Transcript Highlights:

• It's not the whole chapter. It's not... Question that clarification. Yes, absolutely.
• It's not the whole chapter. It's not all of Title 26.1.
• Section 14 is the repeal of the Prescription Drug Transparency Program.
• ... ...of this act or violations of chapter 26.1, 27.1.
• It does require us to enforce chapters of the Food and Drug Code, Chapter 19.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Industry and Business reconvened to work on House Bill 1584, which would create a new pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulatory structure within the Insurance Department. Insurance Commissioner John Godfrey and Deputy Commissioner John Arnold explained a revised set of amendments negotiated with Representative Casper and the North Dakota Pharmacists Association. They said the bill largely kept the House policy intact but added technical corrections, narrowed some references in Chapter 19-02, created a separate PBM licensing class, set a delayed effective date for licensing, and established emergency authority so the department could begin building the new division. They also described the proposal to fund the program through existing trust fund resources, PBM license fees, and a transfer of about $1.6 million from the prescription drug transparency program fund, while allowing the department flexibility to hire needed attorneys, pharmacists, and examiners. A major point of discussion was Section 10, which would have required the Attorney General to represent and bear costs for lawsuits related to the bill. Chief Deputy Attorney General Claire Ness said the language was too broad and would go beyond normal constitutional defense work, potentially obligating her office to cover all lawsuits against the commissioner or state under the section. Representative Casper said the intent was only to avoid the Insurance Department having to seek emergency funding for litigation, and both he and department officials said they were open to removing the section or narrowing it. After further discussion, the committee agreed to remove Section 10 from the amendments. The committee then voted 4-0 to adopt the amended amendment package, and then voted 4-0 to give House Bill 1584 a do pass recommendation as amended and refer it to Appropriations. Members noted the bill was still a work in progress, but said the revised version was intended to move the PBM regulation issue forward while continuing discussion in the appropriations process.

Transcript Highlights:

• :14:08.399> forward<00:14:08.800> to<00:14:09.040> many<00:14:09.360> more
• <00:14:15.440> Gentle<00:14:15.680> lady<00:14:15.920> from<00:14:16.160> New
• <00:14:25.600> I<00:14:25.760> rise<00:14:26.000> today<00:14:26.240> to<
• responders in<00:14:28.720> Gorum,<00:14:29.199> New<00:14:29.360> York,<00:14:
• c><00:14:47.360> by<00:14:47.519> a<00:14:47.760> deep<00:14:48.000> sense

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, September 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• has<03:14:10.640> been<03:14:10.840> a<03:14:11.000> focus<03:14:11.359>
• <03:14:19.319> will<03:14:19.439> be<03:14:19.600> looking<03:14:19.880>
• > by<03:14:24.040> this<03:14:24.200> bill<03:14:24.680> would<03:14:24.920>
• majority<03:14:28.479> of<03:14:28.600> the<03:14:28.720> committee<03:14:29.080
• :14:31.718> it<05:14:31.878> was<05:14:32.160> in<05:14:32.480> the<05:14

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 14:42.760> I<01:14:42.840> didn't<01:14:43.080> really<01:14:43.320> trust
• the the<01:14:44.400> original<01:14:44.840> one<01:14:45.440> but<01:14:45.800>
• 14:46.840> asked<01:14:47.080> you<01:14:47.400> was<01:14:48.199> uh<01:
• 14:48.840> how<01:14:49.120> is<01:14:49.360> this<01:14:49.960> how that
• c><01:14:56.040> the<01:14:56.199> de<01:14:56.679> or<01:14:56.880> with

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh so that accordance with this chapter. Uh so that accordance with this chapter.
• 1A, the Maryanne Leonard chapter 1A, the Maryanne Leonard chapter 1A, the Maryanne Leonard Educators
• This chapter shall with the following. This chapter shall with the following.
• Replace line 365 on page 14 with the Replace line 365 on page 14 with the Replace line 365 on page 14
• An accordance with this chapter. An accordance with this chapter.

