Transcript Highlights:

• It's to replace lines 23 on page Bill 3.
• and it puts it that language is in line and it puts it that language is in line with<00:09:54.880
• city boards line 2728. city boards line 2728.
• <00:21:03.120> consolidate that's near a county line consolidate that's near a county line
• <00:24:57.600> 82 at number eight page, I mean line 82 at number eight page, I mean line 82

Bills: HB3, HB116, HB165, HB178, HB3, HB116, HB165, HB178

Keywords: illegal alien, enhanced sentencing, criminal offenses, minor victims, felonies, Alabama legislature, HB116, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset bill, sunset review, Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board, bail bonding, bail bonds, bail bond industry, professional bail bondsman, licensing board, state agency continuation, agency reauthorization, regulatory board, criminal justice

Transcript Highlights:

• or decommissioned line contributed to the wildfire.
• to an idle line that had not been live for more than 50 years.
• During an emergency, you are the front line.
• Also, we're required to maintain those lines as they are active lines.
• like it was a regular line.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on utility rates, wildfire safety, carbon capture, methane reduction, large energy users, low-income energy programs, and clean energy supply chains. Early items included SB 613, which would direct state agencies to prioritize reducing methane emissions from imported fossil fuels, and SB 614, which would allow California to move forward with carbon dioxide pipeline safety rules and potentially lift the state’s moratorium on new CO2 pipelines. Both bills drew support from advocates and industry-related witnesses, with no opposition registered at the time they were presented, and the committee indicated it would vote once quorum was established. After quorum was called, the committee took up SB 57, which would require the Public Utilities Commission to establish tariffs for large energy users such as data centers to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers and address stranded infrastructure costs. Supporters argued the bill would protect affordability and encourage clean energy use, while opponents, including utilities and business groups, warned it could create uncertainty and interfere with existing regulatory processes. The committee also heard SB 256 on wildfire mitigation and emergency response, including undergrounding, PSPS communication, and removal of abandoned lines; supporters emphasized the need for stronger action after recent fires, while utilities raised concerns about duplicative requirements and public disclosure of sensitive infrastructure information. Both SB 57 and SB 256 were approved on roll calls. The committee then heard SB 647, which would expand and standardize oversight of low-income energy savings programs and performance metrics, with strong support from community advocates and some neutral or “tweener” positions from utilities that sought further work on data collection and implementation. SB 787 followed, proposing a state strategy to coordinate supply chains and workforce development for clean energy industries including EVs, building decarbonization, and offshore wind; it received broad support and no opposition. The committee also considered SB 332, a study bill on utility ownership models and affordability reforms, which drew strong support from consumer and climate advocates but opposition from utilities and business groups concerned about bias, investor signals, and executive compensation provisions. The consent calendar was later approved, and several bills were reported out with votes or held open for absent members to add on.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's lines 17 through 20. That was one of the amendments.
• So if you look on page 16, paragraphs 3 and 4, line...
• Okay, so we'll move line 25 to a yes. Okay. Okay. All right. So we'll move line 25 to a yes.
• Line 63, the Environment Department. So Charles, back on...
• This is line 76, Mr. Chairman.

Bills: SB241, SB145

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• On page one, at the very end of line 20 and the beginning of line 21, as a reminder, we're suggesting
• There is a very minor revision on line 30 of page 2.
• Most of what is subsection 5 on page 4, lines 15 through 21, is again in line with the cleanup in Section
• Line 18, changing 'and' to 'the,' and to 'or.'
• It still allows us to potentially work across lines.

Keywords: 908, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to talk about what's on line 9 and 10. Okay. And my concern is on line 10.
• Anything else before we get down to line 33? Not much of a change in line 33.
• Line 20 is starting on line 26.
• Line 20 is starting on Oh, I'm sorry. Line 20 is starting on line<00:29:40.120> 26.
• Um, section eight, line 34 is new.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 751 reviewed amendment 2026-1904H page by page, focusing on open enrollment rules, capacity definitions, statewide enrollment limits, denial criteria, transportation, and funding. Members discussed clarifying that districts may set capacity at zero if they truly have no room, creating a statewide enrollment cap of 500 that can increase by 25% if it reaches 90% utilization, and exempting seats already used by open enrollment students before October 1, 2026. They also discussed how the Department of Education would allocate seats through rulemaking, while local districts would still set capacity, with grandfathered seats preserved where districts already allow open enrollment. A substantial portion of the meeting centered on when districts may deny open enrollment applications. The amendment would allow denials for reasons such as chronic absenteeism or disciplinary history, while requiring districts to consider whether those issues are tied to disability, McKinney-Vento status, foster care, or bullying. Members emphasized that such factors are to be considered, not used as the sole basis for rejection, and noted that the bill separately prohibits receiving schools from accepting or rejecting applicants based on pupil needs, special education needs, disability, aptitude, or athletic achievement. There was also discussion of whether interdistrict transfers should count toward open enrollment capacity, with a suggestion that a carve-out may be needed. The committee also reviewed provisions on program-specific capacity, continuous enrollment, and transportation. It was explained that capacity can apply to a school, grade, program, or class, including CTE programs, and that students may be denied if a specific program is full or if they do not meet prerequisites. The group clarified that open enrollment pupils would maintain continuous enrollment without reapplying, though there was concern about how that would work if district capacity changes over time. Transportation would generally be the parent’s responsibility unless required by an IEP or 504 plan, though students may use an existing bus route if seats are available and the receiving district allows it. On funding, the committee noted that the amendment changes the earlier HB 751 approach and instead ties open enrollment funding to base adequacy, differentiated aid, and an additional grant modeled on charter school funding, with dates removed at the department’s request. Members also raised concerns about how open enrollment would interact with existing tuition agreements and whether districts could use the new pathway to alter or pressure those arrangements. Department staff said districts would still be required to maintain a school of record and provide an adequate education free of charge outside the open enrollment program, and that if open enrollment enrollment became unusually large relative to district adequacy enrollment, the issue could be brought to the state board. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• A person is guilty of that offense if they travel across a county line in Wyoming or from a county line
• And, you know, that involves, you know, from the municipal line to the county line to the state line.
• <00:20:51.360> to the municipal line to the county line to the municipal line to the county
• line to the<00:20:51.679> state<00:20:51.919> line.
• And um, I think this is the state line.

Bills: SF0007, SF0008, SF0009, SF0010

Keywords: theft, penalties, larceny, criminal offense, felony, Wyoming, absconding, law enforcement, criminal justice, fentanyl, controlled substances, minors, drug distribution, enhanced penalties, mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, 916

Transcript Highlights:

• And just on that same line, Ms.
• <00:17:57.360> is consistent across county lines is consistent across county lines is sometimes
• And and part of that is across the line.
• I know it's a tight timeline the line.
• So we stand in family's bottom line.

Bills: SF0024

Keywords: lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, it's a line of credit for this. And so it bumped that up to $180 million.
• And then there's just a contingency line item. And so with... They're just a contingency line item.
• You can see the grant line item; that's probably the biggest increase.
• It'll be just a one line item on their economic development programs.
• And just a line of credit for the bank is what that's doing. Okay.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2014, the budget for the Industrial Commission, with Representative Kempenich walking through the agency’s major components: the administrative office, Bank of North Dakota, housing finance, Department of Mineral Resources, and the State Mill and Elevator. He described mostly special-fund operations, including bond payments, economic development programs, the rail loan program, the Rebuilder’s Loan Program, housing incentive funding, abandoned well reclamation work, lignite research, litigation reserves, and a capacity purchase arrangement for a future natural gas pipeline. He also explained several one-time funding items, such as grid resiliency grants, housing-related transfers from the Strategic Investment Fund, and enhanced oil recovery funding repurposed from a prior salt cavern study. Members asked about the reduction in housing incentive funding from the Senate version, the use of one-time Strategic Investment Fund dollars for ongoing housing programs, and whether a trigger should be added to increase housing funding later. Kempenich said no trigger was discussed and emphasized that housing needs vary widely across the state. Another exchange focused on the enhanced oil recovery grant program, which he said would be driven largely by the Energy and Environmental Research Center and would use repurposed funds. A longer discussion covered the natural gas pipeline capacity purchase, including its purpose, possible routes, and the idea that the state would be buying capacity rather than immediately building a pipeline. The committee adopted Amendment 25.0181.0207 on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. The committee then passed HB 2014 as amended on a 21-1 vote, with one member absent and not voting. Representative Kempenich was designated to carry the bill. The chair then noted this was the final budget hearing for the committee, with one bill remaining to be heard later.

Transcript Highlights:

• inserts language on page four, line 13. inserts language on page four, line 13.
• things, all those would have to line up. things, all those would have to line up.
• <01:14:33.560> That's county lines or state line. That's county lines or state line.
• lines or state line, had crossed county lines or state line, it<01:15:23.360> would<01:15:23.440
• would you've crossed a county line. would you've crossed a county line.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see on line six uh an position.
• <00:05:18.000> 28 coordinators and then um on line 28 coordinators and then um on line 28
• On line 18, an increase of $500,000 for the CORE or Lutheran Social Services program.
• And then on line right below that, on line 19, similar or same as that on the Senate position, the $60,000
• Beneath those lines, you'll see beginning on line 26 that the House bill does not include direct grants

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A further amendment on line 15 after the word waste, insert above ground.
• They would like the word above ground inserted on line 15 after the word...
• So it would be on, it would be on line 13 after the word waste, on the 2000.
• So it talks about, on line 12, it talks about a federal match.
• So you can sit on the property line. Notify that they're doing that.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Natural Resources Committee reconsidered Senate Bill 2159, which concerns a study related to nuclear energy and waste. Members discussed a proposed amendment to clarify that the study would address above-ground storage of nuclear waste, not underground storage, reflecting concerns raised by constituents about earlier nuclear-related proposals. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave SB 2159 a unanimous 13-0 do pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2245, described as a hunting-related bill, and recommended it do pass on a 13-0 vote after brief discussion with Game and Fish support noted. Senate Bill 2216, the duck stamp bill, was also advanced 13-0. Testimony on SB 2216 explained that it would help Game and Fish better track resident duck hunting participation and generate revenue for waterfowl habitat, PLOTS access, and possible federal matching funds. The most extensive debate centered on Senate Bill 2137, which addresses baiting rules and chronic wasting disease surveillance. An amendment was proposed to set a 50-gallon limit at a hunting location, require a 50-foot setback from property used for animal agriculture, and direct continued disease surveillance with a report due before December 31, 2028. After discussion about fence setbacks, livestock concerns, and the department’s authority to manage disease, the committee adopted the amendment by a 7-6 vote and then passed the bill as amended on an 8-4 vote. The committee also noted several remaining bills would be taken up the following week and adjourned, with no meeting the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• “Look at lines 37 and 38, though.
• Under the definition that begins in line 24 and goes through line 27...
• On page seven, on line 51 through line 53. Yes, sir.
• Let's line 26.
• Here it is: page three, line 25.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Which line item? Line eight? Do you mean Section 4? Who said Section 2? Section 2.
• Section 2, what's line item eight? Yeah, I'm not sure. There's Section 2. Which line item? Eight.
• On the previous, on page 7, line 17, it's 13.2, and then on page 8, line 8, it's 9.2, so that just is
• Child welfare technology project line, $8.4 million, line of credit.
• And then on down the line.

Bills: SB2015

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division met with all members present and took up several bills, focusing most of the discussion on SB 1577 and SB 1619, along with a detailed review of the HHS budget bill draft. On SB 1577, Senator Magrum explained that the bill was being revised to focus on wastewater rather than raw water, possibly shifting the Washburn project to the Department of Water Resources so it could access matching funds, and potentially converting the bill into a line of credit if federal money is restored later. Members discussed whether to keep an emergency clause or instead use a date-based approach, and agreed the bill would likely be handled through the full committee and possibly reconsidered later. On SB 1619, Senator Davison said amendments were still being worked on, including changes requested by the Bank of North Dakota, and the committee planned to hold it for possible amendment before full committee consideration. The bulk of the meeting was a section-by-section review of the HHS appropriations bill draft. Members discussed one-time funding items such as technology projects, child care programs, housing programs, behavioral health facility grants, infant and toddler care provider support, juvenile justice diversion, medical housing, and other public health and human services projects. Several adjustments were noted, including reductions or changes to IMD-related funding, incarcerated-person treatment funding, the child welfare technology project, and the provider rate increase. The committee also discussed the FTE block grant structure at length, with staff explaining that the apparent increase in positions reflected budgeting mechanics, zero-dollar “phantom” positions, and positions approved previously but not counted in the FTE total. Members raised concerns about transparency and whether the bill should list FTE numbers, but staff said the block grant was intended to give the department flexibility while quarterly reporting would provide oversight. Other topics included Medicaid expansion funding and provider reimbursement rules, the move toward certifying human service centers as certified community behavioral health clinics, a moratorium on new ICF beds, and studies or reports on Medicaid, obesity, disability services, truancy, and behavioral health facility grants. The committee also discussed removing or revising broad intent language in Section 31 so the department would report findings rather than implement changes without further legislative action. No final votes were taken in the transcript; instead, members agreed to make a few technical adjustments, continue reviewing the bill, and likely revisit it the next day before moving it to conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• , delete lines three to 20, and insert after line 12.
• section 16, line 14.8, section 19. section 16, line 14.8, section 19.
• My next question is on lines 4.23 and 4.24. My question is on lines 4.23 and 4.24.
• 4.15,<01:11:25.120> allow on a line starting on line 4.15, allow on a line starting on line
• Page five, line colon.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you'll restate the amendment again, on which line? >> On line 38.
• >> lines 106 through 108. >> lines 106 through 108.
• <00:52:54.400> 160 lines 160 lines 160 through<00:52:56.160> lines<00:52:56.800> 179
• through lines 179 through lines 179 of<00:52:58.720> the<00:52:58.880> bill,<00:52
• ,<00:53:55.520> it um specifically line 237, I guess, it um specifically line 237, I guess

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 3 February, 2026; 5:15 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee took up Bill 2802, which would address falsifying residency or enrollment documents to place a child in a different school district. Senator Rhodes explained that the current penalty is a felony with a large fine and possible prison time, but that prosecutors rarely use it; the bill would add a misdemeanor-level penalty to create a more realistic enforcement option. He also proposed an amendment changing language that would have required expulsion of the child, replacing it with language making the child ineligible for enrollment in that district so the child would not have an expulsion on record. The committee adopted that amendment by voice vote. Members then debated the bill’s broader policy effects. Supporters argued the measure is needed because districts have reported problems with parents using false addresses or other fraudulent documents, and they said the bill simply creates a lesser penalty while preserving enforcement. Opponents said the bill punishes parents who are trying to secure a better education for their children, may not increase prosecutions, and could harm families and children who did nothing wrong. One senator compared the issue to other criminalized conduct involving rule violations, while another questioned whether the state should be creating a misdemeanor for conduct that is already a felony. The committee also discussed a proposed amendment to remove the felony component entirely and make the offense only a misdemeanor. That amendment was debated at length, with concerns raised that the broader statute covers more than school enrollment fraud and could affect other forms of false statements to government entities. The transcript ends during that discussion, with no final recorded disposition on the bill itself in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second change: Page 2, line 5, one line down after the comma, insert "higher education institutions
• The third one, page 2, next line down, line 6, strike "or" and insert "in lieu of".
• Line 6, strike the word "and".
• So going back on line, on page three, line nine...
• Line 10. Line 9, Senator. Line 9. Okay, I'm where I need to be now.

Transcript Highlights:

• > upon<00:02:47.360> receiving starting on line 13, upon receiving starting on line 13,
• Um on<00:03:13.440> line<00:03:13.760> 22 on line 22 on line 22 uh<00:03:15.599> section
• You suggest that we seven line 22.
• line 13, the word or. line 13, the word or.
• and then after the word product on line and then after the word product on line 8<01:48:36.320><

Bills: SF0071, SF0088, SF0056

Keywords: homeland security, search and rescue, grants, emergency response, Wyoming, sex offender, child care facility, residency restrictions, public safety, criminal law, sex offenders, child care facilities, legislation, kratom, regulation, healthcare, age restrictions, manufacturing standards, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 864 is the governor's recommendation.
• Line 888 includes no-cost modifications to the Teach Scholarship Program, and line 890 includes technical
• Then, beginning on line 1431, our other agencies on line 1451, the Office of the Ombudsperson for American
• On line 1457, the Office of the Ombudsperson for Families.
• I will note that on the very last line, line 1472, you'll see negative $2.95 and a positive $2.95 that

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras

Transcript Highlights:

• strike lines 12 through 14. strike lines 12 through 14.
• five line six. five line six.
• And again on line 13. And again on line 13.
• And then again on line 15. And then again on line 15.
• Would we consider striking line 20, the last couple of words of line 19 and line 20? On which page?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, well, let's go down on section two, line 11 there, subsection two, line 11.
• If you wanted to refer to line numbers, maybe. I'm sorry, line number 11.
• It would be line 18.
• And that was on line 10. And that was on line 10. So what are your wishes concerning 78?
• McLean, again, I'll ask you to go line by line with each revision you want in your motion.

Summary: The Child Custody Review Task Force met to approve prior minutes and then worked through draft legislation related to a possible family court study committee. The group discussed the proposed 15-member committee’s makeup in detail, including whether to add parent representation, judges, family law section members, child support, clerks of court, domestic violence advocates, and other stakeholders. The task force ultimately agreed to keep the committee at 15 members, reduce the legislative membership from eight to six, add two judges from different districts, add two family law section members with rural and urban representation, include one parent subject to a custody order, and replace the mental health professional with a clerk of court representative appointed through the trial court administrator’s office. The draft was also revised to keep domestic violence advocacy representation and to clarify that the study could consider juvenile court issues as part of the family court umbrella. The committee voted to approve the revised draft and recommend it to Legislative Management, with one recorded “no” vote from Judge Hovey after the meeting resumed. The task force then turned to a second draft dealing with requiring participation in a family transition program, which was renamed in discussion to a parenting education course. Members debated whether the bill should simply refer to an existing program like Parents Forever or instead specify broader education about the court process, parental rights, co-parenting, and related issues. Some members supported the requirement as a way to reduce conflict and improve understanding of the system, while others raised concerns about vague language, cost to parents, lack of exemptions, and whether the bill was too open-ended or potentially duplicative of other legislation. The discussion became lengthy and unresolved, with the drafter noting that more specific direction would be needed to revise the bill. The transcript cuts off before a final vote or action on this second draft is shown.