, because whenever you start a list of exceptions
- It doesn't create a list of exceptions, which is a good thing, because whenever you start a list of exceptions
Summary:
The Environment and Agriculture Committee met in work session on several bills, beginning with HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training. Members said the bill had been sent to the Animal Protection and Licensing Subcommittee, where Representative Kuttab is expected to schedule a meeting soon to consider possible amendments based on testimony and other ideas. The committee later returned to HB 153 and confirmed a work session was planned for February 14, with discussion also including whether to explore a task force concept raised in testimony.
The committee also discussed HB 215 and HB 566, both related to landfill permitting and leachate or harm/benefit reporting. Representative Gerana said he had met with the DES director and was working on amendments that would add a preliminary screening phase for determining net public benefit and expand the list of benefits beyond capacity need to include items such as economic and infrastructure benefits. HB 566 was said to be in the same posture as HB 215, and both were slated for subcommittee review the following Tuesday morning. HB 171 was also added for subcommittee discussion, with members saying the changes would be technical rather than substantive.
HB 240, which removes forfeiture penalties for non-payment of dog licenses, drew support for a simple amendment changing a statutory “shall” to “may” so municipal officials would have discretion about issuing a warrant. Representative Bixby said OLS advised that this was the cleanest way to provide flexibility, and he reported that the sponsor was agreeable to the change. The committee also discussed HB 179, concerning hazardous waste accident fees, where the sponsor proposed a revised amendment imposing a $1,000-per-day penalty after 90 days of non-payment. Members raised concerns about homeowners, hobby farmers, and whether the bill could unfairly burden people who were not negligent or whose insurance claims were delayed. The sponsor and others said the intent was to recover costs from responsible parties, especially businesses, and to protect local taxpayers and fire departments from bearing the cost of damaged hazardous materials equipment. No votes were taken; the bills were left for further subcommittee work and amendment drafting.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (01/21/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- can be acted on now there are exceptions can be acted on now there are exceptions to<00:35:17.680
- in accident cases no hearing except in accident cases shall<04:29:18.000>
be <04:29:18.159> - in accident cases they be held or except in accident cases they be held or conducted<04:30:13.040>
- for the adoption of commission G9 except for the adoption of commission rules<04:35:50.199>
which - So that reference, then, without the exception, doesn't give us the way the PUC was constituted before
- for the adoption of commission G9 except for the adoption of commission rules<04:35:50.199>
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 120 May 14th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- All the chaos going on around here all the time except for maybe during the last special session; that
- So, I just really enjoy the peacefulness except for last summer.
- Except for that one bill.
- My authority and power to get your bills done, except for artificial intelligence.
- Um, all of us are still here except for Daphna, who's moved on.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- except for adding changing the dates and and adding the items that I explained.
- except for adding changing the dates and and adding the items that I explained.
- except for adding changing the dates and and adding the items that I explained.
- Except for adding, changing the dates, and adding the items that I explained.
- when the school district one exception when the school district is<00:43:54.400>
really <00:43
Summary:
The Education Funding Committee met in executive session and reviewed several previously heard bills, but focused its discussion on SB 586 and SB 580. The chair explained that SB 586 would require school districts and school administrative units to publish audit reports after the fiscal year, and that an amendment, 1472H, had been prepared to replace the relevant audit/reporting section. The amendment would add SAUs to the reporting entities, expand the contents of audits to include items such as employee lists, pay, benefits, and pension liabilities, and change the timing so audits are submitted nine months after the fiscal year end, followed by a three-month Department of Education review and then a further correction period before any grant funding could be withheld. The amendment would also require the reports to be posted in searchable electronic form on the web. Committee members discussed whether the bill’s “non-compliance” language referred only to incomplete submissions or also to audit findings, and several members raised concerns about whether the Department of Education had the staff and authority to take on this role, whether the existing DOE25 process would be displaced, and whether the bill should instead remain with the Department of Revenue Administration. One member noted that the fiscal note anticipated the need for additional auditors and significant staffing costs.
The committee also reviewed SB 580, described as a school cooperative purchasing program bill that also contains policy provisions for charter school trustees, school board members, and receivership-related language tied to Claremont. The chair said the committee had previously heard comments from Charlie Arlinghouse on the cooperative purchasing portion and would use a side-by-side comparison prepared by staff when it reached that bill. Other bills on the docket were briefly described but not taken up that day: SB 491, which has committee-requested amendments and a separate non-germane amendment related to curriculum frameworks and academic standards; SB 513, an owner’s project manager bill held as a possible vehicle for future non-germane language; and SB 531, concerning a cosmetology program in Coös County and a possible task force. The chair said the committee would not address 491, 513, or 531 that day and would return to 580 and 586.