Video & Transcript Research : 'driving rules'
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NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Sep 3rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It's an hour or more bus drive from their home just to get to that school.
- So, we are very focused on collecting the data that helps us drive instruction and drive those things
- It's rules-based and it provides systematic phonics instruction.
- Thank you. ...ruling and state funding formulas. That's my question number one. Mr.
- So, we're taking it upon ourselves to drive more interest.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Transportation panel considers bill to implement electronic MN driver's licenses, IDs 3/26/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- system is capable of accommodating drive system is capable of accommodating this<00:05:02.720>
into - I am the project manager for FAST Enterprises, maintaining the M Drive system for DPS.
- who holds the data makes the rules who holds the data makes the rules privacy<00:13:38.199>
rights - He said he was confused about what other things the digital ID would be used for, other than driving.
- Representative Green continued, saying that in order to drive, you have to have your physical license
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty Seven - Monday, May 11
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I just want to know what the rules are.
- I just want to know what the rules are.
- I just want to make sure that we are all upholding the rules.
- The chair recognizes the rules chairman. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
- Your legislative rules committee week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 65th and 66th days, with the first journal approval passing by roll call 124-0. Members then offered several introductions recognizing interns and special guests, including a lengthy tribute to law enforcement officers who were wounded in the line of duty and the presentation of Capitol-flown flags to some of them.
The chamber received committee reports from Fiscal Review recommending passage of several measures, including Senate Joint Resolution 87, Senate Bills 878 and 994, conference reports on House Bill 2818 and Senate Bill 973, and Senate Bill 1825. The House then took up House Bill 2818, a conference report dealing with annexation-related language for the St. Joseph Airport and added provisions affecting St. Charles and Jefferson counties. After debate about local control and development, the House approved the conference report 140-7 and then passed the bill 136-7.
Members next considered Senate Bill 1825, which updates county salary commission schedules, removes sheriffs and prosecutors from salary commissions, and gives certain fourth-class counties additional time to transition to third-class status. After discussion about county pay, coroners, and local fiscal impacts, the House adopted the Senate substitute 109-35 and finally passed the bill 106-39. The House also approved House Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 87, the so-called constitutional sheriff resolution, after adopting a St. Louis City amendment clarifying the City of St. Louis sheriff provisions; the resolution passed 100-47.
Finally, the House passed Senate Bill 878, which expands pharmacist authority for certain common ailments, emergency waivers, and behind-the-counter access to ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, with a House amendment adding blood pressure cuff and opioid-alternative language; it passed 132-13. Senate Bill 903, addressing theft and vandalism involving telecommunications and critical infrastructure, also passed 137-5. The House then announced upcoming committee meetings, noted additional bills to be considered upon return, and adjourned until May 12, 2026.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Sep 9th, 2025
New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Is this a rule change or a policy bill that would have to make...
- And I know that rules would have to change and things would have to change.
- But it's good to read the rules and see what's happening.
- Excellent rule. Thank you. I will now move on to the next approval of the rules. Okay.
- It's going to be on the left when you drive in. It's behind the Days Inn.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In our discussions with the youth camp advisory Committee, we are anticipating a rule, a rule change,
- a rule amendment with some increases to these fees and the next time the rules are, are amended.
- The last meeting, we looked at some, uh, draft rules and some ideas for rules coming up in the next,
- as we do the next rule amendment.
- Then that kind of rule could be promulgated.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drone Advisory Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- opportunity to work in coordination with the task force. ...or whatever the body ends up being to drive
- this advanced technology, kind of getting out of the testing phase of this whole thing and actually driving
- And it's going to be the Phase One information that's going to essentially drive our priorities in the
- from Louisiana's border is when you are in international airspace, and you have a whole different rule
- set that applies to you in the aircraft that are airspace and you have a whole different rule set that
Summary:
The Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drones Advisory Committee met with a quorum and opened by noting that, under current law, the committee will sunset after the 2026 regular session unless legislation is passed to reconstitute it. Members discussed the need for a smaller, more workable committee structure in the future so quorum requirements would be easier to meet, and they added an agenda item to consider reconstitution and another for a legislative briefing. The June 2025 minutes were approved.
Subcommittee reports focused heavily on counter-drone policy and advanced air mobility. Mr. Muley described the new counter-UAS effort, referred to as the “Let’s Go Act,” which would create a joint task force of state police, sheriffs, and municipal police chiefs to develop training standards and equipment standards for counter-drone operations. Members also discussed federal developments in the NDAA and DOJ’s role in authorizing mitigation capabilities for states with laws and training plans. Public safety members reported that training on recently enacted drone laws is underway in north Louisiana.
The committee also heard a major update from Josh Deplanis, newly named Louisiana’s first advanced aeronautics director. He outlined Louisiana’s selection for the FAA’s Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing/Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program, branded “Lift Off Louisiana,” and described plans for real-world operations beginning as early as August, centered on Houma-Terrebonne Airport. He also reviewed the state’s broader advanced air mobility strategic plan, including vertiport readiness, charging infrastructure, logistics, workforce training, and community engagement. Members emphasized Louisiana’s opportunity to influence FAA policy and international airspace issues related to operations over the Gulf and beyond 12 nautical miles.
In final action, the committee adopted a resolution supporting reconstitution of LADAC, with revised proposed membership language reducing the committee from 15 members to 11 and setting a simple majority of six for quorum, with new appointments effective July 1, 2027. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned after the motion passed.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Jun 30th, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- They drive a red car, they get bad rates.
- Those are the rules in our district.
- Um, you mentioned, uh, the rules of evidence don't or I'm sorry, the rules of evidence apply in a prelim
- Can you explain to us just briefly, briefly, the rules of evidence and why. That should be changed.
- When we can take those cases to grand jury, the rules of evidence don't apply.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Fiscal Policy Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Competent adults have the constitutional right to privacy, which court rulings have interpreted to...
- The bill addresses petition drives that are ongoing now and addresses them.
- and regulation when it comes to these new rules that we are putting in place today?
- The rules are there to help people navigate the process.
- Under Rule 2.10, the President has authorized continuation of this meeting until 5:15.
Summary:
The committee first took up CS for CS for CS for SB 462 on transportation. A substitute amendment was adopted that would require counties receiving transportation surtax proceeds to report how the money is used to the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, prohibit certain airport fees tied to collegiate aviation flight training, create a Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority pilot program, and dedicate $10 million annually for a traffic signal modernization program. The amendment also removed several provisions from the bill, including a sales-tax transfer to the State Transportation Trust Fund, a bid-protest-related contracting requirement, and repeal of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. A late-filed amendment was tabled, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard CS for CS for CS for SB 628, Lucy’s Law, which strengthens boating safety penalties for leaving the scene of a vessel accident and reckless operation. After the sponsor withdrew a pending amendment, the committee heard emotional testimony from Lucy’s parents and others in support, and the bill was reported favorably.
The committee next considered CS for CS for SB 700, the Florida Farm Bill, under a strike-all amendment. The bill’s major provisions included removing non-purity additives from public water systems, requiring clearer labeling for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, criminalizing drone harassment over farmland, updating agriculture disaster recovery programs, creating an honest services registry for charities tied to countries of concern, expanding FFA-related scholarships and school infrastructure, and allowing the state to repurchase certain former agricultural lands converted to solar fields. Testimony included strong support from agriculture and related groups, opposition from the Florida Bankers Association over a private right of action related to financial discrimination, and criticism from speakers opposed to fluoride removal. The bill was amended and then reported favorably despite some opposition. The committee also reported favorably SB 796, which authorizes DEP general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems to replace failing septic tanks.
The committee then took up a large strike-all for CS for SB 1618, a K-20 education package. The amendment combined provisions on VPK flexibility, early grade success, agriculture education, financial literacy, reading intervention, teacher assignment transparency, restrictions on spending public funds for political or social activism, emergency opioid antagonists, corporal punishment consent, teacher certification pathways, and other higher-education and workforce items from SB 1624, including guardrails for certain private religious postsecondary institutions. Members questioned the new prohibition on using public funds for political or social activism, with the sponsor saying it was intended to keep public schools from being a battleground for ideology; Equality Florida and the ACLU opposed that section. The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably.
Finally, the committee began extensive debate on CS for SB 7016, a major initiative-petition reform bill. The sponsors said the bill responds to fraud and abuse documented in a large Office of Election Crimes and Security report and would impose tighter rules on petition circulators, including Florida residency and U.S. citizenship requirements, training, shorter submission deadlines, stronger penalties, new identification requirements on petitions, and a 25% invalid-signature trigger for investigations by election-crimes officials. Senators raised numerous questions about due process, public records, penalties, the treatment of volunteers and former felons, the verification process, and the practical effect of the new deadlines and thresholds. The discussion was ongoing when the transcript ended, and no final vote on SB 7016 is shown in the excerpt.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Our rules prohibit us from indulging in personalities and imputing motives.
- of uh tier 1A or adopted uh the rules of uh tier 1A or tier<00:18:47.360>
1B. - And<00:29:43.039>
uh And uh And uh when<00:29:45.279>I <00:29:45.440>drive <00:29 - reach imposed by tier 3 and road rule. reach imposed by tier 3 and road rule.
- <01:30:41.679>
They and volunteer for food drives. They and volunteer for food drives.
Summary:
The House returned to Senate Bill 325 on regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction and first took up Representative Charlton’s amendment to extend the interim housing exemptions in tier one areas from 2028 to 2030. Charlton argued the change would better align the exemptions with the state’s 2030 housing targets and give rural communities and smaller developers more realistic time to plan and build. Committee members opposing the amendment said the exemptions would no longer be needed once 1A and 1B areas are established, and Ways and Means reported an unfavorable straw poll. After debate, the House rejected the amendment by roll call, 66-76.
During debate, members discussed whether the extension would help or hinder housing production, with supporters emphasizing rural Vermont, achievable timelines, and the need for certainty for developers, while opponents stressed that the temporary exemptions were meant to bridge the transition to the new tier system. The House also heard questions about whether any communities had actually adopted 1A or 1B status yet, and it was noted that future land use maps were not yet complete. The chamber then moved to a second amendment from Representative Dobervich, which would extend certain interim Act 250 exemptions for designated village centers and nearby areas through January 1, 2031, including projects of 50 units or fewer or mixed-income/mixed-use projects meeting specified infrastructure criteria, with municipal bodies able to opt out.
Dobervich said the proposal would expand access to the interim exemptions for rural communities that lack permanent zoning or subdivision bylaws but otherwise meet the criteria, helping more towns build housing in already developed areas. Opponents argued the amendment could allow too much development in small towns without local review and questioned how many municipalities would actually qualify. The debate continued with members discussing the relationship between Act 181, the temporary exemptions, and the ongoing work to create future land use maps and tier designations.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (02/04/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Typically, a good example of reclassification is Enterprise Drive in Windham.
- <00:28:55.039>
in reclassification is Enterprise Drive in reclassification is Enterprise Drive - If you drive down that way, you can see that there were toll booth plans.
- <00:58:46.079>
down Spit Brook Road um if you drive down Spit Brook Road um if you drive down - especially people who who don't drive especially people who who don't drive the<01:35:11.239>
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 561, sponsored by Representative Nancy Murphy, which would limit the state’s ability to discontinue, reclassify, or revert state-owned highway property to municipalities without local approval. Murphy and other supporters argued the bill would protect towns from unfunded mandates and prevent property tax increases caused by taking on costly road maintenance. Representative Wendy Thomas, Rosemarie Rung, Merrimack Town Council Chairman Finley Rothhouse, and Town Manager Paul McAuliffe all testified in support, describing the financial burden of the planned transfer of Continental Boulevard in Merrimack and warning it would set a harmful precedent for other communities. The Department of Transportation’s Steve Leon explained the department’s current authority and processes for discontinuance and reclassification, said active highways are not surplus property, and noted that the Supreme Court’s Town of Nelson decision held such reclassifications were not an unfunded mandate. The committee then closed the public hearing on HB 561.
The committee next took up House Bill 578, presented by Representative Mooney on behalf of Representative Bill Boyd, to require sound barriers along the F. Everett Turnpike in Merrimack. Supporters said widening the turnpike would increase noise in nearby neighborhoods and that a 2019 NHDOT study identified 17 neighborhoods with noise levels above federal standards, though only four were included for mitigation under the current project. They argued the remaining neighborhoods should also receive relief and cited quality-of-life and property-value concerns. Senator Tim McGuire also testified in support, saying residents were experiencing unexpected and severe noise impacts and urging the committee to act outside the usual criteria to approve the barriers. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote or action on HB 578.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress, including S.257, to improve the resilience of critical supply chains. Feb 11th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Rules to save people billions of dollars. Canceled.
- Chair Powell, why is the Fed about to propose a rule that directly contradicts?
- Wall Street, don't weaken these rules.
- It didn't work that well when we have one very large country that doesn't really play by the rules.
- Not clear that that would be something that would drive down housing inflation.
Bills:
SB257
Keywords:
supply chain resilience, critical supply chains, critical goods, manufacturing, domestic manufacturing, reshoring, nearshoring, supply chain security, supply chain shock, supply chain disruption, critical infrastructure, emerging technologies, semiconductors, microelectronics, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics, advanced manufacturing, blockchain, cybersecurity
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Spell is an act to amend Title 49 relative to the Governor's Task Force on Impaired Driving
- , to create the Governor's Task Force on Impaired Driving.
