Transcript Highlights:

• Is that language... and they can actually, I think Senator Freeman had an amendment, That language, and
• The language in this report also amends the language regarding the match required for a consolidation
• There's language in this bill.
• And that was part of the original language.
• , deals with language.

Keywords: 964, all

Transcript Highlights:

• language as the bill moves forward. language as the bill moves forward.
• removes the the exception language. removes the the exception language.
• language from another bill? language from another bill?
• You got that language? language? language?
• It's the EVV language. Human Services. It's the EVV language.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :12.959> new<00:02:13.280> language<00:02:14.239> part language is related to new
• language part language is related to new language part of<00:02:14.560> a<00:02:14.800> governor's
• ownership requirements in this language ownership requirements in this language as<00:07:53.440>
• sanctions language. sanctions language.
• It's a study language. Are redesign. It's a study language.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committees resumed discussion of amendments to a bill dealing with licensing moratoria, change-of-ownership rules, and related provider oversight issues. Amendment A8 would prevent a licensing moratorium for certain intermediate care service settings from blocking a new license when the change is due to a change of ownership, including temporary licenses and transitional licenses. Department of Human Services staff said they were still reviewing the language but explained the department’s concern was maintaining program integrity and ensuring owners go through full change-of-ownership review so the agency can see who owns a provider and check compliance history. Senators supporting the amendment argued it would keep legitimate businesses from being harmed by a moratorium and could help preserve providers when ownership changes or family members take over after a death. A8 was adopted on a roll call, with both committees voting in support. Amendment A9, also on the moratorium topic, would exempt a change of ownership from the moratorium so long as it does not increase license capacity or service scope. The department said it needed more analysis to avoid unintended consequences, but the amendment was added to the working bill. Amendment A10 proposed a more detailed, data-driven framework for the moratorium and included a provision about refunds after implementation; department staff said the language would add cost and would require technical assistance, while senators emphasized the need to address licensure backlogs and avoid making provider delays worse. A10 was approved by the committees, though not unanimously. Amendment A11 would have set standards for how the commissioner designates provider types or program areas as moderate or high risk, with added transparency criteria. The department said the commissioner already has that authority and raised concerns about federal requirements and the state’s corrective action plan, and Senator Hoffman withdrew the amendment. Amendment A12, offered by Senator Fateh, would preserve remote supports by removing bill language that repealed the service and would add safeguards for remote overnight supervision, including staffing ratios to ensure emergency response times can be met. Several senators supported keeping remote services as an important, cost-effective option amid workforce shortages, while the department said it had program integrity concerns and supported the governor’s proposal to remove the service. The committee nevertheless advanced A12, with members noting the need to balance safety and integrity with access to services.

Transcript Highlights:

