Transcript Highlights:

• Some<00:45:16.800> of<00:45:16.960> it<00:45:17.280> which<00:45:17.480> has<
• ><00:45:24.359> to<00:45:25.200> we<00:45:25.359> have<00:45:25.520> this
• <00:45:28.880> allow<00:45:29.200> us<00:45:29.320> to<00:45:29.480> charge
• This<00:45:40.680> is<00:45:40.800> a<00:45:40.880> complicated<00:45:41.640>
• I'm<00:45:42.920> sure<00:45:43.040> you've<00:45:43.200> heard<00:45:43.359>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2455, HD2, relating to employment practices. Testimony was limited, with support from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and UPW; the committee noted nine support, zero opposition, and zero comments. No vote was taken on this bill during the portion provided. The committee then took up House Bill 2165, HD2, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law. DLIR supported the measure but requested an amendment moving language in Section 2 from subsection A to subsection C to preserve the legal structure. Members questioned DLIR about a January 8 U.S. Department of Labor letter and whether the bill would keep Hawaii in conformity with federal unemployment insurance requirements. DLIR said the federal guidance requires the state to remove the carve-out for labor-dispute claimants, though unions with hiring halls and members in good standing could still be exempt from work-search requirements under an authorized list. UNITE HERE Local 5 opposed the bill and said the current law already gives the department discretion to exempt striking workers. The committee recessed the bill before any final action was taken in the portion shown. In the joint hearing with Commerce and Consumer Protection, the committees heard House Bill 1509, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill, DHER offered comments and requested an amendment, UPW supported it, and one Zoom testifier described personal experience with delayed care and urged faster decisions. After testimony, the committees voted to pass the bill with amendments. The adopted amendments restored the 7-day treatment-plan deadline from 10 days, changed the effective date to January 1, 2077, and struck the proposed $500 fine for employers who fail to respond within 10 days. Back in the Labor and Technology agenda, the committee heard House Bill 1515, HD2, also relating to workers’ compensation, with testimony noting seven in support, one in opposition, and one comment, but no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee also heard House Bill 1514, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation plans. A Zoom testifier opposed the bill, arguing the 120-day timeline was unrealistic for complex cases. DLIR said the bill would give the director discretion to extend the vocational rehabilitation plan timeline beyond 120 days with no cap on extensions, and the committee noted five support, four opposition, and zero comments. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2458, HD3, relating to surveillance pricing. OCP said it stood on written testimony, while supporters argued the bill would prevent corporations from using personal data to set prices, especially for groceries. Retail and grocery interests opposed the measure, saying it was too broad and could restrict loyalty programs, promotions, and discounts; one witness asked that a loyalty-program exemption be restored.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh it was<00:45:30.880> reduced<00:45:31.280> to<00:45:31.599> 2<00:45:31.839>
• <00:45:33.839> pipe<00:45:34.160> system<00:45:34.880> that<00:45:35.200> has
• <00:45:36.880> And<00:45:37.040> a<00:45:37.200> lot<00:45:37.280> of
• <00:45:44.000> build<00:45:44.240> up<00:45:44.480> systems<00:45:44.880>
• <00:45:46.240> So<00:45:46.720> that's<00:45:47.040> one<00:45:47.280> of

