Transcript Highlights:

• Century Code Section 50-12-1 or Chapter 50-2 where alcoholic beverages are sold, dispensed, and consumed
• And then North Dakota Century Code Section 53-06.1-1 allows an amount equal to 60% of the adjusted gross
• And under North Dakota Century Code and North Dakota administrative code, a licensed distributor may
• And under North Dakota Century Code and North Dakota administrative code, a licensed distributor may
• I'm here specifically to address Century Code 53-06 of the Century Code.

Committees: Joint Judiciary , Joint Judiciary Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, if you go to CPT codes in general, and the 10,000-plus codes that are there now, in 2026, there
• Changing CPT codes and naming of procedures changes every single year.
• They do have Medicaid transportation, but most of the time they can't get transportation to their office
• They do have Medicaid transportation, but most of the time they can't get transportation to their office
• So one had cows, one had a few, and then administrative code had many.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee met on April 1 and considered several health-related bills and one resolution. HB 933, by Rep. Charles Owen, would create commemorative birth certificates and adjust vital records fees; after adopting a technical amendment, the committee reported the bill favorably. HB 288, by Rep. Boyer, would require the term “miscarriage” to appear alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation and billing; after an amendment changed the bill from mandatory “shall” language to permissive “may,” the committee heard emotional testimony both in support and opposition and then reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 420, by Rep. Berault, would require criminal background checks and registry review for all DCFS employees, not just those with direct contact with children; it was reported favorably. The committee also voluntarily deferred HB 927 and HB 962. The committee then heard HB 971, by Rep. Stagney, which seeks to equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates for independent rural health clinics and hospital-owned provider-based clinics. Supporters, including clinic owners and practitioners, testified that independent clinics provide the same services under the same rules but receive far lower reimbursement, making it difficult to retain staff and avoid sale to hospital systems. The author said the bill is intended to prompt discussion and eventual parity without harming hospitals, and the committee reported the bill favorably. HB 815, by Rep. Carver, would allow federally insured financial institutions to receive death certificate information from vital records to reduce losses and help reconcile account issues after a death; credit union representatives supported the measure, and it was reported favorably. The committee also adopted HR 74, by Rep. Sterling, which urges the Department of Education and local school authorities to report on how schools accommodate students with seizure disorders. Sterling described personal experience with epilepsy and said the resolution is meant to gather data on implementation of existing seizure action plan law and identify gaps in access to rescue medication and training. Finally, the committee took up HB 915, by Rep. Dickerson, which would place Medicaid prior authorization and utilization management timelines into statute. After technical and substantive amendments, including changing some deadlines from five business days to seven calendar days, the bill drew support from providers and health groups concerned about delays in care, and the committee reported it favorably as amended. The committee also began consideration of HB 944, by Rep. Hilferty, creating a women’s consortium within LDH focused on menopause and related women’s health issues; technical amendments were adopted and testimony emphasized coordination of existing research and resources, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:27:15.360><c> We're</c> section seven, which is line 25.
• We're section seven, which is line 25.
• Um, page two, line 25, section, minute.
• So this codings association and dees.
• ,</c><01:27:02.880><c> the</c> study of the cost of transportation, the study of the cost of transportation

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Even if it were to be revised or even if it was still in place, the section of that agreement that was
• Under the current structure, Idaho Code grants the commission supervision, management, and control of
• I didn't do the bar, the code thing, sorry." "Okay, you're out. You're good."
• Our code and federal requirements for a lot of the things that we do with the federal...
• First off, I feel a little bad for the Idaho Department of Transportation, who apparently is chopped

