Transcript Highlights:

• the courthouse security fund.
• OCA Judicial Security Division to...
• This judge has 24/7 security, and so the...
• Building Security Fund, and Justice Court Building Security Fund.
• Court security incidents that are reported to our court security division, and yes, threats are going

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Transcript Highlights:

• underneath the word charity, I have some special family members here today, some that are in the Capitol
• I have my son-in-law, Doug Hub, That are in the Capitol for the very first time.
• Please welcome my family to the Capitol. a very special day for my wife, Valerie.
• Please welcome my family to the Capitol. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• You know, a few years ago we were trying to fund school security.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 107-1 roll call vote. Members then spent a substantial portion of the morning introducing guests, including family members, students, interns, nonprofit representatives, a park ranger recognized for life-saving work, and legislative staff being honored for service or graduation. Committee reports and Senate messages followed, including Senate refusals to concur on several amendments to Senate Bill 1421 and the appointment of a conference committee on House Bill 2818. The main floor debate centered on the conference committee report for House Bill 2002, the K-12 education budget. The budget chair explained that the report maintained record-level overall funding for the foundation formula but changed the mix of funding sources, including a reduction in capital commission dollars and use of blind pension funds, with possible later ARPA dollars to offset shortfalls. Several members argued the bill still underfunded schools by about $190 million and raised concerns about relying on projected or one-time funds; others defended the budget as meeting or exceeding constitutional requirements and noted record spending per pupil and recent increases in education funding. A substitute motion to send the bill back to conference failed 62-89, and the conference report was then adopted 83-68; the bill was subsequently third read and passed 83-68. The House then adopted and passed House Bill 2003, the higher education budget, by 119-28 on adoption and 109-32 on third reading. Debate there focused on restoring the governor’s recommended funding while directing higher education institutions to develop a new performance-based funding formula by the end of the year. Members generally described the compromise as a step toward a more sustainable model while preserving current funding levels. Next, House Bill 2004, covering the Departments of Revenue and Transportation, was adopted 128-21 and passed 127-27; discussion highlighted transportation funding, rural roads, and a small local safety appropriation that had already been addressed by MoDOT. The House then began debate on House Bill 2005, the Office of Administration budget, with members emphasizing IT accountability, state employee functions, and ongoing technology consolidation/deconsolidation issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• This morning, we are in Room 126 at the Capitol.
• First, a birth certificate, then a Social Security card in order to get a license or an ID, and I thought
• what have you, and that kind of lived experience does enter its way, in appropriate ways, into the Capitol
• Everyone to the coldest room in the Capitol. I'm sure to warm up.
• So we always focus on maintaining a bulkhead that's secure and a safe lake that doesn't have algae blooms

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 1725, which would require disclosure of oil wells and methane monitoring issues near homes and sensitive sites. The author and community advocates described health and safety risks in neighborhoods like Vista Hermosa Heights, while opponents including apartment, building, and chamber groups argued the bill targeted the wrong industry and that the state should instead ensure abandoned wells are properly capped. No vote was taken because quorum had not yet been established. Members then discussed AB 2110, authorizing local tax increment financing districts for workforce housing, and AB 1732, which would expand CEQA streamlining for public university and college housing projects. AB 1771 was also heard as a study bill on the on-site resident manager requirement for larger apartment buildings, with supporters saying the 1960s-era rule is outdated and opponents warning about tenant safety and employment impacts. AB 2185 drew broad support for directing state affordable housing programs to update guidelines to better accommodate factory-built housing, while AB 2748 split witnesses over whether to delay new EV-readiness requirements for 100% affordable housing; supporters cited project costs and opponents argued the code is important for resident access to clean transportation. The committee then took up SB 417, a $10 billion affordable housing bond for the November ballot. Supporters from housing, local government, labor, and advocacy groups said the bond is needed to keep more than 40,000 shovel-ready units moving and to preserve existing affordable housing, while opponents sought specific allocations for CalHome and interim housing. After discussion about student housing, social housing, and budget funding, the committee voted 8-0 to pass SB 417 to Appropriations, keeping the roll open for absent members. Finally, AB 1740 was heard, proposing a limited coastal permitting streamlining framework for Santa Monica’s urban, multimodal areas. The author and supporters said the bill would reduce delays for housing, adaptive reuse, and low-impact projects while preserving coastal protections, but the Coastal Commission and environmental groups opposed it as an unprecedented carve-out from the Coastal Act and urged Santa Monica to complete its local coastal program instead. Members asked questions about the length of Coastal Commission delays, and the bill remained under consideration without a recorded vote in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• addition to our representatives in the room, we give thanks for the work of the staff here at the Capitol
• Teachers could go on to Attendance Matters into a secure portal, and they could dig in and look at how

