Transcript Highlights:

• One of the biggest issues we have with our current system is the fact that we treat drug dealers the exact
• One of the biggest issues we have with our current system is the fact that we treat drug dealers the exact
• Section 57-38-30.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a prison industry's workforce development
• income tax North Dakota Century Code relating to a prison industry's workforce development income tax
• which Rough Rider Industries can work in alignment with the private sector to expand workforce development

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Representative Hoverson offered remarks recognizing World Autism Day, and the House then handled conference committee motions on several bills, including House Bills 1460 and 1248 and Senate Bills 2262, 2070, 2294, and 2297, with the Speaker appointing members to each conference committee. The chamber also set aside Senate Bill 2200 for re-referral to Appropriations and moved to amendments on Senate Bill 2128, which was the main subject of the day. Senate Bill 2128, a major criminal justice and corrections bill, drew extensive debate over truth-in-sentencing, mandatory minimums, parole, transitional facilities, work release, electronic monitoring, and the fiscal impact of longer incarceration. Division A of the amendments removed mandatory minimums for resisting arrest and felony simple assault while keeping consecutive-sentence language; supporters said this preserved judicial discretion and reduced costs, while opponents argued it weakened public safety. Division A was adopted 70-23. Division B proposed broader changes to preserve transitional programming, add penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring and escape, limit some work-release restrictions, create a parole board study, and fund electronic monitoring with a $600,000 appropriation. Supporters framed it as a compromise that balanced rehabilitation and public safety; opponents said it undercut the bill’s intent and left dangerous offenders with too much access to transitional release. Division B failed on a 46-46 tie. The House then took up the bill itself, with the Judiciary Committee reporting a do-not-pass recommendation as amended, and debate continued over whether the amended bill should advance, with members split between concerns about victims and public safety versus rehabilitation, prison capacity, and recidivism.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sellers relating to taxation is referred to the Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
• It simply requires that we have a number of folks that have become very rural and have developed weed
• cutting. and have developed weed cutting devices, yet they leave it in the water.
• They had the exact same difficulties. The cost overruns were huge.
• Sure, I have a friend that has the exact same situation.

Bills: SJR 1, SB 9, SB 40, SJR 36, SJR 1, SJR 5, SB 9, SB 40, SR 61, SR 91, SR 97, SR 103, SR 104, SR 112, SR 115, SR 116, SCR 16, SB 26, SB 26

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform, Texas Music Advocacy Day, music industry

Transcript Highlights:

• hearing, this is, of course, for early warning flood sirens at the discretion points by the Water Development
• It's the exact same bill that was voted for out of this committee, and I ask for your support.

Bills: SB2, SB3, SB5, SB9, SB10, SB14, SB16, SB34, SB18, SB 2, SB 3, SB 5, SB 9, SB 10, SB 14, SB 16, SB 18, SB 34

Keywords: flooding, public safety, outdoor warning sirens, disaster preparedness, emergency response, flood warning, outdoor sirens, local government, safety measures, flood management, emergency preparedness, municipal safety, disaster response, disaster relief, emergency funding, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, hemp regulation, consumable products

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a very important system that we are trying to develop here in California.
• By limiting access to these products for minors, this legislation can help reduce the development and
• Even very low levels can impact children's health and development.
• In addition, the proposal builds off of an existing proven framework that CDPH already has developed
• Motion is due pass and re-refer to the Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• regions, and they have development regions, and they have recommended<00:25:23.600> that<00:25
• Madame Chair, Representative Wam, the language in the bill refers to the state's economic development
• regions uh as the the development regions uh as the the regions<00:36:03.760> that<00:36:04.000
• I forget what the first E development. I forget what the first E is<00:36:13.680> employment.
• quote so I'm I'm going to be very exact quote so I'm I'm going to be very careful<00:48:38.880> I