Bills: SB199, HB142, SB86, HB152, HB297, SB1, SB1

Keywords: parental leave, state employees, local education agencies, adoption, work-life balance, family support, portable benefits, portable benefit account, independent contractor, gig worker, 1099 worker, freelancer, app-based worker, rideshare, delivery driver, worker benefits, health insurance, retirement benefits, life insurance, income replacement insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• The primary two related to annexations are Chapter 35.13 RCW and 35A.14 RCW. 35A.14 is focused on code
• Chapter 35.02 relates to the initial incorporation of a city.
• Chapter 35.02 relates to the initial incorporation of a city, so it's independent of annexation, and
• Chapter 35.16 and 35A.16 relate to reducing city boundaries. Some call that de-annexation.
• Finally, Chapter 36.93 RCW relates to the boundary review boards.

Summary: The committee held a work session on local government issues, beginning with an update from the State Building Code Council on four legislatively mandated code amendments now in CR-102 rulemaking: temporary emergency shelters, reduced minimum dwelling unit size, multiplex housing up to three stories and six units, and single-exit apartment buildings up to six stories. Council staff also described a separate embodied-carbon appendix proposal that remains under public review, with testimony both supporting and opposing it. Members asked about the rationale for some of the code limits, including the restriction on connecting multiplex buildings. The committee then heard a panel on annexations from MRSC, Pierce County, and the Association of Washington Cities. Witnesses reviewed annexation methods, including petition, election, and interlocal agreement approaches, and said larger annexations are increasingly using interlocal agreements because they can address infrastructure, revenue sharing, and public process concerns. They described barriers such as inconsistent local standards, the cost of infrastructure, referendum risk, census requirements, and the difficulty of persuading residents and local officials to support annexation. Members asked about the five-year restriction on residential zoning changes in one annexation method and whether a hearing examiner could reduce political pressure on local decision-makers. A second panel discussed subdivision reform. The Master Builders Association urged raising the short-plat threshold within urban growth areas to 30 lots as a simpler first step, citing permitting delays and added housing costs. The City of Spokane described implementation problems with recent housing laws, including uncertainty about how to review plats under HB 1110, lot-splitting administration, and added notice requirements for unit lot subdivisions. AWC said there was broad agreement that subdivision decisions should be more administrative, but public hearings remained a point of disagreement. The committee also heard from FutureWise, the Washington State Association of Counties, and Lewis County on county development regulation and enforcement, with witnesses emphasizing underfunded code enforcement, inconsistent standards between counties and cities, and the need for better coordination, incentives, and possibly stronger enforcement tools. No votes were taken; the chair said the committee would continue working on possible solutions in future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• again<00:14:05.160> or<00:14:05.320> to<00:14:05.560> start<00:14:05.880> these
• So,<00:14:10.040> it<00:14:10.120> took<00:14:10.360> a<00:14:10.400> little<
• >> Yeah,<00:14:15.880> so<00:14:16.080> once<00:14:16.400> I<00:14:16.520>
• Um we did<00:14:24.800> have<00:14:25.200> a<00:14:25.400> small<00:14:25.680>
• :14:58.800> SBO<00:14:59.600> as<00:14:59.839> I<00:14:59.880> guess<00:15