Transcript Highlights:

• Capitol? Would this exclude them from participation?
• <01:27:12.080> uh expression um the assigned security uh expression um the assigned security
• What about security threat groups or gangs?
• What about security threat groups or gangs?
• What about security threat groups or gangs?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas the Carl Albert High School boys' swim team secured its third state championship in program
• the area championship, the Lady Titans responded with grit and perseverance, defeating El Reno to secure
• championship matchup, the Lady Titans avenged their earlier loss to Newcastle with a dramatic 47-45 victory secured
• They didn't just win they secured the Class 6A state championship for the fourth consecutive year.
• Members, if you will turn your attention to the South gallery, it is Awaso day at the state capitol.

Bills: HB2894, HB3418, HB3415, HB3413, HB3414, HB3416, HB3417, HB3419, HB3420, HB1739, HB1752, HB1979, HB2941, HB2992, HB3075, HB3086, HB3177, HB3269, HB3278, HB3279, HB3497, HB3644, HB4432, HB3720, HB3849, HB3882, HB3919, HB3941, HB4118, HB4141, HB4268, HB4342, HB4428, HB4429, HB4434

Keywords: HB2894, Oklahoma Rural Jobs Act, rural jobs, rural investment, tax credit, capital investment tax credit, state tax credits, economic development, rural fund, rural investor, qualified investment, eligible business, Department of Commerce, rural business, investment certification, tax liability, credit cap, workforce development, small business finance, rural development

Transcript Highlights:

• And talk about security.
• That's security. talk about security. We've given parents talk about security.
• It's a means to a secure life.
• Financial security, job security, and we've invested collectively together time and hundreds of
• <00:43:38.240> Security, around those ideas. Security, around those ideas.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 2026, be declared Soil and Water Conservation District Day in the Senate, signed and sealed at the Capitol
• Signed and sealed at the Capitol in the city of Santa Fe, Senator Pat Woods, Mimi Stewart, President
• help me welcome my mom, my aunt, my prima, and all of the seniors from Northern New Mexico to the Capitol
• within the dorms or the living quarters for some of our higher education institutions in terms of security
• light on this, and we hope our higher education institutions are able to access funding to increase security

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Trained school security officers wouldn't necessarily know.
• Trained school security officers wouldn't necessarily know.
• Trained school security officers wouldn't necessarily know.
• A property are not consistently secured.
• This bill is about securing firearms on school grounds.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4893, a school safety and gun violence prevention bill, and first adopted a DE1 amendment before hearing the bill. The author and supporters described the measure as a layered approach to school safety, combining increased funding for student support personnel, required school safety plans, and anonymous threat reporting systems. They cited research from the Violence Prevention Project and other sources arguing that many school shooters are insiders, often show warning signs, and frequently leak plans beforehand, making early intervention and trusted adults in schools important. Members and testifiers also discussed the bill’s firearm storage provisions. Representative Green explained that the bill would require firearms on school property and in vehicles to be unloaded and locked, and would limit or remove principals’ discretion to allow firearms in school buildings, while preserving access for trained school security personnel. Supporters said the bill would improve clarity and safety for schools, while a representative from private schools raised concerns that the language could limit flexibility and create staffing and accountability problems for non-public schools, prompting discussion of possible amendments. Several student and organizational testifiers supported the bill, including students from Edina High School, Education Minnesota, the Minnesota School Counselors Association, and the Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota. They emphasized the impact of gun violence on students’ mental health and learning, the value of anonymous reporting systems, and the need to invest in counselors, social workers, psychologists, and nurses. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided, but the committee did adopt the DE1 amendment and continued discussion of possible changes, including with the BCA and school safety center.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:33:07.279> and access to opportunity, security, and access to opportunity, security,
• Through his leadership, Alliance Cyber provided cyber security and its security solutions to others.
• We enhanced Boxer's economic security.
• Despite many advances since security.
• I support securely modernize the FAA.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• security.
• important as military security. important as military security.
• Securities Laws.
• high-risk illlquid private securities. high-risk illlquid private securities.
• national security.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 23, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 17 relative to institutions of higher education to create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security
• Welcome to the Capitol, young man. Thank you for joining us. What? Oh, okay.
• Process must be secure. Issuing a check, exchange information with the office.
• The process must be secure and in existing law. As far as sharing the data, hold with me.
• Also, last week at the Old State Capitol, they had the viewing of the original Louisiana Purchase.

