Transcript Highlights:

• giving the state library the authority giving the state library the authority to<03:04:12.399>
• granting authority to give scholarships. granting authority to give scholarships.
• <03:04:58.319> of importantly, not just the authority of importantly, not just the authority
• Now I am also the author of University.
• It undermines parental authority. It's part of their political agenda.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Questions for the bill author and the testifiers?
• <00:41:23.839> with<00:41:24.040> some service authorizations with some service authorizations
• <01:05:21.799> representative author representative author representative nor<01:05:24.079>
• questions for the bill author questions for the bill author representative<01:20:23.920> nor<
• <01:20:56.800> I'll Mr chair if I had the authority I'll Mr chair if I had the authority I'll

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• She says they are still working directly with the bill authors on some thoughts about changes to the
• directly on some of our the bill authors directly on some of our thoughts<00:09:40.320> about
• I do have other questions for the bill author. I don't know if you want to—we can...
• , and understanding if the bill author understands the differences between the two.
• staff um my question for the bill author staff um my question for the bill author is<01:03:43.480

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes $200 million to upgrade and replace culverts, a $500 million authorization for the road and
• We look forward to deploying the funding authorized in this bill to help make sure those improvements
• We look forward to deploying the funding authorized in this bill to help make sure those improvements
• No, I would just add, though, that the increase to Chapter 90 and then the boutique authorizations, if
• And now that we have the new CTF, or the new expanded authorization for the CTF credit, we do envision

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Bonding, State Assets, and Capital Expenditures held its first public hearing on House Bill 4257, a transportation bonding bill. The administration testified in support, describing the bill as a $1.185 billion authorization: $300 million for Chapter 90 municipal road funding and $885 million for statewide transportation capital programs. Officials said the bill would increase municipal aid by 50%, with $200 million distributed under the traditional Chapter 90 formula and $100 million based solely on road mileage to better help rural communities. They also highlighted $500 million for bridge and pavement lifecycle asset management, $200 million for culverts and small bridges, and $185 million for congestion, safety, ADA, sidewalk, and multimodal improvements. Committee members asked about how municipalities would apply, how the road-mile formula would affect rural towns, and how the bill would interact with federal funding uncertainty and debt financing. Administration witnesses explained that projects would be administered through MassDOT district offices and Grant Central, that the bill would not backfill rescinded federal funds, and that the proposal would likely use special obligation bonds backed by Fair Share revenues to reduce pressure on the Commonwealth’s general obligation debt limit. Members also pressed the administration on the shift from general obligation to special obligation financing and on whether the Chapter 90 increase keeps pace with inflation. Administration officials said the special obligation structure would be credit-rated separately and was intended to expand available capital without affecting the GO bond cap, while acknowledging that the Commonwealth’s debt portfolio would grow. They said the Chapter 90 increase would roughly restore purchasing power lost since 2012, though construction inflation has outpaced general inflation. Several members and witnesses emphasized the importance of the road-mile formula for rural communities and the need for technical assistance for small towns. The Massachusetts Municipal Association testified in strong support of the bill, calling Chapter 90 and the new infrastructure authorizations critical for cities and towns facing federal uncertainty and rising costs. The Massachusetts Aggregate and Asphalt Pavement Association also supported the bill, citing the importance of the funding for road and bridge work, the construction season, and the industry’s economic impact. A committee member asked about asphalt price inflation, and the witness said liquid asphalt costs rose sharply after COVID, including increases of around 20% in some years. At the end of the hearing, the chair said members would receive a poll by email to move the bill out quickly, and the committee then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator, for being here and for authoring this bill.
• Prior to us making that motion, we could pass around a co-author sheet.
• Prior to us making that motion, we can pass around a co-author sheet.
• Co-author sheet. Pass around a co-author sheet, please. Mr.