Keywords: 912, senate, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:14:06.079> fees<02:14:07.199> uh<02:14:07.520> pointed<02:14:07.920>
• > the<02:14:10.480> that<02:14:10.800> that<02:14:11.040> chapter<02:14:11.520
• <02:14:16.800> needs<02:14:17.040> a<02:14:17.360> it<02:14:17.599> needs
• <02:14:19.440> Uh<02:14:20.079> not<02:14:20.320> in<02:14:20.560> terms<
• > policy<02:14:22.800> but<02:14:23.040> just<02:14:23.280> to<02:14:23.440>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:14:29.000> If<01:14:29.120> we<01:14:29.240> extended<01:14:29.760> it
• <01:14:39.720> Obviously,<01:14:40.200> we<01:14:40.320> cannot<01:14:40.680
• I<01:14:47.920> hope<01:14:48.160> all<01:14:48.320> of<01:14:48.440> us<
• 01:14:48.600> fight<01:14:48.840> as<01:14:48.960> hard<01:14:49.240> for
• towns<01:14:49.760> in<01:14:49.880> our<01:14:49.960> district<01:14:50.400>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He aged out of his YMCA sports because he turned 14.
• He is finally in an incredible Chapter 766 program.
• June 2012, DESE, Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 76, 603 CMR 26.
• My wife and I have twin 14-year-old daughters.
• The youngest one was 14 years old.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing on several vaccination-related bills, including proposals to eliminate non-medical or religious exemptions for school immunizations (notably H. 2554 and S. 1557), a bill to require or improve reporting and administration of immunization data and exemptions (described as the Community Immunity Act, S. 1618), and H. 2431, which would prohibit COVID-19, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccine requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 2463, which would classify funeral directors as public health workers for vaccine-priority purposes during emergencies. The chair reviewed testimony rules and repeatedly asked speakers to keep comments orderly and brief so the committee could hear as many people as possible. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony on H. 2554 and S. 1557 was sharply divided. Pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, public health advocates, and groups such as the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Massachusetts Medical Society, March of Dimes, Massachusetts Families for Vaccines, and several parents supported eliminating religious exemptions, arguing that vaccination protects medically vulnerable children and adults, improves herd immunity, and helps prevent outbreaks of measles, pertussis, and other diseases. They cited local school data showing pockets of lower coverage and incomplete reporting, and several speakers referenced outbreaks in other states and the need for stronger, more consistent reporting and exemption management. Opponents argued the bills would infringe on religious freedom and parental rights, force families to choose between faith and education, and unfairly target a small number of families; some also said Massachusetts already has high vaccination rates and that the real issue is incomplete data or the gap population rather than religious exemptions. H. 2431 drew testimony from supporters who said COVID-era mandates caused job losses, privacy concerns, and harm, and that the bill would prevent future requirements for COVID, mRNA, or gene-altering vaccines in schools, workplaces, and public settings. Supporters described personal experiences with alleged vaccine injury or mandate-related hardship. H. 2463 was supported by the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association, which argued funeral directors work in infection-facing settings and should be eligible for vaccine priority during public health emergencies. The hearing featured extensive public testimony but no committee action beyond hearing the bills and taking questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:07.920> at<00:14:08.160> some<00:14:08.320> point<00:14:08.480> if
• <00:14:09.040> expected<00:14:09.440> to<00:14:09.600> get<00:14:09.760>
• built then what<00:14:10.560> if<00:14:10.720> what<00:14:10.959> happens<00:14
• >> Yeah.<00:14:14.160> But<00:14:14.320> if<00:14:14.480> you<00:14:14.639
• > never<00:14:14.959> need<00:14:15.199> it<00:14:15.600> or<00:14:15.920

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House committees on Housing and Education heard HB 1713, HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and transfer remaining balances in the school impact fee and certain fair share accounts to the school facilities special fund. The Department of Education testified in opposition, while the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, the Attorney General’s office (with comments and suggested constitutional amendments), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the School Facilities Authority, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, NAP Hawaii, Avalon Development Company, Mark Development, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Landis Research Foundation, BIA Hawaii, and others testified in support. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered comments. The DOE said the bill would weaken a key tool for matching school facilities to residential growth, while supporters said the current program leaves funds unused or restricted in ways that limit their effectiveness. A lengthy discussion followed about the difference between the older school impact fee program and the separate fair share agreements tied to land use entitlements and change-of-zone approvals. DOE Deputy Superintendent Jesse Suki explained that fair share funds are tied to the district where they were collected, may be too small to build a full school on their own, and are held until needed for projects such as Core Ridge, Central and West Maui, and other planned schools. Committee members pressed DOE on why funds had remained unspent for years, how much money was in the accounts, and whether the department had reviewed audit findings about the program. Members also questioned whether homeowners ultimately bear these costs through developers passing them along. The committee did not take a vote during the portion of the meeting provided. The discussion ended with members and DOE debating whether the current statute should remain in place, whether past entitlements should be affected, and whether the bill should be amended to better address remaining construction-related obligations and the use of collected funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• our area<01:14:03.320> agency<01:14:03.920> system<01:14:04.920> um<01:14:05.040
• > and<01:14:05.159> our<01:14:05.480> and<01:14:05.600> our<01:14:06.040>
• :14:40.120> is<01:14:40.560> our<01:14:41.120> content<01:14:41.880> um<01
• expert on<01:14:43.440> providing<01:14:43.920> services<01:14:44.440> and<01:14
• 01:14:55.880> is<01:14:56.080> also<01:14:56.360> included<01:14:56.960> in

