Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, there's a lot of turf between, you know, the end zone and the 10-yard line between now
• So, you know, there's a lot of turf between, you know, the end zone and the 10-yard line between now
• So, you know, there's a lot of turf between, you know, the end zone and the 10-yard line between now
• I just want to remind your Red Zone references are very painful for Viking fans, and so— That's close
• and and the 10 yard line between zone and and the 10 yard line between now<00:13:38.040> and<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Critics say a convention would just become another partisan war zone, but that's not how this works.
• Convention would just become another partisan war zone. But that's not how this works.
• And one of them is the two-thirds vote on zoning bylaws and things of that nature.
• And the One of them is the two-thirds vote on zoning bylaws and things of that nature, and the taxes

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs was opened by Chair Joe McGonagle and Vice Chair Senator Mike Rush, who noted that Chair John Velis was deployed with the Massachusetts National Guard. The chairs explained the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, live streaming, and filing deadlines, and said the committee would hear 11 House bills and eight Senate bills dealing with federal and overseas issues. Much of the hearing centered on competing resolutions about Article 5 constitutional conventions, along with related resolutions on D.C. statehood, child labor, Citizens United, and Cambodia. Supporters of H. 4692 and S. 284, a joint resolution to rescind all prior Massachusetts Article 5 convention applications, argued that old resolutions from the 1930s and 1970s could be used to count Massachusetts toward the 34-state threshold for calling a federal constitutional convention. Testifiers from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, the ACLU, Reproductive Equity Now, labor groups, and others warned that a convention would have no clear rules, could not be reliably limited to specific topics, and could put civil rights, reproductive rights, labor protections, and other constitutional protections at risk. Several speakers also cited a recent federal lawsuit and said the safest course was to remove outdated applications from the books. A large opposing panel testified in support of H. 3888, a resolution calling for a Convention of States to propose amendments limiting federal power, imposing fiscal restraints, and establishing term limits. Supporters argued that Article 5 provides a lawful way to address federal overreach, debt, and congressional stagnation, and said the process would be limited by state applications and ratification by 38 states. Some committee members and witnesses raised concerns about a runaway convention, broad language in the resolution, and whether Congress could or should set rules for such a convention. Representative Gentile also testified in support of several related resolutions on overturning Citizens United, D.C. statehood, and the child labor amendment, while Representative Howard and Representative Tongue supported a Cambodia resolution condemning political oppression and urging free and fair elections. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• there going after our children and going into our schools to create their own personal opportunity zones
• to create their own to create their own personal<00:41:39.200> opportunity<00:41:40.040> zones
• personal opportunity zones. personal opportunity zones.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call establishing a quorum, approval of the prior day’s journal, adoption of committee reports, and the first readings of several House and Senate files. The chamber also received Senate File 476, which was referred to Ways and Means, and Senate File 4807, which was sent for comparison with a House file. The Speaker announced members to escort the Governor to the joint convention on April 28. The main floor action was House File 3489, an education bill establishing field trip supervision rules and creating the criminal offense of grooming. Representative Bennett described the bill as a response to survivor testimony and explained that it would prohibit staff from being alone with students in certain circumstances, create felony penalties for grooming, make grooming grounds for educator license discipline, add grooming to mandatory reporting and training, and allow the Department of Education to look back further in investigations. Bennett and several members also noted the bill’s fiscal note, including added investigative staffing and prison costs. During debate, multiple members from both parties voiced support, emphasizing student safety, mandatory reporter training, clearer field trip rules, and better communication with licensing boards. Several members thanked survivor Hannah LaPresto and Detective Chad Clausen for their work and testimony, and some members stressed that grooming is a deliberate process and that the bill is intended to protect children without vilifying educators. Representative Jordan also highlighted prevention through education about consent and grooming. No amendments were offered, and the bill was given its third reading; members repeatedly urged a green vote, though the transcript provided does not include the final roll-call result.