Bills: SR125, SCR70, SCR12, HB4, HB251, HB623, HB819, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, HB1257, HB221, HCR58, SCR22, SCR24, SB29, SB30, SB32, SB41, SB42, SB43, SB47, SB84, SB93, SB113, SB192, SB199, SB219, SB220, SB221, SB222, SB241, SB253, SB255, SB289, SB292, SB306, SB314, SB351, SB399, SB404, SB14, SB102, SB133, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB200, SB217, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB330, SB449, SB489, SB521, SB45, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB274, SB304, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB436, SB424, SCR61, SCR9, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, HCR31, HB296, HB299, HB322, HB364, HB519, HB535, HB538, HB568, HB571, HB622, HB635, HB676, HB772, HB784, HB1006, HB1018, HB1043, HB1070, HB1134, HB1239, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB210, HB220, HB228, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB750, HB813, HB815, HB826, HB870, HB949, HB953, HB1045, HB1092, HB1151, HB1162, HB1176, HB1177, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB22, HB28, HB33, HB41, HB47, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB195, HB214, HB217, HB233, HB283, HB290, HB319, HB324, HB345, HB362, HB363, HB368, HB377, HB380, HB382, HB386, HB392, HB406, HB431, HB441, HB466, HB503, HB533, HB559, HB575, HB590, HB593, HB618, HB636, HB655, HB664, HB685, HB692, HB707, HB715, HB732, HB738, HB741, HB748, HB776, HB807, HB822, HB856, HB860, HB868, HB887, HB888, HB905, HB908, HB961, HB980, HB990, HB992, HB999, HB1000, HB1010, HB1146, HB1157, HB1233, HB1236, HB1243, HB54, HB137, HB180, HB192, HB310, HB321, HB396, HB512, HB552, HB578, HB638, HB663, HB708, HB717, HB718, HB1009, HB1082, HB1104, HB1107, HB1198, HB1246, HB1250, HB17, HB36, HB73, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB166, HB211, HB226, HB245, HB271, HB280, HB337, HB351, HB354, HB399, HB677, HB712, HB723, HB726, HB728, HB759, HB789, HB844, HB850, HB966, HB1036, SB149, SB382, SB441, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB782

Keywords: SR125, Senate Resolution 125, MUSV, Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel, MASC, Modular Attack Surface Craft, Conrad Shipyard, Morgan City, Louisiana shipbuilding, U.S. Navy, Department of the Navy, unmanned naval vessels, autonomous ships, defense procurement, military contracting, shipyard jobs, maritime workforce, advanced manufacturing, robotics, software engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• the Good Food Institute is a nonprofit, science-driven think tank helping to build a sustainable, secure
• capital through programs like CalCAP and IBank can unlock private financing and allow companies to secure
• some of these issues, we get the same resistance even inside—we stay inside the building, in the Capitol
• include plant-based mandates for hospitals and prisons. ...mandates for hospitals and prisons, and securing
• Good Food Institute, Social Compassion in Legislation, and others to do food demonstrations at the Capitol

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its second informational hearing at UCLA, focusing on California’s alternative protein sector and the role of public institutions in expanding plant-based, fermentation, and cultivated protein options. Chair Ash Kalra opened by highlighting prior state investments in UC research centers, the importance of student engagement, and the hearing’s three panels: reducing the carbon footprint of institutional meals, addressing market challenges to scaling alternative proteins, and advancing future food research and workforce development. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan also briefly praised the committee’s work and its relevance to climate and health goals. The first panel featured Friends of the Earth, UCLA Dining, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Megan Jones described California school food efforts, including technical assistance and microgrants that helped districts expand plant-based meals, reduce water and carbon footprints, and improve student satisfaction. Pete Angelese explained how UCLA Dining uses concept-driven venues, sustainable purchasing, and marketing nudges to increase plant-forward choices, while Dr. Michelle Wood outlined Los Angeles County’s 2024–2025 board motions to expand plant-based options in county food venues and programs, including joining the World Resources Institute’s Cool Food Pledge. Committee members asked about costs, procurement, and how student and consumer behavior can be influenced. The second panel addressed market barriers to scaling alternative proteins. Zach Weston and Daniel Gertner emphasized that the sector faces a cost-and-scale trap, high capital needs, and financing gaps, and they recommended grants, tax credits, loan guarantees, procurement commitments, and workforce development. T.K. Pillen of Beyond Meat argued that the category has faced a recent downturn due to consumer skepticism, industry attacks on “fake meat,” and pricing pressures, and said the key to renewed growth is increasing demand through better taste, health, pricing, and messaging around “plant protein.” Panelists also discussed hidden subsidies and structural advantages for conventional animal agriculture, and committee members raised questions about iBank loan guarantees and supply chain challenges. The final panel highlighted UCLA’s research and training efforts. Dr. Amy Roet described the Future Food Fellows program, which trains students across disciplines in science, communication, leadership, and community-building, and supports research on scalable, safe, and nutritious alternative proteins. Corinne Smith shared her cultivated meat research and student leadership in the Alternative Proteins Project at UCLA. Dr. Janet Tomiyama presented consumer psychology findings showing that disgust, gender norms, and terminology strongly affect acceptance, with “plant protein” and “complementary proteins” testing better than “fake meat.” The hearing concluded with support for continued public investment, clearer messaging, and expanded education and workforce pipelines to help California remain a leader in alternative protein innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment, um, hard-carrying NRA member, and at the same time, this, um, is definitely not, um, trying to secure
• Second Amendment, um, a hard-carrying NRA member, and that this, um, is definitely not, um, trying to secure
• Second Amendment, um, a hard-carrying NRA member, and that this, um, is definitely not, um, trying to secure
• And then just also another reminder for Art at the Capitol. It's going to be on April 11th.
• Come and participate in Art at the Capitol. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Any further announcements?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, Joanne Betancourt representing SIFMA, the Securities Industry and Financial
• The newest co-author, Assembly Member Rick Chavez Zbur, sat in the Capitol last year and heard from me
• I believe including the modules that we do here in the Capitol includes those components too.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee heard and advanced several bills covering workers’ compensation, public pensions, workplace training, public works wages, and disability/paid family leave benefits. AB 1048 would require greater transparency when medical provider payments in workers’ compensation are reduced through network or administrator arrangements; supporters said providers need the underlying contract to verify reductions, while opponents argued the problem is overstated and existing dispute remedies are available. AB 1601 would give Sonoma County flexibility to provide targeted cost-of-living adjustments to retirees; supporters emphasized retirees have gone without a COLA since 2008 and that the retirement system is well funded, with no opposition testimony heard. AB 1439 would request a UC Berkeley study on labor standards in real estate and infrastructure projects funded through CalPERS and CalSTRS portfolios; labor groups supported it, while local governments, housing, and industry groups opposed it as unnecessary and potentially burdensome. AB 1697 would delay implementation of last year’s AB 692 on stay-or-pay and related employment contract provisions to 2027, with some support from the NFL and a support-if-amended request from the financial services industry for a 2028 date. AB 1803 would add anti-hate speech content to existing workplace harassment training; supporters framed it as a response to rising antisemitism and workplace hate, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and argued current law already addresses harassment. AB 2120 would extend Los Angeles Unified’s selective certification hiring authority and allow retention of such employees in layoffs, and AB 2292 would bar providers from charging administrative fees for completing disability insurance and paid family leave certification forms; both drew support and no opposition testimony in the hearing. AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act, would tie prevailing wage to the time work is performed rather than bid advertisement, with supporters calling it a fairness fix and opponents warning of uncertainty and higher costs on public projects. The committee later reconvened and voted all of the heard bills out, with most passing on unanimous or near-unanimous votes; AB 1439 was the only measure with recorded dissent, passing 4-1 on the final committee vote. Several items were also placed on call before final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $300 million a year in research, and we do it in four specific areas: national security and defense
• It's good to have you at the Capitol today. Charles Page is the high school in Sandsprings. Mr.
• And that is something I've seen that we have been focusing on here at the Capitol for a while.

Bills: HB3329, HR1039, HR1040, HB3413, HB3414, HB3415, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3419, HB3420, HB3706, HB3711, HB4139, HB1268, HB3660, HJR1023, HB3298, HB3056, HJR1084, HB3934, HB3919, HB4118, HB4119, HB3791, HB4260, HB4178, HB4215, HB4324, HB3270, HB4352, HB4305, HB2955, HB3315, HB3066, HB1245, HB4125, HB3075, HB3129, HB3239, HB4153, HB3265, HB4491, SB680, HB4263, HB4268, HB1675, HB3885, HB2984, HB3697, HB2959, HB3671, HB3852, HB2933, HB3057, HB3802, HB4294, HB4285, HB3708, HB3979, HB3977, HB3986, HB3985, HB3588, HB3742, HB3845, HJR1070, HB3590, HB3595, HB3391, HB3183, HB3764, HB3765, HB1002, HB4434, HJR1086, HB4060, HB3881, HB3500, HB4408, HB3648, HB3127, HB3606

Keywords: long-term care, advisory board, sunset legislation, mental health, psychologists, University of Oklahoma, gymnastics, NCAA, congratulations, sports excellence, recognition, honor, athletics, Joseph Castiglione, leadership, education, sports management, HB3413, public finance, state budget

Transcript Highlights:

• the state in emergency services, cadet programs, aerospace education, cyber defense, and homeland security
• commanders of the Civil Air Patrol here in the General Assembly this 9th day of March 2026, State Capitol
• Members, today is House District 7 Day at the Capitol. It's a part of my district.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, approved the March 6, 2026 journal, and laid over Senate Joint Resolution 16 on retirement readiness and financial well-being until March 18. On third reading, House Bill 115, concerning prepaid wireless telecommunications service charges, passed on the consent calendar, with Senators Baisley, Rich, Lynda Zamora Wilson, and Carson recorded in opposition. House Bill 1068, which authorizes the Legislative Council executive committee to set remote-participation policies for interchamber meetings and committees, also passed third reading by a vote of 31-3, with several senators listed as no votes and the President added as a co-sponsor. The Senate then resolved into Committee of the Whole for second reading of the consent calendar. House Bill 1040 was removed from consent at the sponsor’s request. The committee then considered and advanced House Bills 1182, 1067, 1041, 1025, and 1013, covering the Veterinary Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee sunset, livestock health funding, electronic vehicle titles, an auctioneer exemption under the Colorado Charitable Solicitations Act, and landlord utility billing systems. The committee adopted the reports and bills, and the full Senate later adopted the committee report, placing those bills on the calendar for third reading and final passage. The Senate also laid over general order second-reading bills until March 10 and laid over Senate Resolution 004 until March 24. On the governor’s appointments consent calendar, members of the Building Decarbonization Enterprise Board, Colorado Water Conservation Board, and Groundwater Commission were read and then confirmed by a vote of 34-0 with one excused. The chamber then heard several personal privilege remarks recognizing Briggsdale Elementary School, the Democratic Women of Boulder County, the Colorado Civil Air Patrol, International Women’s Day, and House District 7 Day at the Capitol, before adjourning until March 10, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• the House still hasn't complied with the 2022 law passed by this body to honor the men and women of Capitol
• dedicated to those officers, to their patriotism and sacrifice, has not yet been installed in the Capitol
• Is it too much for the leadership of this body to have the decency to acknowledge that the Capitol Police
• Peltz secured through his service in World War II.
• ADDRESS A SERIOUS NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE THAT REQUIRES THE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND IMMEDIATE ACTION

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 2, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I bring not only my heart, my voice today to this Capitol to ensure that the 500,000 people that
• I represent today to this Capitol to ensure that the 500,000 people that I represent in my community
• Divine providence will secure inalienable rights to self-determination.
• I went to D.C. to speak again to both sides of the aisle for funding for secure rural schools, for Head
• Start, for... ...again to both sides of the aisle for funding for secure rural schools, for Head Start

