Transcript Highlights:

• Time management, so that work-life balance; voice and decision-making, how much do educators actually
• A big one that comes up is work-life balance and workload, right?
• We have 15% have said they strongly disagree that they can have this job and have work-life balance,
• How do we have a... ...work-life balance, right? And strongly, but 40% also said they agree.
• And so it's one of the, you think sort of a balanced scorecard, actually sort of adding this idea of

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The meeting began with a student performance from Horizon Middle School Show Choir, including songs from an eighth grade concert and the show choir piece “The Body Electric.” After the performance, Deputy Superintendent Donna Fishbeck spoke on behalf of State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler in support of music education, emphasizing its benefits for creativity, collaboration, school climate, and student development, and noting the department’s support for music grants and professional development. She also highlighted the North Dakota Music Educators Association’s role in expanding access and quality in music education. The committee then heard a presentation from Vital Network, introduced as a DPI-funded effort focused on teacher retention. Nate Eklund and Dr. Aaron Rob described the organization’s work with schools and districts to reduce educator burnout by improving workplace conditions, especially around time management, voice in decision-making, and care/support. They said the program uses surveys, dashboards, advisory support, and facilitated school and district processes to identify local friction points and help educators and leaders solve them, with examples ranging from simplifying material requests to improving PLC time and communication. They stressed that retention is driven more by workplace conditions than pay alone, and that solutions must be local rather than one-size-fits-all. Members asked about rural teacher overload, sustainability after grant funding ends, and whether the model could inform broader policy or continuing education reforms. Vital representatives said the work is designed to be embedded in district systems and strategic plans so it can continue beyond their direct involvement, and that the approach aligns with the state’s teacher retention and recruitment task force recommendations. They reported serving about half of North Dakota educators across roughly 50 districts, with partnerships through regional education associations to reach rural areas. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to have a balance here, so on any bill I'm voting on, I'd like to hear both sides.
• Without proper checks and balances, these homes create opportunities for exploitation of both residents
• Enforcement and what guardrails would be in place to create a balance between the caretaker and the patient
• I want to have a balance here, so on any bill I'm voting on, I'd like to hear both sides.
• Representative Dorazio, I think definitely we want a balance. There's no doubt about that.

Bills: HB2510, HB3589, HB4611, HB4655, HB4665, HB4666, HB4670, HB4700, HB4730, HB4798, HB4838, HB5136, HB5243, HB5302, HB5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1987, this bill brings back balance and sustainability to the program by setting sustainable interest
• accounts or non maturing deposit accounts provided that the the accounts meet or exceed the same minimum balance
• The money to sit on our balance sheet be sold effect overnight call.
• But I think that this bill strikes the right balance of the floor of the as you heard, 22 to 25 million
• We have checks and balances in those other companies, whether they care insurance or not, someone's gonna

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Establishing conditions for the reversion of unexpended balances, directing the expenditure of certain
• The estimated balance on the projects included in the bill as of this past January is $262.7 million.
• And we're hoping, you know, at the beginning of the session, we might be able to do that, but just balanced
• years, with triggers in the bill that state if the fund at the end of 2025 drops below a certain balance
• years, with triggers in the bill that state if the fund at the end of 2025 drops below a certain balance

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 8 is a request for a new rider to provide unexpended balance as authority. within the biennium for
• So you'll see item one is a technical adjustment to show unexpended balance authority for the agency.
• Item five is the request to show unexpended balance authority at the The bond debt service payment, end
• of article appropriations, and item six is request to show unexpended balance authority for the lease
• And then item 2, they're requesting a new rider to provide unexpended balance authority for the the Texas

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you all know, the state has a constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget every year.
• Hopefully, this will help you all keep track to make sure that you are on track to pass a balanced budget
• You can see revenues at the top, in the middle there, and what your total balance is at the bottom.
• It's something that you can count on because it's based on a five-year average of the balances of those
• Eventually, you know, what do we present, you know, as a balance? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Transcript Highlights:

