Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, congratulations, Chair, on the passage of the recommendation.
• And congratulations, Chair, your three recommendations have passed.
• And congratulations chair. um passes.
• Congratulations,<03:50:31.359> Chairley,<03:50:32.080> for Congratulations, Chairley, for
• Congratulations on your first recommendation.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations, Rep. Spencer. And this concludes our committee agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, congratulations to you and the troop.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Boy Scouts from Troop 23 of North Attleboro, and the Chair recognized the troop and three newly minted Eagle Scouts: Jack Simmons, Zach Hoffer, and Ryan Motto. Members offered congratulations and thanked the scouts and scoutmaster for their service and volunteerism. The House then considered a resolution filed by Representative Arciero of Westford recognizing March 2025 as Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood Awareness Month. On motion by Representative Scanlon, the rules were suspended, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote. After a brief recess, the House adopted an order setting the next meeting for Monday at 11 a.m. The chamber then adjourned to meet Monday next at 11 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations. That's great news. All right, with no other business, we are adjourned.

Summary: The committee met to consider a waiver request related to Jackson County School District Superintendent Chester Shannon’s construction project in Tuckerman, Arkansas. Shannon explained that while the district was in the middle of construction, it received grants and was able to complete additional work, including some items that could be interpreted as maintenance rather than construction. He said the change orders allowed the district to make needed improvements at a reduced cost and that he wanted board approval to ensure he was covered by the waiver. Members asked no substantive questions beyond acknowledging the inconvenience of Shannon having to return to present the request again after a prior approval of a different amount. Representative Eaves apologized for the need for the second appearance, noting there was no procedure to handle the change without the superintendent’s testimony. A motion was made by Senator Rice and seconded by Mr. Speaker to approve the waiver request, and the motion passed by voice vote. In other business, Marty Garrity, Director of the Bureau of Legislative Research, reported that the Bureau’s independent biennial audit had no findings. Members congratulated the Bureau on the result, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations. That's great news. All right, with no other business, we are adjourned. Oh, bro.

Summary: The committee met and first heard from Superintendent Chester Shannon, who requested an addendum to a previously approved waiver related to TIPS/TAPS construction work. He explained that while construction was underway, the district was able to use grants and take advantage of lower-cost change orders to make additional building improvements, including items that could be viewed as either construction or maintenance, such as door replacement. He said he wanted the board’s waiver to cover those changes. A member apologized for requiring him to return, noting there was no procedure to approve the added amount without another presentation. The committee then approved the waiver request by motion and vote. In other business, Marty Garrity, Director of the Bureau of Legislative Research, reported that the Bureau’s most recent independent audit had no findings. Members congratulated him on the result. No other business was raised, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations.

Transcript Highlights:

• following resolutions ought to be adopted: resolutions filed by Representative Hogan of Stowe congratulating

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and announced that Ann-Margaret Ferrante had completed the required oaths and was now duly qualified as a member. The House also received a message from the Governor submitting fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriation requests, which were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The Temporary Committee on Rules reported two congratulatory and recognition resolutions: one honoring Lucas Bendowski for achieving Eagle Scout and another recognizing David P. McKenna for three decades of service to the Danvers Committee for Human Rights and Inclusion. The House suspended the rules and adopted both resolutions. The House adopted an order to adjourn to Monday at 11 a.m. Representatives Donato, Barber, and Garballey also moved that the House adjourn in memory of former Representative John R. Grinara of Medford. The House then adjourned to meet Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• following resolutions ought to be adopted: Resolutions filed by Representative Linsky of Natick, congratulating