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the minutes, seating of an alternate member, and approval of the consent agenda. It then took up Department of Health and Human Services Rule 25188 on New Hampshire Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Credentials. Staff explained that the rule adopts two new parts to implement RSA 170E:50, which had long required rules. The main issue was an unclear comment created by changes in the department’s amended conditional approval request: language defining out-of-school-time basics and a requirement tied to the New Hampshire Professional Registry training transcript had been removed, creating a mismatch between the form and the rule text. The department said it revised the language so the form and rule now match. A member also asked about the fee schedule, and the department said the fees are sufficient and supported in part by federal funds. The committee then approved Rule 25188 as amended, with oral edits, on a voice vote. The committee next considered Department of Environmental Services Rule 25206, dealing with subsurface wastewater rules and an administrative fine schedule. Staff said most comments had been addressed, but one remaining issue concerned the fine schedule because the prior interim rule had expired years ago. Staff also noted public concerns about septic tank replacement sizes, but pointed to waiver provisions and replacement-in-kind language that would still allow smaller existing systems to be replaced under certain conditions. DES officials explained that the rule package adds the fine schedule into the program rules and that no fines have been brought under these expired provisions for many years. They also described the waiver and grandfathering provisions as intended to protect existing systems and seasonal campgrounds from unnecessary upgrades. A public witness, Christopher Albert, testified that two sections of the rule would harm manufactured home parks and cooperatives. He argued that the new “two people per bedroom” assumption and the minimum bedroom threshold for using water-meter data would inflate design flows, make water-meter data unusable, and increase costs for low-income residents. Committee members questioned both the witness and the agency about the assumptions. DES staff responded that the two-person-per-bedroom standard is meant for individual on-site system design, not citywide planning, and that water-meter data is only useful in larger or unusual facilities. They said the rule still allows flexibility through waivers and grandfathering for existing uses, and that the drinking-water rule cited by the witness was not the correct comparison. No final vote on Rule 25206 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• > that<00:45:25.520> you<00:45:25.560> know,<00:45:25.640> we<00:45:25.760><
• someone to<00:45:27.359> buy<00:45:27.440> a<00:45:27.480> donkey<00:45:27.800>
• So bison would just<00:45:35.520> pick<00:45:35.800> on<00:45:35.920> the<00:45:
• 36.080> on<00:45:36.200> the<00:45:36.240> donkey,<00:45:37.160> uh<00:45
• :37.520> a<00:45:37.560> complex<00:45:38.000> and<00:45:38.440> uh<00:45

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :45:02.800> the<00:45:03.040> arts.
• Chair's recommendation<00:45:04.720> is<00:45:05.040> to<00:45:06.480> pass<00:45
• <00:45:10.160> Uh,<00:45:10.720> so<00:45:11.200> SB<00:45:11.920> 328,
• Uh, so SB 328, chair's<00:45:13.200> recommendation<00:45:13.599> is<00:45:13.760> to
• <00:45:13.920> pass<00:45:14.160> with Okay.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first took up SB 3322 relating to law enforcement. Chairs recommended adopting amendments from the Department of Law Enforcement that would exempt plainclothes officers from identification requirements, limit conspicuous agency markings to vehicles used in immigration enforcement operations, and allow a plainclothes officer to wear a mask when within eyesight of an unmasked officer from the same agency while performing official duties. Although there was an initial quorum issue, both committees ultimately voted to adopt the chair’s recommendation and advance the bill as amended. The next major item was SB 3333 relating to property tax treatment for certain housing. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from a Maui County real property tax board member and a representative of Nali Maui, who described homeowners in affordable housing being taxed at much higher rates when exemptions were missed or when resale restrictions kept values below market. The committees recommended passing the bill with amendments, including a deferred effective date of April 19, 2042, and the recommendation was adopted. The committees also heard SB 2422 on a pro housing score program for counties, SB 2981 on eliminating minimum off-street parking requirements in urban districts, SB 2007 on county land use boundary amendments, SB 3028 on restructuring the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system, SB 3033 on public petitions for review of beach structures, and SB 2434 on electric vehicle infrastructure. SB 2422 drew support with a request for flexibility and an appeals process for counties facing extraordinary circumstances; the chair’s recommendation was to pass it with amendments and note a $200,000 implementation study request, which was adopted. SB 2981 received strong support from housing and transportation advocates and was advanced unamended, while SB 2007 drew opposition from the Sierra Club and discussion about the Land Use Commission’s limited enforcement tools and the number of approved but unbuilt units. SB 3028 received mixed testimony, with support for the marginal-rate change but concerns about earmarking and blanks in the bill, and SB 3033 was supported as an early-warning mechanism for erosion-threatened coastal structures, though OPSD said it should not be the regulatory decision-maker. SB 2434 prompted concern about whether utility capacity can support EV infrastructure goals, with the chair citing a recent report suggesting transmission and distribution constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:01.920> And<00:45:02.079> I<00:45:02.319> do<00:45:02.480> wonder<
• :20.560> I<00:45:21.040> would<00:45:21.359> I<00:45:21.599> would<00:45:
• on the<00:45:24.640> other<00:45:24.800> side<00:45:24.880> of<00:45:24.960>
• as far as<00:45:32.640> the<00:45:33.920> right<00:45:34.160> to<00:45:34.319><
• c> bear<00:45:34.560> arms<00:45:35.119> and<00:45:35.359> if<00:45:35.760><