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS. A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint. The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone. Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:14:36.320> on<01:14:36.719> people<01:14:37.040> who,<01:14:37.600> uh,
• So<01:14:42.800> I<01:14:43.040> don't<01:14:43.199> think<01:14:43.360> that
• <01:14:45.600> Um<01:14:46.000> I<01:14:46.320> also<01:14:46.960> find
• > to<01:14:49.360> the<01:14:49.520> data<01:14:49.760> from<01:14:49.920>
• > know<02:14:41.760> the<02:14:42.079> rest<02:14:42.320> of<02:14:42.480>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:14:00.640> so<00:14:00.960> I<00:14:01.320> I<00:14:01.440> am<00:14
• And<00:14:10.680> I<00:14:10.800> had<00:14:10.960> a<00:14:11.000> question<
• I was I was<00:14:12.200> glad<00:14:12.520> to<00:14:12.600> hear<00:14:12.760>
• you<00:14:12.880> say<00:14:13.200> that<00:14:13.520> with<00:14:13.720
• Um<00:14:29.079> and<00:14:29.240> I<00:14:29.520> I<00:14:29.640> wondered

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a caucus of the whole on House Bill 955, described by House Education Chair Rep. Peter Conlin as the year’s education transformation bill. He said the bill is still evolving and must still go through Ways and Means, Appropriations, and the Senate. Conlin framed the bill as a response to declining enrollment, school building needs, future funding changes, and equity concerns, drawing on prior commission work, testimony, surveys, emails, and committee input. Conlin said H. 955 has two major structural pieces: it creates seven mandatory Cooperative Education Service Areas (CESAs) to provide shared services more efficiently at larger scale, and it requires merger study committees in all parts of the state to examine whether districts should voluntarily merge into pre-K through 12 union school districts. He emphasized that CESAs are service providers, not governing bodies, and that merger study committees are required to study merger but not to merge. He also said the bill includes startup grants for CESAs, fee-for-service funding, a guidance map for facilitator work, deadlines culminating in merger votes on November 7, 2028, and reporting requirements back to the General Assembly. Members asked about whether CESAs duplicate supervisory unions, how representation would work, whether the bill affects academic standards, what happens to articles of agreement, why some study groupings include only one district, how the process would work in practice, and what support facilitators would have. Conlin responded that CESAs are intended to add scale for specialized services rather than replace supervisory unions, that they do not govern schools, and that representation and structure could be adjusted as the bill moves forward. He said the bill does not change what is taught in schools, only governance and funding, and that any merger would still require new articles of agreement and voter approval. He also said the facilitator system would be supported by a lead facilitator and the existing CESA structure, and that some groupings may be revised based on local conditions. The committee also discussed cost savings and timing. Conlin said the bill is intended to reduce costs through shared services and larger-scale districts, and that the proposed delay in implementing a foundation formula is meant to allow time for mergers and related administrative work, including bargaining, records, and district consolidation. He cited the existing Vermont Learning Collaborative in southeastern Vermont as an example of a CESA already providing specialized services and saving member districts money.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's $14 million per year savings?
• That is $14 million on the projects that we have on the books currently. Yes.
• It also allows municipalities under Chapter 174 to use customized impasse processes.
• BAs modifying Chapter 174 impasse rules are valid.
• It also allows municipalities under Chapter 174 to use customized impasse processes.