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up a Rules Committee report recommending adoption of several resolutions. These included congratulations to Mark Boisian on earning Eagle Scout, recognition of the National Autism Center at May Institute for the first annual Profound Autism Day in Massachusetts, recognition of Sidney Zachary Moss on his 100th birthday, and a resolution commemorating Ramadan. The House suspended the rules and adopted the resolutions. The chamber then considered a Senate paper on proposed joint rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session. After suspending the rules, the House voted not to concur with the Senate’s position on the joint rules proposal. The Speaker appointed a conference committee consisting of Representatives Michael Moran of Boston, Galvin of Canton, and Meridian of Grafton to resolve the disagreement. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn and then adjourned to meet again Monday at 11 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations to you. Thank you. Good afternoon, everyone.
• You've done a phenomenal job of that, on time and with a lot of clarity, so congratulations to you and
• Congratulations to all the parents and teachers who helped with scout leaders, everybody who had anything
• Congratulations. Questions from the committee? Great, well done.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills focused on pesticides, pollinators, rodenticides, mosquito control, invasive species, and local authority over pesticide regulation. Chair Becca Rausch set strict two-minute testimony limits due to the very large number of speakers. Early testimony from Senator Moore and Representative Hawkins strongly supported a bill to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, citing harms to wildlife, pets, and public health, and noting that California has already adopted a similar model. Testimony also supported a Lowell home rule petition to allow the city to prohibit or restrict these rodenticides, with local officials describing documented raptor poisonings and municipal efforts to phase out use on city property. A major portion of the hearing focused on pollinator protection and neonicotinoid-treated seeds. Witnesses from environmental groups, conservation organizations, academics, and beekeepers argued that neonics harm bees and other beneficial insects, contaminate soil and water, and provide little or no economic benefit in most corn and soybean fields. Several speakers pointed to New York, Vermont, and Quebec as models for restricting treated seeds, and one panel cited research showing only a small percentage of fields benefit economically from the treatments. Support was also voiced for a bill establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program, with advocates criticizing aerial and truck spraying and urging non-chemical, locally tailored approaches. Other testimony supported bills to reform the pesticide board and pesticide regulation process, to give vulnerable municipalities more local control over pesticide use, to protect schoolchildren from pesticides on school grounds, and to respond to invasive species through a centralized state office, coordinator, strategic plan, and trust fund. Many speakers, including representatives from Mass Audubon, MSPCA, the Xerces Society, the Sierra Club, watershed groups, and local wildlife rehabilitators, described impacts on hawks, owls, pets, fish, and broader ecosystems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and committee members generally asked few questions, with the hearing remaining in testimony mode throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• So congratulations to the governor's office and all of you for your work on the application. um informational
• comparable the best of any state of our comparable size.<00:02:01.800> So<00:02:02.000> congratulations
• So congratulations to the size.
• So congratulations to the governor's<00:02:03.440> office<00:02:03.760> and<00:02:03.920

Bills: HB20, HB276, HB644, HB812, HB816, HB916, HB1131, HB1247, HB1518, HB1525, HB1537, HB1541, HB1546, HB1553, HB1562, HB1565, HB1566, HB1576, HB1577, HB1591, HB1605, HB1612, HB1613, HB1614, HB1618, HB1620, HB1650, HB1656, HB1658, HB1661, HB1664, HB1668, HB1676, HB1707, HB1711, HB1713, HB1715, HB1718, HB1727, HB1749, HB1756, HB1774, HB1776, HB1801, HB1802, HB1805, HB1813, HB1815, HB1831, HB1838, HB1853, HB1854, HB1859, HB1863, HB1871, HB1872, HB1918, HB1920, HB1952, HB1965, HB1966, HB1967, HB1969, HB1972, HB1973, HB1974, HB1975, HB1980, HB1985, HB2005, HB2023, HB2031, HB2033, HB2062, HB2113, HB2114, HB2116, HB2138, HB2139, HB2156, HB2158, HB2159, HB2171, HB2208, HB2268, HB2270, HB2272, HB2273, HB2276, HB2289, HB2310, HB2315, HB2335, HB2338, HB2339, HB2340, HB2343, HB2361, HB2384, HB2387, SB2338, SB2431, SB2438, SB2593, SB2907, SB2671, SB2321, SB3084, SB2401, SB3033, SB2972, SB3032, SB2806, SB3014, SB2108, SB2981, SB2973, SB2423, SB2078, SB2322, SB2397, SB2896, SB2088, SB2347, SB2408, SB2970, SB2851, SB2713, SB2697, SB2312, SB2192, SB2363, SB2530, SB3028, SB2024, SB3007, SB2599, SB2596, SB2662, SB2930, SB3334, SB2378, SB3019, SB3231, SB2240, SB2372, SB2175, SB2046, SB2298, SB2922, SB2835, SB3263, SB2174, SB2128, SB2006, SB2489, SB3134, SB2982, SB2425, SB2849, SB2797, SB2795, SB2575, SB2521, SB2765, SB2386, SB2852, SB2022, SB2117, SB2277, SB2387, SB2688, SB2885, SB3132, SB3219, SB2169, SB2591, SB2090, SB2983, SB888, SB3249, SB2611, SB2429, SB2463, SB3154, SB3131, SB3152, SB3315, SB2448, SB2054, SB2140, SB2520, SB2377, SB2986, SB2010, SB2189, SB2026, SB3010, SB2818, SB2002

