Transcript Highlights:

• "There's no financial penalty for not, like we can return it without financial penalties." "Right.
• "There's no financial penalty for not, like we can return it without financial penalties." "Right.
• "There's no financial penalty for not, like we can return it without financial penalties." "Right.
• "There's no financial penalty for not, like we can return it without financial penalties." "Right.
• "There's no financial penalty for not, like we can return it without financial penalties." "Right.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill also addresses increasing criminal penalties and authorizing fees for the Committee on Judiciary
• for disaster relief organizations and screening for criminal offenses while increasing criminal penalties
• to the designation and use of certain spaces and facilities according to sex, authorizing a civil penalty
• No. 171 by Hicklin relating to flood risk for certain campgrounds, providing civil penalties for the
• No. 171 by Hicklin relating to emergency safety certification requirements, providing civil penalties

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know some would say that the death penalty is state law.
• He did not receive the death penalty.
• I think death penalty has to be a moral issue.
• As it relates to the death penalty, I'm sorry.
• On the death penalty provision, this does not make it easier to get the death penalty. It doesn't.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions and recognitions. The Rules Chair moved CS/CS/SB 622 to the end of the special order calendar, which was adopted without objection. SB 80 on state land management was temporarily postponed, as were later bills SB 716 and CS/CS/CS/SB 1348. The chamber then took up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and adopting amendments before final passage. Measures approved included a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan (HB 295, 38-0), mitigation banking and land development changes with a phosphate mining lands amendment (CS/CS/SB 492, 35-3), aggravated animal cruelty with a searchable FDLE database and sentencing multiplier (HB 255, 37-0), the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism and related training/funding (HB 711, 37-0), newborn screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (CS/CS/HB 1089, 36-0), and revisions to the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to expand eligible mitigation projects and adjust approval thresholds (CS/CS/HB 393, 37-0). The Senate also passed workforce education legislation allowing charter schools access to grant funding and expanding money-back guarantees (HB 1145, 37-0), a statewide study on automation and workforce impact (HB 827, 35-0), parole guideline revisions (HB 181, 37-0), court-appointed psychologist procedures in family law cases (HB 901, 37-0), sexual cyber harassment protections covering digitally forged intimate images (HB 1451, 37-0), a home health aide program for medically fragile children with training and reimbursement provisions (CS/CS/SB 1156, 37-0), substance abuse and mental health care changes including 988 oversight and involuntary examination procedures (HB 1091, 37-0), a feasibility study for a statewide pond data database (HB 1359, 37-0), and Department of Law Enforcement housekeeping changes and retired police dog reimbursements (HB 1053, 37-0). The most extensive debate centered on the charter schools bill (HB 443), which expanded charter autonomy, reporting parity, enrollment flexibility, and governance rules; after a delete-all amendment and a friendly amendment, it was placed on the third-reading calendar rather than immediately voted on. Several bills were briefly discussed with concerns about transparency, accountability, funding, and constitutional issues, but all bills brought to a vote during this segment passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amends the criminal penalties for various animal cruelty offenses by increasing the category of
• So the enhanced penalty doesn't apply if the cruelty to animals involved a non-pet animal.
• So the enhanced penalty doesn't apply if the cruelty to animals involved a non-pet animal.
• So it, the enhanced penalty, doesn't apply if the cruelty to animals involved a non-pet animal.
• penalties in separate<00:01:14.640> subsections.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee considered House Bill 698, which increases criminal penalties for certain animal cruelty offenses. The chair explained that the committee would adopt the proposed SD1 and further amend the bill to narrow its scope to pet animals, clarify that the five-year prohibition on owning a pet animal applies only when the conviction involves a pet animal, and separate the increased penalties into distinct subsections at the Attorney General’s recommendation. The committee also planned to reinstate provisions increasing penalties for second or subsequent offenses involving injury or death to service animals or law enforcement animals, and to place the definitions of pet animal and service animal in the preamble. It was noted that the pet-animal definition would not apply to chickens, roosters, or pigs raised for food, and that the service-animal definition covers only dogs. Senator Chang said he appreciated the effort to tighten the bill and clarify its scope, but he remained concerned about possible impacts on the agricultural sector and said he would vote with reservations. No other concerns were raised. The committee then voted to pass HB 698 HD1 with amendments. The vote was Chair Rose aye, Vice Chair Osai aye, Senator Chang reservations, Senator Sanur excused, and Senator A aye. The measure was adopted and the meeting concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The maximum penalty under law for all misdemeanors is $1,000.
• All right. these particular increased penalties uh these particular increased penalties uh were<00:07
• The definition of gross misdemeanor is a maximum penalty that's allowed.
• The definition of gross misdemeanor is a maximum penalty that's allowed.
• The definition of gross misdemeanor is a maximum penalty that's allowed.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This conference report relates to firearms and unintended motor vehicle civil penalty.
• This conference report relates to firearms and unintended motor vehicle civil penalty.
• Civil penalty, common support is developed to the public to the body and is now before you.
• This conference report relates to impersonating a federal law-enforcement officer, penalties.
• Penalty. The conference report is available to the public and to the members. It is now before you.

Keywords: March 14, 2026 - Regular Session Part 2, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill deals with tougher penalties for driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs with
• , and this bill specifically increases those penalties different than that section.
• , and this bill specifically increases those penalties different than that section.
• for violation of the insurance title, and to provide a penalty.
• You know, I gave out four penalties over here. I have to give four penalties there.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The North Dakota House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then received a gubernatorial veto message on Senate Bill 2261. The governor vetoed the bill creating a prison industries workforce development tax credit, citing dormant Commerce Clause concerns and arguing the tax credit would create an unfair market advantage and not meaningfully help Rough Rider Industries. The House agreed to place SB 2261 on the next day’s calendar for a possible veto override. The chamber also re-referred Senate Bill 2159 to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and appointed a conference committee for Senate Bill 2133 after the Senate refused to concur with House amendments. The House then took up a series of Senate amendments and final passage votes on several bills. It concurred in amendments and passed House Bill 1140 naming the Specialist John P. Fettig, Iraq Bridge; House Bill 1241 allowing funeral home vehicles to display flashing purple lights and clarifying emergency vehicle lamp rules; House Bill 1316 imposing additional penalties for repeated violations of temporary restricted licenses; House Bill 1127 expanding Department of Financial Institutions authority and data security provisions; House Bill 1564 on Indian child welfare; House Bill 1167 requiring AI disclosure statements in political communications; House Bill 1170 on state employee annual leave; House Bill 1447 regulating virtual currency kiosks; House Bill 1278 creating a cash management board for state treasury funds; House Bill 1024, the deficiency appropriation bill; House Bill 1205 on newborn safety devices; House Bill 1204 expanding false-information rules for political ads to text messages and telephone calls; House Bill 1001, the governor’s budget; House Bill 1206 increasing penalties for DUI offenses involving a minor; House Bill 1088 on insurance penalties and restitution; and House Bill 1515 on motor vehicle warranty work compensation. Most passed with strong margins, though HB 1170 and HB 1024 drew notable opposition, and HB 1447 and HB 1204 also had several nays. The most extended debate came on Senate Concurrent Resolution 4008, which proposed a constitutional amendment to change legislative term limits from the current structure to four four-year terms and repeal a constitutional restriction on proposing such changes. Supporters argued the measure would preserve institutional knowledge, allow voters to reconsider the 2022 term-limit decision, and let the public decide on the ballot. Opponents said the people had already spoken, the measure was confusing or unnecessary, and it could distract from other ballot issues. After reconsideration was granted, the House passed SCR 4008 by a vote of 53 yeas to 39 nays. The session ended with announcements, committee meeting notices, and adjournment until April 3, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 763 updates penalties under the Cartwright Act.
• And of the 44 states that already authorize civil penalties, 40 of them impose a higher civil penalty
• And of the 44 states that already authorize civil penalties, 40 of them impose a higher civil penalty
• And there's never been civil penalties.
• So enforcement penalties, things like that.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee without quorum at first, then later established quorum and continued hearing several bills. SB 27, the annual CARE Court cleanup bill, would require courts to consider CARE referral for certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial, combine some hearings, allow limited data sharing among licensed medical professionals, and expand eligibility to include mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would clarify the meaning of “clinically stabilized,” streamline the process, and help more severely ill people receive treatment; opponents argued it would expand CARE Court too broadly, strain county resources, and divert attention from housing and voluntary services. The bill passed to the Health Committee on a roll call vote and was placed on call. SB 82, dealing with so-called “infinite arbitration clauses,” would limit consumer contract arbitration provisions to disputes arising from the product or service actually purchased. The author and supporters said the bill would stop companies from forcing arbitration in unrelated claims and would not ban arbitration itself. Opponents from business and banking groups argued the language was too restrictive, could create litigation over related transactions, and should be clarified as prospective only. The committee approved the bill and placed it on call after a roll call vote. The committee then heard two reparations-related bills. SB 437 would direct CSU to develop a genealogical methodology and framework for verifying descendants of enslaved people, with oversight, reporting, and guardrails tied to recently allocated state funding. Supporters said the bill would create a fair, evidence-based process; opponents, including professional genealogists and reparations advocates, argued the work is already well understood, the bill is unnecessary, and it could delay action. SB 518 would create a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within state government, with divisions for genealogy, property reclamation, outreach, and legal affairs. Supporters framed it as needed infrastructure to implement reparations recommendations; opponents objected to locating it in the Department of Justice, warned about data privacy and law enforcement control, and criticized the inclusion of broader communities. Both bills were moved to Appropriations and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 52, the End AI Rent Hikes Act, which would prohibit the use of algorithms to collude on and artificially inflate rental prices; the author and supporters described it as a response to AI-assisted rent fixing in California’s housing market.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not sure where that penalty goes.
• that penalty goes, that fine goes. that penalty goes, that fine goes.
• : penalty up to $15,000 per violation, civil penalty of $25,000, and a wide range of criminal penalties
• > discharging administrative penalties for discharging administrative penalties for discharging
• and a wide range of criminal penalties and a wide range of criminal penalties according<01:04:29.280

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the February 11, 2026 journal, and received committee reports. Judiciary reported Senate Bills 84, 11, 15, and 37 favorably with amendments or referrals, while SB 73 was postponed indefinitely; Transportation and Energy reported Senate Resolution 001 for final action. The chamber also took up a personal privilege recognizing the PBLO leadership program and its 2026 class, and later honored former state senator John Kafalas. The Senate adopted Senate Joint Resolution 11, designating a portion of US Highway 34 as the Sergeant John Jack Thurman Memorial Highway. The resolution, read at length, detailed Thurman’s World War II service at Iwo Jima and his later civic contributions. The resolution passed 34-0 with one excused, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. On third reading, Senate Bill 19, concerning local early childhood infrastructure and expanding the role of early childhood councils, passed 31-3 with one excused. On second reading, Senate Bill 74, addressing the penalty for excessive claims in public construction performance bond disputes, was explained as aligning public and private project treatment and passed the Committee of the Whole, then the Senate, and was ordered engrossed for third reading. Senate Bill 16, prohibiting discharge of pre-production plastic materials, drew debate over environmental harms, existing law, enforcement, penalties, and impacts on industry; several amendments were adopted, including clarifying definitions and a legislative declaration, and the bill ultimately passed second reading 23-11 with one excused. Senate Bill 34, expanding participation by members of the Auraria Board of Directors advisory committees, also passed second reading after an amendment correcting the committee report; supporters cited broader representation for faculty and students, while opponents warned of politicizing the board.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not that big of a— but to create a new penalty for trafficking we think is critically important
• Is that person also at this enhanced penalty level?"
• Is possession of that included for penalty, or is it only trafficking of that which would incur a penalty
• Is possession of that included for penalty, or is it only trafficking of that which would incur a penalty
• And I see in this proposal here where there could be..." that which would incur a penalty well I that

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:09 SB 64: 00:01:20 SB 73: 00:05:33 HB 662: 00:09:40 HB 320: 00:20:17, 958, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and first approved Senate Bill 64, as amended, on a 14-0 vote. The bill was described as a copper theft prevention measure aimed at protecting key infrastructure assets, including telecommunications and electrical highway infrastructure. Testimony in support came from Senator Brandon Storm and representatives from Charter Communications and law enforcement, who said copper theft and related vandalism are damaging fiber and other infrastructure across the state. A committee substitute was adopted before the vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 73, relating to sexual extortion. Senator Julie Rocky Adams and Kentucky Youth Advocates testified that sextortion is a fast-growing crime against children and that the bill would make sexual extortion a felony, create civil remedies for victims, and require school-based education and resources. The bill passed 15-0 and was reported favorably for floor consideration. House Bill 662, relating to personally identifiable information, was also approved after discussion and a committee substitute. Representative John Blanton said the bill would help protect judges and certain medical review personnel from public disclosure of personal information while preserving provider access needed for appeals and communications. The Kentucky Medical Association supported the concept but stressed the need to preserve provider-facing information so doctors can conduct peer-to-peer reviews and appeals. The bill passed 15-0 with one pass vote. House Bill 320, relating to controlled substances on hospital property, was taken up for discussion only and no vote was taken. Representative Mike Klein and a St. Elizabeth nurse testified that hospitals are seeing illicit drug use and trafficking on campus and argued for a drug-free zone to protect staff, patients, and visitors. Committee members raised concerns about how the bill would apply to unconscious overdose patients, lawfully prescribed medications, emergency situations, and whether possession should be treated differently from trafficking. The chair ruled a motion out of order because the item was for discussion only, and the bill remained under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• She has worked on incredible... such as the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, Defense of
• Gear relating to requirements for subscription service contacts providing a civil penalty refer to the
• HB 2871 by Garcia-Bear relating to the criminal penalties for the possession of marijuana changing the
• Communication information providing civil penalty for the committee on public health hb 2873 by lalani
• AB 2947 by McLaughlin relating to truancy, increasing criminal penalty for the subcommittee on human

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Second thing is: are criminal penalties...
• or criminal penalties are jail or money or both.
• Penalties.
• Similarly, the very last penalty on the page, or in the penalty section, when it talks about the actor
• Similarly, the very last penalty on the page, or in the penalty section, when it talks about the actor

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She explained that the $1,000 penalty is in line with the department's authority for penalties under
• <00:43:26.440> Authority we look to other uh penalty Authority we look to other uh penalty
• remedy or penalty under the circumstances.
• <00:49:40.599> if going to be substantial penalties if going to be substantial penalties if
• <00:53:35.000> should the right right penalty should the right right penalty should be<00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the other penalty in this one, Senator, is something that you and I talk about a lot: that there
• And then the other penalty in this one, Senator, is something that you and I talk about a lot: that there
• And then the other penalty in this one, Senator, is something that you and I talk about a lot: that there
• Uh, can we proceed with the vote on this measure for the Senate and the And then the other penalty in
• <01:15:58.720> cuz zipper lane and HOV penalty cuz zipper lane and HOV penalty cuz currently

Bills: HB1752, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB1515, SB2835, HB2282, SB3083, SB2031, SB2519, SB2667, SB2140, SB2544, SB2069, SB2697, SB874, SB2043, SB888, SB2721, HB2152, HB1334, HB2385, HB1643, HB2314, HB1688, HB1692, SB2568, SB2983, SB2108, SB3136, HB1959, SB3156, HB1511, HB1753, HB1824, HB2137, HB1810, HB2279, HB2309, HB1548, HB2078, HB2293, SB3262, SB2169, SB2607, SB2964, SB3255, HB2576, HB1481, HB1864, HB1550, SB2818, SB3067, SB2061, HB1728, HB1881, HB2361, HB2395, HB1823, SB2050, SB2397, SB2876, SB2175, SB2852, SB847, SB3001

Keywords: education, funding, school districts, state budget, performance metrics, salvage vehicles, vehicle title transfer, electronic signatures, insurance, administrative efficiency, bribery, corruption, statute of limitations, public servant, criminal justice, deafness, traffic safety, law enforcement, vehicle registration, communication

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate includes the governor's request for an increase in theft of public funds penalties on line
• The Senate includes the governor's request for an increase in theft of public funds penalties on line
• The Senate includes the governor's request for an increase in theft of public funds penalties on line
• <00:20:51.720> penalties various penalties on criminal penalties various penalties on criminal
• remedies and penalties under chapter 13. remedies and penalties under chapter 13.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• if when we get to the deed penalties if when we get to the deed penalties folks<00:03:15.280>
• just simply increas increases penalties just simply increas increases penalties for for for misrepresentation
• <00:36:13.520> that um and frankly have penalties that um and frankly have penalties that
• penalty would allow for um potential penalty Revenue<01:22:50.760> if<01:22:51.639> um<
• She’s getting a copy of the bill, maybe. penalties in here for folks uh um and penalties in here for

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Second thing is, are criminal penalties...
• Harseth said we need stronger or minimum penalties for some of this.
• Similarly, the very last penalty on the page, or in the penalty section, when it talks about the actor
• Luring already has a minimum mandatory penalty of one year in prison.
• And we have some pretty serious penalties for traffickers. Yeah, that's changed.

Summary: The committee first approved the December 16 minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their economic and public-system impacts. She explained that ACEs are population-level risk indicators, not individual diagnostic tools, and said higher ACE exposure is associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare and justice involvement, and lower workforce participation. She cautioned that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across the life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based interventions and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, trends in ACEs, and home visiting; she emphasized supportive relationships, protective factors, and the importance of positive childhood experiences. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco, along with a recorded family story from Abby, about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota. Abby described how Healthy Families North Dakota supported her family after a premature birth and NICU stay by providing weekly in-home coaching, developmental screenings, postpartum mental health check-ins, referrals, and parenting support. The presenters explained that home visiting is voluntary, relationship-based, and usually begins prenatally or shortly after birth, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, pregnancy navigators, human service zones, self-referrals, and other community partners. They said North Dakota currently has four main evidence-based models operating through 12 organizations, with Healthy Families available in all 53 counties, though only a fraction of eligible families are served. Funding was described as a patchwork of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E, Medicaid, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and other grants; members discussed whether the Legislature or agencies should expand support and how to improve outreach and sustainability. Finally, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, focusing on AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and chatbot-related risks. The report summarized federal and state law, including North Dakota’s existing computer-generated image provisions, the federal PROTECT Act, the Take It Down Act, and recent federal executive orders on AI policy. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI’s effect on critical thinking and misinformation. The committee then heard from BCI Special Agent Cassidy Halsef, who said AI is already driving a sharp rise in child exploitation cases in North Dakota, including AI-generated explicit images of real minors and school-based incidents involving mass-shared manipulated images. She said investigators are seeing more cyber tips, more difficult forensic work, and lasting harm to victims and families, and urged stronger legal penalties, specialized training, victim services, and prevention education in schools and communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• You will see that our surrounding states already have these severe penalties um for that.
• this legislation strengthens penalties this legislation strengthens penalties for<00:08:46.160><
• It establishes clear graduated penalties It establishes clear graduated penalties based<00:09:49.680
• <00:10:20.840> um already have these severe penalties um already have these severe penalties
• Stronger penalties will help roads.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > the<01:07:46.000> statute Civil penalties fall under the statute Civil penalties fall
• we there were 290 civil penalties we there were 290 civil penalties issued.<01:09:14.239> 242
• we have processed 191 civil penalties. we have processed 191 civil penalties.
• ,<01:18:19.920> emergency for uh civil penalties, emergency for uh civil penalties, emergency
• <01:42:21.920> for there are no additional penalties for there are no additional penalties

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first heard brief presentations on Kentucky’s 2025 Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant and Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. Department for Public Health staff explained that the preventive health block grant provides about $2.3 million annually and supports programs such as accreditation and performance improvement, local health department grants, community health workers, prescription assistance, asthma and COPD programs, workforce development, and a sexual assault programs set-aside. They said the Title V block grant provides about $11.7 million, with 35% directed to children and youth with special health care needs and 65% to maternal and child health populations, largely through local health departments and a five-year needs assessment process. After no questions, a motion was made and seconded to approve both block grants. The roll call vote passed 19-0, and the two block grants were approved. The committee then approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The next item was a discussion of the child waiver created in House Bill 6. Committee members raised concerns that the proposed 1915(c) waiver did not match the legislature’s intent, which they said was to move children from the Michelle P. waiver to free slots for adults. Cabinet officials from DCBS, behavioral health, and Medicaid described the proposed “Community Health for Improved Lives and Development” waiver as a targeted home- and community-based program for children under 21 with severe behavioral health or developmental needs, including those stepping down from inpatient or residential care or at risk of out-of-home placement. They said the waiver is designed for about 100 slots, uses a standardized needs-based assessment, and includes case management, community living supports, home modifications, respite, supervised residential care, and clinical therapeutic services. Officials said the public comment period ended July 15, responses are being compiled for August submission to CMS, and the waiver is part of the broader Families First initiative.

Transcript Highlights:

• sufficient in providing enough penalties sufficient in providing enough penalties uh<01:39:18.880
• <01:43:15.760> This there are already penalties. This there are already penalties.
• :44:22.719> and current penalties are clear and current penalties are clear and straightforward
• > the<02:13:27.599> possession amending penalties for the possession amending penalties
• it's shortsighted to keep the penalty it's shortsighted to keep the penalty even<02:39:27.200>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all