Transcript Highlights:

• But the threshold issue is whether the VPA even applies.
• But the threshold issue is whether the VPA even applies.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Rules Committee met to consider several Senate bills for constitutional and form review, while holding SB 1287, 1140, and 1811. SB 1012, which would loosen concealed-carry restrictions in restaurants and adjust liquor licensing/Dram Shop liability, was recommended as constitutional and in proper form by a 5-2 vote, though the rules attorney flagged a possible anti-abrogation issue with the bill’s immunity language. SB 1573, barring courts from relying on religious sectarian law, was also recommended despite concerns that it could raise an Establishment Clause challenge under the Larson strict-scrutiny framework. SB 1613, the annual revisors technical corrections bill, passed unanimously on the committee’s vote, and SB 1683, restricting property and equipment rights of foreign adversary nations and agents, was recommended after discussion of possible federal preemption/conflict issues. The committee then considered SB 1725, which defines excessive marijuana smoke or odor as a private and public nuisance. Counsel said the Voter Protection Act likely applies because the bill could be seen as restricting marijuana use beyond what the voter-approved initiatives contemplated, and noted a possible challenge on whether it furthers those initiatives’ purposes. The bill was nevertheless recommended as constitutional and in proper form by a 5-3 vote. Finally, the committee took up a large mass motion covering many additional bills, with a correction made from SB 1444 to SB 1445. Rules staff said the measures in the motion were constitutional and in proper form, and the committee approved the mass motion by an 8-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Declare the vote. 7 A; 7 A, having received a majority vote of those elected to...
• Declare the vote: 68 I; 17 Nay, having received a majority vote.
• Declare the vote: 73 I; 14 Nay, having received a majority vote.
• Declare the vote: 73 I; 0 Nay, having received a majority vote.
• Having received the majority of votes in the House, the bill has passed.

Bills: SB1365, SB2139, SB1595, SB1303, SB2180, SB2072, SB1772, SB1209, SB137, SB1944, SB372, SB1636, SB1256, SB1827, SB2104, SB1226, SB1876, SB1966, SB80, SB1148, SB1147, SB1149, SB1161, SB1162, SB1164, SB1159, SB1165, SB1174, SB1156, SB1158, SB1163, SB1175, SB1176, SB1166, SB1167, SB1157, SB1146, SB1481, SB1144, SB1145, SCR20

Keywords: SB1365, Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act, procurement exemption, competitive bidding, state purchasing, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, tourism department, merchandise for resale, gift shops, lodges, golf pro shops, state parks, restaurant contracting, retail outlets, public procurement, purchasing flexibility, Title 74, emergency clause, restrictive covenants, discriminatory covenants

Transcript Highlights:

• These departments do not meet the threshold for that.
• If they reach a certain threshold, it's pretty much evident that they'll be resistant to the disease.
• This legislation would remove the subject matter expert as well as the majority opinion of hunters in
• If you pass this bill, you're going to have a major issue here in rural Alabama. issue here in rural

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Most, the vast majority are coming from out of Representative: state.
• in Texas or Arizona or Colorado, to be able to accept a product like this, while the 3.10% is a threshold
• for our ability to ensure that there's no intoxicating substance, but we know that hemp has that threshold
• Well, there's really a majority. It was tied, so I take that.

Transcript Highlights:

• So one major difference is New Hampshire's per capita income is higher than many states.
• Not making the threshold, correct.
• Is that another major source of federal funding?
• Medicaid funding may not be the majority Medicaid funding may not be the majority of<00:11:36.200
• they have a disability, like they're blind, would be one example, or they have some major disability