Keywords: lava insurance, homeowners, insurance market, subsidy, Hawaii, condominiums, annual report, filing fee, real estate, developer, residency, property regime, PFAS, single-use plastics, environmental health, food ware, pollution reduction, local produce, agriculture, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• So, congratulations to the governor's office and all of you for your work on the application.
• <00:11:08.200> So,<00:11:08.400> congratulations our comparable size.
• So, congratulations our comparable size.
• So, congratulations to<00:11:09.320> the<00:11:09.400> governor's<00:11:09.839> office

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations, and thank you for being here this morning. >> Thank you. >> And the next item on the
• Congratulations<00:26:04.880> and Congratulations and Congratulations and >> thank<00:26

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met for its sixth regular-session meeting and first took up House Bill 5, as substituted by committee amendment, which would authorize KCTCS to partner with the Department of Corrections to create a vocational training campus at North Point Training Center. The sponsor and witnesses described the bill as a prison education and re-entry initiative aimed at reducing recidivism, saving taxpayer money, and meeting workforce needs, citing Michigan’s vocational village model as evidence that prison-based training can lower reoffending. Testimony emphasized that the program would include high-demand vocational fields, credentials, eligibility and security safeguards, data collection, annual reporting, and re-entry documentation such as certificates of employability and employment protections. Several members voiced support, including comments that the bill builds on existing second-chance and employability efforts. One member asked whether post-release employment outcomes could also be tracked, and the sponsor said that would be encouraged and discussed as a possible friendly amendment. After discussion, the committee voted 19-1 to adopt the committee substitute and pass House Bill 5. The committee then began consideration of House Bill 468, which would update the Kentucky Civil Rights Act to conform the state definition of disability to the 2008 federal ADA amendments and clarify the meaning of “qualified individual with a disability.” The bill sponsor said it would remove the Kentucky Human Rights Commission’s adjudicative authority over employment and public accommodations cases, while leaving investigative powers intact and preserving housing-related adjudication, with the goal of placing those disputes in court and preserving jury-trial rights. In response to questions, the sponsor said a local mandate analysis found the court impact would be minimal to moderate, and cited commission data showing relatively few hearings. The transcript cuts off during continued discussion of HB 468.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I have another request: I want to ask that you also join me in congratulating the students of Gadsden
• And I have another request is I want to ask that you also join me in congratulating the students of Gadsden
• Congratulations to the winners of the Spanish spelling bee.
• Congratulations to the winner of the Spanish spelling bee.