• been almost a year since we sat on this floor and collectively made a decision that the way we would balance
• </c><00:05:51.720><c> way</c><00:05:52.000><c> we</c><00:05:52.160><c> would</c><00:05:52.360><c> balance
• </c> decision that the way we would balance decision that the way we would balance our<00:05:53.080><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll be presenting that to our board for a balanced budget, which is required by us by the end of this
• And we will work very diligently to make sure that the agency is in a good spot and can produce a balanced
• I'll be presenting that to our board for a balanced budget, which is required by us by the end of this
• And we will work very diligently to make sure that the agency is in a good spot and can produce a balanced

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met to consider a series of gubernatorial nominations, first for several boards and commissions and then for key health-related executive positions. Early confirmations included Michael Vaughn to the Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Tina Frazier to the State Board of Licensed Social Workers, Dr. Kanya Martin and Dr. Edgar Boyd to the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dr. Christopher Thurman to the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Samuel Haubrick and Robert Wipp Jr. to the Committee of Home Inspector Examiners, and Dr. Gabriel Pittman to the State Board of Health. Each nominee briefly described their background and qualifications, and committee members generally emphasized professional experience, public service, and rural health needs. All of these nominations advanced on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then considered Clayton Bullard for two roles: Cabinet Secretary of Health and Mental Health and Administrator of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Senators focused heavily on Medicaid managed care, provider payment delays, MCO oversight, and the short timeline before a new administration. Bullard said his priority would be stabilizing the agency, building a balanced budget, monitoring contractors and managed care organizations, and ensuring claims are paid promptly; he reported high rates of clean-claim payment within 14 days and said the agency would continue fining MCOs for noncompliance. Members also pressed him on legislative oversight and the need to keep lawmakers informed about policy changes. Both nominations were approved and sent to the full Senate. Sharon Schell Millington was then nominated to lead the Office of Juvenile Affairs. Senators asked about security concerns, staff safety, de-escalation training, pay for direct care staff, and coordination with local law enforcement. Millington said the agency had increased staff pay, adopted nationally recognized restraint/de-escalation training, and was working to improve communication with law enforcement. Her nomination also passed and moved to the Senate floor. At the end of the meeting, the chair answered a question about board membership requirements, clarified that the statute limits how many members may reside in one congressional district but does not require every district to be represented, and thanked committee staff for their work as the committee’s final HHS meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of the Senate, myself as chair, Hashimoto as co-chair for the balance of the members.
• On behalf of the Senate, myself as chair, Hashimoto as co-chair for the balance of the members.
• On behalf of the Senate, myself as chair, Rhodes Hashimoto co-chairs for the balance of the members.
• On behalf of the Senate, myself as chair, Rhodes Hashimoto co-chairs for the balance of the members.

Bills: SB2876, SB3253, SB2125, SB2781, HB549, HB1768, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB1515, SB2835, HB2282, SB3083, SB2031, SB2519, SB2667, SB2140, SB2544, SB2069, SB2697, SB874, SB2043, SB888, SB2721, HB2152, HB1334, HB2385, HB1643, HB2314, HB1688, HB1692, SB2568, SB2983, SB2108, SB3136, HB1959, SB3156, HB1511, HB1753, HB1824, HB2137, HB1810, HB2279, HB2309, HB1548, HB2078, HB2293, SB3262, SB2169, SB2607, SB2964, SB3255, HB2576, HB1481, HB1864, HB1550, SB2818, SB3067, SB2061, HB1728, HB1881, HB2361, HB2395, HB1823, SB2050, SB2397, SB2175, SB2852, SB847, SB3001

Keywords: natural hair braiding, hair braiding, braids, braider, braiding license, cosmetology, barbering, barber board, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, registration, licensure exemption, sanitation training, health and safety, hair extensions, cornrows, twists, locks, protective hairstyles, beauty industry, occupational licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we're conservative on revenues, but can we be conservative on expenditures and try to balance
• contract, to approve an extension for one year as well as an increase in the contract financial fund balance
• Any questions you may have regarding that request for extensions for the date and the balance?
• The balance. I see no questions. Great. Thank you all. Thank you.

Summary: The committee first adopted the fiscal status statement and five-year baseline summary after a brief discussion about how the baseline percentages are calculated and why projected expenditures exceed revenues in later years, with staff explaining that inflation assumptions drive much of the increase. The Office of Facility Planning and Control then received approval for several items: adding eight higher education deferred maintenance projects, approving a $412,993 change order for LSU’s Jesse Coates Building project, reporting four smaller change orders for information, and combining two Hornbeck water projects into one expanded water plant/well and distribution plan. The committee also approved a two-year extension for UL Lafayette’s Banner ERP consulting contract and approved additional Water Sector Commission funding of $5.5 million for the Tensas Water District Association, with a $100,000 local commitment noted. The most extensive discussion centered on a proposed tax increment financing package for a new 1,000-room Omni headquarters hotel adjacent to the New Orleans Convention Center. Project representatives said the hotel would require about $550 million in private investment, with the authority contributing land and $80 million, and that the package would dedicate state and local tax increments for 45 years after opening. Senators and representatives questioned the structure, the length of the incentive, the expected return to the state, possible cannibalization of existing hotel tax revenue, and why the convention center would receive a 1% stream for so long. Several members said they wanted more information on projected annual revenues and the overall return before voting, and the committee deferred the item to the next month. Later, Louisiana Economic Development requested one-year extensions for two marketing-related contracts with Zender Communications and Graham Group, and the Department of Education sought an amendment to the Odyssey contract for the Louisiana Gator program. The education discussion focused on the per-student cost of $143.50, the use of current enrollment and appropriation levels to set the contract ceiling, the fact that startup costs were no longer included, and the need for continuity before the current contract expires June 30. Members asked for an RFP to be considered for future years and for more information on student outcomes and actual spending. The committee took no vote on the education item during the discussion, and the meeting adjourned after the final exchanges.

Transcript Highlights:

• With thoughtful policy that balances disease prevention and economic viability, we have an opportunity
• 24.800><c> thoughtful</c><00:04:25.200><c> policy</c><00:04:26.440><c> that</c><00:04:26.640><c> balances
• </c> With thoughtful policy that balances With thoughtful policy that balances disease<00:04:27.600><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1621 offers a balanced and common-sense solution. Homeowners and renters.
• AB 1621 offers a balanced and common-sense solution that does not override local control or compromise
• And I think what this also does is strike a balance.
• agencies are accountable to their communities for the money they spend and are constantly striving to balance

Summary: The Local Government Committee met on March 25, 2026, hearing eight bills, with several measures focused on housing, water, and local government administration. AB 1621 by Assemblymember Wilson sought to speed post-entitlement housing permits by setting clearer timelines, limiting repeated plan checks, and restricting field changes that conflict with approved plans. Supporters from the building, apartment, business, and housing sectors said the bill would reduce delays and costs, while county and city representatives opposed it unless amended, warning it could limit local enforcement of building and environmental codes and create problems for incomplete applications. The bill passed after a roll call vote, with the committee noting it would continue working with local government groups on amendments. The committee also heard AB 1712, which would help Santa Fe Springs sell its small, financially strained water system to a larger regulated provider without requiring a municipal election, using a protest process instead. The author and city officials said the system faces contamination, major deferred maintenance, and rate increases that could otherwise triple; water industry representatives supported the bill and no opposition was heard. AB 2080, sponsored by county treasurers, would make county delegations of investment authority to treasurers ongoing until revoked rather than requiring annual renewal, with supporters saying it would reduce administrative burden and avoid technical lapses. AB 2640 would allow local governments to offset reductions in reimbursement for disallowed state mandate claims against other unpaid mandate reimbursements; Shasta County testified in support, describing a large audit disallowance and long-delayed state payments. Both bills passed. The committee also approved consent items AB 1622 and AB 1834. AB 2180, which would codify a framework for proportional water rates under Proposition 218 based on the Dreher decision, drew broad support from water agencies and local government groups, but opposition from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the California Association of Realtors, who argued the bill was premature while the Supreme Court reviews related case law. Despite that opposition, the bill passed on a 6-2 vote, and the remaining bills were advanced with roll calls left open for additional votes before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1621 offers a balanced and common sense solution. Homeowners and renters.
• AB 1621 offers a balanced and common sense solution that does not override local control or compromise
• And I think what this also does is strike a balance.
• agencies are accountable to their communities for the money they spend and are constantly striving to balance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Sometimes it's a little balance, too.
• sometimes<00:15:08.480><c> it's</c><00:15:08.639><c> a</c><00:15:08.880><c> little</c><00:15:09.040><c> balance
• </c> &gt;&gt; sometimes it's a little balance, too. &gt;&gt; sometimes it's a little balance, too.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first single piece of paper you'll see is the balance for the commemorative funds.
• If you were to spend all of these funds, your balance currently would be a little over $66,000.
• Your balance currently would be a little over $66,000 left in the commemorative funds.
• make sure for the next meeting we have that and then maybe work with LSO to see what exactly fund balance

Summary: The committee approved the February 13, 2020 minutes with one correction changing “America 250 subcommittee” to “America 250 Council.” Staff then provided a financial update showing about $66,000 remaining in commemorative funds, over $200,000 in expenditures, and seven celebration grants ready for approval, with additional grants still being scored. Members also discussed an A250 “I Voted” sticker proposal costing $12,992; concerns were raised about whether counties already cover printing costs and whether funds should be reserved for later needs, and the motion ultimately failed on a 3-3 tie vote. Updates followed on the America 250 ambassador and celebration efforts, including school and community events, a growing service challenge nearing 96,900 acts of service, quilt displays, and plans to bring the Liberty Bell replica to counties. The committee heard requests for a steel transport stand not to exceed $18,500 and a custom trailer not to exceed $23,325, with discussion about safety, durability, and possible future use of the trailer. Members also received updates on the Governor’s Task Force and federal partnership activities, including the May 1 Initial Point event, a July 5 “America’s potluck,” museum exhibits, White House-related programs, and a March 30 deadline for the “America’s Field Trip” program. Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller described a “Liberty Grove” tree-planting project on endowment land, likely at one of several sites between Coeur d’Alene and McCall, to be coordinated with local leaders and timed for spring conditions. The committee then approved grant disbursements for Blaine County and the cities of Dietrich, Grace, Nespers, Orofino, Pierce, and Twin Falls. Members tentatively scheduled the next meeting for Monday, March 23, and adjourned after noting that additional grant applications were still being reviewed.

Transcript Highlights:

• In summary, this is just a breakdown of the uncommitted balance moving each meeting.
• So then, on financial control, they don't see a negative cash balance.
• will do a complete audit and reconciliation of every single bond, identify what the true uncommitted balance
• the financing structure is so that we guys have that and we're not continuing to chase kind of the balances

Transcript Highlights:

• couple years to work through, had to get a lot of folks talking and understanding, okay, how do we balance
• the need to find folks who are willing... ...talking and understanding, okay, how do we balance the
• For us, it was about finding a balance with meeting those demands and, you know,... ...was about finding
• a balance with meeting those demands and yet also having a system in place that allows the normal water