• and distill them down to one purpose and one language.
• languages, which surprises me.
• That is available in other languages, though.
• But, however, I can read and write the English language.
• How many languages do you? Representative Mayhew.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• together and really worked this language together and really worked this language with<00:10:33.360
• this amendment and in the HB2 language this amendment and in the HB2 language over<00:18:33.520>
• It's just clarifying language.
• It's just clarifying language.
• It's just clarifying language.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on a non-germane amendment to SB 302, a Senate bill originally requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners. Representative Patenza explained that the amendment was intended to preserve and separate out language developed for the governor’s budget proposal and HB 2 concerning a solid waste facility site evaluation committee, a moratorium, and related public-benefit/site-benefit provisions, so the policy would still have a vehicle if the budget language did not advance. He said the proposal reflects extensive work by the House, the governor’s office, and DES, and he was open to further changes to align with any budget conference committee outcome. Dr. Adam Finkele testified in support of the amendment and the underlying site evaluation concept, arguing that landfill siting decisions should be based on cost-benefit analysis that includes public harms, local impacts, and regional impacts rather than only private benefits. He praised the committee process and prior legislation requiring agencies to respond substantively to public comments, and said the new language improves on the governor’s version by moving the committee’s review earlier in the process and requiring more complete application information, including alternatives and impacts on nearby wells and aquifers. He also supported a three-year moratorium on new landfill applications, saying it would give the state time to address leachate, PFAS, waste reduction, and weak siting rules. Members asked about possible conference committee changes, the value of having a separate review body, and whether the new rules would invite litigation. Dr. Finkele said he would likely sue over the rules because he считает them too weak, but also said the legislature could fix the problems through other bills such as HB 77. He acknowledged that the site evaluation committee is not a perfect solution, but said it is a useful intermediate step between the agency and the courts and likely would meet only rarely if capacity need remains the main trigger for future landfill decisions. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:00:00.640> which see is uh house only language which see is uh house only language which
• <01:08:26.000> to all identical language related to all identical language related to election
• :08:44.960> bodies<01:08:45.359> again language uh between both bodies again language uh
• House section 28 is similar language House section 28 is similar language related<01:19:14.880><
• The language being presented.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So it says it used to language here.
• <00:10:45.040> that this bill to uh what the language that this bill to uh what the language
• in here that the House language on that. in here that the House language on that.
• not in the House language.
• and 11. is the house language for those those is the house language for those those two<00:34:11.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• just note that the House has language just note that the House has language around<00:07:56.240>
• not included in the House language. not included in the House language.
• services technical assistance language. services technical assistance language.
• <00:58:42.400> Um language uh that we're good with. Um language uh that we're good with.
• this language is important. Thank you. this language is important. Thank you.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It only covers Spanish, Asian languages, and Native languages.
• Beyond the languages covered by the current section, this bill would provide the same level... ...language
• speak that given language.
• The languages covered by SB 1360 would be based on the language determination made by the Secretary of
• language currently covered under federal law.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 1, 2026, heard a full agenda of election-related measures, and took final votes on several bills and one resolution. The committee also adopted two consent items, SB 1429 and SB 1430, without opposition. Members and the chair repeatedly noted committee membership changes and the final meeting of the session, and the chair emphasized the committee’s focus on protecting democracy and election integrity. Among the bills heard, SB 1369 would shorten the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls in larger counties and require paid gatherers to disclose they are compensated; supporters argued it would protect judicial independence, while the chair and some members noted the need to balance recall rights with county differences. SB 900 would reformat campaign disclosure language on large print ads and billboards to improve readability while preserving transparency, with broad support from outdoor advertising, clean money, and good-government groups. SJR 18, which condemns Citizens United and urges action against corporate spending in elections, drew support from reform advocates but also concerns about the resolution’s focus and scope; it was advanced on a party-line split with some members voting no. The committee also advanced SB 1164, a major voting-rights measure expanding California protections against vote dilution and voter suppression, adding preclearance-style review for some jurisdictions, and directing courts to interpret election laws in favor of voting access. Local government representatives opposed it unless amended, citing uncertainty, loss of safe-harbor protections, and implementation concerns, while civil-rights and labor groups strongly supported it. SB 1360, which expands language-access requirements for voters with limited English proficiency and lowers coverage thresholds, was supported by voting-rights and immigrant-advocacy groups but opposed by elections officials unless amended; the committee acknowledged the need for further work on county-level implementation and data standards. The committee also approved SB 1418, which extends protections against seizure of election records and voting systems beyond voted ballots, and SB 884, which creates a buffer zone around polling places and vote-by-mail drop locations to prevent interference with voting and ballot custody, though sheriffs and police groups opposed the arrest restrictions. SB 46, which would give the Secretary of State clearer authority to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the ballot, and SB 715, which moves candidate ballot-designation challenge deadlines earlier, also advanced. Most measures were sent to Appropriations or otherwise held on call for absent members, and the meeting ended with final roll calls and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• You on your amendment, you've taken out some language on the reporting, and I see that other language
• You on your amendment, you've taken out some language on the reporting, and I see that other language
• We do support the language.
• To Senator support the language.
• So the language is actually amending language that was requiring us to have a new contest.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hold on, I'm looking for the language on lines 9 through 10 in this bill, in the language that's already
• <00:39:07.599> around interpretation on the language around interpretation on the language
• , welcome workshopping of that language, welcome workshopping of that language, but<00:39:45.440>
• Um, or vote to elim... language around that, then I'm I'm language around that, then I'm I'm leaning<
• language out of here. language out of here.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This language sections 30 and 31.
• language contained a tiered fee system. language contained a tiered fee system.
• > motor<00:14:08.639> vehicles language relates to new motor vehicles language relates
• <00:15:08.240> The language. is found in section 8. The language. is found in section 8.
• several new sections of language. several new sections of language.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This language is largely, again, recodification of current law, except that under this language in the
• This language is largely, again, recodification of current law, except that under this language in the
• This is new language.
• This language is largely, again, recodification of current law, except that under this language in the
• This language is largely, again, recodification of current law, except that under this language in the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And that language is the new language on 28 from that bill.
• > to<00:54:09.280> second And refining language related to second And refining language
• and MDE to improve this language. and MDE to improve this language.
• Um what we are language in it.
• <01:46:22.160> We opposed to the current language. We opposed to the current language.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to put this language in on that $9 million.
• So, Rivers and Swantec, is the language in there then?
• If you want to remove that language, we certainly can.
• not familiar enough with the language for New Horizons to know is there language in there that's very
• We have some intent language in there.