Bills: HB111, HB108, HB145, HB164, HB291, HJR6, HR1, HB63, HB64, HB165, HB184, HB200, HB4, HB7, HB20, HB65, HB66, HB80, HB88, HB96, HB166, HB285, HB295, HB306, SB29, SB37, HJM2, HJM3, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations on getting out.
• Congratulations<00:40:34.400> on<00:40:34.640> getting<00:40:34.880> out.
• <00:40:35.040> I<00:40:35.200> know Congratulations on getting out.
• I know Congratulations on getting out.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 03:09 SB 57 Discussion 04:03 SB 57 Roll Call Vote 38:37 SB 172 Discussion 41:27 SB 172 Roll Call Vote 50:23, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a prayer, the pledge, recognition of an Energy and Environment Cabinet leadership academy group, a roll call establishing quorum, and approval of the previous meeting’s minutes. The main item was Senator Danny Carroll’s presentation of legislation to create a nuclear-ready site readiness pilot program in Kentucky. He said the bill is intended to help build a nuclear ecosystem in the Commonwealth by supporting early site permits, construction permits, or combined licenses, with the state contributing up to $25 million per project and a total of $75 million for up to three projects. He emphasized safeguards such as refundable funding if conditions are not met, legislative rather than authority-only selection of projects, and oversight by the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (NIDTA). He also described related provisions on cost recovery through the Public Service Commission, tax incentive eligibility for nuclear ecosystem projects, training and consultant support for the authority, and eligibility for fusion projects. Carroll and Rodney Andrews said the proposal is meant to attract utilities, developers, and large industrial users such as data centers, and to spread projects geographically, with particular attention to Eastern Kentucky and other rural areas. They said selection criteria would include site suitability, prior site use, regional economic need and impact, geographic diversity, additional investment, federal funding status, and whether a community has applied to be designated nuclear-ready. They stressed that communities would not be forced to host reactors and could choose which parts of the nuclear ecosystem to participate in. Carroll also said the bill could help Kentucky compete with states like Texas and Tennessee, and Andrews said industry contacts viewed the proposal as a signal that Kentucky is open to investment. Members generally expressed support for the bill and its goals, while asking about taxpayer exposure, site size, permitting, grid needs, national security, and reactor technology. Carroll said the state’s direct commitment would be capped at $75 million, with any additional cost recovery depending on PSC approval and project specifics. He said small modular reactor sites would be much smaller than traditional plants, and described a model in which a utility partners with a developer and a data center, with power contracts helping offset costs over decades. On security and technology, Carroll and Andrews said newer reactors would still be subject to the same standards as larger units, and Andrews explained that next-generation designs may use different fuels and materials such as TRISO and high-assay low-enriched uranium. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided, and the chair noted time limits and that additional members still had questions, including one witness expected to speak against the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations. That's terrific. Thank you very much.
• Congratulations again. We're a very lean company, and we're trying to stay that way.
• But I'm really curious to know, in The field of nursing is such a critical need, and congratulations
• times, but I'm really curious to know in the field of nursing, and it's such a critical need, and congratulations

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations to the co-chairs on your elections and members of the committee.
• <00:04:41.759> Congratulations<00:04:42.479> to<00:04:42.639> the >> Thank
• Congratulations to the >> Thank you.
• Congratulations to the co-chairs<00:04:43.360> on<00:04:43.520> your<00:04:43.759> elections