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several water and energy-related measures. Senate Bill 1337, by Sen. Anthon, would allow landowners in irrigation districts of 15,000 acres or less to serve as directors from a division they own land in if they live in a county adjoining the district, with a two-thirds board vote required; the Idaho Water Users Association supported the change, and the committee sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 737, presented by Sen. Den Hartog, would merge the Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources with the Office of Species Conservation to improve coordination and efficiency; Idaho Water Users Association supported it, while Sen. Taylor noted concern about conservation funding, and the bill was advanced on a due pass vote. Senate Bill 1303, by Sen. Woodward, would broaden support for the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources and expand the revenue language from renewable energy to renewable or sustainable energy sources, including discussion of hydro and nuclear; Renewable Northwest testified in support, and the committee moved it forward with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 503, by Sen. Harris, would transfer the Soil and Water Conservation Commission from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Water Resources, with supporters citing efficiency and alignment with the commission’s mission; it also received a due pass recommendation. House Bill 676, by Sen. Cook, would allow municipal geothermal systems to be treated as a municipal purpose under future water-needs planning, while requiring non-consumptive use and reinjection; Boise officials, water users, and conservation advocates supported it, while a Boise-Warm Springs Water District representative raised concerns about statutory scope and aquifer impacts, and the committee still advanced the bill. Finally, House Joint Memorial 14, also by Sen. Cook, urged development of 750,000 acre-feet of new water storage in Idaho by 2100, using American Falls’ relocation and reservoir history as context for the need for future storage. The Idaho Water Users Association and Idaho Grain Producers Association supported the memorial, and the committee sent it to the floor with a recommendation that it be approved. All measures considered in the transcript were advanced, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• couple years to work through, had to get a lot of folks talking and understanding, okay, how do we balance
• the need to find folks who are willing... ...talking and understanding, okay, how do we balance the
• For us, it was about finding a balance with meeting those demands and, you know, Was about finding a
• balance with meeting those demands and yet also having a system in place that allows the normal water

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several water and energy-related measures. Senate Bill 1337 would allow, in small irrigation districts of 15,000 acres or less, a landowner to serve as a director from a division where they own land even if they live in a county adjoining the district, if approved by a two-thirds vote of the local board. Supporters said the change addresses board recruitment problems caused by farm consolidation in rural areas. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 737 proposed merging the Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources with the Office of Species Conservation to improve coordination, permitting, and operational efficiency, with supporters citing modest savings and a one-stop-shop approach. Senator Taylor noted concern that the merger could shift funding away from species conservation, and written testimony opposing the merger was referenced, but the committee still voted to advance the bill. Senate Bill 1303 would expand support for the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources by broadening the revenue language from renewable energy to renewable or sustainable energy sources, with testimony emphasizing Idaho’s need for more generation and transmission; it was also sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also approved House Bill 503, which transfers the Soil and Water Conservation Commission from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Water Resources, with proponents describing it as a government-efficiency measure aligned with the commission’s mission. House Bill 676 drew extensive testimony on Boise’s geothermal heating system and would allow municipal geothermal systems to be treated as a municipal purpose under the reasonably anticipated future needs statute, while requiring non-consumptive use and reinjection; supporters said it would help Boise plan for expansion, while an opponent argued the bill alters a drinking-water statute and could affect aquifer users. After questions about oversight and reinjection, the committee voted to send it to the floor. Finally, House Joint Memorial 14, urging development of 750,000 acre-feet of new water storage in Idaho by 2100, was supported as a long-term water-security measure and was approved for the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, in sum, I want to close by acknowledging the key regulatory challenge, which is to balance the
• challenge</c><00:09:19.680><c> which</c><00:09:19.920><c> is</c><00:09:20.000><c> to</c><00:09:20.240><c> balance
• </c> regulatory challenge which is to balance regulatory challenge which is to balance the<00:09:20.959

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• a consistent loud voice against any increases in criminal penalties, I mean, there's got to be a balance
• I think that provides a great balance and context to sentencing guideline commissions.
• I mean, I think there's maybe a check and balance here that we're missing.
• And I can see the balance that they would provide in context to this type of organization here that maybe

Bills: SB5925, SB6086, SB6074, SB5962, SB6296, SGA9272, SGA9255, SGA9256, SGA9271

Keywords: Attorney General, civil investigative demand, CID, subpoena-like demand, investigative authority, consumer protection, civil enforcement, pre-suit investigation, document production, interrogatories, deposition, oral testimony, confidentiality, trade secrets, judicial review, enforcement action, Washington RCW, law enforcement powers, government transparency, due process