• We drafted with the author and with Representative Dickerson.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on Monday, April 27, and took up a series of Senate bills and resolutions, most of them memorial highway designations or prestige license plate measures. The committee first adopted amendments and reported Senate Bill 122, which directs the Department of Transportation and Development to plan, maintain, and report on bridge conditions statewide, with a focus on proactive bridge maintenance and public reporting. Members also reported favorably SCR 6 supporting an LNG facility at Port Fourchon, SCR 18 directing a study of commercial driver licensing privileges compared with neighboring states, and SB 50 naming the Bayou DeLarge Basque Bridge as the Elwood T. Brady Jr. Memorial Bridge. The committee then approved several memorial and honorary measures, including SB 70 for Officer Mark Brock Memorial Highway, SB 96 creating a Fallen Heroes prestige license plate, SB 460 naming a highway for Hayden Lane Mangum, SB 24 designating Interstate 49 as the Senator J. Bennett Johnston Jr. Memorial Highway, SB 101 naming highways for Daniel Edward Didillo and Bill Blue Evans, SB 160 naming the Speaker Joe R. Salter Memorial Highway, SB 418 naming the Dick and Jacques Schuford Memorial Highway, SB 114 creating a prestige plate for the Foundation for Moral Law, SB 103 and SB 159 naming Franklin Parish highways, SB 412 naming a portion of Highway 13 for Roy Chaffin, SB 182 naming a highway for Mayor Billy Cobb, SB 104 naming the Ernest J. Gaines Memorial Highway, and SB 2 naming the Falcons Band Highway. Most of these items were reported favorably without objection after brief testimony from authors, family members, or supporters. One measure drew more discussion: SB 19, which changes the name and design of the state employee retired prestige license plate and redirects proceeds to a private nonprofit associated with retired state employees. Representative Schlegelhorn objected, but after testimony that the organization is a tax-exempt nonprofit funding scholarships and that no money had previously gone to LASERS from the plate, the committee adopted a motion to report the bill favorably by a 13-1 vote. The committee also adopted amendments to HCR 69, which urges DOTD to improve Interstate 12 in Livingston Parish with attention to drainage, flood risk, and evacuation resilience, and then reported it favorably. HCR 63, creating a task force to study whether certain active-duty military personnel can operate federally owned vehicles on state highways without civilian licenses, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after the agenda was cleared and a motion to adjourn was made.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's what I would just say is it relates to kind of a special exemption under existing authority.
• So, we're not adding any additional regulatory authority.
• they have that administrative authority they have that administrative authority within<00:10:06.640
• Um, and so when it's complaint-driven, it's not a delegated authority like the feedlot law. 18B rests
• gives the department the authority. gives the department the authority.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 2576 was heard in committee and laid over for possible inclusion. Chair Hansen described the bill as a straightforward pesticide-container measure tied to open burning, explaining that empty pesticide containers should be rinsed and handled as solid waste rather than burned. He also noted he was not moving his A1 amendment, which had been drafted in hopes of including paraquat-ban language, and said he wanted members to consider what could be done rather than what could not. Members asked about the history and mechanics of pesticide-container recycling, including what the containers were turned into and how residue was removed. Hansen said the earlier recycling program used triple-rinsing and then shredding the plastic into products like curbs and some park benches, with the material intended for non-human-contact uses. Department of Agriculture staff and the bill author explained that pesticide labels govern disposal, that there is not uniform label language prohibiting burning, and that collection programs already exist through ag dealers and the department. Vice Chair Harder raised concerns that the bill was another regulation on agriculture and asked about penalties and enforcement. Hansen said any penalties would come from existing Pesticide Control Act authority, not new penalties in the bill, and that enforcement would be complaint-driven through the Department of Agriculture rather than counties. Assistant Commissioner Peter Chesnik said the language was developed in response to a Senate request and that a fiscal note may still be associated with related paraquat-ban language. After discussion, Hansen renewed his motion and the bill was laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, Senate Bill 1123, medical examiner's authorized person, outlines guidelines
• for an authorized person performing the duties of a medical examiner.