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:09 Roll call 00:00:24 Election of Co-Chairs 00:01:11 Office of Education Accountability Annual Report 00:04:41 Office of Education Accountability District Data Profiles, School Year 2024 00:23:50 Update from the Education Professional Standards Board 00:58:19 Adjournment 01:08:00, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting with roll call and procedural business, including elections of co-chairs. The House elected Representative Truett as House co-chair, and the Senate elected Senator Denine as Senate co-chair. After the organizational votes, the committee heard the Office of Educational Accountability’s annual report, beginning with Brian Jones and Deborah Nelson describing OEA’s investigations and research divisions and recent staffing turnover. On the investigations side, OEA said it handled complaints only when submitted in writing and generally opened cases only when it had enough facts to evaluate. Jones reported complaint volume declined from 805 in 2023 to 738 in 2024, with 325 in the first half of the current year. He outlined the kinds of matters OEA investigates, including school-based council issues, open meetings, board eligibility, nepotism, conflicts of interest, certification, activity funds, and surplus property, while noting that routine personnel matters, bullying, child interviews, and cases tied to litigation are generally handled locally or referred elsewhere. He also said OEA refers special education, assessment/testing, discrimination, and serious misconduct matters to the appropriate agencies, and that he did not see a need for statutory changes to improve OEA’s work, though he said cases should move more quickly. The research division presentation focused on OEA’s district data profiles and annual research agenda. Nelson explained that OEA reviews KDE-reported data and underlying datasets to verify accuracy, analyze trends, and produce reports for the General Assembly. She highlighted 2024 publications on district governance models and student achievement, and said this year’s agenda includes district data profiles, student discipline analysis, and a review of early childhood regional training centers. She also noted OEA received an NCSL notable document award for its 2023 staffing shortages report, its 10th such award. Sabrina Smith then walked through the district data profiles, which compile demographic, staffing, finance, and performance data for all 171 districts, plus statewide and comparative data. She noted changes in the report format, the continued availability of an online interactive version, and several trends: adjusted average daily attendance declined statewide from 2015 to 2024; the counselor-to-student ratio has improved but has not yet reached the statutory goal of one counselor per 250 students; the share of teachers moving from rank three to rank two has declined; special education identification has risen from 13% to 16%; and starting teacher salaries vary widely by district, with Kentucky’s average starting salary around $40,000 ranking near the bottom compared with surrounding states and the nation. Members asked about the history of the research division and whether the paper copies of the district profiles would continue, and staff said the printed versions would continue unless legislators asked otherwise.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations to all of you, and we will see you for the final vote in the Senate. Thank you.
• <00:52:30.720> So<00:52:30.880> with<00:52:31.119> that<00:52:31.440> congratulations
• So with that congratulations together.
• So with that congratulations all<00:52:32.559> of<00:52:32.640> you<00:52:32.880> and

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 96, which encourages the University of Hawaiʻi to evaluate and expand student mental health services. University of Hawaiʻi Associate Vice President Farah Marie Gomes testified in support and noted the system’s mental health and basic-needs efforts across all 10 campuses. Members discussed staffing and funding constraints, including that the system had 27 adult mental health positions, 21 filled and six vacant, with one vacancy open for about four years. The resolution was adopted unanimously, unamended. The committee then took up several gubernatorial appointments. GM 785 nominated Wendo Hensel to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), and GM 784 nominated Terry George to the same body. Both nominees testified about the value of Hawaiʻi’s participation in WICHE; Hensel emphasized the importance of sharing policy ideas and best practices, while George highlighted Hawaiʻi’s unique higher education needs and the benefits of learning from other western states. Both nominations were supported and moved forward. The committee also considered multiple appointments to the Hawaiʻi Commission for National and Community Service. Kylie Alakard described wanting to serve as a youth voice and role model, and Ray Galas spoke about his prior volunteer board experience and desire to help people connect through service. Sandra Larson said volunteerism and community service were important to her and that she wanted to give back. The committee then heard GM 771 and GM 772 for Ken Kawahara to the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi; Kawahara said he would bring business and government experience to help with internal operations, education, and strategic goals, though he acknowledged he was still learning the organization’s details. Members also began hearing GM 624 for Joshua Famuina to the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents, with student caucus testimony in strong support emphasizing his attendance, communication, and engagement with students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Congratulations. Look forward to hearing it on the House floor. Thank you.
• Congratulations. Look forward to hearing it on the House floor. Representative Neighbors? Yes.
• Congratulations. Look forward to hearing it on the House floor. Thank you.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 90 / Senate Bill 17, a birth-related measure backed by the Kentucky Birth Coalition. Sponsors said the bill had been worked on for several years and described changes including a transfer agreement, insurance requirements, proximity to a hospital, informed consent, and accreditation/medical director standards that helped win neutral or non-opposition from the Hospital Association. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote with unanimous support. The committee then heard Senate Bill 65, presented by Senator Steve West and Representative Derrick Lewis. They said the bill would make regulations found deficient through the committee review process null and void by statute, and would bar agencies from reissuing the same or similar language for up to a year. Supporters argued this was needed to hold agencies accountable because deficiency findings alone had not led to action. After questions about specific Medicaid behavioral health regulations and concerns about legislative overreach, the bill passed the committee on a roll call vote, with some members passing or explaining reservations. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 84, with a House committee substitute. Sponsors said the substitute was intended to strengthen the bill and reflect the U.S. Supreme Court’s Loper Bright decision by ending Chevron deference and requiring courts, not agencies, to interpret law. Opponents, including Audrey Ernsberger and Katherine Hargraves, argued the bill would intrude on the judiciary, violate separation of powers, and could harm public health, environmental, and workplace protections. Committee members also raised concerns about whether the bill told courts what standard to use; sponsors responded that agencies could still present persuasive arguments, but courts should not defer to them. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill then passed the committee on a roll call vote, with several members passing or expressing constitutional concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's all referral, so this—congratulations to your dietician compact—you are plowing the field first
• 45.759> so<01:09:46.560> this it's all referral so this it's all referral so this congratulations
• <01:09:47.839> to<01:09:48.040> your<01:09:48.239> dietician congratulations to
• your dietician congratulations to your dietician compact<01:09:49.359> you<01:09:49.440> are

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard House Bill 2712, which would remove the exam requirement for licensure as a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA). Members expressed concern that the exam requirement was only added in 2021 and has not been in place long enough to evaluate, but they also questioned whether licensure should be granted without a meaningful measure of competency. Testimony was split: supporters argued the exam is a barrier for applicants without formal social work education, while opponents said licensure should still require some standard of competency, especially because the title carries public expectations and insurance reimbursement implications. Karina Bonia, speaking for NASW New Hampshire, said there is very limited data because only one person in New Hampshire currently holds an LSWA. She explained that LSWA applicants may have degrees outside social work, unlike licensed social workers, and that the current exam is the same national social work exam used for higher levels of licensure. She argued that this creates a significant barrier for LSWA applicants and noted that LSWA holders are already required to complete 30 hours of training and substantial supervised hours. Members asked for data on pass/fail rates and whether a different exam or practical skills test would be more appropriate. Committee members and OPLC representatives discussed whether the current statute and board rules already provide enough authority for the board to set other criteria, and whether the exam requirement is tied to the social work compact. OPLC indicated that the current rule requires passage of a national proctored exam approved by the board, but that no national exam exists specifically for this level, and that the board may need legislative authority to develop different criteria. The discussion ended with interest in obtaining the existing rule language and possibly revisiting the issue through amendment or future legislation rather than immediately removing the exam requirement.

Transcript Highlights:

• the retirement and service of Roberta Dupre; resolutions filed by Representative Hogan of Stow, congratulating

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up reports from the Temporary Committee on Rules. The committee recommended adoption of three resolutions: honoring Roberta Dupre’s retirement and service, congratulating Chief Michael A. Noble on his retirement as police chief of Maynard, and recognizing the legacy of Representative Patricia A. Haddad. The House suspended the rules and adopted all three resolutions by voice vote. The House also adopted an order setting the next meeting for Thursday at 11 a.m. Speaker Mariano then moved that the House adjourn in respect to the memory of former Representative Carol A. Doherty of Taunton, who served from 2020 to 2024; that motion was adopted. Finally, on motion of Mr. Wong, the House adjourned, with the next session scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m. in an informal session.