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division III held an informational hearing on Medicaid, Medicare, Choices for Independence, and related financing, while postponing nursing facility financing and the county cap discussion to a later date. DHHS officials Ann Landry, Jonathan Ballard, and Medicaid Director Henry Litman provided an overview of Medicaid’s role, noting it is a federal-state partnership with state-specific eligibility and benefits, and emphasizing that Medicaid is a major funding and programmatic support for other DHHS initiatives. They also distinguished Medicaid from Medicare and explained that Medicaid funding is not the same as grant funding, though some providers may also receive federal grants through other channels. The presentation focused on New Hampshire’s relatively small Medicaid program and why it differs from national averages. Officials said about 184,000 residents are covered, roughly one in seven Granite Staters compared with one in five nationally, and attributed the difference largely to the state’s higher per-capita income and older population. They highlighted that about 65% of Medicaid-enrolled adults in New Hampshire are working, that only 22% of births are covered by Medicaid versus 42% nationally, and that the state’s uninsured rate is lower than the national rate. Members asked about covered services, income limits, federal matching rates, and the names of optional eligibility groups; staff explained that New Hampshire offers the optional groups discussed, with matching rates varying by category, including 90% for Granite Advantage and certain other groups, and 65% for children above the required level. A substantial portion of the hearing covered eligibility rules and recent policy changes. Officials reviewed the history of Medicaid, including HCBS waivers, the CFI program, Katie Beckett, the Olmstead decision, the ACA, and the end of continuous enrollment after the public health emergency. They also discussed the 2023 legislative expansion of postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months and child eligibility changes. In response to questions, DHHS said it is tracking utilization and costs for the postpartum expansion and reported that many maternal deaths occur after the prior 60-day coverage period, often involving substance use disorder or suicide; they said the longer coverage is intended to improve access to treatment and prevention. The committee also walked through household-income examples, clarified that Medicaid eligibility is based on household income and categorical rules, and confirmed that Granite Advantage ends at 138% of the federal poverty level unless another categorical basis applies. No votes were taken, and the hearing remained informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• We use 70,000 cells per milliliter as a threshold, and that's a fairly high cell count.
• and that's a fairly High as a threshold and that's a fairly High cell<00:23:36.840> count<00:
• If you had to make a major patch for the part, it's no longer original.
• back on and we're not taking major back on and we're not taking major component<05:12:09.240>
• <05:13:19.480> component actually uh one of the major component actually uh one of the major

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 105, which would create a new conservation license plate and direct the added fee to the cyanobacteria mitigation loan and grant fund. The sponsor, Rep. Rosemarie Rung, said the bill would create a non-tax revenue source to help address toxic cyanobacteria blooms in New Hampshire lakes, ponds, and rivers. She described the public health, environmental, and economic harms from blooms, the high cost of watershed management plans and mitigation projects, and the limited current funding available through state and federal sources. She argued that a voluntary plate program could provide sustainable support and raise awareness. Supporters, including Reps. Katie Pell and McDonald, said the bill would help affected lake communities and tourism-dependent areas. New Hampshire DES testified neutrally but confirmed that blooms have increased sharply, that the agency has issued more than 120 warnings in the past two years, and that the existing mitigation fund is nearly depleted after one-time appropriations. DES said the proposed plate would not solve the entire funding need but could provide dedicated revenue for studies and implementation projects. DMV testified that the operational impact of adding a new plate would be minimal. New Hampshire Lakes also supported the bill and said survey results suggested some current Moose plate holders and new registrants would likely choose the Loon plate. Committee members asked about the health effects of cyanobacteria, the expected revenue from the plate, and whether the problem is natural or human-driven. Testimony said exposure can cause skin irritation, gastrointestinal illness, and more serious liver or neurological effects, with pets and children at higher risk; one witness also cited research suggesting aerosolized toxins may affect people several kilometers from a bloom. DES explained that while lake sediments can release nutrients, the underlying problem is largely driven by watershed inputs and worsened over time. No vote was taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the chair invited written testimony and additional questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to honor the late majority I'd like to honor the late majority leader<00:23:43.440>
• <01:37:23.040> Thank or if there's a threshold? Thank or if there's a threshold?
• And so what the amendment threshold.
• to one of the notes that the majority to one of the notes that the majority was was was bringing
• among the majority among the majority to to to backtrack<03:44:08.640> on<03:44:09.040>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:59:53.760> or<02:59:54.080> a threshold be it a simple majority or a threshold
• <02:59:56.720> So super majority in specific cases. So super majority in specific cases.
• >> Representative<03:13:07.120> Major. >> Representative Major.
• are approved by a simple majority vote. are approved by a simple majority vote.
• three-fifths majority vote by ballot. three-fifths majority vote by ballot.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Having failed a majority vote of those elected to unconstitute the House, I declare the bill to have
• Having received a majority vote of those elected to and constituting the House, I declare the bill to
• Having received a majority vote of those elected to the House, I declare the bill to have passed.
• Having received a majority vote of those elected I declared the bill to have passed.
• Having received a majority vote of those elected to unconstituting the House.

Bills: HB2997, HB2021, HB3041, HB1823, HB3372, HB1427, HB3127, HB3128, HCR1020, HB4198, HB3000, HB3001, HB3002, HB3003, HB3004, HB3005, HB3006, HB3007, HB3008, SB392, HB3320

Keywords: motor vehicles, administrative fines, license regulation, state agencies, employment levels, after-school programs, grant funding, community organizations, child care, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, housing finance, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, publication requirements, housing policy, state regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• Um and just under 70 of our members responded, the majority of which were in support with the caveat
• Um and just under 70 of our members responded, the majority of which were in support with the caveat
• Um and just under 70 of our members responded, the majority of which were in support with the caveat
• I mean, what would be the threshold for that?
• Is it just be the threshold for that?

Bills: HB0117, HB0126

Keywords: informed consent, abortion, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, fetal heartbeat, termination of pregnancy, medical emergency, Wyoming legislation, rights of minors, healthcare regulations, parental consent, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the major amendment? Yes. Thank you. What do you mean by major amendment?
• <00:52:54.480> Amendment<00:52:55.160> yes the and the the major Amendment yes the
• and the the major Amendment yes thank<00:52:56.240> you thank you thank you what<00:52:57.839>
• what do you mean by Major what do you mean by Major Amendment<00:53:01.160> this is<00:53
• to get people who to raise the threshold to get people who are<01:16:22.760> a<01:16:22.840><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 733-FN, a bill concerning third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors funding lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, increases litigation abuse, and contributes to higher insurance and consumer costs. He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with guardrails and reporting requirements on specified pages of the bill. He also noted a couple of drafting fixes, including adding the word “knowingly” and incorporating a missing section later. Members raised questions about the bill’s foreign-entity language, especially the provision allowing a governor or the Department of Safety to designate a country as a threat to critical infrastructure. Representative Cole said he would have lawyers review that issue. Another member asked whether the bill would prohibit a party from obtaining outside funding for a lawsuit; Cole clarified that the bill is intended as a reporting measure, not a ban, and that disclosure would be required. He also said the bill is aimed at American citizens rather than foreign-backed financing, and that some states had considered caps on such arrangements, though this bill does not. Brandon Gratz of the Attorney General’s office testified that the enforcement language appears too limited, because it would allow only civil penalties and not broader Consumer Protection Act remedies such as injunctions or restitution. He suggested the Attorney General may not have meaningful authority under the bill as written and raised possible insurance-law issues. Commissioner D.J. Benton-Court of the Insurance Department said the disclosure could help insurers better assess risk and potentially soften the hard insurance market by improving transparency, competition, underwriting, innovation, and claims management. He also said the bill likely needs further work on jurisdiction and enforcement, and that the committee may need to coordinate with the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and possibly banking regulators. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not exclusive to urban centers or the major cities, but for a variety of reasons, the majority of
• Some major fires that were referenced happened prior to coming here.
• Why would we put a threshold on a private entity-driven decision?
• And I think there's clearly major differences of opinion, I suppose.
• The phase has been a major source of delay for our projects.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides solutions to some of the major issues from those doing the work, and the goal with that is
• So we do see that, you know, they do have access, either a three or a two, for a large majority of those
• I believe the majority of folks in this room, if not all of you, are well aware that that's an issue
• I believe the majority of folks in this room, if not all of you, are well aware that that's an issue
• , or does the state pick up the majority of it?

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to discuss special education funding and retention, beginning with approval of the prior meeting minutes and then hearing a presentation from North Dakota United on a statewide special education survey and retention rubric. Presenters described how the rubric and survey were developed from special educator input around four domains: paperwork and due process support, workload, student and staff safety, and paraprofessional management. They reported high levels of stress and burnout, including increased workload, difficulty taking prep and lunch time, concerns about mental health, and widespread difficulty filling special education positions. Committee members questioned the survey’s lack of a general-education comparison group, the interpretation of terms like “rarely” and “sometimes,” and whether results could be broken down further by district size, unit, or disability area. The survey results showed the weakest area was workload, with respondents reporting caseloads increasing without corresponding adjustments, little additional support or compensation when workloads rise, and few negotiated-agreement protections. Paperwork and due process also scored poorly, with many teachers saying they rarely receive dedicated time during the duty day, often work outside contract hours without compensation, and take work home on evenings and weekends. Student and staff safety scored somewhat better but still showed gaps in crisis follow-up, notification about violent behavior, protective gear, and leave options after incidents. Paraprofessional management also drew concern, especially low pay, insufficient staffing, limited administrative support, and the burden placed on teachers to supervise and train paras. Several teachers then testified directly about the practical impact of these issues. One special education teacher described the job as combining instruction, legal compliance, and paraprofessional supervision, often requiring work beyond contracted hours and contributing to burnout and turnover. Another testified that special education case managers are effectively doing three full-time jobs and that the paperwork and caseload demands are a major reason people avoid or leave the field. Committee members discussed whether the problems are primarily local or state-level, whether more funding would solve them, and whether changes to the funding formula or weighting for high-cost students might be needed. No formal vote or action was taken beyond a recess and return to order for the next presentation, which continued the discussion of possible special education study objectives and potential policy directions.