Bills: SB2003

Keywords: higher education, student loans, scholarships, capital projects, workforce development, funding, North Dakota university system, 908, all

Summary: The committee met to work through the higher education budget, beginning with a conflict-of-interest request from Representative Martinson, who was excused from voting because of a partnership that leases office space to Bismarck State College. Members then reviewed the higher education institution budget sheets, covering ongoing and one-time funding items for campuses and system projects such as BSC housing, Lake Region roof repairs, UND’s STEM and National Security Crossroads projects, the UND allied health facility, NDSU projects including New Horizons, DSU deferred maintenance and campus security, Mayville’s Old Main, Minot projects, and the regional health institutes. Members also discussed student financial assistance, the professional student exchange program, IT security funding, and workforce/education innovation grants. Several amendments and policy questions were debated. The committee adopted an amendment to make workforce education innovation grants competitive rather than automatically distributed, and then voted to remove language prohibiting those funds from being used to duplicate academic programs. Members also removed similar anti-duplication language from the New Horizons section. They agreed to extend the UND hyperbaric chamber transfer authority to 2027 and clarified language around UND land-sale proceeds. A proposed amendment to add $5.6 million for the Wahpeton State School of Science building purchase failed for lack of a second, and a proposal to restore fetal alcohol spectrum disorder funding to UND was left for conference. The committee also discussed, but did not add, a tuition cap change, a study on the Praxis exam, and several governance-related provisions. The committee spent significant time on broader higher education policy items, including a $3 million enterprise resource planning request for the university system, a $2 million grant program for students who are pregnant, recently gave birth, or are caring for young children, and a $1.1 million request for library age-verification software tied to the Odin system. Members also discussed dual-credit authority for UND and NDSU, a goal for the UND medical school to increase North Dakota resident enrollment, and intent language regarding the commissioner/chancellor model and presidential search authority. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the amendments and then gave the higher education budget a do-pass recommendation as amended, with Representative Sanford designated as the carrier. The Forest Service budget was also approved, including two additional FTEs, and the committee adjourned after noting it would continue with other budgets the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• :59.120> and both speech language pathology and both speech language pathology and aiology<00:
• It adds um some<00:07:13.039> language.
• The postsecondary some language.
• Uh language in the universities.
• And also there was language in out.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education met with a quorum and first heard House Bill 266, which would add audiology and speech-language pathology to the Kentucky Health Care Workforce Investment Fund as eligible credentials. Sponsor Representative Griffy and Dr. Kelly Ellis of Eastern Kentucky University testified that both professions are essential health care services, require advanced education and licensure, and face shortages, especially in rural areas. The bill passed favorably without opposition. The committee then took up House Bill 379, a cleanup and policy bill for postsecondary education. As amended by a primary House substitute, it would exempt mandatory orientation and training for governing board members from open meetings requirements if no action is taken, allow preliminary university president evaluations to occur in closed session while final evaluations remain public, designate Northern Kentucky University as the permanent home of the Kentucky Center for Mathematics, and establish a process for collecting enrollment-related debt through universities and the Kentucky Revenue Cabinet. The substitute also removed provisions related to student body presidents and the Commonwealth Education Continuum. Representative Baker and guests from NKU and the Council on Postsecondary Education said the changes were recommended by universities and CPE, noted that NKU has long hosted the Kentucky Center for Mathematics, and explained that no other institution has sought the role. Members asked about the center’s work, and supporters described it as a statewide organization that improves math education and teacher training. House Bill 379, as amended, passed with favorable expression and was reported to the House floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Senator Pappas, the language in Senate File 3432 is your language, Senator Pappas.
• Chairman, Senator Pappas, the language in Senate File 3432 is your language, Senator Pappas.
• Chairman, Senator Pappas, the language in Senate File 3432 is your language, Senator Pappas.
• Chairman, uh, Senator Pappas, the language in Senate File 3432 is your language, Senator Pappas.
• is your language, Senator Pappas. is your language, Senator Pappas.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so this language underaddressed.
• <00:08:37.360> around there's some stricken language around there's some stricken language
• This language is not policy language and does not belong in a policy bill.
• > language<00:30:10.480> and<00:30:10.799> does language is not policy language
• We thought we had clear language.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• same level of language access assistance if 5,000 voting-age citizens in a county speak that given language
• speak that given language.
• The languages covered by Senate Bill 1360 would be based on the languages determined by the Secretary
• Second, the bill expands protections to all languages, not just Spanish, Asian, and Native languages
• in a county were dropped, while other languages with far... ...other languages with far fewer speakers

Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several election-related measures. SB 884 by Senator Umberg proposed expanding polling-place buffer zones, limiting certain law enforcement activity near polling sites, increasing ballot drop boxes and vote center access, and extending the vote-by-mail receipt deadline; supporters said it would protect voters from intimidation, while county election officials opposed it as operationally difficult and costly. The bill was amended in committee to allow county supervisors discretion over expanding the buffer zone and to permit law enforcement entry for crimes against persons or property. It was ultimately passed out of committee on a 4-1 vote after members’ roll calls were completed later in the day. SB 1164 by Senator Cervantes would expand California voting-rights protections by codifying and broadening anti-dilution and anti-suppression rules, adding preclearance for some jurisdictions, and directing courts to favor voting access; it drew strong support from civil rights and voting-rights groups, while one city raised concerns about effects on pending litigation. The committee advanced the bill to Judiciary on a 4-1 vote after later roll call completion. The committee also considered SB 900 by Senator McNerney, which would streamline political advertisement disclosures by shortening required disclaimer language, allowing standard abbreviations, and increasing the number of top funders disclosed on political mailers from three to five. Supporters from the outdoor advertising industry and campaign finance reform groups said the bill would preserve transparency while making disclosures more readable; it passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations. In contrast, SB 1225 and its companion SCA 3 by Senator Niello would transfer responsibility for drafting ballot titles and summaries for initiatives and referenda from the Attorney General to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Supporters argued this would improve neutrality and public trust, while opponents said the current elected Attorney General system is accountable and efficient; both measures were advanced on narrow votes after roll calls were completed later. Finally, SB 1360 by Senator Cervantes, part of the California Voting Rights Act of 2026 package, would expand language-access requirements for election materials by lowering the threshold for coverage, adding a petition process, and extending protections beyond current federal language categories. Voting-rights and immigrant-advocacy groups strongly supported the bill, while county election officials opposed it unless amended, citing concerns about the precinct-based determination model and implementation details. The committee passed SB 1360 to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote after the later roll call. The committee also approved a consent calendar of seven measures at the start of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• > or<00:08:53.320> more If language exempting that or more If language exempting that or
• it's not clear to me from this language it's not clear to me from this language whether whether
• 21.280> it<00:36:21.400> talks like that language because it talks like that language because
• I rather than this very broad language.
• this<00:39:53.480> bill the language of this bill the language of this bill does<00:39

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 2809 was taken up, and Representative Hudson moved the bill with a recommendation to the General Register. The committee adopted the author’s amendment A1, which changed the effective date from 2025 to 2026. Hudson described the bill as a narrow prohibition on protests at or around a person’s dwelling, arguing that homes deserve special protection from coercive or intimidating conduct and citing Supreme Court precedent on focused residential picketing. He said the bill would not apply to residences that also function as businesses or public meeting places and emphasized that it would apply equally to private citizens and public officials. Several members raised constitutional and drafting concerns. Representative Curran said the bill appeared too broad and could sweep in lawful expressive activity, including people standing on their own property with signs, and questioned whether it would survive constitutional scrutiny. Representative Pinto argued the bill either duplicates existing criminal laws or goes beyond the conduct Hudson described, stressing that the law should focus on conduct rather than the label of protest. Representative Bentele and Representative Hollins asked for clearer definitions of “protest,” “residence,” and whether the bill would reach sidewalks, streets, Airbnbs, and other public or mixed-use spaces. Representative Watson noted existing laws on targeted residential picketing, harassment, and stalking and asked what gap the bill was meant to fill. Hudson responded that the bill was intended to address coercive, disruptive activity and said he was open to amendments to clarify that constitutionally protected activity in places where a person has a right to be would not be affected. He argued that current laws are not always enforced consistently and that the bill would clarify legislative intent for law enforcement and prosecutors. The discussion ended without a final vote on the bill itself, after members and the author indicated a willingness to continue working on the language.