Bills: SB141, SB124, SB56, SJR116, SB94, SB37, SB127, SB197, SB66, SB70, SB133, SB160, SB214, SB312, SB52, SJR62, SJR75

Keywords: legal advertisements, tax rates, public hearings, transparency, local government, sick leave, education, teacher retirement, benefits, employee compensation, Medicaid, nonopioid analgesics, pain management, health care regulation, utilization controls, physician shortage, health care access, medically underserved areas, medical education, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• :45:01.839> of<00:45:01.960> the<00:45:02.079> team<00:45:02.760> so can
• <00:45:03.440> necessarily<00:45:04.119> a<00:45:04.559> burden<00:45:05.040
• :45:09.200> I<00:45:09.359> saw<00:45:09.680> it<00:45:10.119> went<00:45
• <01:45:09.360> the<01:45:09.800> exec<01:45:10.280> session<01:45:10.599>
• 45:14.119> chair<01:45:14.480> opens<01:45:15.239> the<01:45:15.800> uh<01

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Children and Family Law Committee opened its March 4 meeting with procedural announcements, including a deadline for any Minority Report, notice that the committee would not meet the following Tuesday because of town meeting day, and a preview of its March 18 agenda. The chair said that meeting would include hearings and executive sessions on HB 518, requiring DHHS to provide a detailed annual report of DCF costs, and HB 775, directing DHHS to seek proposals for supervised visitation centers; HB 553 was also slated for executive session. The committee also heard an update on Representative Grossman’s son, who remained in the PICU at Mass General. The main hearing was on HB 493, which would require child abuse and neglect education for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants as a condition of licensure. Representative Alicia Gregg presented the bill and an amendment reducing the required training from two hours to one hour, saying the goal was to improve recognition of abuse and prevent both missed cases and false accusations. Cassandra Sanchez, the state Child Advocate, strongly supported the bill, describing a 2020 review of nine cases of non-ambulatory infants with serious injuries and later system mapping that identified gaps in medical recognition; she said the training should be part of existing continuing education hours and that voluntary uptake had been limited. Dr. Michael Matos of Wolfeboro Pediatrics also testified in support. Ben Bradley of the New Hampshire Hospital Association opposed legislating the requirement, saying hospitals already train staff and that the legislature should not single out one topic for statutory mandate when other reporting obligations are handled differently. In questioning, committee members asked whether the hour would be part of existing continuing education, whether hospitals already provide similar training, and whether the bill should be placed in the continuing medical education statute instead of child protection law. Bradley said hospital members already provide annual training and collaborate with proponents, but did not support putting the requirement in statute. Sanchez said the bill was intended to use one of the hours already required for training, though members noted that the bill text did not clearly say so. The committee also heard broader testimony about the Family Division of Circuit Court, including a proposal to create a subcommittee to study more difficult issues such as pre-trial counseling, evidentiary practices, and domestic violence-related cases, with the Speaker appointing members to that subcommittee.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:01.880> the<00:45:02.000> authority<00:45:02.520> of<00:45:02.640>
• > site<00:45:29.640> could<00:45:29.800> make<00:45:29.960> the<00:45:30.080
• <00:45:49.280> respond<00:45:49.760> quickly<00:45:50.160> in<00:45:50.320><
• Nearly<00:45:53.120> 30<00:45:53.520> states<00:45:54.280> already<00:45:54.760>
• Kentucky<00:45:58.400> isn't<00:45:58.680> in<00:45:59.040> in<00:45:59.520>

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and<01:45:10.400> wetter<01:45:10.880> springs<01:45:11.440> and<01:45:11.679><
• Wildfires<01:45:13.280> have<01:45:13.440> already<01:45:13.679> affected<01:45:
• :15.280> to<01:45:15.520> the<01:45:15.679> north<01:45:15.920> and<01:45
• With<01:45:17.600> 77%<01:45:18.800> of<01:45:19.040> homes<01:45:19.440> in<
• <01:45:38.320> localized<01:45:38.960> areas,<01:45:39.840> the<01:45:40.080

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• now suing Minnesota<00:45:04.720> uh<00:45:04.880> to<00:45:05.000> protect<00:45
• <00:45:23.920> That<00:45:24.080> would<00:45:24.240> only<00:45:24.520>
• at birth<00:45:47.840> for<00:45:48.040> females<00:45:49.040> on<00:45:49.520>
• Teams.<00:45:51.920> Minnesota<00:45:52.680> is<00:45:52.920> an<00:45:53.160>
• <00:45:58.480> for<00:45:58.600> girls<00:45:59.200> and<00:45:59.360> young

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under a call, established a quorum, received the House message on Senate File 4807 concerning benefits for veterans of the secret war in Laos, and voted not to concur in the House amendments, appointing a three-member conference committee. The chamber also received a batch of House files, laid several of them on the table, and adopted committee reports and other routine motions. Senate Resolution 84 was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration, and Senator Murphy designated special orders for immediate consideration. The main floor debate centered on Senate File 4059, the supplemental finance omnibus bill. Senators described the bill as a slim, supplemental budget focused on urgent affordability needs, including $52 million for state grants in higher education, $15 million for LIHEAP, school district compensatory revenue adjustments, support for public television stations facing federal cuts, Medicaid fraud enforcement, and consumer restitution for scam victims. The Jobs article was presented first, with roughly $4.9 million in Workforce Development Fund appropriations for workforce and job-training programs, including support for rural oncologist training, homelessness-related employment programs, youth training, local news talent development, transportation-related employment assistance, and manufacturing support. Several amendments were offered and debated. Senator Farnsworth offered the A14 amendment to extend unemployment benefits for laid-off Iron Range miners, but withdrew it after being told it would unbalance the bill and after receiving a commitment to continue working on the issue in conference committee. Senator Draheim offered the A18 amendment to redirect Cookie Cart funding to rural hospital maternity training grants; after debate, the Senate rejected the amendment by a roll call vote of 32 ayes and 34 nays. The discussion emphasized competing priorities between youth workforce programs and rural health care needs. The Senate then moved into Article 1 on K-12 education, where Senator Kunesh outlined provisions including anti-grooming language, a district health insurance reporting requirement, extension of a gender-neutral bathroom grant, compensatory hold-harmless aid, operating capital flexibility, literacy aid hold harmless language, and several cost-neutral district fund transfers. Senator Nelson offered the A29 amendment to require school sports teams and participants be designated by biological sex at birth; debate on that amendment began near the end of the transcript, but no final vote was shown before the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.240> this<00:45:00.480> side<00:45:00.920> kind<00:45:01.040> of<00:45
• <00:45:02.160> slide<00:45:02.599> um<00:45:02.760> as<00:45:02.880> well
• <00:45:11.079> and<00:45:11.280> inform<00:45:11.680> each<00:45:11.800> other
• other in that<00:45:13.480> um<00:45:14.040> and<00:45:14.599> uh<00:45:14.880>
• 00:45:40.200> child<00:45:40.559> care<00:45:41.040> rules<00:45:42.040> um

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:45:00.040> All<01:45:00.200> they<01:45:00.320> looking<01:45:00.600>
• 45:01.320> high<01:45:01.480> the<01:45:01.600> next<01:45:01.960> day<01
• get high.<01:45:04.680> How<01:45:04.880> are<01:45:05.040> we<01:45:05.160>
• or<01:45:15.520> hurt<01:45:15.800> somebody<01:45:16.600> or<01:45:16.720>
• it<01:45:20.880> more<01:45:21.880> easy<01:45:22.200> for<01:45:22.400>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um<00:45:55.960> that's<00:45:56.240> more<00:45:56.400> than<00:45:56.560> 3%
• <00:45:57.800> In<00:45:57.920> the<00:45:58.040> last<00:45:58.400> 10
• In the last 10 years,<00:45:59.040> our<00:45:59.520> sales<00:45:59.880> tax<00
• and<01:45:31.280> substance<01:45:31.680> use<01:45:32.200> disorder um, and
• Um, Um, Um, this<01:45:36.280> bill<01:45:36.960> will<01:45:37.200> clarify<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:42.720> And<00:45:42.880> so<00:45:43.119> this<00:45:43.280> is
• And so this is where<00:45:43.800> accreditation<00:45:44.800> plays<00:45:45.040> a
• <00:45:45.760> role<00:45:45.920> in<00:45:46.160> the<00:45:46.319> very
• role in the very uh important PEL<00:45:47.920> dollars<00:45:48.240> that<00:45:48.400
• :45:51.119> seek<00:45:51.359> or<00:45:51.520> maintain representative.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard updates from the chancellors of the state university system and the community college system on ongoing restructuring, collaboration, and enrollment trends. The university system said its office move to the NHTI campus is ahead of schedule and should save students about $250,000 a year while creating revenue for the community college system. Both systems described continued work on transfer pathways, direct-admit outreach, shared advising, and broader efforts to shrink footprints, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency in response to declining enrollment and demographic pressure. A major topic was a possible federal change to Pell Grant eligibility that would require students to enroll in at least 7.5 credits. The chancellors said most community college students are part-time because of work and family responsibilities, and that the change could affect roughly 2,000 current Pell recipients and make it harder for students to afford or sustain enrollment. Members also discussed how the state’s governor’s scholarship statute largely benefits full-time students, suggesting possible future statutory changes. The chancellors explained how credits typically work, noting most courses are three or four credits and that students would likely need to add an entire course to meet the proposed threshold. The committee also discussed the broader higher education landscape, including declining high school cohorts, competition among New England institutions, and the need to right-size capacity. One member raised concerns about the health of regional campuses such as Plymouth and Keene; the chancellors said incoming enrollment is down at UNH and Plymouth and holding at Keene, attributing the trend to demographics rather than one campus drawing students away from another. They emphasized the importance of community colleges, adult learners, and short-term workforce programs as part of the state’s future education mix. Finally, the committee touched on the value of the university system’s research enterprise. The chancellor said about $250 million a year flows into the university system in federal research grants, with about $9.5 million currently under stop-work orders from federal agencies. She said the immediate concern is not DEI-related but federal cuts and possible caps on indirect cost recovery. Members noted that the R1 research designation supports business partnerships, student opportunities, and economic development projects such as West Edge in Durham.

Transcript Highlights:

• I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45. Good afternoon.
• Ayes 45, noes 17. The motion carries. Thank you. Thank you, members.
• Item 222, AB 45 by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan. The clerk will read.
• Assembly Bill 45 by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan and others, relating to privacy.
• Senate amendments address the chaptering issue, and I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine procedural motions. Members then moved through a long agenda of Senate and Assembly bills, including several concurrence votes on budget trailer bills and policy measures. Early actions included defeating a motion to send AB 1207 to the inactive file, then passing SB 855 on armory property transfers, SB 57 on data centers and ratepayer impacts, and SB 614 on carbon capture pipeline transport, with SB 614 transmitted immediately to the Senate. The house also approved AB 144 and AB 149, the health and resources budget trailer bills, and later took up a large concurrence file with many mostly bipartisan measures. Among the major policy items, the Assembly concurred in AB 7 on consideration of descendants of enslaved people in higher education admissions, AB 1400 on community college nursing/bachelor’s degree pilots, AB 56 on social media warning labels for children, AB 253 on housing plan-check timelines, AB 265 on disaster recovery support for small businesses, AB 301 on housing reconstruction timelines after fires, AB 325 on antitrust and pricing algorithms, AB 478 on emergency planning for pets, AB 670 on renter stability, AB 841 on the State Fire Marshal, AB 979 on AI cybersecurity, AB 1007 on faster housing permitting, AB 1032 on mental health care for wildfire victims, AB 1181 on firefighter cancer protections, and AB 1264 on ultra-processed foods in school meals. Several bills drew brief opposition or questions, including AB 149, where Assembly Member Dixon criticized omnibus budget drafting and fee increases, and AB 1264, where members discussed agriculture concerns and school nutrition. Most measures passed with strong margins, many unanimously. Later in the day, the Assembly also considered a separate set of Senate bills, including SB 760 on behest reporting for charitable appeals, SB 271 on student parents’ access to child care and financial aid services, SB 613 on methane emissions from imported fossil fuels, SB 744 on postsecondary accreditation, SB 461 on a facility transfer for police services in Imperial, SB 487 on compensation for injured firefighters and peace officers, SB 635 on street vendor protections, SB 641 on licensing relief after disasters, SB 720 on red-light camera programs, SB 763 on Cartwright Act penalties, and SB 274 on limits for automated license plate reader data retention. SB 274 drew the most extended debate, with supporters emphasizing privacy, civil liberties, and misuse of data, and opponents arguing the bill would hamper law enforcement and crime-solving tools. The transcript ends during that debate, with no final vote shown for SB 274 in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill moves the life and health anti-rebating statutes into a new chapter in the insurance code
• Um, and then as, uh, also, um, we are, uh, moving the anti-rebating statutes out of Chapter 541 into
• In the Texas chapter of the American College of Physicians, you got a bunch of things, OK, we show you
• But as for why we incorporated that quality ranking, that Chapter 1460 of the insurance provision into
• We have no insurance available essentially west of I-45.

Bills: HB139

Keywords: ad valorem tax, tax rates, voter-approval, taxing unit, property tax, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Much of the bill is current law moved from other chapters to this chapter.
• , which are now located in the new chapter.
• Section 11 is the meat of the bill, enacting a new Chapter 14-07.7.
• Chapter 14-07.1 pertaining to the three types of orders into the new chapter.
• In the summer, under standard time, that could be as early as 4:45 a.m. instead of 5:45 a.m. with daylight