Bills: HB103

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard a series of local and special-purpose bills, mostly with brief sponsor explanations and little or no public opposition. Topics included fireworks sales near the Texas-Mexico border for Cinco de Mayo (HB 1629), allowing larger counties to use their own inspectors for county buildings (HB 3234), updating governance and financial rules for the Wood County Central Hospital District (HB 5664), clarifying firefighter collective bargaining and impasse procedures (HB 3171), and exempting certain Fort Worth ETJ properties from release rules to protect infrastructure investments (HB 2512). The committee also heard bills on border subdivision rules in Cameron County (HB 3680), extending a property tax exemption to surviving spouses of certain veterans affected by the PACT Act (HB 2508/HJR 133), drainage district election timing and procedures (HB 5693, HB 2694), utility transparency for municipally owned systems (HB 1991), and management district and hospital district election or appointment changes (HB 5698, HB 2293). Another major bill, HB 1449, would expand a food truck permitting pilot program to counties over one million population; witnesses supported the concept but asked the committee to coordinate it with related fee and standards bills, and the bill was left pending for further work. The committee also heard HB 3732, which would let fire departments obtain extensions to comply with new NFPA protective equipment standards, and HB 5431, which would clarify that mayors and at-large council members do not need new elections after reapportionment; both were left pending after questions about their scope. Several transparency and tax-related bills were also discussed, including HB 103, creating a statewide database of local bond and tax election information, and HB 851, requiring reporting on homestead tax ceiling properties; both drew support and were later voted out. After testimony, the committee reported multiple bills favorably, often unanimously, and recommended many for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also used procedural swaps to substitute House companions for Senate bills on several measures, then recessed with plans to return later to process additional bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• in our<00:14:01.760> Constitution<00:14:02.160> and<00:14:02.399> in<00:14:02.560
• c><00:14:55.680> a<00:14:55.920> powerful<00:14:56.320> tool<00:14:56.800> needs
• ><01:14:22.840> here<01:14:23.840> which<01:14:24.080> was<01:14:24.560> uh
• > this<01:14:30.960> time<01:14:31.760> is<01:14:32.080> the<01:14:32.600
• .<02:14:49.599> Um,<02:14:50.000> I<02:14:50.159> I<02:14:50.560> do<02:14

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, just to clarify, this has to do with re-credentialing and having 14 days to fix that.
• Thank you. ...re-credentialing and having 14 days to fix that.
• Also, in addition to that, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Arizona Chapter, is against this.
• The Committee Whole Rights Report, it recommends SB-14-5-2 as amended, due pass.
• Title 15, Chapter 2, Article 2, relating to the Department of Education.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and a proclamation sponsored by Representative Tony Rivero supporting stronger Arizona-Taiwan relations. Rivero introduced guests from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles and said a bipartisan Arizona-Taiwan caucus would be created, noting plans for a Taiwan consulate in Phoenix. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider Senate bills on two calendars. On the first calendar, the House advanced SB 1004, SB 1012, SB 1040, SB 1049, SB 1168, and SB 1326, while retaining SB 1538. SB 1004 received a Judiciary amendment described as helping law enforcement track homeless sex offenders. SB 1049 drew criticism from Representative Gutierrez, who said it would harm spouses seeking maintenance after divorce. SB 1168 received and adopted Appropriations amendments, and SB 1021 on the second calendar was amended and advanced despite concerns from Representative Liguori about legislative involvement in criminal matters. Other bills debated included SB 1052 on mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy in assisted living, SB 1172 on re-credentialing timelines, SB 1188 on aligning controlled substance schedules with federal law, SB 1212, SB 1346 on claims notification and fraud prevention, SB 1452, and SB 1494 on preventing patient-brokering fraud; several drew opposition over cost, necessity, or policy concerns, but all were advanced. After the Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the House placed several bills on third reading and took final votes. SB 1164, SB 1174, SB 1189, and SB 1754 passed unanimously or nearly unanimously. SB 1413, concerning restitution and a moving-violation-related offense, failed after Representative Cullin warned it could impose uncapped restitution in multi-car collisions; the final vote was 2 ayes and 48 nays. The House then reconsidered that action on motion of Representative Martinez, restoring SB 1413 to third reading, and adjourned until Monday, April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also has the responsibility to periodically review and recommend changes to Chapter 57-40.6.
• It also has the responsibility to periodically review and recommend changes to Chapter 57-40.6.
• It establishes guidelines regarding the I want. amend changes to Chapter 57-40.6.
• In large part, the chapter was written during a time when copper line wireline services were the only
• Over the last 30 years, the chapter has been revised to incorporate Over the last 30 years, the chapter

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then received a quarterly update on major IT projects from NDIT. Staff reported the portfolio included 116 major projects totaling about $546 million, with the overall portfolio under budget but slightly behind schedule. They reviewed projects over the 20% variance threshold, including an Industrial Commission grants management system and DOT’s roadway pre-construction replacement, and then heard startup and closeout reports from HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT. Several previously troubled projects were closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning; some projects finished under budget and ahead of schedule, while others were significantly behind schedule or over budget but were now closed or being remediated. The committee also reviewed NDIT’s annual report, including service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how service-fund revenue and grant administrative charges are accounted for, how chargebacks work, and whether NDIT tracks customer satisfaction scores. NDIT said it does track CSAT-type measures in some service areas and has survey data, but it is not planning another customer survey this summer. Members encouraged more regular reporting of customer satisfaction, service-level metrics, and performance data to help guide future improvements. A major portion of the meeting focused on the state’s mainframe modernization effort. NDIT said the overall effort is still targeting about 2030, with multiple HHS and DOT projects underway and a $15 million tech-debt appropriation already removing some components. Staff described the main obstacles as data cleanup, complex integrations, limited staff capacity, retirements, and vendor constraints, and said they are seeking a vendor with modernization support in the next contract cycle. Members pressed for clearer accountability and faster progress, and NDIT and HHS emphasized that they are working jointly but need continued support and better tools. The committee then heard a cybersecurity update on NDIT’s statewide services and maturity assessments. NDIT explained that it provides vulnerability scanning, endpoint protection, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that these services are tied to a cybersecurity maturity assessment based on CIS controls. Members questioned the sharp drop in participation since 2020 and whether the self-assessment should be mandatory or tied more strongly to StageNet access or insurance incentives. NDIT said participation is voluntary, but Enderf is now requiring annual assessments to keep a 4% insurance discount, and members discussed whether stronger requirements or audit authority may be needed. The meeting ended as the committee began a follow-up discussion on BEAD broadband connection costs and why some locations are much more expensive to connect than others.

Transcript Highlights:

• We contributed a few chapters.
• We wrote the chapter about where the resources are. We also used that...
• So we used one model in our chapter in Project Interspace.
• There is a policy chapter in the report with about 8 to 15 different recommendations.
• So I think I'm on slide 14, which would be the vision of where we're going with this.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:02.240> Are<00:14:02.480> there<00:14:02.639> any<00:14:02.800> other
• Are there any other persons here<00:14:03.440> to<00:14:03.519> testify<00:14:03.920>
• <00:14:07.120> Okay,<00:14:07.360> seeing<00:14:07.680> none<00:14:08.720>
• Okay, seeing none members, we have<00:14:09.360> written<00:14:09.680> testimony<00:14:
• For bargaining unit 14.

Bills: SB2119, SB3131, SB3069, SB3180, SB2137, SB2993, SB2778, SB2672, SB2014, SB2967

Keywords: reimbursement, public employees, travel costs, government travel policy, finance management, job title, administrative assistant, executive assistant, state personnel, civil service, modernization, employment standards, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, comptroller, civil service exemption, collective bargaining exemption, public works special project branch, specialized public works, information technology modernization