Transcript Highlights:

• The fire chief convinced Rescue, and the fire chief convinced me to come and volunteer for the split
• Even though we're saying that we're going to allow them to do some things, do some splits, you know,

Bills: HB227, HB255, HB465, HB472, HB482, HB483, HB526, HB529, HB484

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Transcript Highlights:

• OF THEM I ROUND IT OFF AND YOU CAN THINK ABOUT IT BUT THERE ARE 60 LEFT AND WITH THOSE 60 YOU CAN SPLIT
• BEEKEEPERS EXPERIENCE THESE LOSSES AND IN THESE COLONIES THAT SURVIVED THEY SPLIT OR PURCHASE NEW COLONIES

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• had half-day programs because the school was not large enough to contain all the students, so they split
• so we split this particular group<02:17:06.599> up<02:17:07.479> one<02:17:07.719>
• It was pretty evenly split, and we came out with numerous no recommendation votes.
• <03:52:38.640> we buying was a real load that's why we buying was a real load that's why we split
• We may split it up small so we can do two things at one time.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 295, which would make school building aid funds non-lapsing/non-APS. Representative Cahill said the bill was intended to keep any unused building aid money available for future projects, potentially helping move projects up the priority list or provide a little more funding for school construction. Members asked about how much money has lapsed in past years, whether the education trust fund and building aid are separate, and whether any lapsing dollars could be used to pay down debt. Department of Education official Jim Carney said about $29.1 million would be available if building aid is funded to the $50 million maximum in FY26, confirmed that the fund currently lapses, and said the department would gather historical lapse data. Committee members also discussed whether a dedicated fund structure could achieve the same goal, and the chair noted that the education trust fund statute includes school building aid as one of its uses. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed and the committee said it would later hold a work session after receiving more information. The committee then took up HB 237, introduced by Representative Dan McGuire, which would prohibit the use of special education state funds and differentiated aid for students not receiving special education services. The New Hampshire School Boards Association, through Becky Wilson, opposed the bill as written, saying it was unclear, potentially unnecessary, and difficult to implement because adequacy and differentiated aid are distributed as part of a districtwide lump sum rather than as student-specific dollars. She explained that special education costs are embedded across district budgets, including staffing, training, transportation, and instruction, and that some staff and services benefit both special education and general education students. Wilson also said differentiated aid is not tied to a specific pupil and is used at the district’s discretion, though it is intended to support students with greater needs. Committee members pressed on whether the bill would require districts to track money by individual student, whether it could conflict with federal special education law, and whether it would affect least restrictive environment requirements. Wilson said making the funds student-specific could create privacy and accounting problems and could make it difficult to staff inclusive classrooms, though she did not give a definitive legal opinion on federal compliance. She agreed that students who are not eligible for special education would not be included in the separate catastrophic/special education aid reimbursement program. The discussion continued into the second section of the bill, with members exploring how adequacy aid and differentiated aid are used in practice, but no action was taken during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• be hit with two tragic punishments, the loss of their friend, and then a minimum 10-year prison sentence
• We know that mandatory minimum prison sentences do not work.
• discretion in cases that were very, very narrow when a judge determines that a mandatory prison sentence
• charges and lock people away for years and years and years under our draconian mandatory prison sentence
• constructive bipartisan conversations about criminal legal reform, about no longer putting arbitrary prison sentences

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, journal approval, and multiple guest introductions, including a pastor, ACLU of Arizona lobby day participants, an architecture advocacy group, a doctor recognized for sleep apnea and dementia care work, and former Senator Frank Antinori. Senator Ortiz also read a proclamation declaring March as Sleep Apnea Awareness Month in Arizona, citing the health and public safety impacts of obstructive sleep apnea and disparities in diagnosis and treatment. The chamber then handled calendar and procedural business, including House messages, committee assignments, and a series of third-reading votes. Several bills passed on party-line or near party-line votes, including SB 1011 on county medical examiners, SB 1017 on health professionals, SB 1170 on drug offenses, SB 1173 on health care institutions, SB 1234 on juvenile court, SB 1275 on criminal diversion programs, SB 1332 on a feasibility study for light rail expansion, SB 1544 on probation, SB 1557 on health professionals, and SB 1585 on sex offender monitoring. Members offered explanations of vote on several measures, with opponents raising concerns about mandatory minimums, juvenile court changes, transit delays, and the need for broader criminal justice or transportation studies. The Senate also considered SCR 1022, a proposed constitutional amendment to change legislative member districts and expand the House. Supporters argued it would improve representation and reduce campaign pressures, while opponents said the idea should first be studied more thoroughly. The resolution passed 16-10. Additional transportation-related bills, including SB 1273 and SB 1274, also passed on reconsideration. The session ended with committee announcements for the next day and adjournment until Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• public safety, our administration is also looking to take action on juvenile crime reduction and sentencing
• Right now, when a judge sentences an offender, no one in the courtroom, not the victims, not law enforcement
• , not even the court, can say what that sentence truly means. ...not even the court, can say what that
• sentence truly means.
• I support the sentencing reforms sponsored by Senators Trent, Nicola, and Carter, and Representatives

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• law has limitations on sealing juvenile records, particularly for youth who receive a determinate sentence
• an exception to this by allowing the sealing of records for individuals who received determinate sentence
• To be eligible for record sealing under HB 1822, the person must have been placed on determinate sentence
• This change recognizes that young people on determinate sentence probation can still be rehabilitated
• It provides a limited pathway for individuals who received determinate sentence probation to their juvenile

Transcript Highlights:

• Now the first amendment took out those persons that have end of sentence because they have served their
• those persons that have end of sentence those persons that have end of sentence because<00:14:01.600
• But then there's one little sentence<00:44:36.160> in<00:44:36.319> there<00:44:36.480>
• that<00:44:36.720> says,<00:44:37.359> "This sentence in there that says, "This
• sentence in there that says, "This subdivision<00:44:38.240> does<00:44:38.480> not<00

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe they want a life sentence or 50 years.
• And in many cases there are other crimes they could be charged with that also have a life sentence.
• The legal system must operate without bias, yet we know that capital sentencing has historically been
• Also, the same maximum sentence for illegal immigrant gang members through criminal Illegal immigrants
• who commit a crime will receive the maximum sentence allowed for that crime.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for that crime in Minnesota sentence for that crime in Minnesota history.<00:20:43.840> Um<00
• Cuz just this one sentence from 3.22 to 3.24, it's a pretty simple sentence.
• Cuz just this one sentence from 3.22 to 3.24, it's a pretty simple sentence.
• Cuz just this one sentence from 3.22 to 3.24, it's a pretty simple sentence.
• Cuz just this one sentence from 3.22 to 3.24, it's a pretty simple sentence.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So the cost is split across the districts that are participants in that SAU. >> But their boss would
• So the cost is split<00:24:23.760> across<00:24:24.159> the<00:24:24.480> districts<
• /c><00:24:24.799> that<00:24:25.039> are split across the districts that are split across
• I I will say that when you have two districts in an SAU and one decides to separate or split off from
• I I will say that when you have two districts in an SAU and one decides to separate or split off from

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved corrected minutes from October 6 after members noted and fixed several transcription and spelling errors, including a clarification that a comment about SAU numbers came from former Senator Jim Rubin. The vote to approve the corrected minutes was moved, seconded, and adopted with one abstention. The main presentation came from Chuck Bates of the New Hampshire Association of School Business Officials (ASBO), who described the organization, its certification program, and the role of school business administrators. He explained that ASBO members handle accounting and financial management, facilities, food service, HR, information systems, transportation, and risk management. He also outlined the certification program, which includes 21 courses, most online, plus four in-person workshops unique to New Hampshire, and noted that many members are not certified because the state licensure requirement was removed. Bates then addressed the committee’s interest in SAU consolidation and county-wide restructuring. He said business administrators often manage multiple budgets, attend school board meetings, and serve as a visible point of contact for the community. He argued that consolidation would create operational and financial challenges, including staff and facility relocation, differing accounting systems, lack of a standardized chart of accounts, and uncertain return on investment. He said the biggest obstacle would be local control, especially in small towns that do not want outside decisions affecting school closures, class sizes, or student transportation. Committee members questioned him about the distinction between administrative and academic control, the size of district offices in larger cities, and what might reduce administrative costs; Bates responded that many administrative costs stem from legislation and that consolidation would be difficult to implement without local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it turns out that they were using this particular dedicated fund as though it were split into
• as<00:04:40.639> though<00:04:40.800> it<00:04:41.040> were<00:04:41.199> split
• as though it were split into two pieces. as though it were split into two pieces.
• And there have been problems since the split off of the historic buildings.
• I think would help so the clear split I think would help them<00:07:30.680> to<00:07:31.680><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, when we split each of the education categories to see where a lot of that growth is happening,
• 20:12.919> we 1.6 uh billion dollar and then when we 1.6 uh billion dollar and then when we split
• each of the education to see where split each of the education to see where a<00:20:15.799> lot
• happening and then when we uh split happening and then when we uh split Health<00:20:35.960>
• 21:14.440> we in that bayum is going to uh HHS uh we in that bayum is going to uh HHS uh we split

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee began with member and staff introductions, including several new members and committee staff. Representative Zach Stevenson, the DFL lead, objected to the day’s presentation, saying he was disappointed the committee was starting with a group he viewed as aligned with Republicans rather than a nonpartisan budget presentation. The chair responded that the committee had a bipartisan agreement and that hearing a different perspective was appropriate. The committee then proceeded to a presentation from economists with the Center of the American Experiment, with questions held until the end. The presentation focused on Minnesota’s budget outlook, arguing that the state faces a structural imbalance and a projected $5.14 billion deficit in the 2028-29 biennium. The presenters said spending has outpaced revenues, highlighted a large increase in general fund spending since 2023, and argued that inflation-adjusted per-capita spending remains above pre-2024 levels through the forecast period. They said the biggest growth areas are E-12 education and especially Health and Human Services, with HHS projected to become the largest budget category and much of its growth tied to Medicaid and long-term care waivers. The presenters also argued Minnesota spends more than most states on welfare and Medicaid, citing comparisons showing the state near the top nationally in spending per person in poverty and in several Medicaid categories. They said some of the HHS growth reflects policy changes from the 2023 session, while other pressures come from enrollment growth, health care prices, federal debt, and an aging population. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• fiscal year 2025-26, the department will administer over $60 million in domestic violence funding, split
• For fiscal year 2526, the department will administer over $60 million in domestic violence funding, split
• between state and I don't know. will administer over $60 million in domestic violence funding split

Summary: The committee held a panel discussion on Florida’s domestic violence system, focusing on the roles of the state, the federally designated coalition, direct-service providers, and law enforcement. Members reviewed the history of the system after the dissolution of the former coalition in 2020, the creation of the Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence, DCF’s Office of Domestic Violence, and the current contract structure involving Women in Distress and its subcontractors for hotline and legal services. Panelists also discussed the 2024 lethality assessment law, the workgroup’s conclusion that the evidence-based Maryland tool could not be used because of copyright and cost issues, and the state’s current use of statutory questions instead. DCF and FDLE described the statewide certification and funding framework, including more than $60 million in domestic violence funding for fiscal year 2025-26 and the requirement that law enforcement complete lethality-assessment training by October 1, 2026. Testimony highlighted both collaboration and conflict. Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence and Women in Distress described overlapping training and technical-assistance roles, but disagreed sharply about the quality of their relationship with DCF and whether the current structure is duplicative. DCF said it maintains communication with both the coalition and the centers and emphasized that the coalition is federally required, while the coalition argued that the department has obstructed its work. Women in Distress and Hope Villages stressed direct services, prevention, and the need for more housing, staffing, and funding, especially in rural areas. They also described programs in schools, hospitals, and child welfare settings, and noted that children exposed to domestic violence often need specialized services. Members asked about funding flows, certification, rural coverage, the number of centers, and the lethality assessment rollout. DCF said the 41 certified centers serve all 67 counties and that no new applications have been received in about 15 years. FDLE reported that 46 of roughly 400 law enforcement agencies had completed the lethality-assessment training and attestation, with the statutory deadline still ahead. Panelists said domestic violence appears to be increasing, citing higher hotline demand, shelter occupancy, and local case numbers, while also noting that statewide crime data remains outdated. The discussion ended with calls for better coordination, clearer implementation of statutes, more funding, and possible legislative fixes to improve data collection, training, and service delivery.

Transcript Highlights:

• For fiscal year 25-26, the department will administer over $60 million in domestic violence funding, split
• For fiscal year 2526, the department will administer over $60 million in domestic violence funding, split
• between state and I don't know. will administer over $60 million in domestic violence funding split

Summary: The committee held a panel discussion on Florida’s domestic violence system, focusing on how state and federally funded services are coordinated, the role of the Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence (FPEDV), the Florida Domestic Violence Collaborative, DCF, and certified domestic violence centers. Members reviewed the post-2020 restructuring after the dissolution of FCADV, the current hotline, legal services, training, and technical assistance contracts, and the Legislature’s recent work on lethality assessments under SB 1224. Panelists also described prevention, shelter, counseling, child advocacy, and legal support services, along with the statewide network of 41 certified centers serving all 67 counties. Testimony highlighted both collaboration and tension. FPEDV and Women in Distress described overlapping training and technical assistance roles, but FPEDV said its relationship with DCF has been difficult and at times obstructive, while DCF said communication and coordination are ongoing. Women in Distress and other providers emphasized the importance of direct services, the statewide hotline, injunction assistance, child welfare co-located advocates, and prevention programs. Several members asked about funding flows, certification, and whether the current structure is sufficient for rural counties; witnesses said federal FVPSA funds are formula-based, DCF contracts directly with centers, and rural programs face staffing and fundraising challenges that limit beds and services. A major portion of the discussion centered on the lethality assessment work group and implementation of the new statewide tool. FDLE explained that the work group concluded the Maryland model was copyrighted and costly to replicate exactly, so Florida adopted a statutory assessment that is not evidence-based in the same way, with training available online and 46 of about 400 law enforcement agencies having completed it so far. Senators raised concerns about multiple assessments, redacted police reports, and whether the tool will be useful without better coordination and data collection. Witnesses also discussed rising domestic violence, teen dating violence, and strangulation cases, with providers reporting increased demand, full shelters, and greater use of hotels and mobile crisis responses. No formal votes or actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• doing the required audits when the federal government funds programs, and because of that workload we split
• programs and because of that workload we programs and because of that workload we we<00:21:35.039> split
• 37.400> but<00:21:37.559> I<00:21:37.640> think<00:21:37.840> there's We split

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 3, authored by Chair Nash, which would require the Office of the Legislative Auditor to produce an annual report for fiscal committees showing how well agencies have implemented prior audit recommendations, especially those related to financial practices, internal controls, and management. Nash said the bill is intended to give legislators a clearer, ongoing tool to evaluate agencies before making funding decisions and to help prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. He noted the bill would use existing audit information rather than create a new reporting burden, though he said it would deepen the review of implementation. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall testified that the Office of the Legislative Auditor already tracks implementation to some extent through annual information collected by Minnesota Management and Budget, but that current reporting is based largely on agency self-reporting and is not always independently verified. She said the bill would expand that work and provide the legislature with more useful accountability information. A representative from Americans for Prosperity also supported the bill, calling it a transparency and stewardship measure that would help taxpayers and legislators see whether agencies are following through on recommendations. Several members spoke in favor, describing the bill as a common-sense accountability measure and comparing it to audit practices in local government and private organizations. Nash and Randall also discussed Colorado’s similar process, where audit follow-up information is presented during budget hearings. Members raised concerns about fraud and inefficiency in state government, and Nash said the bill is meant to help lawmakers better protect taxpayer dollars. The committee voted to recommend House File 3 and re-refer it to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• line<00:20:32.720> 108<00:20:33.200> or sentencing guidelines uh line 108 or sentencing
• ,<00:31:57.279> a force on mandatory minimum sentences, a force on mandatory minimum sentences
• Uh the committee sentencing to service.
• <00:42:31.280> So proper name is sentencing to service.
• So proper name is sentencing to service.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of the severity of felony assaults, perpetrators often will be sentenced to multi-year prison
• sentences.
• prison sentenced to multi-year prison sentences.<00:02:33.280> And<00:02:33.480> during
• ><00:02:33.760> this<00:02:33.920> period, sentences.
• And during this period, sentences.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• potential or actual psychological or emotional injury to a child, and it goes on and finishes the sentence
• Um and it goes on and finishes the<00:04:29.600> sentence<00:04:29.840> in<00:04:30.160
• in 26 does not constitute a the sentence in 26 does not constitute a compelling<00:04:32.080> sites
• Um, in Roman two, we added your sentence about, um, we think it's a good idea to have the school
• um it just starts off the new sentence um it just starts off the new sentence just<02:34:18.640>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee of conference spent most of its time on Senate Bill 96, which deals with educator conduct and when information may be withheld from parents. The main dispute was over the House-amended language on violations and the “compelling state interest” standard. The Senate sponsor objected to extending penalties to third-party medical or mental health contractors and to language suggesting psychological or emotional injury to a child would not constitute a compelling state interest. The House side argued its draft was intended to keep the bill focused on credentialed educators and administrators, to include parents or guardians, and to avoid creating competing standards by relying on existing abuse definitions in statute. The House also added a requirement that any withholding of information be documented and reported to the school board in nonpublic session, and both sides discussed whether educators, administrators, nurses, and guidance counselors would be covered under the statutory definition of educator. The discussion also covered enforcement and penalties. The House draft proposed that an educator found to have willfully violated the law could have a credential suspended for a first offense and would face a minimum one-year suspension for multiple offenses, while the Senate raised concerns that this was too rigid and did not allow enough discretion or address revocation. The House later explained that the department would still have discretion on first offenses and that the one-year rule applied only to multiple offenses. Another point of disagreement was a three-year statute of limitations for investigations, which the House said was meant to prevent “witch hunts,” while the Senate noted New Hampshire’s constitutional prohibition on retroactive laws. After caucusing, the Senate rejected the House amendment, and the House then voted non-concur; the committee of conference adjourned without agreement. The transcript then moved to Senate Bill 87, concerning one-day liquor license requirements and allowing salons and barber shops to obtain on-premise licenses. The members discussed a House amendment that would allow two drinks instead of one, with supporters saying the change reflected the longer time customers may spend in salons and that alcohol service would still be covered by existing training requirements, including the EDGE course. Opponents worried that allowing multiple drinks would create over-serving and enforcement problems and could complicate business practices. After discussion, the Senate member agreed to go along with the House position, and the bill was reported ready for final sign-off.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, just to say that I appreciate the language on the sentence beginning on line 11, the last sentence
• beginning on line um 11, the sentence beginning on line um 11, the last<01:11:36.880> sentence
• in the paragraph and last sentence in the paragraph and ending<01:11:38.480> on<01:11:38.639>
• <01:12:08.800> that<01:12:09.199> the except for that last sentence that the except
• for that last sentence that the representative<01:12:10.159> was<01:12:10.400> referring

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 206, which requires public schools to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use. Supporters argued that cell phones and personal devices contribute to student mental health problems, bullying, distraction, and disruptive behavior, and said teachers and administrators want a clear statewide rule rather than having to enforce policies themselves. Opponents raised concerns about local control, the breadth of the term “personal communication device,” and whether the bill would interfere with instructional uses of devices, especially in schools that rely on bring-your-own-device or have limited access to school-issued laptops. Members debated Amendment 2249H, which added an exception for teacher-led instruction and clarified that superintendent-approved exceptions could still apply for medical, disability, or language-proficiency needs. After discussion about whether the amendment was too restrictive or too broad, the committee adopted the amendment on a 9-8 vote, with one member not voting. The committee then voted 9-8, with one not voting, to recommend Senate Bill 206 ought to pass as amended. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 96, concerning mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents. The sponsor offered Amendment 2199H to replace language that would have required referral to DCYF whenever an educator withheld information due to concern about possible abuse at home. The amendment instead allows a district to withhold information if a reasonably prudent person would believe disclosure would result in abuse, abandonment, or neglect, and requires the decision to be documented in the student record. The amendment was discussed as a narrower, more workable safeguard, and the committee was still in discussion on the bill at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's discussions being had, but that last sentence is kind of the sentence that cleans up the concern
• :47:44.079> privilege<00:47:44.520> the<00:47:44.680> last<00:47:44.920> sentence
• <00:47:45.280> really chair privilege the last sentence really chair privilege the last sentence
• <00:47:54.000> kind<00:47:54.119> of<00:47:54.200> the<00:47:54.319> sentence
• <00:47:54.640> that sentence is kind of the sentence that sentence is kind of the sentence

Keywords: 1183, house