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, recess, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into a highly procedural and contentious floor session centered on redistricting measures. Members debated a point of order raised by Assembly Member DeMaio challenging the constitutionality of SB 280, ACA 8, and AB 604; the Speaker ruled the point not well taken, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on appeal. The body also took up consent-calendar and procedural motions, including suspending rules to adopt late amendments on ACA 8 and to bring the measure up without reference to file. Several motions to re-refer or suspend rules on related measures failed, while the motion to adopt the late amendments on ACA 8 carried. The main substantive item was ACA 8, the Assembly Constitutional Amendment related to redistricting, presented by Assembly Member Berman as a response to mid-decade redistricting efforts in other states, especially Texas. Supporters argued the measure was a temporary, voter-driven response to protect democracy, counter partisan gerrymandering, and address broader threats tied to the Trump administration, including immigration enforcement and health care cuts. Opponents argued ACA 8 would undermine California’s independent citizens redistricting commission, violate the state Constitution, and amount to partisan gerrymandering or a power grab. Members on both sides framed the issue as a defense of democracy, but disagreed sharply over whether the Legislature should act or leave redistricting to voters and the existing commission. No final vote on ACA 8 is shown in the transcript excerpt, but the Assembly did vote on several procedural matters: the appeal of the Speaker’s ruling was sustained 58-18; the motion to adopt late amendments on ACA 8 passed 58-19; a motion to re-refer ACA 8 and SB 280 to Judiciary failed 19-58; and a motion to take up A.J.R. 21 without reference to file failed 19-58. The session remained focused on ACA 8 and related redistricting questions, with extensive floor speeches from both supporters and opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• They had some FEMA funding secured for them, and then that FEMA funding was pulled.
• They had some FEMA funding secured for them, and then that FEMA funding was pulled.
• , lifer-type people versus a minimum security housing unit.
• So a lot of what we're doing is more about security, staffing, and operations. conditions.
• Permits are secured. Nothing else is going to stop except the weather and acts of God.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first approved the December 10 minutes and then received a DEQ base budget summary and agency overview. DEQ staff explained that the agency is largely federally and special funded, with major ongoing costs in salaries, operating expenses, grants, and continuing appropriations. Director Dave Glatt and accounting director Beth Jacobson highlighted core programs, the move to a new chemistry laboratory, the new state fuel inspection program, wastewater-related funding from HB 1577, and implementation of SB 2267 for on-site wastewater rules. They also noted the agency’s spending patterns, possible federal EPA cuts, and the likelihood of some fee adjustments or program changes if federal support declines. Members asked about DEQ’s travel, field offices, future staffing, and how the agency would respond to reduced federal regulation. DEQ said most staff are based in Bismarck, with field offices in Fargo, Sawyer, and Gwinner, and that travel is driven by inspections and spill response. Glatt said the agency would continue to rely on science and law, and that any future federal retrenchment could mean more state responsibility but likely not a wholesale increase in FTEs. The committee also discussed a feedlot enforcement case in the Minot area, with DEQ explaining its role in ensuring compliance, permitting, and animal-waste management standards. The Department of Health and Human Services then presented on FTE block grant reporting, TANF balances, child care transfers, and the Rural Health Transformation Program. Donna Ockland explained that no line-item transfers had occurred yet for the new rural health work, but about 33 positions were planned and some current staff time could be reimbursed through approved cost allocation. HHS also reviewed TANF’s frozen eligibility and block grant structure, the transfer of up to 30% of TANF funds to child care, and recent program changes that increased benefits and raised the income limit. Staff said the department is using TANF more strategically to support child care and other allowable uses, while still carrying over unused funds as many states do. Finally, Pat and HHS staff gave an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying the first funding opportunity was being posted and that the state is on track to obligate the federal funds within the required timeline. They described priorities such as workforce retention, preceptor development, technical assistance for critical access hospitals, community wellness projects, and ambulance upgrades. Members asked about rural versus urban eligibility, immigrant recruitment, evaluation of year-two funding, and how the program would address varied local workforce needs. The meeting then shifted to an Office of Management and Budget update on the new State Hospital project, where Lindsay Ashley reported continued construction progress, updated cost information, and selected alternates, with photos and details showing work underway in multiple building sections.