Transcript Highlights:

• we work with the local jurisdiction to, uh, you know, cooperate in obtaining a building permit and zoning
• cooperate in obtaining a building<00:40:23.360> permit<00:40:23.800> and<00:40:23.960> zoning
• building permit and zoning. building permit and zoning.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• crisis where the delegates impeached the office microwave, voted to designate the breakroom a disaster zone
• voted to designate the breakroom<00:04:04.879> a<00:04:05.120> disaster<00:04:05.599> zone
• /c><00:04:06.080> and<00:04:06.319> held<00:04:06.560> a breakroom a disaster zone
• , and held a breakroom a disaster zone, and held a roll<00:04:06.959> call<00:04:07.200> vote

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional and a series of lighthearted remarks, then welcomed Representative Kumulia Case Long of Milton, who had taken the oath of office earlier that morning. The chair announced Long’s seating in seat 114 and appointment to the Committee on Education. The chamber also received and first-read several bills: H. 953 on the Panton town charter amendment, H. 954 on the Stowe town charter amendment, S. 64 on optometrists’ scope of practice, and S. 278 on cannabis. The House also noted favorable committee reports on H. 952 (capital construction/bonding budget adjustment) and S. 218 (reducing chloride contamination in state waters), with referrals made under House Rule 35A. The House adopted JRS. 47, a joint resolution setting weekend adjournment for April 3, 2026, and then read two concurrent resolutions that had already been adopted on the consent calendar: HCR 217 congratulating McNeel and Rei of Rutland on 70 years in business, and HCR 230 recognizing April 2026 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month and honoring Prevent Child Abuse Vermont for its 50th anniversary. Members offered remarks celebrating McNeel and Rei’s history and the work of Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, including testimony about the organization’s prevention and family-support efforts. The House then took up H. 657, relating to services for unaccompanied homeless youth without parental consent. A Judiciary amendment, supported by Human Services on a 9-2 straw poll, revised immunity language so providers may rely in good faith on certification forms and clarified shelter-provider exceptions in existing law. The amendment was adopted, and the bill passed third reading. The House also passed H. 941, on municipal regulation of agriculture. Finally, the House considered S. 210 on access to autopsy reports; Human Services recommended an amendment shifting decision-making authority to the court, adding a factor on interference with criminal investigations, and allowing refiling if circumstances materially change. The committee reported the bill favorably 10-1, the House agreed to propose the amendment to the Senate, and third reading was ordered.

Transcript Highlights:

• that's often the case if you have folks who live below a dam and find themselves in the inundation zone
• <00:04:27.280> in<00:04:27.440> the<00:04:27.520> inundation<00:04:28.080> zone
• find themselves in the inundation zone find themselves in the inundation zone if<00:04:28.560>

Keywords: 00:02 EEC – State-Owned Dams 21:07 EEC – Grid Resilience Grant Funds 37:24 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard presentations from the Department for Environmental Protection and the Office of Energy Policy on Kentucky’s state-owned dam repair program and the electric grid resilience program. Commissioner Tony Hatton explained how state dams are defined and classified under Kentucky law, the criteria used to prioritize repairs or decommissioning, and the status of several projects funded in the last biennium. He said the department is using a design-bid-build process, with major work planned or underway at Willisburg Lake, Big Bone Lick State Park Dam, Clemens Lake Dam, Marion County Sportsman’s Dam, Chinoa Lake Creek/Canning Creek Dam, and Lake Malone, and that $0.5 million is reserved for routine repairs. He also described the timeline and cost pressures, noting that construction seasons and bid uncertainty can affect schedules and estimates. Members asked several questions about whether the estimates were current, how accurate the bids tend to be, why the process takes so long, and whether it would be better to fund design separately before construction. Hatton said the estimates are the best current engineering estimates, that costs often stay within about 10% but can vary, and that the overall process is usually closer to two years than four, though delays can occur. He also said all of the allocated dam funds must be available before bids can be let. The committee discussed whether design work can become stale if construction is delayed. Kenya Stump then updated the committee on Kentucky’s electric grid resilience program under federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding. She said Kentucky has received years one through three of the five-year program and has allocated funds to state park electric systems and municipal utilities, with years four and five not yet received. She identified Ken Lake State Park and Kentucky Dam Village as the two state park projects in progress, and Owensboro, Princeton, Williamstown, and Hopkinsville as the municipal projects selected through a competitive process. She said the projects are under contract or in final negotiations, with municipal construction expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and finish by the end of 2026, and explained that the work includes line, pole, transformer, meter, and outage-management upgrades. Members asked about the relationship between this program and prior park appropriations, the timing of agreements with Parks, and whether the park systems could eventually be transferred to the local electric cooperative; Stump said the park agreements are imminent and that the upgrades are intended to bring the systems up to code so the cooperative can maintain them. No votes were taken, and the chair adjourned the committee until the following Wednesday, with a possible time change to avoid a scheduling conflict.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of them is the immediate prior use, the location of such property, zoning—but that's not the sole
• underlying factor, because a lot of these could be zoned as residential, not agriculture.
• Some of these could be zoned as commercial, not agriculture.
• Other legal restrictions on the use of such property—that kind of relates a little bit to the zoning—the

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• probably the one that bothers me the most is when there's high-speed people speeding in construction zones
• , you know, work zones.
• Secretary Serna was interested in cameras within construction zones, and I think he made a push for that
• times people were delayed even just trying to get here and how high risk it is within the construction zones

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, we have the overweight oversized corridor zone and the Union Pacific Intermodal Facility
• That was something important to further develop the foreign trade zone.
• Last week, there was a new case about 150 miles north of the containment zone that both SENA-SICA and
• Are strategic zones decisive?

Transcript Highlights:

• People and students in low-performing schools, staying in your zone of attendance, keeping siblings together
• intention, but if, in reality, we continue to find that our students in, let's say, low-performing zones
• this intention, but if in reality we continue to find that our students in, let's say, low performing zones
• money to organizations to provide transportation to pupils who are enrolled in schools outside their zone

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• codify a new chapter of statutes relating to education innovation and also codifies the innovation zone
• codifies education innovation and also codifies the<00:20:43.679> innovation<00:20:44.240> zone
• session<00:20:44.960> law<00:20:45.280> in<00:20:45.440> the the innovation zone
• session law in the the innovation zone session law in the new<00:20:45.840> chapter.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have our own time zone.
• putative it near future where students will have to commit and they're not the it is we're some are zones
• struggle with the fact that there are only 2 currently only 2 trustees, even live in the Central Time Zone
• Review 3 trustees live in the central time zone on the uwf board.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• down hole if we're fracking a job, but that water plus water that was already in the field, in the zones
• Unique is that it has multiple layers of productive zones and so with one vertical well bore you can
• drill a number of different horizontals and hit complete in different zones and so that's added to the
• technology change and that has dramatically altered the productivity of, of that hori those producing zones

Transcript Highlights:

• down hole if we're fracking a job, but that water, plus water that was already in the field. in the zones
• of the things that makes the Permian Basin unique is is that it has multiple layers of productive zones
• one vertical wellbore you can drill a number of different horizontals and hit complete in different zones
• we've seen technology change and that has dramatically. altered the productivity of those producing zones

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But if those responsibilities, like taxation and zoning and DMV and alcohol licensing, are exempted from
• like there but if those responsibilities like Taxation<00:20:25.080> and<00:20:25.280> zoning
• and<00:20:26.480> DMV<00:20:27.280> and<00:20:27.480> alcohol Taxation and zoning
• and DMV and alcohol Taxation and zoning and DMV and alcohol licensing<00:20:28.440> those<00:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on SB 1221 and SB 1222, both relating to storm water management and detention/retention ponds. Testifiers, including the Department of Health, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, and a family member affected by a drowning death in a poorly maintained detention pond, strongly supported stronger statewide safety standards, inspections, and maintenance requirements. Several speakers urged that the bills be combined or aligned so they would cover both existing and future ponds, and there was discussion about whether responsibility should remain with DOH or be shifted to DLNR, which members said has more relevant expertise. The committee ultimately amended SB 1221 to move responsibilities from DOH to DLNR, add two positions, and include existing ponds, then passed SB 1221 with amendments. SB 1222 was deferred. The committees also heard SB 1432, concerning changes to the Department of Health’s responsibilities related to Kalaupapa as the patient population declines. DOH testified in support, saying the bill begins the conversation about future responsibilities after there are no longer patients at Kalaupapa. Testimony from K
4dhana O Kalaupapa, descendants, and community members emphasized that the affected community and other stakeholders should be included in planning, and several speakers asked for more detail on the state’s transition plan, financial responsibilities, and preservation of the site’s cultural and historical significance. Members discussed the need for a coordinated plan among DOH, DLNR, and DHHL, and asked for more detailed cost information and a clearer roadmap. The committee passed SB 1432 with amendments, including stakeholder consultation language and a requirement for a state plan and financial details to be reported back. Later, the committees heard SB 1339, which would create a program to characterize statewide carbon sequestration potential and underground water resources. DBEDT and the Chief Energy Officer testified in support, describing it as part of a broader coordinated effort involving DHHL, DBEDT, the University of Hawaii, and the Energy Office to advance geothermal and related research. No vote or final action on SB 1339 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• the federal intrusion into the flood insurance space back in the '60s and the designation of flood zones
• Just because you're outside of a flood zone means practically nothing.
• I'm not in the flood zone, by the way. I do have flood insurance.
• I'm not in a flood zone, by the way. I do have flood insurance.

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard a series of presentations focused on mitigation, flood and wind resilience, and insurance discounts. Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management outlined several funding streams for mitigation, including federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars, BRIC grants, flood mitigation assistance, and the state hurricane loss mitigation program. He emphasized the new Elevate Florida initiative, which will use about $400 million initially to elevate or reconstruct flood-prone homes, starting with National Flood Insurance Program properties and severe repetitive-loss homes, with no current per-home cap. Guthrie said the state will contract directly with licensed vendors and aims to reduce future flood losses, lower insurance costs, and keep properties on the tax rolls rather than relying on buyouts. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski described Florida’s windstorm mitigation discount program, explaining that the 1802 inspection form is used to assess a home’s overall “envelope” and determine statutory discounts. He said the office is updating the program based on a new wind loss study, with likely changes including greater recognition of roof types such as metal roofs and possible territorial risk adjustments. He also said the Legislature now requires the office to revisit the study every five years. Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services reported on My Safe Florida Home, noting that the program offers inspections and grants for roof and opening protections, has completed more than 100,000 inspections, and has reimbursed hundreds of millions of dollars. He said the department has validated its discount calculations with insurers and that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce premiums through verified mitigation work. Michael Newman of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety said Florida’s building code is nationally leading and that post-Ian surveys found no wind-driven structural damage in buildings built after adoption of the code. He argued that mitigation should be treated as a system, not isolated upgrades, and suggested adding Fortified designation to the state’s mitigation form to better document verified resilience improvements. Bill Truex, a county commissioner and builder, stressed the need to educate homeowners about floodproofing and roof choices, citing examples where flood panels prevented damage and noting that asphalt shingles often do not last as long in Florida as their marketing suggests. In panel discussion, senators asked about program eligibility, outreach to elderly and digitally challenged residents, contractor vetting, roof-life disclosures, and whether flood insurance should be more broadly required. Officials said outreach will include call centers and in-person assistance, and several participants urged better consumer disclosure and more data-driven guidance on roof and mitigation choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• need to model good behavior if we're going to ask the same of our local communities who make these zoning
• 08.240> these of our local communities who make these of our local communities who make these zoning
• zoning zoning decisions<01:08:10.640> that<01:08:10.920> starts<01:08:11.480> with<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:42:46.480> for planning department, you know, for planning department, you know, for zoning
• just, you know, to cover the zoning just, you know, to cover the basics.<00:42:50.160> Um,<00
• And so I do believe the zoning chair.
• intake, validate basic parcel and zoning intake, validate basic parcel and zoning information,<04
• integrated with zoning, wastewater, and infrastructure<04:20:06.239> planning.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<02:36:08.560> trying<02:36:09.120> to this zone, trying to this zone, trying to remove
• You know, previously, 10 or 15 years ago, they called them opportunity zones.
• You know, previously, 10 or 15 years ago, they called them opportunity zones.
• Representative, when I was in New York, we had what was known as economic development zones.
• Representative, I've lived there my whole life, and it's an exclusion zone now, and it has been for a