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a right reserved to the people in Article 11, Section 3 of our Constitution.
• So here's how you get my yes vote: your section, as it relates to the expenditures by state government
• This includes transportation, water, fire stations, and police.
• This includes transportation, water, fire stations, and police.
• This amendment removed Sections 1 and 2 of the bill, which are two different bills in this chamber.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of member introductions recognizing interns, pages, volunteers, and the retirement of Pastor Gary Austin from the sergeant’s office. Leadership also announced that budget talks with the House were continuing and that senators would not need to plan on being in next week, suggesting progress toward a budget framework. After routine floor business, the chamber took up a major third-reading measure on citizen initiatives and several education bills, followed later by returning messages from the House on health and school-safety measures. The most extensive debate centered on the citizen initiative bill, which sponsors said was intended to protect the constitutional amendment process from fraud and abuse based on election-crime investigations and a large state report on petition fraud. Supporters argued the bill would add reasonable guardrails, prevent misuse of public funds, and preserve integrity while still allowing grassroots participation. Opponents from both parties argued it would make citizen-led amendments much harder by adding costs, deadlines, criminal penalties, and administrative burdens that would chill participation and favor wealthy or corporate interests. After lengthy debate, the Senate voted 28-10 to pass the bill. The chamber then passed several education measures with little or no opposition, including bills tied to Bright Futures, dual enrollment, Florida ABLE, teacher preparation, and other education policy updates, all by 38-0. Later, the Senate concurred in House amendments on a stem cell therapy bill, an EKG requirement for student athletes, and a cardiac emergency bill, each passing 37-0. The House also sent back a school safety bill with amendments affecting child care facility partnerships with law enforcement, temporary door locks during active assailant incidents, supervision windows, and funding for panic alarm systems; the transcript ends as that bill is being explained.

Transcript Highlights:

• section.
• Weeks depending on code section.
• So, that is the code section we're talking about here for those of us that don't practice criminal law
• Section three is the Medicaid code section. It's rather lengthy.
• the Medicaid code section and that provides that uh under the inmate's account, which already exists

Transcript Highlights:

• But let's hop down to page two and look at the first section.
• But let's hop down to page two and look at the first section.
• Additionally, in Idaho Code section 57-814A, it provides the Board of Examiners the use of five-tenths
• And by Idaho Code, interest earnings go to the permanent building fund.
• And by Idaho code, interest earnings go to the permanent building fund.

Summary: The joint House Appropriations and Senate Finance committee met with a quorum and began by recognizing two pages, who each described their plans after serving and what they learned about the legislative process. The committee then turned to year-end cash transfer proposals presented by Keith Bybee, who explained that the packet contained 14 motions tied to balancing the current and upcoming budgets and managing fund balances. The proposals included transferring remaining legislative remodel funds back into the legislative account and reducing legislative transfers in fiscal years 2026 and 2027; moving unobligated money from the Idaho Broadband Fund and inactive school district building accounts to the general fund; and creating flexibility to use the 27th payroll fund only in an emergency. Other items would redirect interest earnings from several funds, including the budget stabilization fund, public education stabilization fund, water pollution control fund, permanent building fund, ARPA-related funds, and Strategic Initiatives funds, with some proceeds going to the general fund, fire suppression deficiency account, or transportation-related purposes. Members asked about balances, obligations, and the meaning of terms like “unobligated” versus “unawarded,” and Bybee said he would verify some figures before the noon meeting. Several members discussed the broader budget strategy, including the rationale for aiming for a $150 million ending balance and whether the committee should rely on reserve transfers versus other budget adjustments. Some members emphasized preserving legislative control over future supplemental spending and providing a roadmap for new committee members, while others noted that the state’s fiscal situation was partly the result of revenue decisions made by the legislature itself. The committee did not vote on the motions during this session and adjourned until noon, when it planned to take action after members had time to review the updated green sheet and follow up on questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• But our Washington State Department of Transportation crews answered the call.
• Our transportation infrastructure is in dire need of investment.
• And there is one more piece of our core transportation infrastructure.
• Our regressive, upside-down tax code does not help. Washingtonians across our state.
• Our regressive, upside-down tax code does not help.