Transcript Highlights:

• courts treat domestic violence the way it actually affects families, but not as an afterthought, as a threshold
• ,<00:02:56.640> but<00:02:56.879> it's afterthought as a threshold, but it's afterthought
• as a threshold, but it's rather<00:02:57.200> a<00:02:57.360> threshold<00:02:57.760><
• c> issue<00:02:58.000> that<00:02:58.160> shapes rather a threshold issue that shapes
• rather a threshold issue that shapes everything<00:02:58.959> that<00:02:59.280> follows.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:05 - Discussion of 26RS HB 418 21:23 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 418 22:40 - Discussion of 26RS HB 611 26:00 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 611 26:52 - Discussion of 26RS HB 598 51:25 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 598, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Families and Children met to consider three bills. House Bill 418, relating to domestic violence and child custody, was presented by Rep. Neimus with testimony from ZeroV and Greenhouse 17. The bill, as amended by a committee substitute, would require courts to prioritize family violence in custody decisions, create a rebuttable presumption against unsupervised visitation and custody after two or more acts of domestic violence, require certain offenders to complete parenting or intervention programs before unsupervised contact, require training for paid supervised visitation providers and parenting coordinators, and ensure victim advocates are available in protective order hearings. Members discussed the two-incident threshold, the definition of domestic violence under Kentucky law, fiscal impact, and whether the bill adequately addresses severity and context; the bill passed 14-0 with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 611, also on domestic relations, presented by Rep. Dietz with support from ZeroV. The committee substitute would create a 10-year interpersonal protective order upon conviction for certain felony assaults, sexual offenses, and stalking involving family members, unmarried couples, or dating partners, and would expand reporting requirements related to domestic violence data, legal representation in protective order hearings, and child dependency/neglect/family violence data. Testimony emphasized improved tracking of cases and survivor safety. The bill passed the committee 14-0 with favorable expression. Finally, House Bill 598, relating to guardian ad litem and other appointed counsel, was presented by Rep. Dietz with testimony from Kentucky Youth Advocates. The bill, titled the Family Representation and Advocacy Act, would reorganize how legal representation is provided in child welfare cases by creating a Family Representation and Advocacy Commission under the Supreme Court, allowing the department to hire staff attorneys or contract with private attorneys, nonprofits, law school clinics, and social workers, and aiming to improve quality, accountability, compensation, and support. Testimony cited high caseloads, low compensation, attorney turnover, and delays in foster care cases. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed 14-0 with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you remind us at what income threshold and below?
• 10.880> income Um could you remind us at what income Um could you remind us at what income threshold
• <00:16:13.360> Well,<00:16:13.600> first<00:16:13.759> I threshold and below
• Well, first I threshold and below?
• This is brand new. based on income thresholds and levels. based on income thresholds and levels.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The first item on the agenda, the 10:05 a.m. item, is the major items in audit reports for the June 17th
• The racetracks take the majority of the grants, and it's almost been a given each and every year that
• The majority of them are, I think Michael mentioned some of the other ones.
• But instances, little things like this—this is a major—but stuff like this does not help with the image
• It's a challenge for everybody that determines a major and goes to college.

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fully eight major provisions were stripped out of Senate Bill 2880 merely to be able to ram it through
• balance between the right of a legislative minority to resist legislation and the prerogative of the majority
• interferes with the constitutional tool. that is there to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority
• So those are the penalties for... all that other threshold has been met that then would kick in upon

Bills: SB 8, SB 1, SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, HB27, HB7, HB17, HB1, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB20, HB18, HB7, HB17, HB1, HB20, HB18, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, SR85, SR87, SB8, SB5, SB2, SB10, HB27

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam

Transcript Highlights:

• Meeting costs are a major concern for California's residents, especially middle and low-income households
• This will allow us to go from about 300 engineering majors to about 2,000.
• Major naval and aerospace.
• State eligibility thresholds for assistance programs should reflect San Diego's true cost of living,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By lowering this threshold, this bill would expand opportunities for economically disadvantaged counties
• The majority of these roads are in severe disrepair, and this makes the situation... and especially interception
• A majority are located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, and others connect our urban adjacent rural
• Project acceleration has been a major topic of conversation in this committee.

Bills: HB1589, HB2208, HB2297, HB2560, HB2725, HB3080, HB4417, HB4473, HB4520, HB4662, HB4888, HB4905, HB4906

Keywords: HB 1589, toll road, toll project, toll project entity, voter approval, local control, county election, commissioners court, Transportation Code, Chapter 372, road construction, highway funding, infrastructure, public referendum, ballot measure, transportation policy, Texas toll roads, regional mobility, toll collection, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is, you would agree, a major source of noise, correct? I can't agree with that.
• The bill allows utilities to utilize the System Restoration Corporation and lowers the dollar threshold
• same bond program that non-ERCOT utilities can access for one-time storm recovery costs following a major
• Financing major events, therefore, reduces costs to customers.

Bills: HB246, HB796, HB 1056, HB1544, HB1846, HB2001, HB2618, HB2625, HB2869, HB2898, HB3069, HB3114, HB3157, HB3228, HJR98, HB246

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information