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then moved through a series of conference committee appointments and reconsideration motions. Senator Axtman successfully moved to reconsider House Bill 1160, which had previously failed, and the chamber later passed it. HB 1160 creates a statewide bell-to-bell policy restricting personal electronic devices during instructional time; supporters argued it would reduce distractions, improve mental health and academic outcomes, and help teachers, while opponents raised local control concerns. The bill passed 42-4. The Senate also passed several other measures, including HB 1247 on protecting student victims of sexual offenses, HB 1489 consolidating civil protection orders into one chapter, HB 1032 making municipal courts courts of record and updating related procedures, HB 1487 authorizing a Minot facility for the Highway Patrol and Bureau of Criminal Investigation with a line of credit and emergency clause, HB 1469 requiring annual online statements of interest for public officials, HB 1199 creating the Missing and Indigenous People Task Force and related MMIP initiatives, HB 1169 regulating paid veterans benefits claim assistance with consumer protections, HB 1209 directing a foreign adversary threat assessment, and HB 3018 as amended to study water, wetlands, and taxation of inundated lands. Most of these passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 1169 drew substantial debate over veterans’ service options and HB 1209 passed on a narrower 40-7 vote. The chamber rejected or declined several other measures. HB 1455, which would have required the Indian Affairs Commission to review introduced legislation for tribal implications, failed 7-40 after concerns about an unfunded mandate and duplicative duties. HB 1259, which would have put North Dakota on year-round daylight saving time, was defeated 15-32 after debate over time zones, construction, recreation, and whether the issue should be left to future legislatures. HB 1555, dealing with statements of ownership for foreign organizations of concern, also failed 3-44. The Senate then moved to announcements and committee scheduling for later meetings and conference committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 4474 is recommended<00:45:46.680> to<00:45:46.760> pass<00:45:47.640> and
• to pass and referred to finance.<00:45:48.720> Thank<00:45:48.920> you,<00:45:49.040><
• Uh<00:45:50.840> next<00:45:51.200> up,<00:45:51.400> Senator<00:45:51.760> Gustafson
• up, Senator Gustafson, if you are<00:45:53.080> ready<00:45:53.440> and<00:45:53.640>
• > looks<00:45:53.880> like<00:45:54.040> you<00:45:54.120> have<00:45:54.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > And<02:45:39.439> I<02:45:39.600> suggest<02:45:40.000> to<02:45:40.160
• > like<04:45:12.480> to<04:45:12.798> say<04:45:12.958> that<04:45:13.280>
• reflects<04:45:14.400> a<04:45:14.798> clear<04:45:15.200> understanding<04:45:
• It reinforces<04:45:27.200> our<04:45:27.440> alliances<04:45:28.080> and<04:45:
• :45:44.798> support<04:45:45.120> from<04:45:45.440> the<04:45:45.600> United

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• repeal in Section 45.
• So I am registering my opposition to that repeal in section 45. So the Section 45.
• Basically, I would like to request that you remove Section 45 from the bill that would repeal Chapter
• Basically, I would like to request that you remove Section 45 from the bill that would repeal Chapter
• Repeal Section 45. Thank you. Thank you all.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.

Transcript Highlights:

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Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The conference committee received a nonpartisan walkthrough of the House and Senate side-by-side for higher education-related legislation, with staff identifying Senate-only, House-only, identical, and technical-difference provisions. Topics included paid blood donation leave for Minnesota State employees, a revised higher education attainment goal, athletic fee restrictions, developmental course disclosures, American Indian Scholars Program eligibility, protections and definitions for pregnant and parenting students, online program management contracts, student aid reporting, work-study and dual training grants, private and out-of-state postsecondary education regulation, private career school licensing and data privacy, college savings plan changes, and several University of Minnesota-related provisions. House-only items also included an unemployment insurance aid adjustment, a $1.5 million ongoing appropriation for an identity verification system to combat enrollment fraud, and $5,000 for Bemidji State University reforestation; Senate-only items included Board of Regents appointment language, limits on for-profit control of medical school curriculum, and reporting on for-profit funding in medical education. After the walkthrough, the committee moved to adopt the same and similar provisions and direct staff to make technical corrections. A senator asked about proposed adjustments to the pregnant and parenting student language, and the chair said amendments would be considered after adopting the same and similar provisions. The motion to adopt prevailed. During public testimony, Sydney Spre of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees supported the Senate’s paid blood donation leave language, saying it would create parity for Minnesota State employees and encourage blood and plasma donation. Commissioner Dennis Olsen of the Office of Higher Education thanked the committee for adopting most of the agency’s proposed language and said he was available to help clarify remaining differences. In response to questions, he explained the Senate’s higher education attainment goal proposal, saying it would extend and broaden the existing goal, raise the target from 70% to 75%, expand the age range, and use additional metrics and partner agencies; he also said the overall attainment rate had been 63.5 under the prior goal. The transcript ends as the commissioner was being asked whether the proposal would require additional appropriations.