Summary: The joint session of the Washington Legislature convened to receive Governor Bob Ferguson’s State of the State address, with the House and Senate, Supreme Court justices, statewide elected officials, tribal leaders, consular representatives, and other guests formally introduced. The meeting also included the Pledge of Allegiance, a performance by the Wapato High School Choir, a prayer by Reverend Indiana Driver Gimmer, and a poem by State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield. In his address, Governor Ferguson said the state remains strong economically but faces major challenges from recent historic flooding, aging transportation infrastructure, ferry reliability problems, the housing shortage, and affordability concerns. He proposed major budget priorities including more than a billion dollars for bridge and road maintenance without raising taxes, another billion dollars for ferries, and a record housing investment. He also called for a millionaire’s tax to fund expanded Working Families Tax Credit benefits, tax relief for small businesses, and more support for K-12 education, along with utility assistance and early learning expansion funded in part by a large private gift. The governor also criticized federal immigration enforcement practices and changes at the CDC, urged action on a bill to prohibit masked law enforcement and require identifying information, and backed shifting vaccine recommendations to the state health department. He highlighted several bipartisan proposals he said he would sign, including expanded early learning for military families, modular housing standards, reckless driving changes, crash review access to medical information, wildfire air resources for local fire departments, and fee refunds for missed agency deadlines. After the governor’s remarks, the joint session was dissolved by motion and the House adjourned until the next legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation and Infrastructure. HB 2558. Insurance.
• Transportation and Infrastructure. HB 2602. Appropriation BPS. HB 2604.
• Transportation and Infrastructure. HB 2725, 18. HB 2724, special place.
• Transportation and Infrastructure.
• HB 2324, fire code. HB 2343, special plate. HB 2345, unlawful presence.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Tammy Penhollow, a board-certified anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician, and Navy veteran. Members also introduced several guests in the gallery, including school board members and representatives from Republic Services, which was highlighted for its Arizona operations, employment, and sustainability work. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and two excused. The main floor business consisted of reading a large number of bills and resolutions for first and second reading and referring first-read measures to committee. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public safety, education, health and human services, water and natural resources, commerce, taxation, housing, transportation, artificial intelligence, abortion-related issues, firearms, labor, and appropriations. No substantive debate or votes on individual bills were taken during this portion of the session. Toward the end of the meeting, members made committee announcements and birthday wishes, including a birthday greeting for Representative Aaron Márquez. Committee schedules were announced for Commerce, Education, Natural Resources, Energy and Water, Government, Judiciary, Ways and Means, and others. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Proposal 18, the NEC changed the code article to a different section, so that was an easy one.
• the authority to make this change as North Dakota Century Code 38-12, Section 6, Part 6, specifically
• The next, we have one update to the RHIC, the retiree health insurance credit section of our code, which
• The first one, the proposed amendments to Section 99-01.3-0105 of the administrative code, relate to
• The third one, proposed amendments in Section 99-01.3-14-02 of the administrative code related to the

Summary: The Administrative Rules Committee met on June 11 and first approved the March 12, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rules tied to recent legislation, including North Dakota’s participation in the physician assistant licensure compact and a new physician nutrition continuing education requirement. The Board said it was waiting on compact rules and fee information before finalizing its own changes. The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the Office of Management and Budget on broad personnel rule revisions, including salary administration, recruitment, leave, sick leave, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR language and implement recent legislation such as enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions and new hire leave. Members questioned the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but OMB and counsel said those standards come from statute, not the rules. The committee also heard and accepted rule packages from the Lottery, the Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the State Electrical Board, the Industrial Commission, PERS, and Health and Human Services, with each agency describing mostly technical, clarifying, or statutory-conforming changes and noting the public notice and comment process. The most significant action came during the Gaming Commission rules presentation. After questioning whether the commission had authority to raise the poker tournament buy-in limit from $300 to $1,500, members moved to void Section 99-01.3-09-01 on the ground that the agency lacked statutory authority for that change. The motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed several gaming-related issues, including online raffles, kiosk use, advertising restrictions, and the broader policy question of whether charities should be allowed to own bars, but took no further formal action on those topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:14:35.400><c> would</c><01:14:35.639><c> analyze</c> Transportation would analyze Transportation
• </c><01:15:22.520><c> must</c> this mean that Transportation must this mean that Transportation must
• </c> permit the Department of Transportation permit the Department of Transportation is<01:15:37.880>
• </c> page 8 section page 8 section 7<02:05:32.440><c> if</c><02:05:32.599><c> this</c><02:05:32.800><
• in section three so or the timeline in section three so I<02:57:19.920><c> don't</c><02:57:20.040><c

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Proposal 18, the NEC changed the code article to a different section, so that was an easy one.
• the authority to make this change as North Dakota Century Code 38-12, Section 6, Part 6, specifically
• The next, we have one update to the RHIC, the retiree health insurance credit section of our code, which
• The first one, the proposed amendments to Section 99-01.3-01-05 of the administrative code, relate to
• The third one, proposed amendments in Section 99-01.3-14-02 of the administrative code related to the

Committee: Joint Administrative Rules Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And look forward to continuing to work with the author on Section 3 of the bill.
• Section 3 of the bill is a bit challenging the way it's currently drafted.
• And look forward to continuing to work with the author on Section 3 of the bill.
• Section 3 of the bill is a bit challenging the way it's currently drafted.
• Section 3, as currently drafted, is problematic.

Committee: House Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill came through your committee on transportation.
• So we're talking about in Section 307.380. Vehicles having less than 36,000... Section 307.380.
• And I don't have, in my notes, at least, that came through our committee on transportation.
• Do you know anything about this, the changes to Section 301.190 about salvage?
• It's all relevant in the matter of transportation. Thank you.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, approved the previous day’s journal unanimously, and then adopted a motion suspending House Rule 98 to allow members to wear hats on the floor. Members also introduced several special guests, including the Eugene High School Class 2 basketball champions, family members, scholarship recipients, and other visitors. One member used a lengthy personal privilege speech to criticize a recent U.S. Supreme Court voting-rights decision and warn about threats to democracy and minority voting power. The chamber then took up committee reports and several bills. It approved a motion to go to conference on the property-tax omnibus measure tied to Senate Bills 1066 and 1088. House Bill 3329, repealing expired tax credits, passed 142-0. House Bill 3405, clarifying the SALT deduction and improving tax-credit accounting, also passed 138-0. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2426, a parental-rights bill that also drew criticism over a school financial-ledger requirement and possible burdens on schools and student safety, failed on third reading 70-60. The House next passed House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1233, a professional-licensing bill involving CPA exam access and other occupational licensing changes, by 129-6 after adopting an amendment removing compact language and rejecting a nursing-home physicals amendment. It then passed House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1408, which raises the maximum rural interstate speed limit to 75 mph and, through multiple amendments, also carried a mix of transportation-related provisions including vehicle inspections, hands-free enforcement, motorcycle lighting, driver education, and specialty license plates for women’s professional sports; the final vote was 82-53. The Speaker also appointed a conference committee for Senate Bill 1066. The final item mentioned was Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 863, described as an interscholastic athletic oversight/appeals bill, but the transcript cuts off before its final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The International Fire Code in particular The International Fire Code in particular is adopted under
• Now, I'll tell you, with coding, there's a lot of issues with missing data, with codes that overlap.
• And so coding becomes very, very difficult to incorporate in a PA.
• So currently, the way that the section of code is, it lists who is eligible to apply topical fluoride
• They have to provide transportation reimbursement.