• Madam Chair, members, Senate Bill 1123, medical examiner's authorized person outlines guidelines for
• an authorized person performing the duties of a medical examiner.
• SB 1142, federal tax authorization scholarships, creates the administrative oversight to ensure that

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard a long series of Senate bills, mostly on third-read consent, covering education, public safety, health, courts, labor, and water. Several bills were briefly explained and then pulled from consent for further discussion, including measures on public records review standards (SB 1078), sexually explicit materials in schools/libraries (SB 1435 and SB 1567), burial costs in death cases (SB 1135), military flags in HOAs/COAs (SB 1184), court-ordered treatment guardianship (SB 1243), standardized state hiring (SB 1665), released-time religious instruction (SB 1741), firearm safety instruction in schools (SB 1424), student participation in extracurriculars after certain convictions (SB 1475), Celebrate Freedom Week (SB 1572), federal scholarship-granting organizations/vouchers (SB 1142), immigration-related arrest notifications (SB 1055), defamation standards (SB 1099), peace officer certification for military police veterans (SB 1107), mandatory reporting of child abuse/neglect directly to DCS (SB 1127), attorney licensing and discipline issues (SB 1148 and SB 1039), concealed weapons on college campuses (SB 1068), and firearm muffling devices/silencers (SB 1069). Members also raised constitutional, policy, and school-safety concerns on several of these bills, while supporters emphasized alternative pathways for students, veterans, and workers, and tighter reporting or licensing rules. Other bills were described without extended debate, including claims against the state for unpaid contracted services (SB 1097), workers’ compensation death benefits for surviving spouses who remarry (SB 1136), burial expense increases (SB 1135), state agency web pages for internal guidance (SB 1586), court-ordered treatment procedures and service of process in mental health cases (SB 1113), medical examiner authorization (SB 1123), tribal MOUs with DCS (SB 1125), controlled-substance scheduling conformity with federal classifications (SB 1188), EMT personal information protections (SB 1193), mammography notice updates (SB 1318), assisted-living referral disclosures (SB 1477), accommodation school GED instruction for 11th graders and students over 16 (SB 1166), credit enhancement board continuation (SB 1422), school district and charter school obligations related to religious release time (SB 1741), school firearm safety instruction (SB 1424), and school civics/freedom-week instruction (SB 1572). The committee also heard bills on CPA certification pathways (SB 1181), insurance adjuster licensing (SB 1415), county voter-registration rules online (SB 1040), campaign address privacy (SB 1259), federal land acquisition notification (SB 1281), water supply/demand assessments (SB 1202), environmental compatibility for power plants and small modular reactors (SB 1418), and groundwater recovery rules (SB 1785). The meeting ended with announcements and a brief recognition of Rep. Stephanie Hamilton with an “Affordability Award.” No final votes are shown in the transcript excerpt; instead, many bills were either left on consent, pulled for later discussion, or flagged for closed caucus. The chair then asked guests to leave so members could hold a closed caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• to be used to employ professional educators and service personnel if the county board receives authorization
• Additionally, the insurance commissioner is granted rulemaking authority and is required to report on
• Next is relating to authorizing the Insurance Commissioner to promulgate a legislative rule relating
• But the relevant legislative... ...authority is also corrected.
• B&O taxpayers would be authorized to pay their taxes using this system.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Authorities noted video temple grounds.
• wondering uh to the author, did AI draft wondering uh to the author, did AI draft this<01:14:33.280><
• <01:45:48.239> by House File 3407 is authored by House File 3407 is authored by Representative
• Prior authorization is the top again.
• Just want to they have the authority.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• expropriating authority.
• That gives the ability for us to exercise the authority to make them be a good landman.
• Let's get a co-author sheet for that.
• , and that's exactly what it does by vesting plenary statutory authority in the state.
• The author doesn't have an objection. I don't know if he has an objection.

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met on April 29, 2026, with a quorum present and took up several bills related to property rights, expropriation, renewable energy recycling, and local permitting. Representative Domangue first presented HCR 80 on private property rights, using it to highlight the 2025 landman code of conduct and the need for stronger guardrails in expropriation negotiations. She then deferred the resolution in order to allow Chairman Geymann to present HB 841, which was described as establishing a code of conduct for landmen and expropriation-related negotiations. The committee heard testimony and watched video examples from landowners describing intimidation, inadequate compensation offers, and the need for fair treatment. Amendments were adopted to broaden the bill to all certificate holders, prohibit threats about court costs and attorney fees, shorten response times, and add graduated fines and public posting for violations. HB 841 was reported favorably as amended, with no opposition cards recorded. The committee then considered HB 621 by Representative Coates, which would require recycling of decommissioned renewable energy infrastructure to the extent practical. After discussion with DEQ, the bill was amended to clarify that existing universal waste rules apply and to remove language that would have required the renewable facility owner to pay decommissioning costs in that section; the effective date was set for January 1, 2027. Testimony from renewable energy industry representatives supported the measure and explained that solar panels and related components can be recycled at high rates, with established markets for recovered materials. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 621 favorably. Next, Representative Jacob Landry presented HB 595, aimed at preventing local governments from unreasonably delaying or impeding energy projects through permit requirements, especially road permits affecting Haynesville Shale operations. After amendment, the bill required timely action on local road permits and deemed them approved if not acted on within 30 days. Supporters emphasized the economic importance of the Haynesville and the need for predictable permitting, while opponents argued the bill could further erode local authority, particularly regarding carbon capture and sequestration. The committee reported HB 595 favorably. Landry then presented HB 1191, creating a certificate of compliance process for oilfield and exploration and production sites to provide a cleaner path for cleanup, finality, and future investment. The bill drew technical and substantive amendments, including changes to definitions, confidentiality, and the role of DEQ; discussion continued over whether the bill should be deferred to allow more time to work through the remaining issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have no authority over the Texas Medical Board.
• Balance authority for the prescription monitoring program.
• But currently, what they used was the authority they have regarding opioids.
• That bill gave them the authority to reject any medical prescription.
• Add Texas State University System to the list of agencies authorized to purchase aircraft.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DHS will have more authority programs.
• distributors. 2.21 to 2.27 27 authorizes distributors. 2.21 to 2.27 27 authorizes the<00:28:20.000
• discussion before we go to the author discussion before we go to the author for<00:34:31.359>
• reflects that discussion with the author reflects that discussion with the author and<01:55:04.639
• And I co-authored because I version.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Procurement authority in this agency lived in one person.
• They don't have release authority. But what they have and what they call it is placement authority.
• And that's a lot of authority, and a lot of people don't want to have legislative limits on their authority
• We put it in place, and that's under my authority, and that's confinement.
• The DOCR has had that in their authority since 1989, when we were built.

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence for a deceased member, then approved the April minutes and heard a presentation from HHS on the Diversion Task Force and related youth services grants. Chelsea Florey described the $750,000 one-time appropriation from HB 1012, the five awarded grants, and how programs in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot are using the funds for youth diversion, including school-based groups, physical activity, and services for problematic sexual behavior. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, family engagement, service silos, and whether diversion eligibility rules are too rigid; Florey said the task force is focused on better coordination, broader education about available services, and possible changes to diversion criteria, with the Children’s Cabinet likely to drive broader recommendations. The committee then received a North Dakota Lottery biennium report from Director Thomas Lawler, who reviewed the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, player programs, and revenue distribution. He reported about $67 million in ticket sales for the 2023-2025 biennium, about $16.2 million transferred overall, including roughly $13.6 million to the general fund, plus transfers to drug task force and compulsive gambling funds. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether it is set by statute. Next, the Department of Corrections presented on criminal justice data sharing and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that jails, courts, DOCR, HHS, and other entities use separate systems with limited interoperability, making real-time communication largely manual. He outlined possible hub or point-to-point IT solutions, but noted cost, vendor, identifier, and data-definition challenges. Robin Schmolenberger followed with an update on a Medicaid data exchange project between DOCR and HHS to suspend and reactivate inmate Medicaid coverage automatically and improve care coordination, with full bi-directional exchange expected in fall 2026. The committee also heard from county representatives on 24-7 sobriety program fees and an AG opinion allowing local sheriffs to use cheaper testing options when courts waive fees. Finally, the North Dakota Racing Commission reviewed a troubling audit. Bruce Johnson acknowledged serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, missing grant documentation, a reversed decision on breeders fund eligibility, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has begun corrective actions, including monthly tracking of the promotion fund cap, stricter grant documentation, written procurement procedures, and clearer eligibility rules in condition books. Members pressed him on how the overspending occurred, whether the commission board would impose consequences, and whether statutory clarification is needed on the promotion fund limit and related spending rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• question question there but the author question question there but the author did<00:34:29.480><
• the form that the author the form that the author wishes<01:04:43.760> uh<01:04:44.359>
• Author, to your bill. Thank you, Chair Quam and members.
• <01:06:49.440> to<01:06:49.640> your adopted uh author to your adopted uh author to
• Any other—does the author have a rebuttal to the hostile?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• sufficient bonding authority sufficient bonding authority um<00:09:12.800> so<00:09:13.040
• know perhaps that bonding authority know perhaps that bonding authority could<00:09:23.040> be
• Authority. Authority. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
• mightily to increase the the authority mightily to increase the the authority there.<02:00:53.199
• through the housing finance authority through the housing finance authority and<02:01:50.080>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Authorizing a funding activities.
• <00:31:48.320> forward<00:31:48.640> these authors who have brought forward these authors
• I acknowledge that authorizing does not mean mandating.
• I acknowledge that authorizing does not mean mandating.
• I acknowledge that authorizing does not mean mandating.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are authorizing state universities and college systems to be able to authorize a School of Hope, similar
• For purposes of Florida law, SB 1606 authorizes patients and their guardians, caregivers, and authorized
• For purposes of Florida law, SB 1606, authorizes patients and their guardians, caregivers, and authorized
• authority from the patient.
• have to give authority in written form, because all of the providers require a signed authorization

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and a remembrance of former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron. The chamber then moved to special order bills. CS/HB 687 on transportation offenses involving death was substituted for SB 138, amended to add warnings and penalties for refusal of breath or urine tests, and passed 37-0. CS/SB 306 on Medicaid providers, requiring broader after-hours access and network availability for Medicaid enrollees, also passed 37-0. The Senate then took up CS/CS/HB 913 on condominium associations, a major post-Surfside reform bill. Senator Bradley explained that the measure was intended to provide financial relief and flexibility while preserving safety and accountability. The bill was substituted for SB 1742, amended several times to limit milestone inspections and structural integrity reserve studies to buildings three habitable stories or more, and then passed 37-0 after extensive debate. Senators from both parties praised Bradley, Pizzo, Garcia, and staff for years of work on condo safety and affordability, with several members describing the bill as a balance between protecting residents and avoiding financial hardship. The final major item was CS/HB 1205, the bill on amendments to the state constitution and citizen petition drives. Sponsors Gates and Grohl argued the bill was needed to combat fraud, identity theft, and misuse in the petition process, citing a lengthy Office of Election Crimes and Security report. The House bill was substituted for SB 7016, and the chamber considered a long series of amendments and substitute amendments addressing petition circulator registration, volunteer participation, submission deadlines, invalid-signature thresholds, voter notification, and fiscal impact statements. Several amendments were adopted, while others were debated over whether they would protect access to the citizen initiative process or strengthen election integrity. The transcript ends during debate on the main substitute amendment, before final disposition on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and conferees, it is a line item transfer authority to allow them to transfer funding from their
• Well, I think what we did on that is we gave them the authority to use $2 an hour plus the three and
• This would allow them the increase; this gives them the authority if they have to do the contract.
• This would allow them the increase; this gives them the authority if they have to do the contract piece
• Senator Mathern, yes, I think we ought to give them that authority, and that amount probably makes sense

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on Senate Bill 2007 met to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, which concerned funding and staffing flexibility for the Soldiers’ Home/Veterans Home. Members agreed to restore the FTEs to the pool and to keep the $200,000 and $100,000 items in the bill, with discussion noting that the money would come from the Soldiers’ Home fund and would only be used if needed. The main remaining issue was line-item transfer authority. Staff explained that the transfer provision would let the facility move money between salaries and wages and operating expenses, including contract nursing, to address staffing shortages at a 24/7 facility. Members discussed the difference between the House and Senate versions, with the House allowing up to $600,000 in transfers and the Senate version allowing $400,000. The committee concluded that the higher amount would provide needed flexibility without increasing overall spending authority. A motion was made to adopt the conference committee changes, including restoring the FTE pool and changing the transfer authority to $600,000, and then give Senate Bill 2007 a do pass recommendation as amended. The motion passed by roll call, and the conference committee hearing was closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:09.360> Its<00:11:09.600> author, pros in modern history.
• Its author, pros in modern history.
• She's an accomplished author, publishing more than 500 articles and a book on essays.
• I will yield four minutes to my good friend from Florida, the author of this Florida, the author of this
• Uh, could the author explain to me... Explain to me which forces would be removed.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 29, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That does not fall under the regulatory authority of food and lodging currently.
• Tied to that was the authorization of transport.
• And then your authority, and like you said, you don't have statutory authority.
• And then your authority, and like you said, you don't have statutory authority.
• I believe we have the authority to do that, do we not? Okay.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first approved the December 3 minutes, then heard a request from the Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice to amend its proposed rule on exempt test methods to add certain closed-system DNA/RNA tests, including rhinovirus. After testimony explaining that the board had considered late comments from BioMérieux and wanted the rule record to reflect that review, the committee agreed to a limited amendment and passed the motion unanimously. The Department of Agriculture then outlined broad rule updates affecting dairy, eggs, poultry, pesticides, animal health, environmental mitigation, and the Egg Product Utilization Commission. The commissioner said the changes mostly clarified existing requirements, updated references, and reduced some burdens, such as easing dairy hauler training/licensing timing and clarifying out-of-state grade A milk language. Members asked about dairy industry decline, the APUC scoring system, and the rationale for the milk-hauler and out-of-state milk provisions. The State Board of Dental Examiners presented extensive rule changes tied to recent legislation and workforce issues, including a new professional health program for dentists, expanded duties for assistants and hygienists, broader local anesthetic authority for hygienists, and fee increases to fund the program and cover administrative costs. Testimony from Dr. Edward May strongly supported the professional health program based on his own recovery experience. The committee also heard from Game and Fish on rules easing some guide/outfitter experience requirements, allowing electronic exams, and modifying boating safety equipment rules, with no public comment and no fiscal impact. Later, Health and Human Services received approval for an extension to update tattoo/body art rules and a separate motion to repeal an obsolete nurse aide training chapter. HHS also described nursing facility rule updates, lodging sanitation revisions, and related clarifications on licensing, safety, pest control, and fire requirements. The Department of Environmental Quality received an extension for septic-system installer rules, and also presented rules for above-ground storage tanks and water/wastewater operator certification, including new fees and third-party testing options. The Industrial Commission’s oil and gas division described multiple rule changes, some withdrawn after comments, including drilling unit flexibility, site stability, wildfire authority, and streamlined transport/reporting procedures. Finally, DPI began presenting several rule packages, including school construction loan limits, school bus standards, cooperative agreements, special education rules for public charter schools, and new math curriculum and intervention requirements.