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee discussed House Bill 185, which would amend RSA 3109 to add timelines for OPLC’s complaint review and investigation process. Members reviewed the existing five-year limitation period for misconduct complaints and noted that the bill would add a 30-day deadline for the office to make a recommendation to the board and a 90-day deadline to complete investigations. Some members raised concerns that the new deadlines could conflict with the existing statute of limitations, create pressure to dismiss cases too quickly, and potentially undermine the separation between OPLC’s investigative role and the boards’ adjudicatory role established by House Bill 655. Nicholas Fry, OPLC general counsel, testified that the agency’s fiscal note originally assumed it would need roughly double its staff to meet the proposed deadlines, though a later amendment reduced that estimate somewhat. He said OPLC would still need additional personnel, including investigatory paralegals and a physician investigator for the Board of Medicine, to meet the timeframes. He also explained OPLC’s current complaint and hearing procedures, including new consumer-friendly correspondence, website guidance, and efforts by the enforcement division to improve transparency and communication with complainants and licensees. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors testified in support of the bill’s basic goal of speeding up intake and investigation, saying the 30-day intake/review period was reasonable and that the bill would not change OPLC’s role in that first step. He argued, however, that the investigation step is where delays occur, especially for lower-priority complaints, and that some cases have remained unresolved for years. Committee members also questioned how the added staffing costs would be paid, with discussion of whether they would come from license fees or the general fund. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Harrell answered that local governments remain in control of zoning and that zoning is not preempted
• She said local zoning will control placement.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met with a quorum and first took up SB 1362 on advanced air mobility. Senator Harrell described the bill as creating a framework for vertiports and eVTOL operations, including DOT oversight, vertiport licensing, preemption of local design and operational regulation, and limited liability protections. An amendment was adopted that removed the bill’s sales tax exemptions and narrowed the sovereign immunity language so it would apply only to vertiports co-located at airports, aligning the bill more closely with the House companion. Supporters from eVTOL companies praised Florida’s leadership and the regulatory clarity, while the Florida Justice Association urged caution about extending immunity to unproven entities. The committee then reported the bill favorably. The committee next considered SB 260 on storage and cleanup of electric vehicles after crashes. An amendment narrowed the bill to EVs with visible battery or battery-compartment damage or saltwater submersion, clarified that the fee applies to storage rather than towing, and tied the proposal to existing fire marshal rules requiring damaged EVs to be stored away from structures. Insurance and rental-car industry representatives supported the narrowed approach but asked for more data reporting, clearer limits on cleanup language, and safeguards against overcharging or cost shifting. The bill was debated as a response to the space and safety burdens placed on tow operators, and it was reported favorably after amendment. The committee also approved SB 1352, which creates a secure online portal for license plate seizure/confiscation processing, allows disabled veterans to retain their DV plate alphanumeric designation, authorizes immediate issuance of DV plates by tax collectors, bans license plate covers/overlays that obscure plates, and routes online driver license/ID renewals to the customer’s county tax collector with service fees remitted accordingly. SB 1370 was reported favorably as well; it closes a loophole so drivers who never had a license can still be treated similarly to suspended-license offenders for habitual traffic offender purposes after repeated offenses. Finally, the committee considered SB 1220, FDOT’s transportation package, which included updates to trail prioritization, SunTrail materials and sponsorships, seaport and airport resilience planning, drone delivery and personnel delivery device provisions, LiDAR coordination, turnpike toll programming changes, and felony penalties for damaging autonomous vehicles. An amendment removed some provisions, including digital driver license authorization and the rapid rail transit compact, and added advanced air mobility corridor language and an FDOT study on alternative-fuel revenue impacts; after support from several stakeholders, the committee reported the bill favorably and adjourned.