Committee: Joint Health Care Committee

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard a detailed annual presentation from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and review findings. He explained the committee’s structure, the de-identified review process, and the distinction between pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths. He said national maternal mortality has declined from its 2021 peak, but mental health conditions, substance use, overdose, suicide, cardiovascular disease, hemorrhage, infection, and embolism remain major causes. He emphasized that many deaths are preventable, with especially high rates among non-Hispanic Black women and in the American Indian/Alaska Native population, and noted that a large share of deaths occur after 42 days postpartum. Committee members asked about suicide, domestic abuse, pregnancy testing in unexplained deaths, and the role of home births and midwife training. Dr. Arnold said the committee is adding a caseworker, exploring post-mortem pregnancy testing in suspicious cases, and working with coroners and forensic officials; he also said home births and untrained midwifery pose safety concerns and that better public education and facility-based care are important. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matt Clark on cigarette ignition propensity standards and fire prevention. He recommended updating North Dakota’s cigarette ignition legislation to the current national standard and also considering legislation requiring fast-breakaway oxygen tubing, citing fatal fires involving smoking around home oxygen. He explained that his office verifies manufacturer testing and maintains certification for cigarettes sold in the state, but does not itself conduct the testing. Members asked about implementation, cost, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Clark said he would follow up with cost information and additional details, and that he had not seen evidence of a major issue on tribal lands but would look further. Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services presented the North Dakota Stroke System of Care report. She described the statewide network of two comprehensive stroke centers, four primary stroke centers, and 30 acute stroke-ready hospitals, along with the stroke registry and quality-improvement efforts. She reported that most strokes are ischemic, that the median stroke patient age is 71.5, and that common risk factors include hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and diabetes. She highlighted improvements in door-to-CT, thrombolytic treatment times, dysphagia screening, EMS pre-notification, and interfacility transfer performance, and said new priorities include hemorrhagic stroke quality measures and standardized EMS stroke screening tools. Members asked about the VA hospital’s participation, and Greff said she would pursue outreach. After a break, the committee heard testimony from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals as part of the prior authorization study, focused on non-opioid pain treatment. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to acute pain treatment and may push patients toward opioids, especially in the critical 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window. He cited data showing that even short opioid exposure can increase the risk of long-term use and said prior authorization is often a barrier for physicians and patients. Khan recommended open access with a quantity limit rather than prior authorization, suggesting a 14-day limit supported by the product’s data and an episode-of-care approach. Members asked about dental use, payer discussions, and cost; he said the product’s wholesale acquisition cost is about $16.10 per tablet, with patient assistance available, and that he would follow up on payer and comparison-cost questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unanimous consent to allow for a relaxed dress code for guests only, not members, guests.
• Unanimous consent to allow for a relaxed dress code for guests only, not members, guests.
• Seeing no objection, relaxed dress code is available today just for guests. Senator Padilla.
• And the section reads to... 317.
• All growth funds are in Section 9. Okay.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayers and pledges, and several procedural announcements, including permission for cameras, a relaxed dress code for guests, and excusing a few senators. Members also recognized numerous guests and honorary lieutenant governors, and discussed a planned bolo tie contest tied to New Mexico tradition and state history. The chamber then moved to business, including the confirmation of Anna Silva as Secretary of the General Services Department. The confirmation drew broad support from senators on both sides, who praised Silva’s long career in state government, her management experience, and her work on major projects such as the executive office building, procurement reforms, and facilities management. After debate, the Senate voted unanimously to confirm her appointment. Silva’s family and guests were recognized from the floor after the vote. The Senate then took up House Bill 2 and 3, the state budget. Senator Muñoz presented the Senate Finance version as a balanced budget with about $11.1 billion in spending, 27% reserves, recurring investments in health care, early childhood, public safety, education, roads, housing, and economic development, and targeted nonrecurring spending for items such as water, universities, and innovation sectors. Supporters emphasized affordability, teacher health insurance parity, medical residency funding, rural and community investments, and public safety funding. Critics raised concerns about the size of the budget, the late availability and complexity of the bill, the removal of a proposed 1% pay raise for state employees, and whether spending priorities and education dollars were being allocated effectively. No final vote on the budget was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2041, enacting Section 8-201 relating to child neglect.
• Senate Bill 1448, amending Section 13-124, as amended by Laws 2025, Chapter 172, Section 2, relating
• Senate Bill 1862, transportation, fiscal years 2026 and 2027, appropriations, transportation technology
• Senate Bill 1862, transportation, fiscal years 2026 and 2027, appropriations, transportation technology
• House Bill 2874 and act in section 169.28, 169.34, 169.37.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> does not address transportation. does not address transportation.
• </c> of law, but this one section was missed. of law, but this one section was missed.
• </c> section. For the foregoing reasons, Mr. section. For the foregoing reasons, Mr.
• Those types of houses are handled in a separate section of the fire code and wouldn't be covered under
• in a separate section of the fire<01:46:13.199><c> code</c><01:46:13.600><c> and</c><01:46:13.920><c

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] Um, section two, that's the highway funds of the Department of Transportation.
• [Music] Um, section two, that's the highway funds of the Department of Transportation.
• [Music] Um, section two, that's the highway funds of the Department of Transportation.
• [Music] Um, section two, that's the highway funds of the Department of Transportation.
• [Music] Um, section two, that's the highway funds of the Department of Transportation.

Committee: Senate Capital Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• There are many benefits of these newer codes.
• And they're building homes that currently exceed the codes of the current building codes.
• The cost to meet these new codes has been greatly overstated by some.
• You have to transport it.
• Shoring up the building code, as Renee pointed out.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee