Transcript Highlights:

• prior to that, he was the Director of the Guaranteed Student Loan Program at the Iowa College Student Aid
• a perfect example of a wonderful system creating 886,000 jobs that is working with a default rate equal

Keywords: SBA, 7A loan program, underwriting standards, loan defaults, Community Advantage Program, small business funding, testimony

Summary: The committee meeting focused on discussions regarding the SBA's 7A loan program and its implementation challenges. Members raised significant concerns about recent changes to the underwriting standards, which have been criticized for leading to an increase in loan defaults. Ranking members expressed a desire for a return to stronger guidelines to protect taxpayers and ensure the program remains a viable source for small businesses struggling to secure funding. Testimonies from community lenders highlighted their efforts to support underserved communities and stressed the importance of the Community Advantage Program.

Transcript Highlights:

• My experience spans 25 years helping aid state programs in tool development, regulatory, and environmental
• I think we find ourselves equally as concerned about leaving the surface where we found it: clean air

Transcript Highlights:

• Equally important is working closely with our partners and stakeholders.
• Our state inspectors are aided by the use of dogs and with X, with the ability to x-ray shipments for

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• States Army veteran offered assistance, so Lieutenant Hopkins instructed him to retrieve the first aid
• Lieutenant Hopkins retrieved his first aid bag, and as additional law enforcement officers secured the
• 02:29:56.240> retrieved<02:29:56.560> his<02:29:56.800> first<02:29:56.960> aid
• <02:29:57.280> bag<02:29:57.920> and Hopkins retrieved his first aid bag and Hopkins
• retrieved his first aid bag and as<02:29:58.319> an<02:29:58.560> and<02:29:58.720>

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair will alternate recognition between the parties, with time equally allocated between the parties
• sacrifices made in the name of equality sacrifices made in the name of equality and<00:31:39.120
• The rule provides one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking
• one hour of general debate equally one hour of general debate equally divided<02:24:12.960> and
• We should be a co-equal branch of government and our duty is not optional.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• infant and pediatric CPR and use of the automated external defibrillator, as well as pediatric first aid
• complete required pre-service training and thereafter keep their pediatric CPR, AED, and pediatric first aid
• So these numbers will not equal the total 1,700 responses we got because a large portion of our respondents
• went over this, but as a reminder, to be eligible for this program, a household must have an income equal
• To be eligible for this program, a household must have an income equal to or less than 150% of the state

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is a system where I think it would trade equality because if you're at a lower income level,
• And it would create equality across the level. Be lower.
• And it would create equality across the board for people to pay or not pay for child care.
• They have to have CPR first aid training.
• They have to go through these trainings that we offer: first aid, recognition and reporting of child

Summary: The committee heard first from LFC staff on a brief about New Mexico’s universal child care expansion. Staff said child care assistance has clear benefits for parents and families, but LFC has not found evidence in New Mexico that it improves children’s educational outcomes; they argued pre-K is the better tool for that goal. The brief highlighted four concerns with universal access: an estimated annual cost of about $849.7 million, a sharp decline in registered homes, possible crowding out of lower-income families, and reduced access for children under age two. Staff also suggested possible mitigations such as prioritizing slots for low-income and at-risk families, reinstating sliding-scale co-pays, and tying quality improvements to workforce wages. Members raised questions about the cost estimate, funding sources, provider quality, and whether the data showed actual crowding out. Several lawmakers expressed support for child care generally but concern about the fiscal impact and whether universal access would divert resources from the families most in need. Others emphasized the importance of child care for workforce participation, rural communities, and family stability, and questioned how registered homes are counted and regulated. LFC staff clarified that the cost estimate was for child care assistance only, not the entire ECECD budget, and that the data showed declines in the share of lowest-income children and infants/toddlers served, though not causation. The ECECD secretary then presented the department’s response, saying universal child care is intended to complete a cradle-to-career system and that the department has already seen strong uptake, increased capacity, and rising workforce participation. She said 6,206 families were found eligible in the first month, the share of infants and toddlers served rose, and new provider applications and licensed slots increased after the November rollout. The department also emphasized wage increases, quality improvements, and a new wage scale/career lattice, while projecting a lower near-term cost than LFC’s estimate and requesting additional funding for child care, early pre-K, home visiting, workforce systems, and capacity-building. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided; the discussion was informational and focused on questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We divide it equally. Thank you.
• your handout is a diagram which shows the. for historical fees, prepaid wireless landline and equalization
• This exceptional item request would be fully funded through actual revenue collected by the equalization
• includes both criminal justice system-based advocates and community-based advocates to work together to aid
• These resources not only aid in recovery but also improve outcomes. survivors and increase engagement

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the other thing that's equally important is the idea of teacher credentialing in course approval
• I think they're of equal rigor, and in some instances, do I think it may be creating problems down the
• And Section J has our state aid funding formula. It has some average daily attendance.
• The law does require us to start withholding their foundation aid November 1st.
• So they have not received a state aid payment from November through April until they get those reports

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the other thing that's equally important is the idea of teacher credentialing in course approval
• I think they're of equal rigor, and in some instances, do I think it may be creating problems down the
• And Section J has our state aid funding formula. It has some average daily attendance.
• The law does require us to start withholding their foundation aid November 1st.
• So they have not received a state aid payment from November through April until they get those reports

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on dual credit programs from North Dakota higher education leaders, a school superintendent, and teachers. Valley City State University described its dual credit model, emphasizing quality control through annual teacher training, syllabus and outcomes alignment, faculty qualification review, school visits, and pathways aimed at the College Studies Certificate. Members asked about teacher employment, course scheduling, revenue, scholarships, and whether a centralized model might improve efficiency; VCSU said most instructors are K-12 employees, online offerings are still small, and centralization could weaken local relationships and choice. Lake Region State College similarly stressed access and partnerships, noting about half of its headcount is still in high school, with both online and face-to-face dual credit options, district reimbursement arrangements, and support for rural schools. Lake Region also said dual credit helps students who might not otherwise see themselves as college-bound, but reduced tuition can still be a barrier for some families. Fargo Public Schools reported continued growth in dual credit, with 50 courses offered in partnership with several NDUS institutions and a 12.61% increase in participation. The superintendent highlighted a growing education pathway, including students completing Introduction to Education and field experience, and said the district is exploring a grow-your-own teacher pipeline. He also raised concerns about inconsistent institutional processes, teacher credentialing requirements, and transfer clarity, arguing for more aligned statewide systems. In response to questions, he said AP and dual credit can coexist, with AP often better for highly selective out-of-state colleges and dual credit better for students targeting North Dakota institutions, and he described some use of Arizona State online courses in earlier rural partnerships but said Fargo is focused on local institutions. Two teachers then testified on the classroom perspective. A West Fargo anatomy and physiology teacher said dual credit has expanded access, lowered costs, and prepared students well, but agreed that foundational science courses may be more effective when taken later in high school to reduce knowledge loss before college. A Drake-Anamoose English teacher, who has taught dual credit for more than 20 years, said the program has supported many students who went on to a wide range of careers and emphasized that small rural schools rely on dual credit to provide opportunities they otherwise could not offer. No formal votes or actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The provision authorizes someone to use force to aid another person and opposes no duty to retreat in
• The provision authorizes someone to use force to aid another person and opposes no duty to retreat in
• The provision authorizes someone to use force to aid another person and opposes no duty to retreat in
• that specifically applies to that on Aid that specifically applies to that on Aid and<01:33:11.440
• circumstance under which current aiding circumstance under which current aiding abetting<01:37:03.960

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So basically if you're Aiding, abetting, if you're allowing this type of sex trafficking to exist, and
• Next, we'll take up Tab 29, CS for SB 1156, on home health aid for medically fragile children program
• Next, we'll take up Tab 29, CS for SB 1156, on home health aid for medically fragile children program
• and compare hospitalization rates of children cared for by aides and nurses versus parents.
• It also provides for home health aides... The shifts consistent with private duty nursing shifts.

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice, health, and public safety bills, with several measures reported favorably after brief sponsor presentations and mostly no opposition. CS for SB 1782 on dangerous excessive speeding, CS for SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access, CS for SB 716 on mandatory minimums for certain sexual offenses by registered offenders, CS for SB 1084 on intimate image dissemination and digitally forged images, and CS for CS for SB 1604 on corrections-related litigation and sentencing changes all passed the committee. Members also approved CS for SB 1838, which increases protections for court officials from tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for SB 1252, which directs FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database. CS for SB 468 on fleeing or eluding, CS for SB 490 on off-duty concealed carry for certain officers, and CS for SB 890 on blood clot screening and treatment also received favorable votes, with SB 890 drawing supportive testimony from the bill sponsor, medical and patient advocates, and family members affected by blood clots. The most extensive debate centered on CS for CS for SB 1804, which would create a capital offense for adults trafficking children under 12 or mentally incapacitated persons for sexual exploitation. Senator Martin defended the bill as a response to especially heinous crimes and argued it fit within constitutional punishment principles, while several members raised concerns about the Eighth Amendment, the risk of lengthy and costly litigation, and the possibility of retraumatizing victims. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers testified in opposition, citing moral objections, due process concerns, and constitutional precedent; the bill nevertheless was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 572, the “Pam Rock Act,” which tightens dangerous-dog rules, adds enclosure, microchip, insurance, and penalty requirements, and allows stronger enforcement actions after serious attacks. The Rock family and animal control supporters testified in favor, describing the bill as a response to fatal dog attacks and urging stronger accountability for owners. For SB 572, members discussed insurance requirements, the role of local authorities in classifying dangerous dogs, and whether the bill would affect ordinary pet insurance or only liability coverage after a serious attack. The sponsor said the measure is not breed-specific and is aimed at dogs that have already caused significant harm. The committee also heard testimony from family members of Pam Rock and other victims, along with supporters from animal control and sheriff’s offices. All of the bills taken up in the meeting that were voted on were reported favorably, and no roll-call votes failed.

Transcript Highlights:

• ran bills to help coal workers, working moms, and eating disorder patients, to empower legislative aides
• empower disorder patients, to empower disorder patients, to empower legislative<01:05:53.599> aids
• /c><01:05:54.079> tenants,<01:05:54.720> to<01:05:54.960> protect legislative aids
• and tenants, to protect legislative aids and tenants, to protect transgender<01:05:56.000> people
• /c> equality mom equality in the equality mom equality in the legislature.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, approval of the February 12, 2026 journal, and reports that several bills were correctly printed or engrossed. Committee reports then moved Senate Bills 7 and 31 from Health and Human Services, Senate Bills 53 and 54 from Local Government and Housing, and Senate Bill 43 from State, Veterans, and Military Affairs to the Committee of the Whole, with some measures recommended for the consent calendar. The chamber also announced substitute prime sponsors for Senate Bills 260008 and 2631 following Senator Michaelson Jenet’s resignation. The Senate then recessed to hold a memorial for former Senator Faith Winter and later voted to proceed out of order for memorials. Senate Joint Memorial 001, honoring Winter, was read at length and adopted. The memorial described her work on transportation, climate, paid family and medical leave, environmental justice, rural health care, and bipartisan legislation, and it was ordered sent to her family members. The Senate also suspended Rule 31A by a two-thirds vote so current and former House members could address the chamber from the well. Several members and family representatives offered remarks remembering Winter as a mentor, organizer, and coalition-builder. Speakers highlighted her advocacy for paid family leave, transportation funding, cleaner air, women’s leadership, and workplace accountability, as well as her personal warmth and support for colleagues and family. No additional legislative votes or bill actions were taken beyond the memorial adoption and procedural motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• But if there's not an opportunity to give equal testimony after a map is proposed, To give equal testimony
• Do you want every citizen to have an equal voice? Do you want the quality of all citizens?
• I want a future where every vote matters, where our voices are heard equally, and where those in power
• I urge the members of this committee not to aid and abet a political power grab that harms Texans and
• We urge you to reject this proposal,... ...stand for fair maps, uphold voter equality and equity, and

Summary: The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting met virtually for its West Texas regional hearing, established a quorum, and explained that the hearing was part of a series of statewide information-gathering sessions before any map was filed. The chair outlined the Zoom procedures, the two-minute testimony limit, and the availability of written comments through the committee’s public portal. Senators also discussed the logistics and transparency of the process, including the expectation that any proposed map or amendment would be made public once filed and that additional hearings would follow. Senator Blanco, whose district includes West Texas and the border region, said the area’s communities of interest should be kept together and warned against repeating the loss of representation that followed the last redistricting cycle. Senators Alvarado, Hinojosa, Miles, and others debated the value of virtual hearings versus in-person hearings, the number of people who had testified, and whether the committee could subpoena witnesses after the regional hearings ended. The chair said he was awaiting legal guidance and would consider a subpoena motion at a formal meeting the next day. A lengthy exchange also occurred over the tone of public testimony and the chair’s view that some comments directed at Republicans and the president had been offensive or historically inaccurate. Invited witnesses and public commenters largely opposed mid-decade redistricting and argued that any new map should reflect population growth, especially among Latino and other minority communities, and comply with the Voting Rights Act. Nina Perales of MALDEF said the hearings were not meaningful without a draft map and testified that Texas has a long history of discriminatory redistricting; senators questioned her about litigation, DOJ’s July 7 letter, and the 2021 congressional map. Tania Chavez Camacho, Luis Figueroa, and several El Paso residents emphasized that maps should preserve communities of interest, avoid cracking and packing, and be transparent and participatory. A smaller number of witnesses supported redistricting, including one El Paso resident who said the current districting leaves the area underrepresented and another who argued that some communities want to return to a map closer to the earlier District 16 configuration. Several witnesses also criticized the DOJ letter as inconsistent with the state’s position that the 2021 maps were drawn race-blind, while others said the current process was too rushed and lacked sufficient public input.

Transcript Highlights:

• So all things equal, a power plant have.
• an additional gas plant all things equal an additional gas plant without<02:00:27.679> supply
• Failure to pass this policy will also send an equally important message to other state agencies that
• this policy will also send an equally this policy will also send an equally important<04:14:25.840
• Routinely deliver immediate mutual aid when requested.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , almost $500 million, and then from that there's um the municipal transfer and the school building aid
• school building Aid school building Aid transfer<01:06:20.200> okay<01:06:21.200> and<
• ><03:04:10.319> and<03:04:10.439> that's<03:04:10.600> the the school building Aid
• and that's the the school building Aid and that's the number<03:04:11.000> in<03:04:11.160>
• So I think you're seeing the trend of coming down when you compare it to the previous year's equal month

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in a work session on revenue estimates and reviewed updated spreadsheet pages for several tax categories, using prior agreements and new testimony to refine FY 2025-2027 estimates. Early discussion covered insurance tax estimates, where members reviewed a letter from the insurance commissioner saying he was comfortable with the numbers provided; the committee accepted those estimates without opposition. Members also discussed utility property tax, with testimony about recent infrastructure buildout, tariffs, depreciation, and the difficulty of forecasting future growth. After debate over whether to use the average of high and low estimates or lean lower, the committee unanimously adopted the utility property tax numbers. The committee then turned to real estate transfer tax and communications tax. For real estate transfer tax, members cited county input, housing market conditions, interest rates, lumber costs, and uncertainty about future policy; they agreed to use the averages and adopted those estimates unanimously. For communications tax, members noted the decline in landline-based revenue and the shift to data services. After discussion of whether to use the low estimate or the average, the committee settled on the average with a small rounding-down adjustment when the figure ended in .5, and adopted the numbers unanimously. The chair also clarified that these estimates remain subject to change until the final resolution is adopted. The committee next accepted interest and dividends estimates as presented, with members noting the decline in that revenue source and the lack of additional information beyond the department’s analysis. Finally, the committee began discussing tobacco tax revenue, with members noting long-term declines in smoking, offsetting effects from out-of-state sales, and a suggestion to take a slightly conservative approach by reducing the average by 0.5. The transcript cuts off during that discussion, so no final vote on tobacco is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are hundreds of good people coming forward, mutual aid groups that are collecting immediate dollars
• And that's not ever going to equal that respect in that member.
• <00:37:18.200> that<00:37:18.920> respect equal that respect equal that respect in<00:37
• First of all, I thought Senator Hirono was talking about me, was mentioning rank not equaling respect
• <00:41:00.440> respect<00:41:01.000> but equaling respect but equaling respect but >

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Subcommittee on Veterans met on March 4, 2026, and began with a moment of silence honoring Sergeant First Class Nicole Amore of White Bear Lake, who was killed while serving in Kuwait. The committee then took up Senate File 3956, an MDVA policy bill giving the commissioner clearer authority to direct staff time and other non-monetary resources toward partnerships with organizations serving veterans, especially on food insecurity, homelessness, suicide prevention, and related efforts. MDVA and Disabled American Veterans testified that the bill would help them work more quickly and clearly with outside partners, including food pantry and outreach efforts, while remaining focused on non-monetary support. Senator Howe offered an A1 amendment narrowing the bill to the three named priorities and removing the broader “other critical issues” language; the amendment was adopted after discussion about whether the reporting language also needed adjustment. SF 3956, as amended, was laid over for further consideration. The committee then heard Senate File 3955, which would create a new procedure for temporary closure of a Minnesota veterans home if an involuntary termination notice requires it, bringing state law into closer alignment with federal expectations. MDVA emphasized that it had no intention of permanently closing any veterans homes and that the bill was intended only to establish a temporary closure plan to satisfy survey requirements. Senator Howe offered an A1 amendment clarifying that any closure would be temporary unless the legislature approved a permanent closure; MDVA and the Department of Health indicated the change was acceptable. The committee adopted the amendment and then voted to recommend SF 3955, as amended, to pass and refer it to the full committee. Finally, the committee began Senate File 4072, an MDVA cleanup and conformity bill. After adopting a technical A3 amendment, MDVA explained that the bill would reclassify the Chief of Staff/Deputy Chief of Staff role as Deputy Commissioner for Administration to better reflect the scope of the position, and would also repeal outdated statutes related to environmental hazards assistance and a data-collection requirement that the department said it could not implement. The bill was still being presented when the transcript ended, and no final committee action on SF 4072 was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• HOLD TRUMP ACCOUNTABLE AS A CO-EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT THAT WE ARE.
• The motion shall be debatable for one hour, equally divided and controlled by the Chair and Ranking Member
• ONE HOUR EQUALLY DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BY THE CHAIR AND RANKING MEMBER BY THE COMMITTEE OF APPROPRIATIONS
• THE RULE PROVIDES ONE HOUR OF DEBATE ON THE MOTION EQUALLY DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BY THE CHAIR AND RANKING
• McGovern: Hearing aid, I think. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the credit is equal to 90% of a donated conservation easement's fair market value, shifting to 80%
• important<02:24:21.439> potentially and equally important potentially and equally important
• Fewer jobs equals fewer people able to qualify for Medicaid.
• Fewer jobs equals need entrylevel jobs.
• Stop putting a band-aid with duct tape around it. Fix the fraud in the Medicaid program.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, and approved the journal of Friday, May 1, 2026, on a voice vote after Representative Johnson offered a humorous Star Wars-themed motion. Members then made announcements about upcoming committee meetings, including Finance, Business Affairs and Labor, State Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Water, and Natural Resources, and Appropriations, along with a few non-legislative notices such as open enrollment and a Cinco de Mayo potluck. The chamber also received a committee report from Appropriations recommending House Bills 1016, 1272, 1326, 1428, and Senate Bill 5 to the Committee of the Whole with favorable recommendation. The Majority Leader moved to add House Bills 1054, 1272, 1327, 1016, and 1428 to the special orders calendar for May 4, 2026 at 9:18 a.m., and there was no objection. The House then took up Senate Bill 160, concerning employee protections in the workplace, with a Business and Labor committee report. The bill’s sponsors said it would ensure meatpacking workers receive frequent bathroom breaks and that the cost of initial protective equipment is not deducted from paychecks. Supporters argued the bill protects basic dignity and health, while opponents said the issues are already covered by OSHA and that the measure is redundant, potentially preempted, and too specific to one employer. Representative Richardson offered amendment L002 to require coordination with OSHA before state action, but the amendment was defeated on a voice vote. Debate on the bill continued, with members divided over whether the legislation was needed or whether existing labor and safety rules were sufficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also the director of tax equalization for Dickey County.
• I think I mentioned before that in the city of Williston, we have an equalization hearing in April.
• Under the state aid formula for libraries, the amount that libraries receive has a component that looks
• So what that cap actually equaled really differed across the state, as you can imagine."
• districts from lowering levies in good years, as I mentioned before, and increase reliance on state aid

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees. A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale. The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.