Bills: HF3790, HF3654, HF3371, HF3470, HF1099

Keywords: education finance, lease levy authority, graduation ceremonies, school districts, Minnesota Statutes, local revenue, funding increase, education, state appropriation, local control, HF3371, local optional revenue, school finance, general education aid, school district funding, referendum revenue, referendum market value, equalization aid, state aid, property tax levy

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill takes the exact same requirement and then if found guilty at the state level of denying PPE
• The state is in this bill now empowered to levy a fine for those exact same OSHA violations.
• The exact same occurrence is being proposed. A $100 fine for repeated incidents, a $200 fine.
• same<00:34:00.320> occurrence exact same occurrence exact same occurrence is<00:34:02.159
• In my industry, especially in construction, for new housing developments and industrial development,

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 know in other states, workforce development is married to SNAP.
• Infrastructure development for housing, which is a huge issue.
• We also are developing a roadmap for the next administration to help us get to 2040.
• This funding is to develop, test, and implement emerging information technologies.
• So that we don't have programs being developed for seven plus years.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd have to find the exact page, all of the rulemaking. And again, Representative Hall.
• The Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee is already tasked with developing guidance.
• All this is doing is putting in protections so Texas can develop its own film.
• How they develop programming so that we could keep our artistic young people.
• It is and it will grow over time as we've developed the workforce pipeline. This is a start.

Bills: SB835, SB3070, SB22, SJR59, SB926, SB1494, SB251, SB456, SB500, SB1307, SB2615, SB2995, SB2321, SB973, SB974, SB865, SB506, SB781, SB1522, SB1558, SB510, SB667, SB763, SB2073, SB1858, SB1660, SB505, SB2900, SB1433, SB1540, SB1964, SB1300, SB1644, SB2217, SB2373, SB2431, SB1758, SB2480, SB3039, SB3047, SB3073, SB2920, SB2781, SB826, SB766, SB2460, SB527, SB1946, SB2885, SB1243, SB2610, SB2595, SB857, SB37, SB8, SB10, SB227, SB261, SB12, SB15, SJR27, SB552, SB835, SB3070, SB22, SJR59, SB25, SB57, SB127, SB293, SB441, SB3059, SB512, SB241, SB1718, SB140, SB2055, SB2075, SB2018, SB1534, SB1567, SB785, SB1233, SB1580, SB1663, SB413, SB447, SB519, SB467, SB1579, SB1191, SB1021, SB1838, SB2807, SB2835, SB546, SB2121, SB2167, SB2035, SB2024, SB1032, SB1049, SB1266, SB1400, SB1302, SB401, SB1596, SB1281, SB1242, SB1343, SB310, SB1346, SB2753, SB2703, SB2221, SB1719, SB2177, SB800, SB790, SB748, SB571, SB1957, SB1923, SB1896, SB1760, SB1335, SB2368, SB2477, SB2587, SB2972, SB2986, SB2965, SB1563, SB1467, SB1164, SB1137, SB614, SB705, SB961, SB918, SB955, SB869, SB850, SB863, SB1610, SB1055, SB2206, SB457, SB2337, SB1362, SB926, SB1494, SB251, SB456, SB500, SB1307, SB2615, SB2995, SB2321, SB973, SB974, SB865, SB506, SB781, SB1522, SB1558, SB510, SB667, SB763, SB2073, SB1858, SB1660, SB505, SB2900, SB1433, SB1540, SB1964, SB1300, SB1644, SB2217, SB2373, SB2431, SB1758, SB2480, SB3039, SB3047, SB3073, SB2920, SB2781, SB826, SB766, SB2460, SB527, SB1946, SB2885, SB1243, SB2610, SB2595, SB857, SCR9, HB5560, HB762, HB 107, HB 114, HB300, HB138, HB4386, HB2495, HB581, HB3348, HB5323

Keywords: sexual abuse, nondisclosure agreements, confidentiality agreements, public policy, victim rights, lottery, bingo, regulation, Texas Lottery Commission, Department of Licensing and Regulation, criminal offenses, state administration, audits, transfers, Texas, moving image industry, incentive program, film production, grant funding, job creation

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the meeting of the Senate Committee on Ag, Forestry, and Rural Development.
• And what I mean by that is there's an economic development aspect to what you guys do, right? Yes.
• In Louisiana right now, we're trying to look at expanding economic development into a lot of new areas
• It has implications that put us in a situation we don't want to be in, and with the development that
• our state is looking at across the sectors, not only in ag, but in economic development and that end

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development met on May 12, 2026, approved the April 28 minutes, and heard extensive testimony on House Concurrent Resolution 77, which urges federal action to address labor shortages affecting Louisiana’s crawfish industry and other seasonal employers. Representative Butler, Commissioner Strain, industry representatives, landscapers, nursery operators, and Farm Bureau supporters argued that H-2A/H-2B visa limits and processing delays are hurting crawfish processors, landscapers, nurseries, and related businesses, causing lost production, higher costs, and broader economic harm. Members emphasized that the workers discussed are legal guest workers, not illegal immigration, and several senators voiced support. HCR 77 was reported favorably, with a motion to co-author also noted. The committee then considered House Bill 81 on property rights and accountability for violations. Representative Boyer presented the bill, but Senator Long asked that it be voluntarily deferred so he could work on possible amendments and improve the measure before it advances. The author agreed, and the bill was deferred. The committee also heard and acted on several bills related to agricultural policy and food systems. House Bill 512, concerning cell-cultured meat, was presented as a measure to protect livestock producers and allow continued research while prohibiting the product; after questions about research and labeling, it was reported favorably. House Bill 717, a labeling companion measure for cell-cultured meat, was also reported favorably. House Bill 1194, which would direct the LSU AgCenter to study food deserts and develop a plan, drew concern from the AgCenter over capacity and funding; members agreed to report it without action so it could be recommitted to finance and worked on further. Finally, House Bill 663, revising the membership of the Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District board, was presented on behalf of the absent author and reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an additional 29 partnerships in development, and our most successful partnerships to date have
• of the four factors that I presented, which are related to habitat, water resource protection, development
• Does he call the developer that's been knocking and calling him, leaving voicemails?
• These agreements protect natural, Ownership while permanently limiting development.
• That list continues, and the dollars continue to go out, so from that perspective I don't have the exact

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met to hear updates on land conservation and agricultural preservation programs. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services presented on the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, explaining that it protects active agricultural lands through conservation easements while keeping land in private ownership and on the tax rolls. The director said the program requires participants to use agricultural best management practices, noted strong demand with 428 ranked projects for 2025, and reported that consistent legislative funding and partnerships with USDA, DOD, local governments, land trusts, and water management districts have expanded acreage protected, much of it within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Committee members asked about eligibility, ranking, local government involvement, and how many projects are typically funded each year. Conservation Florida’s president and CEO testified that both Rural and Family Lands and Florida Forever are critical and complementary tools for preserving working lands, wildlife habitat, water resources, and public access to nature. She warned that uncertainty or cuts in state funding can stall projects, raise land prices, and reduce conservation momentum. In discussion with senators, she said public access is often negotiated case by case and is more common on lands acquired for parks, forests, and other public green space than on conservation easements. The Department of Environmental Protection then updated the committee on Florida Forever, describing it as the state’s premier conservation and recreation land acquisition program. DEP said Florida Forever uses both conservation easements and fee-simple purchases, with about half of acquisitions done through easements, and emphasized that steady funding is needed to keep projects moving. The deputy secretary reported 60 projects on the current work plan, more than $1.4 billion invested since 2019, and recent acquisitions including new state forest, park, and preserve expansions. Members also raised concerns about payment in lieu of taxes for fiscally constrained counties, local notification of acquisitions, and the need for continued support for agriculture, citrus, roads, and conservation funding. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after member comments and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to focus on fostering growth and development in our communities rather than distracting ourselves
• Uh, I forget the exact number but she fought for her life when she should have never been put in that
• And the stubborn fact here is that the Supreme Court has already ruled on this very exact issue. already
• ruled on this very exact issue.
• So under your bill, that's the exact reason we added back the sentence that says, um, in a matter that

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Harrell: IN COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF A VIABLE
• THEY WOULD HALF TO CREATE IT, I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT FRAMEWORK AT THIS TIME. >> Chair Hooper: YOU ARE
• I WILL SUPPORT THE CONCEPT, I SUPPORT THE BILL AS AS THIS DEVELOPS I HOPE WE ARE BACK HERE MOST LIKELY
• IT SAYS THE FEES HAVE TO BE DEPOSITED INTO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRUST FUND.
• CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT IS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRUST FUND CURRENTLY USED FOR?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And secondly, Utah has been developing a mentor-based program.
• code, our local development needs and concerns.
• if we've got land-use development codes and we're adopting this in?
• If we've got land-use development codes and we're adopting this in, how does that interplay work out?
• I think a very deliberate role in developing the maps has to be part of this conversation.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I personally was actively involved in, um, developing the lawsuit.
• we had begun the litigation process and, um, the state very quickly, um, expressed interest in developing
• The settlement agreement was developed over several months.
• Um, it was um very intentional in The way it developed step by step, a step by step process for addressing
• Analyze and monitor the development and implementation of federal, state, and local laws, regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• projects and to information on the exact projects and to make<00:48:29.119> sure<00:48:29.400
• But then I understand there might be an opportunity at this time to have a different development to the
• 2000 since it was uh start development 2000 1990s<00:50:47.119> 1990s<00:50:48.079> yeah
• to the standards of roads to development to the standards of roads to this<00:51:41.359> Century<
• so they're the point that development so they're the point that that<01:00:05.520> they're<01

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several water, land, and conservation measures. HB 86, which would fund a permanent DLNR Makai Watch coordinator position, drew strong support from DLNR and community advocates. Testifiers said the coordinator is needed to connect community-based nearshore monitoring groups with government, support training and reporting, and provide stable civil-service funding instead of relying on grants and philanthropy. The committee discussed the position’s duties and cost, estimated at about $110,000 with fringe benefits, and noted broad support from organizations including Kuaʻulu, The Nature Conservancy, OHA, and others. HB 36, relating to state water code penalties, was also supported in principle by DLNR, but the agency proposed amendments to create two tiers of violations, distinguish first-time/non-harmful violations from repeat or harmful ones, and give the commission discretion on whether each day counts as a continuing violation. DLNR said the bill is intended to address egregious cases such as Red Hill while avoiding undue impact on small farmers and others without malicious intent. Testifiers from the Board of Water Supply, Lono Initiative, and others supported stronger penalties and transparency, while Earthjustice raised concerns about broader structural issues and the risk of penalties being applied unfairly. The committee then heard HB 316, which appropriates funds to continue the Green Jobs Youth Corps program. DLNR, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, Kōkua, The Nature Conservancy, and other groups testified in support, describing the program as a workforce pipeline that places young professionals in communities, builds trust, and helps recruit future state employees. Supporters said the program has expanded capacity in watershed and reef management and has drawn extensive public backing. Finally, HB 506, funding equipment for the Oʻahu branch of DOCARE, received support from DLNR and others. DOCARE said recent recruit classes are moving through training, that the new positions will expand patrol capacity, including nighttime enforcement, and that the Oʻahu-specific funding is tied to priorities such as the Māʻili Bay herbivore rules. The committee also began hearing HB 510 on water shortage and emergency declarations. DLNR proposed limiting shortage declarations to 90 days unless extended, capping groundwater reductions at 20% for lower-priority permits, removing climate-crisis language as a standalone criterion, and moving the process into rulemaking for more public input. The Board of Water Supply supported the bill and the proposed changes, while Earthjustice urged deferral absent broader Water Commission reforms. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the chair indicated the committee would be decision-making after the hearing on items on the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sure, Jay Sturgis, Labor and Workforce Development Agency.
• Development Fund. Madam Chair, members, Sarah Flocks, California.
• I'm Caleb Horrell, the Chief Financial Officer for the Employment Development Department.
• I work at Housing and Community Development, and I can give you some numbers.
• Labor and Workforce Development Agency.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we don't know the exact impact, but we know it's coming.
• Right. started developing.
• Current year cut and campuses have mainly started developing strategies to absorb it and have done some
• I don't think we have exact dollar figures, but we are certainly looking very carefully at that.
• To help students transfer to UC, we've also developed transfer pathways.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held an extended hearing focused primarily on University of California budget issues, enrollment, housing, and Title IX. Chair David Alvarez opened by noting the governor’s proposed 8% ongoing General Fund reduction to UC, the deferral of compact funding, and the College of the Law budget item, while emphasizing that no votes would be taken that day. Public commenters, including UC Davis employees and lecturers, urged restoration of UC funding and opposed the hiring freeze, saying cuts would worsen staffing shortages, reduce research capacity, and harm students and patients. On UC core operations, the Department of Finance said the governor’s budget maintains the compact but defers $240.8 million in ongoing support and continues a planned 7.95% reduction, while the LAO recommended rejecting the deferrals and instead making any changes in the budget year. UC San Diego’s chancellor and UC Office of the President argued the cuts and deferrals would create major campus shortfalls, force hiring freezes, larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, delayed projects, and possible layoffs. Committee members questioned whether cuts could be shifted away from students and toward administration, discussed UCOP reserves and bond debt, and noted that UC’s budget structure makes the campus-level impact larger than the headline reduction. The committee also reviewed enrollment trends and nonresident replacement. The LAO said UC resident enrollment has grown and recommended revisiting 2026-27 targets and pausing the nonresident replacement plan if state funding does not improve. UC said it has exceeded California undergraduate enrollment and nonresident replacement goals, but warned that continued growth without funding would force enrollment reductions and harm quality. Members discussed the role of nonresident and international students, tuition rates, and the value of UC as a pathway for California students and a source of talent for the state. A separate housing item covered the state’s Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program. UC reported that recent bond savings could support additional affordable beds at UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara, but the LAO and Finance noted the Legislature would need to decide how to use the $6.2 million in savings from the original projects. The committee also heard a Title IX update from UC’s systemwide civil rights office, which described campus Title IX structures, training, and policy enforcement, and said the system has been working to improve confidentiality guidance and streamline complaint processes after survey feedback showed confusion and lengthy procedures.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so maybe if we could all get the exact same data set and see these systems, the Texas team civic
• You used to have every ballot had the exact same ballot style in it.
• We trust banks to track and protect every dollar we earn, down to the exact penny.
• They've worked with our office to help us develop a workshop that we're doing.
• Us develop a workshop that we're doing.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We feel the exact opposite. We want the safest, best workplaces and practices we can achieve.
• You referenced increases in economic development, businesses moving into a new right-to-work state.
• You referenced increases in economic development, businesses moving into a new right-to-work state.
• There are plenty of sources where people actually go out and ask these exact job creators.
• :04.800> development<03:10:05.279> magazines I mentioned area development magazines I mentioned

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and Senator, the issue that I have is technology all around us is developing all the time.
• Technology all around us is developing all the time, and a lot of it is utilized.
• This is the exact process that's used for Board of Regents appointments.
• Just as we do, there probably is a process where someone could be excused, but I don't know the exact
• Chair, Senator, that's my exact question.

Bills: SB40, SB104, SB136, SB164

Keywords: SB40, Driver Privacy and Safety Act, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate reader, vehicle surveillance, privacy, data sharing, law enforcement data, immigration enforcement, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, civil liberties, surveillance, public records, Inspection of Public Records Act, New Mexico State Police, Department of Public Safety, data sovereignty, vehicle tracking