- by Representative Spell is an act to in Title 49 relative to the Governor's Task Force on Impaired Driving
- to create the Governor's Task Force on Impair Driving referred to be.
- Weibel is an act to amend Title 4 relative to the Louisiana State Lottery Commission to provide for rules
Bills:
SR107, SCR53, SCR54, SCR55, SCR12, HB167, HB181, HB243, HB316, HB321, HB335, HB492, HB578, HB624, HB708, HB864, HB906, HB968, HB969, HB978, HB985, HB1005, HB1032, HB1077, HB1095, HB1104, HB1118, HB1157, HB1187, HB1189, HB1195, HB1198, HB1220, HB221, HCR58, SB283, SB338, SB488, SB520, HB90, HB127, HB138, HB150, HB201, HB268, HB273, HB285, HB315, HB354, HB355, HB360, HB376, HB445, HB506, HB606, HB649, HB665, HB681, HB721, HB746, HB757, HB781, HB835, HB844, HB857, HB872, HB886, HB889, HB892, HB972, HB982, HB987, HB1037, HB1068, HB1072, HB1078, HB1085, HB1132, HB1137, HB1167, HB1174, HB1232, HB1238, SB68, SB76, SB149, SB191, SB196, SB318, SB162, SB382, SCR33, SCR30, SB112, SB194, SB307, SB341, SB346, SB363, SB495, SB503, SB507, SB509, SB513, SB408, SB131, SB145, SB333, SB464, SB466, SB500, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB228, SB246, SB249, SB268, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB312, SB319, SB323, SB369, SB431, SB474, SB484, SB490, SB492, SB501, HCR14, HB537, HB652, HB653, HB661, HB726, HB756, HB851, HB964, HB966, HB34, HB35, HB48, HB474, HB553, HB758, HB852, HB10, HB16, HB36, HB44, HB46, HB52, HB61, HB78, HB98, HB102, HB124, HB126, HB131, HB135, HB141, HB142, HB164, HB170, HB171, HB179, HB194, HB231, HB245, HB280, HB292, HB294, HB297, HB305, HB336, HB337, HB351, HB436, HB594, HB789, HB956, HB957, HB995, HB1040, HB50, HB117, HB120, HB122, HB139, HB148, HB149, HB185, HB199, HB247, HB271, HB286, HB301, HB358, HB359, HB384, HB413, HB428, HB450, HB462, HB547, HB613, HB631, HB657, HB669, HB675, HB680, HB691, HB712, HB716, HB720, HB723, HB727, HB728, HB735, HB747, HB759, HB825, HB842, HB845, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB907, HB923, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB965, HB1036, HB287, HB370, HB515, HB521, HB570, HB1200, HB119, HB129, HB677, HB850
Keywords:
condolence resolution, memorial resolution, tribute, sympathy, Joel Parker Sr., Louisiana Senate, rodeo, cowboy, horse trainer, stock and rodeo producer, black cowboy, African American history, community recognition, funeral resolution, celebration of life, Lottie Stampede Arena, Easter Sunday Rodeo, ranching, plantation work, faith community
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Fighting Fraud, Waste, and Abuse – Senator Jordan Rasmusson May 26th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- One of the big takeaways from that hearing is that there are oftentimes enough rules and regulations,
- but the agencies aren't always following those rules and regulations.
- for some,<00:08:21.280>
uh, <00:08:21.440>it <00:08:21.599>is <00:08:21.840>driving - up<00:08:22.319>
the <00:08:22.560>cost <00:08:22.800>of some, uh, it is driving - up the cost of some, uh, it is driving up the cost of home<00:08:23.280>
ownership <00:08:23.680
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Commercial drivers can be disqualified from driving commercial motor vehicles for various violations
- Question, just for my own edification, did we grant eminent domain authority or is that a court ruling
- The Supreme Court ruling was based on a 1904 statute that relates to inner urban electric work railway
- Here, the fact that eminent domain is involved may not be the thing that drives us.
- And every time we drive over it, it will remind us of our Mando.
Keywords:
driver's license, vision correction, medical verification, Texas Department of Public Safety, renewal fees, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates, license plate, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Transportation Code, general revenue fund, With Loyal Hearts, Catholic school, private school, religious school, school spirit plate, commemorative plate
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Tue Mar 10, 2026, 9:00AM HST - Day 25
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- following the rules. following the rules.
- drive up the cost of housing. drive up the cost of housing.
- believe strongly in preserving home rule believe strongly in preserving home rule and<05:13:21.960
- them even if they're no longer driving. them even if they're no longer driving.
- <05:23:23.720>
those parking stalls, will help drive those parking stalls, will help drive
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 2, 2025 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- It's going to basically state that you can drive for 12 months, all the local rules, as well as bridges
- When I was driving up here early in the week, here come a crane.
- authorities to expand the services where needed with interlocal agreements and ensures no local government rule
- or The services where needed with interlocal agreements and ensures no local government rule or regulation
Summary:
The Transportation Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up two bills. First, Rep. Owens presented HB 1165, which would allow FDOT to issue a special blinking permit for mobile cranes and accessory support vehicles to travel on and off interstate highways at all hours, subject to local curfews and FDOT conditions such as size limits, mapping, signage, and warning lights. Supporters argued the change would improve flexibility for infrastructure and emergency work and could be safer at night because of lighter traffic and required visibility measures. After one proponent testified, the bill passed favorably on a unanimous roll call.
The committee then heard CS for HB 1397, presented by Rep. Abbott, a broader transportation-related bill addressing the aggregate supply chain grant program, small business partnerships, airport and seaport transparency, maintenance priorities, the Florida Transportation Academy, and the Florida Transportation Research Institute. An amendment was adopted to clarify authority for transportation and parking authorities and to protect septic-to-sewer conversion projects from local rules when permits are issued by FDOT and FDEP. During debate, several members raised concerns that proposed repeals could reduce outreach and opportunities for small, disadvantaged, and rural businesses in DOT procurement, and the sponsor said he was willing to work on restoring or clarifying notification language. Despite those concerns, the committee reported the bill favorably, with some members voting no and others indicating support pending further changes before the next stop or floor consideration.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 4507 by Dutton ruling to.
- HB 4536 by Darby Ruling.
- HB 4648 by Crow and ruling the appeal of advoor taxes.
- HB 4672 by low ruling and increasing criminal penalty for.
- AG 4717 by Schofield Ruling in the creation of the Office.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- rules and to do the outreach programs. rules and to do the outreach programs.
- Uh Uh Uh Passing<00:18:13.800>
the <00:18:13.880>rules Passing the rules Passing the rules - navigate, you know, the rules.
- <00:27:05.520>
In navigate, you know, the rules. In navigate, you know, the rules. - through our rules. through our rules. Yep. Yep. Yep.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Government Operations held an informational briefing with the State Procurement Office on its small business procurement program. SPO staff described the program’s purpose as expanding access to state contracting for small businesses, including veteran-, Native Hawaiian-, and women-owned firms, and said they are seeking to make the current five-year initiative permanent before it ends in June 2027. They reported outreach efforts, a new website and newsletter, statewide surveys, draft administrative rules, and a 38% increase in small business registrations in the HANS database. They also explained that the program is intended to support outreach, education, certification, compliance, and a statewide database to connect agencies with qualified small businesses.
Committee members focused heavily on whether the program is producing measurable contract awards, not just registrations. The chair and senators questioned the definition of “small business,” noting that SPO currently relies on SBA standards in HANS and is considering a Hawaii-specific definition based on employees, revenue, and Hawaii residency. Members raised concerns that the data showed only a small number of registered businesses receiving awards and that the database does not yet track awards well enough to evaluate performance. SPO responded that the database has had funding gaps, that the position was only filled in February 2025, and that the agency is still building the system and rules needed to track outcomes accurately.
A major theme was how to make the program more effective for very small or “micro” businesses and how to reduce the complexity of state procurement. Members discussed the difference between set-asides and bid preferences, with SPO explaining that set-asides are generally tied to RFPs and preferences to IFBs. The committee suggested that future rules should make participation easier, provide more training and hand-holding, and possibly create pathways for micro businesses or groups of small businesses to bid together. No votes or formal actions were taken; the briefing ended with the committee asking SPO to provide more performance data and clearer information on outreach results and database contents.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:10:26.160>
How's to suspend rules for approval. How's to suspend rules for approval. - The rules have already been promulgated. So the rules are there. Everything's in place.
- The rules have already been promulgated. So the rules are there. Everything's in place.
- So, you've got reckless driving.
- But generally reckless driving. you got.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Energy Development and Transmission Committee Feb 26th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- I can't, I don't want to drive my combine through very pragmatic types of things.
- I'd like to be able to drive my combine past. Yep.
- And then the state rules, we make sure that they're very familiar with the unfair tactics rule, that
- So I think we're a lot more educated, a lot more progressive on a lot of our rules.
- It was a nice drive over here. As she mentioned, my name is Steve Cottingham.
Summary:
The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval.
Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development.
Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines.
Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.