Transcript Highlights:

• condition to go to work or school, especially when... ...especially when it's an experimental new technology
• In addition, mRNA vaccines introduced new technologies like... Yes, welcome. Go right ahead. Okay.
• In addition, mRNA vaccines introduced new technologies like... mRNA vaccines introduce new technologies
• Millions of people in that industry. mRNA technology is still in... mRNA technology is still in its experimental
• And the mRNA vaccines are an emerging technology for people who feel that it hasn't been tested enough

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management held a hearing on several emergency management bills, with most of the testimony focused on Senate Bill 539, which would prohibit COVID-19 mRNA vaccination or gene-altering procedures as a condition of entry, employment, school attendance, or access to public venues. Senator Durant and many public witnesses supported the bill, arguing that COVID-era mandates were coercive, ineffective, and harmful, and that the state should not require proof of vaccination in future emergencies. One witness, Joanne Tuller, testified in opposition, saying the government should retain authority to impose public health measures in emergencies and warning against permanently limiting that power based on the COVID experience. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 540, concerning the prevention of radioactive material discharge, with a Sierra Club representative and local residents opposing Holtec’s disposal of wastewater from the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant and citing health, environmental, and economic concerns in Plymouth and nearby communities. Senator Driscoll testified in support of Senate Bills 537 and 538, describing them as measures to strengthen the Commonwealth’s strategic preparedness stockpile and to create a framework for emergency response during surges in hospitalizations, including temporary waivers of prior authorization when hospitals are over capacity. In addition, Dr. Jennifer Carlson testified in support of H.885, a resolve creating a special commission on the field of emergency management, arguing that the profession should be more fully professionalized and staffed by dedicated experts rather than part-time “second hat” officials. Several other bills on the docket, including H.883 and H.84, had no sign-ups. The chair closed each bill’s testimony section as the list was exhausted, and the hearing was adjourned without any votes taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Information technology, my favorite subject. My favorite subject. Thank you. Okay.
• I'm the deputy CIO and the chief financial officer for the state's information technology department.
• So as I talk through a little bit about how information technology services work, we are an internal
• So you're always maintaining a skill level for the certain technologies that we're providing.
• So our technology fee, which helps cover some of the backbone pieces for the network and some of the

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Information technology, my favorite subject. My favorite subject. My favorite subject. Thank you.
• I'm the deputy CIO and the chief financial officer for the state's information technology department.
• So as I talk through a little bit about how information technology services work, we are an internal
• So you're always maintaining a skill level for the certain technologies that we're providing.
• So you're always maintaining a skill level for the certain technologies that we're providing.

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership, approved the December 11 minutes, and received a series of informational updates on the state’s finances and related policy issues. The Office of Management and Budget reported the general fund is tracking very close to forecast, with revenues about $2 million above forecast and an estimated ending balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. OMB also reviewed balances in major funds, including the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, and answered questions about oil tax revenues and fund management. The Tax Department provided updates on taxable sales and purchases by county and industry, noting Cass County as the largest county by taxable sales and that retail trade remains the largest industry sector. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus also discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its estimated effects on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the projected revenue impacts are measured against a 2025 baseline and that some provisions are temporary while others are permanent. He also reported that primary residence tax credit applications were running ahead of last year, with more than 154,000 received so far and an expectation of roughly 160,000-plus applications. The committee also heard fee-study presentations from the Department of Transportation and the Information Technology Department. DOT explained that driver’s license fees cover only about half of program costs and that the shortfall is subsidized by the highway fund, while also noting recent changes such as the blackout plate and motor vehicle excise tax distribution changes. NDIT described its internal service fund model, current billing structure, and possible future changes to simplify invoices and billing frequency. Legislative staff also updated the committee on office space needs in Bismarck-Mandan and on legislative branch space planning, and subcommittees reported progress on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including a visit to the Burleigh-Morton detention facility and discussion of future prison bed needs. No formal votes or legislative actions beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the committee adjourned with its next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• -2000s when Packett Digital was known for electronic design, wireless systems, and RFID-related technology
• Corvent Medical is a recent example of the fund supporting advanced medical technology in Fargo.
• Internally, we're refining By collaborating with partners and adopting new technologies.
• First is driving alignment of programs, technology, communications, and process across the workforce
• By streamlining resources and leveraging technology, North Dakota ensures transparency and efficiency

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services Division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget for the 2027-29 biennium and to receive an update on Commerce programs. Legislative Council staff first walked the committee through the “blue sheet” base budget summary, explaining the major line items, the large share of federal grant authority in Commerce’s budget, and the continuing appropriations that support several Commerce funds. Members asked how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff said collaboration varies by program but is strong in areas like UAS and LIHEAP. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken then presented on current activities, focusing heavily on grant administration, transparency, and economic development programs. Members questioned how grant applicants are selected, whether Commerce tracks applications and return on investment, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. The commissioner said Commerce uses scoring criteria, outside reviewers, a minimum 30-day application window, and typically completes awards within two to three months. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce should open some grants only to intended recipients versus running competitive application processes; Commerce said it follows best-practice grantmaking and that its attorney in the Attorney General’s office approved that approach. Commerce also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, citing long-term investment and job creation results, examples such as Red Trail Energy, Packet Digital, Valiance, Corvent Medical, child care loans, and the Automate ND program. Members asked about acceptable failures, lessons learned, regional economic development coordination, and the expansion of the fund into non-primary sectors. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell then outlined a statewide workforce ecosystem review, a new governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, and three task forces focused on simplifying entry, warm handoffs, and data integration. She discussed the in-demand occupations list, Workforce Pell, apprenticeships, and efforts to better connect students with employers and higher education. Commerce also briefly reviewed housing programs and a new housing sub-cabinet. No votes were taken; the committee simply received testimony, asked questions, and adjourned after setting up the next meeting to hear the Attorney General budget in June.

Transcript Highlights:

• But no one, when they do that, subscribes to being constantly surveilled via AI technology.
• AI technology. And so we fundamentally have to ask ourselves, is that what we want?
• They also have to be willing to sign up to be constantly surveilled where technology can know where they
• Technology can know where they are at all times, and that technology does not have any checks and balances
• No law enforcement agency came to me with this, and no technology company came to me with this.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want everyone to understand that it's that technology and innovation that's created that.
• <00:13:06.320> today<00:13:07.120> with<00:13:07.360> the<00:13:07.600> technology
• Agriculture today with the technology Agriculture today with the technology and<00:13:08.240>
• <00:13:13.600> that<00:13:14.240> it's<00:13:14.480> that<00:13:14.720> technology
• <00:13:15.200> and understand that it's that technology and understand that it's that technology

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up the conference committee report on House File 2446, the agriculture budget bill for the Department of Agriculture. Representative Anderson explained that the conference agreement kept the core House and Senate priorities while accepting some Senate policy provisions and fee increases, including grain license fees and food handling fees. He said the overall target was reduced, but major programs were preserved, including funding for the Board of Animal Health, egg emergency and inspection programs, elk and wolf compensation, milk processing capacity, farm safety and innovation, a new bioefficiency program to reduce fertilizer use in limited areas, and increased meat inspection funding. Representative Hansen and several other members urged adoption, describing the bill as a bipartisan “hybrid” that reflects changing agriculture and includes both traditional farm support and newer priorities. Supporters highlighted food assistance and worker protections, including funding to offset federal cuts to local food purchasing and milk distribution programs, farm-to-school and early care programs, avian flu testing, urban agriculture, and a study to expand Olmsted County’s soil health and nitrate reduction work. Some members noted concerns about fees, while others emphasized support for all types of agriculture, cottage food bakers, and the role of farm workers. After debate, the House adopted the conference committee report and advanced the bill. Following further discussion, the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a roll call vote of 130 ayes and 4 nays, and its title was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• From building the transcontinental railroad to leading in the fields like technology, education, and
• to serve these ADS and posts on a person's interest, but not the technology to make simple connections
• I believe these companies can invest in perfecting their technology.
• Google has invested in this technology and will be rolling out technology to infer a user as a child,
• But you can't say that these huge technology companies with the smartest people in the world can't design

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Firefighters were able to use that technology to connect with family members, neighbors, their insurance
• across the state instead of having to spend millions of dollars annually. to maintain an obsolete technology
• Members, customer demand is driving this technology evolution.
• Let us not be limited by a reliance on obsolete technology, hello, of the past.
• Is the question about, is the comment about the fiber, yeah, the alternative technology?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• convene a nuclear energy working group to study the feasibility of using advanced nuclear power technologies
• Therefore, a working group would need to have compelling evidence that nuclear power generation technologies
• convene a nuclear energy working group to study the feasibility of using advanced nuclear power technologies
• evidence that nuclear power compelling evidence that nuclear power generation<00:32:26.120> technologies
• technologies met technical readiness<00:32:28.760> criteria,<00:32:29.760> delivered<00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 509, House File 1166, Disability Services, Technology and Advertising.
• Section 10 establishes a disability services technology and advocacy expansion grant.
• The continued funding will provide the necessary staff and technologies for the upcoming biennium.
• The continued funding will provide the necessary staff and technologies for the upcoming biennium.
• Expanding the use of technology to conduct reassessments and permitting verbal attestations from those

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding

Transcript Highlights:

• platform linking every and a technology platform linking every mission-ready<01:13:05.040> safe
• There's so many different technologies that are emerging right now, and keeping up with those technologies
• 01:16:56.640> adding other technologies that we're adding other technologies that we're adding
• And those technologies are out there; they do fit on the cart.
• So, um... technologies are out there, they do fit technologies are out there, they do fit on<01:22:33.520

Bills: SB8

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, The first couple minutes of the livestream was cut off. This recording restored the beginning of the meeting Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:51:10.880> So a former chief technology officer.
• So a former chief technology officer.
• <00:57:45.760> was technology officer Justin Icefeller was technology officer Justin Icefeller
• ,<01:24:26.719> and economically, technologically, and economically, technologically, and
• Um our head of IT, our chief technology Um our head of IT, our chief technology officer,<01:40:43.920

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , more reliable technology, particularly in small-scale nuclear.
• ,<01:43:14.480> more<01:43:14.719> reliable safer technology, more reliable safer technology
• > smallcale technology, particularly in smallcale technology, particularly in smallcale nuclear.<
• Not today, not tomorrow, but technology.
• <01:43:32.960> is coming where this technology is coming where this technology is beginning

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Although the industry and the technology are still being developed, we know that Minnesota is home to
• Although the industry and the technology are still being developed, we know that Minnesota is home to
• Different technology pathways and feedstocks will be needed, and corn has a role to play.
• And so the technology exists, but it needs to be scaled up now to meet its true potential.
• And technology exists. It's a global effort; everybody's working on this around the world.

Bills: HF1126, HF967, HF1066, HF1669, HF926

Keywords: property tax, Indian Tribe, tax exemption, Minnesota, public charity, property tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, unorganized territory, federally recognized, soil conservation, water conservation, local government aid, environmental funding, Minnesota legislation, tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, tobacco

Transcript Highlights:

• It's like, wait a minute, you know, we're not going to replace it with, you know, emerging technology
• and and and green emerging technology and and and green energy<00:21:02.400> and<00:21:02.640
• <01:03:35.880> needs With energy needs and technology needs that are quite different.
• <01:08:42.480> in technology in technology in person<01:08:44.560> the person the person
• or Beyond Madam chair and technology or Beyond Madam chair and committee<01:38:44.080> members

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The technology already exists.
• As technology keeps up, the scammers... Hide the numbers.
• As technology keeps up, the scammers seem to be always a few steps ahead.
• Okay, and then the other part, I see now that the technology is there for all the major box stores in
• Okay, and then the other part, I see now that the technology is there for all the major box stores in

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on Wednesday, April 22, with a quorum present and heard several bills. HB 1195, relating to the Louisiana State Athletic Commission, was amended with technical changes and a fee-related amendment tied to student athlete agents, then reported favorably. Members asked about criminal penalties and whether the bill would affect prison athletic events; the author said he would follow up on those questions. HB 798, the Broadband and Cable Price Notice Act, was amended to clarify definitions, federal compliance, notice requirements, and severability, then reported favorably after extensive debate over whether providers already give adequate notice, whether a separate notice is necessary, and whether the bill would be preempted by federal law. Charter Communications testified in opposition, saying the bill was duplicative and would add costs, while the author argued it was needed to ensure clear, conspicuous notice of price increases and cancellation rights.

Transcript Highlights:

• This month is Career and Technology Education Month, and we have state officers from across the state
• <00:26:25.679> education<00:26:26.559> month, career and technology education month
• , career and technology education month, and<00:26:27.520> we<00:26:27.760> have<00:26:
• ,<00:28:41.200> skill,<00:28:42.159> managorial<00:28:43.120> group, technology,
• skill, managorial group, technology, skill, managorial group, employees<00:28:44.960> and<00:

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 132 members present, offered prayer, approved the previous day’s journal, and adopted a House resolution honoring United Communities Against Poverty for 60 years of service in Prince George’s County fighting poverty. The organization’s board members were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then handled introductory business, including first-reading referral of House Bills 1587-1596, two introductory House bond initiatives referred to Appropriations, and Senate Bill 25 and other Senate bills received in the House and referred to committees. The House also took up committee reports and special orders. The Economic Matters Committee reported favorably on several bills, including House Bills 236, 241, 242, 259, and 308, all of which were adopted and ordered printed for third reading. On House Bill 146 regarding on-site wastewater systems, a friendly amendment was adopted to allow repair or replacement of failed drain field components needed to meet the bill’s requirements. On House Bill 220 concerning individual water meters/submetering, a substitute amendment was adopted to strike a provision related to eviction proceedings and keep the bill aligned with existing law; the bill was then ordered printed for third reading. Members also made several announcements recognizing visiting groups and observances, including the ALS Association, Career and Technology Education Month, Economic Development Day, Developmental Disabilities Day, Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, the start of Ramadan, and Easter season. The House heard a Black History Month-style recognition of Ethel Beh Hill and welcomed multiple delegations and student groups. Committee and subcommittee meeting announcements followed, and with 134 members present, the House remained in session before the majority leader moved adjournment until Thursday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators under tab 4, we have CS for SB 480 by Senator Harrell, Information Technology.
• We have CS for SB 480 by Senator Harrell, Information Technology. Good morning, Senator.
• The state's been on that since 2001, when we first started the State Technology Office.
• the Agency for Enterprise Information Technology to the Division of State Technology and now to Florida
• And in order to strengthen the leadership and reflect the growing importance of technology in the State

Bills: S0330, S0474, S0694, S1120, S1216, S1366, S1442, S7018

Keywords: firefighter disability, law enforcement disability, correctional officer disability, correctional probation officer, presumptive disability, workers' compensation, line of duty presumption, heart disease presumption, hypertension presumption, tuberculosis presumption, public safety employees, first responders, physical examination, preemployment exam, medical specialist, Medicare reimbursement, employing agency, Florida Statutes 112.18, Florida Statutes 943.13, occupational disease

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with SB 694 on compensation for the descendants of the Groveland Four. Senator Bracey Davis described the wrongful accusations, convictions, deaths, and long-term harm to the families, and an amendment added a $4 million appropriation and updated the recipient for Ernest Thomas’s family. Multiple family members, advocates, clergy, and supporters testified in favor, emphasizing the decades-long delay in justice and the need for accountability and repair. Senators from both parties spoke in support, and the committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then approved SB 330 on disability provisions for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers; SB 474 on military affairs leave and related benefits; and SB 96 on the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. SB 96 drew the most discussion, with Senator Sharief explaining that the bill raises eligibility to 400% of the federal poverty level and moves $500,000 in recurring funding to the General Appropriations Act. Senator Wright and Senator Harrell raised concerns about whether expanding eligibility could worsen the existing waitlist, while supporters argued the change would help more veterans access needed dental care. The bill was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 7018 on child welfare, making the Step Into Success pilot program permanent and statewide, adjusting visitor/background-check rules for foster homes, and creating a best-practices program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. SB 480 on information technology was reported favorably after amendments creating a central IT governance structure under the Governor’s office, adding vendor performance metrics and a preferred vendor list, and restoring criminal justice information security provisions. SB 1066 on the Ocklawaha River and Rodman Dam also advanced after extensive testimony from supporters and historians about partial restoration, recreation, and economic benefits; the sponsor said he would continue working through permitting questions before floor consideration. Later, the committee approved SB 1216 on educator compensation, which gives districts more flexibility on cost-of-living adjustments, advanced degrees, and performance pay caps, and SB 1120 on water management district oversight and reporting. The committee also reported favorably SB 1366 on sovereign immunity and claims against government, which would raise damages caps, index them to CPI, shorten claim deadlines, and cap attorney fees at 25%. That bill drew testimony from hospitals, cities, counties, school districts, and others, with some supporting the Senate’s compromise approach and others raising concerns about impacts on self-insured law enforcement agencies and attorney incentives. The meeting concluded with the favorable report on the bill after debate continued over those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• It strengthens prohibitions on government contracting by prohibiting contracts for information technology
• President Trump, with Executive Order 14-239, called upon states to lead on resilience, on technological
• This blocks technological infiltration through blocking those connected technologies from state government
• And we see that in their technologies. Their cameras are sending data back to China.
• They create reporting requirements around those contracts when they involve technology and access to

Bills: S0002, S0006, S0018, S0026, S0028, S0050, S0178, S0326, S0538, S0786, S1004, S1096, S1178, S1366, S1632, S1634

Keywords: negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, child welfare, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, compensation, law enforcement accountability, personal injury, motorcycle accident, Department of Transportation, legal claim, police negligence, monetary compensation, civil rights, city liability, veterans

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills, most of them claims or civil-law measures, and reported each favorably. Among the bills approved were SB 326 on curators of estates, SB 1096 clarifying filing deadlines under the Florida Civil Rights Act, SB 28 and SB 26 on claims against the City of Lakeland and the estate of Mark Legata, SB 6 involving a DCF-related claim for Layla Estrada/Sapphire Williams, SB 786 creating a nonjudicial process for closing trusts, SB 18 and SB 2 on claims involving the estate of McKenzie Navarre and Daniel Mosley, and SB 50 expanding veterans’ courts statewide. The committee also approved SB 538 on extracurricular activities, SB 1004 on pet sales and financing disclosures, and SB 1366, the sovereign immunity bill, which was presented as a starting point for negotiations with the House over higher claims caps and related provisions. Most of these bills were explained by sponsors as clarifying existing law, modernizing procedures, or resolving uncontested claims, and several had support from affected organizations or individuals; some also drew opposition or concerns from speakers, especially on trust notice issues, sovereign immunity, and the scope of the extracurricular and pet-sale bills. Several bills were amended before passage. SB 326 was narrowed by removing a section and changing reporting language for curators. SB 786 received a technical clarification amendment, while SB 18 removed an unneeded Medicaid-related section. SB 50 on veterans’ courts drew broad support from veterans’ groups and criminal-justice organizations. SB 538 on extracurricular activities was amended multiple times to address home education eligibility, activity fees for homeschool participants, technical cross-references, and compensation for extracurricular sponsors. SB 1004 was supported by animal-welfare advocates and consumer-protection interests. SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools was amended to limit the bill to head coaches, require personal funds, and allow similar bylaws by other athletic associations; it passed after discussion of a Miami Northwestern coaching controversy. The committee also took up two major policy bills with substantial testimony and questions. SB 1178 on foreign influence would create a state framework for foreign-agent registration, restrict gifts and contracts tied to foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, limit certain sister-city and university linkage activities, and increase penalties for crimes committed to benefit foreign governments or terrorist groups; supporters framed it as a national-security and transparency measure, while the sponsor withdrew one amendment before passage. SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles generated the most extended questioning, especially about its domestic-terrorism designation process, references to Sharia law, notice and due-process protections, and potential effects on students and speech; supporters argued it targets conduct, not belief, while opponents warned it could chill protected activity and unfairly target Muslim communities. The committee heard many public speakers on both sides, but no floor debate followed before the bill was moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• designed to improve outcomes for New Mexican youth in a world that is increasingly anchored in technology
• Innovation Network, which helps schools, educators, and partners collaborate to improve science, technology
• The state's recent science and technology roadmap highlights the need for a stronger talent pipeline
• in aerospace, advanced energy, quantum technologies, biosciences, water, and environmental tech.
• And that's what I hope we'll... ...to changing times, changing technology opportunities.

Bills: HB40, HB100, HJR1, SB64, SB19, SB44, SB83

Keywords: educational retirement, annuity adjustments, cost of living, non-compounding payments, retirement benefits, STEM funding, education, innovation, public education, New Mexico, nominating committees, boards of regents, student representation, political party registration, New Mexico constitution, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP