Transcript Highlights:

• The council was created with the executive order from the governor in November of 2025.
• And so in the executive order, there was a scope of work that the interagency council was supposed to
• The executive order included a scope of work that the interagency council was supposed to undertake,
• I'm the executive director of YouthWorks. YouthWorks has been around this state for 40 years.
• To my understanding, the principal steps to get the program operational were never executed.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I was working on my Executive MBA, of course, I didn't have to go there as much because Anderson
• This is my executive officer, Commander Seth Powell. I've been with UNM NROTC now for three years.
• I'm the executive director for the Navajo Nation Veterans Administration.
• Execution practices.
• To where they need to be for execution.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Christina Valenzuela on behalf of Executive Office on Aging.
• <00:47:05.359> Office Valenzuela on behalf of Executive Office Valenzuela on behalf of Executive
• We have on Zoom the Executive Office on Aging in support.
• Christina Valenzuela with the Executive Office on Aging.
• Yuko Arikawa, director of the Executive Office on Early Learning.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 963, which would make crimes against elders age 60 and over strict liability offenses by removing the requirement that the perpetrator knew or should have known the victim’s age. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that removing the state-of-mind element would create unfair and subjective results and suggesting sentencing enhancements or broader vulnerability-based language instead. Supporters, including Sandy Wong and another testifier with elder-abuse experience, said the current knowledge requirement creates a loophole that lets offenders avoid the elder enhancement even when they target vulnerable older adults. No vote was taken on the measure in the portion provided. The committee also heard HB 384, which increases penalties for promoting minor-produced sexual images, extends probation terms for felony obscenity offenses, tolls the statute of limitations during a victim’s minority, and requires sex offender registration for certain felony obscenity offenses involving minors. The Public Defender opposed the bill as overly broad and warned of absurd results, while the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney supported it, saying the bill addresses sextortion and other exploitation cases where adults solicit images from minors and that the 3-year age-gap threshold preserves ordinary teen relationships. Committee members questioned whether the bill was aimed at adults only and whether the age-gap carveout was narrow enough; the prosecutor said it was intended to cover adult predators and not consensual peer conduct. No final action was reported. HB 1100, which renames the Neighbor Islands Blind and Visually Impaired Service Pilot Program to use “low vision” instead of “visually impaired,” was supported by the Department of Human Services and disability advocates, who said the current term is derogatory and that the change responds to the blind community. The department said it was beginning work on administrative rules and expected to seek an appropriation, with implementation hoped for in 2026. The committee then heard HB 1283, exempting paternity proceedings from mediation when domestic abuse is alleged; the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and others supported it as consistent with divorce law and important for survivor safety. HB 689, creating safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement help, drew support from HPD, Emua Alliance, the Judiciary, and others, who said it would prevent traffickers from using prostitution charges to silence victims. Finally, HB 383, reinstating mandatory minimum jail terms for successive violations of protective orders and removing the court’s ability to suspend those minimums, drew opposition from the Public Defender, who said some repeat violations stem from mental health or substance use issues, and support from the Prosecuting Attorney, who argued the bill treats protective orders like temporary restraining orders and preserves judicial discretion within a misdemeanor framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• Executive Office on Aging, in support. Carolyn, are you present? I see you on Zoom. Please proceed.
• Next, Executive Office on Aging providing comments. Carolyn, please proceed. You have one minute.
• Next, Executive Office on Aging providing comments. Carolyn, please proceed. You have one minute.
• Next, Executive Office on Aging providing comments. Carolyn, please proceed. You have one minute.
• Next, Executive Office on Aging providing comments. Carolyn, please proceed.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Labor and Technology committee heard testimony on SB 447, a Department of Health pilot program related to recruitment, and SB 1043, a tax measure. On SB 447, the Department of Health said the pilot had streamlined hiring by delaying minimum-qualification review until later in the process, while the Department of Human Resources Development objected that parts of the bill could conflict with civil service rules, due process rights, and equal pay requirements. Several labor and employee groups testified, with some supporting the pilot as a way to address vacancies and others warning about merit-system concerns. The committee later voted to pass SB 447 as is. On SB 1043, testimony was mixed but largely focused on the bill’s tax changes, especially the proposed increase to the general excise tax and exemptions or credits for lower-income households. Supporters, including labor groups and housing/worker advocates, argued the bill would reduce burdens on working families, help with food insecurity, and keep residents in Hawaiʻi. Opponents, including the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and some community witnesses, said the general excise tax is regressive and would raise costs across the state. The committee voted to advance SB 1043 with substantial amendments, deleting most of the bill except section two and setting a far-future effective date, while noting the fiscal impact had not been provided. The committee also deferred SB 633 and later deferred SB 1633 for further decision-making, scheduling continued consideration for February 12, 2025, in Room 225. The hearing included standard instructions on one-minute testimony, written testimony, and Zoom procedures, and the committee adjourned after taking the above actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, if you ask for a recount, we can talk more about that in executive session, but right now...
• Okay, do I have a motion to go into executive session? So moved.
• I have a motion to go into executive session. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed?
• When I have it, we are in executive session. Going right down the list, Senate Bill 11.
• We have a motion to come out of executive. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say nay.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m deputy executive director at the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute.
• I’m deputy executive director at the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute.
• I am the executive Uh I am Larry Taylor.
• Autism on behalf of our Executive Autism on behalf of our Executive Director<01:02:31.800> Tal
• It's going to require the executive branch.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:04:21.720> of Darren Brooten, executive director of Darren Brooten, executive director
• My name is Darren Brooten, executive director of Minnesota AgriGrowth.
• Lucas Sjostrom, executive director of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association.
• I'm the executive director of the Environmental Quality Board.
• :54.640> Environmental executive director of the Environmental executive director of the Environmental

Bills: HF4740, HF3940

Keywords: financial assurance, feedlot permits, manure storage, environmental compliance, agriculture regulation, abandoned infrastructure, pollution control, environmental impact, animal feedlot, livestock, regulations, Minnesota Rules

Summary: The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 4740, authored by Rep. Hansen, which would require feedlots with at least 1,000 animal units to provide financial assurance for closure costs. Hansen argued the bill would shift cleanup responsibility from taxpayers to owners, citing abandoned feedlots, changing ownership structures, and the 2024 Pure Prairie Poultry bankruptcy as examples of why public funds should not be used for closures and cleanup. He also said the bill would apply to new or renewed permits and suggested a statutory definition of abandoned feedlot storage units may be needed. Farm and livestock groups testified in opposition. Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Milk Producers Association, Minnesota Pork Producers Association, and Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation said existing MPCA and county permit rules already require closure planning and reporting, and that the bill would add unnecessary costs and barriers for family farms, beginning farmers, and expansion. They warned the financial assurance requirement could function like an animal-unit cap, encourage fragmentation or out-of-state relocation, and impose annual costs that would not improve environmental outcomes. Several testified that true abandonment is rare and that current permitting and closure processes already address it. MPCA staff said the agency has concerns with the bill, noted there is currently no formal fiscal note, and said the agency would need to ensure any appropriations cover ongoing staffing needs. MPCA officials explained that permitted feedlots already must notify the agency before closure, follow a checklist of closure requirements, and undergo follow-up inspection; they said abandonment notifications are uncommon and they are not aware of any currently permitted facilities in abandonment process. Members questioned whether the bill was needed, what form financial assurance would take, how other states handle similar requirements, and whether the proposal would unfairly burden smaller or family operations. No vote on HF 4740 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Per state policies, grantees should not be paid for work before the contracts are fully executed.
• One staff member shared that the executive leadership has repeatedly shown staff that they won't take
• One staff member shared that the executive leadership has repeatedly shown staff that they won't take
• <00:25:07.800> focus<00:25:08.400> and bringing executive-level focus and bringing
• So, the first is you executive branch.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's saying that this state has a much larger budget but a smaller chief executive budget.
• So it's just statistic in how we do our budgeting. maintains an executive office budget in maintains
• an executive office budget in similar<00:27:16.799> range similar range similar range through<
• So it's just statistic executive budget.
• > for<01:23:23.600> the I'm the executive director for the I'm the executive director for

Bills: SF0071, SF0088, SF0056

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

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the executive director Britt Borl.
• I am the executive director for<00:17:19.839> WYO<00:17:20.240> United.
• 21:09.039> Wyoming executive director of the Wyoming executive director of the Wyoming Medical
• I am the executive director of Life Choice Pregnancy Care Center.
• My name is Katie Kennedy, and I'm the executive director of Wellspring Health Access.

Bills: HB0003, HB0004

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, medical assistance, birthing centers, Medicaid, Wyoming, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a year ago a governance report that was pretty scathing to just the staff's interaction with the executive
• a year ago a governance report that was pretty scathing to just the staff's interaction with the executive
• a year ago a governance report that was pretty scathing to just the staff's interaction with the executive
• a year ago a governance report that was pretty scathing to just the staff's interaction with the executive
• <00:31:36.919> that and then the their Executives that and then the their Executives that

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Tourism met on April 1 to consider GM 510, the confirmation of Todd Aio to the board of directors of the Hawaiʻi Convention Center Authority. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from HTA representatives and numerous individuals. Supporters described Aio as a strong leader with experience in tourism, development, nonprofit work, and public service, including his time on the city council and work with Disney’s Aulani, Ward Village, and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation. In his remarks, Aio said he would bring legal, development, and corporate governance experience to the board. He emphasized the need for the authority to better define its role, oversee contractors, and help guide the relationship between destination management and branding/marketing contractors. He also said community engagement and cultural considerations should be central to tourism planning, and that the board should work to stabilize the agency during its transition. Members questioned him about board conflicts, the lack of a permanent HTA CEO, and how to measure the success of cultural and branding campaigns such as mālama and kuleana messaging. Aio said conflicts are inevitable when board members come from industry backgrounds, but they must separate their “work hats” from their board duties. He supported replacing the interim leadership with a permanent CEO once compensation legislation is finalized, and said success should be measured through better data, including possible exit surveys and other technology-based tools. He also said he would oppose replacing Hawaiian protocol with another cultural protocol, while supporting inclusion of other cultures alongside a Hawaiian sense of place.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for your reference, this slide shows our executive team that makes up the Department of Children,
• On slide 10 is a brief overview of our organizational chart, which shows our executive leadership team
• So, for your reference, this slide shows our executive team that makes up the Department of Children,
• On slide 10 is a brief overview of our organizational chart, which shows our executive leadership team
• Melissa deilson and I am the executive Melissa deilson and I am the executive director<00:53:39.400

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Cordelli: Um, I believe that it would go through executive council.
• executive counsel. executive counsel. Thank<00:16:06.079> you. Thank you. Thank you.
• Um, I think that’s something that we can work out in the executive session. Okay.
• can work out in the executive session. can work out in the executive session.
• And I recognize the executive session.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 69, including a germane amendment about local school boards’ acceptance or rejection of gifts and donations and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Rep. Cordelli said the early literacy proposal was a modified version of an earlier kindergarten readiness bill, would rely on gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements. Members questioned the shift from a broader technology program to an online-only model, the lack of detailed evaluation metrics, how long children would use the program, and whether it was appropriate for very young children. Cordelli said the change was intended to avoid government dependence and still allow the program to be offered next school year. Several members raised concerns about the gift-acceptance language on the underlying bill, including whether school boards would need to vote on small donations, whether gifts could be handled in blocks or at regular meetings, and how anonymous donations would work under right-to-know laws. Rep. Han noted that some gift discussions might belong in non-public session under RSA 91-A, while Rep. Cornell said acceptance or rejection of gifts could be handled at regular meetings and suggested a dollar threshold could be added later. The New Hampshire School Boards Association said it was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails, policy guidance, and clarification on timing, anonymity, and public-meeting requirements. Supporters of the early childhood program, including Waterford.org, said the proposal would provide an evidence-based, adaptive online literacy program with family engagement for four- and five-year-olds, and that it could help close early learning gaps. Waterford said it could work collaboratively with school districts and IEP teams, and that it would provide devices and internet access for families who need them. Committee members pressed on how the program would interact with existing special education services and whether districts could use it as part of an IEP; the response was that it would be supplementary and not an approved special education service. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair indicated the committee would later executive the bills and try to get reports filed promptly.

Transcript Highlights:

• your local fiscal bodies shall not obligate funds beyond a period of one year except for contracts executed
• Your local fiscal bodies shall not obligate funds beyond a period of one year except for contracts executed
• Your local fiscal bodies shall not obligate funds beyond a period of one year except for contracts executed
• Your local fiscal bodies shall not obligate funds beyond a period of one year except for contracts executed

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then took up several House bills with strike-and-insert amendments. House Bill 5510 was amended to incorporate provisions from Senate Bills 1065 and 928, modernizing Alcohol Beverage Control licensing and adding rules for low-proof spirit alcohol products, including a $1.25 per gallon tax; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 5453 on school funding. After discussion of a proposed block-grant system and supplemental aid for special education, the committee adopted an amendment replacing much of the bill with weighted funding for level two and level three special education students, exempting those funds from block grant rules and limiting their use to direct instruction. The committee also adopted a clarification to extend the special education funding to charter school students and reported the amended bill to the Senate. House Bill 5412, dealing with multi-year technology licensing contracts for local fiscal bodies and science-of-reading training for K-5 teachers, was amended to clarify contract language, delay implementation dates, change “endorsement” to “training,” and require charter school teachers to participate; it was then reported. The committee next amended and reported House Bill 4006, which creates aerospace development and workforce grant programs, changing the funding mechanism to use Department of Commerce reporting and personal income tax proceeds rather than direct employee withholdings. It also took up House Bill 4009, combining voluntary portable benefits for independent contractors with microcredentialing and an expanded apprenticeship tax credit, adopted the Finance Committee amendment, and reported it. Finally, House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program was amended to raise the annual employer reimbursement cap from $50,000 to $100,000 while keeping the $10,000 per-employee limit, and the committee reported the bill. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So President Trump signed an executive order, I believe, along these same lines.
• Is this just putting in a statute what his executive order was? Essentially, yes.
• I've not read his executive order in totality and with a lawyer's eyes, but it looks to me to be pretty
• My name is Dwayne Michael, the executive director of the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System.

Bills: HB1784, HB1245, HB1268, HB2116, HB2193, HB2206, HB1739, HB1889, HB1904, HB3172, HB4225, HB4352, HB3625, HB4263

Keywords: education reform, local control, student outcomes, curriculum changes, school funding, retirement, pension, public employees, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, benefits, survivorship, contribution rates, disability retirement, deferred option plan, service credit, contributions, distributions, HB2116, Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, OLERS

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not our fault the executive didn't send the stuff correctly and on time.
• Clean up that blame it on the executive that didn't get it to us Till late, everybody's still trying
• Chair, that was a request from the executive for their GROW.
• My expert witness next to me, as we all know, is our Executive Director from NMFA, A Marquita Russell

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also narrows Representative Rizzo: executive compensation limits so that salary caps apply only to
• the CEO or executive director of a Triple A.
• It also limits the use of state and federal funds for executive Representative Rizzo: compensation while
• The executive director no longer needs to be a member of the Florida Bar.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the air pollution control officer and executive director of the Sacramento Metro Air Quality Management
• resource management specialist from Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District, and Doug Johnson, Executive
• Doug Johnson, I'm the executive director of the nonprofit conservation group California Invasive Plant
• Third, thankfully, state leadership answered this call to action by issuing Executive Order B-30-15,

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee met with some initial delay while waiting for quorum, then approved the consent calendar items SB 234, SB 484, and SB 839. The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire mitigation, biomass use, climate resilience, and geologic hazard mapping. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance climate, air quality, public health, and land management goals, with testimony both supporting and opposing biomass-related proposals. SB 88 (Caballero) would direct state agencies to support beneficial uses of forest and agricultural biomass, including biochar and low-carbon energy. Supporters argued it would reduce open burning, improve air quality, and create rural economic opportunities; opponents, including environmental groups, argued woody biomass energy is costly, polluting, and harmful to forests and communities. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 653 (Cortese) defining environmentally sensitive vegetation management also passed, with supporters describing it as a voluntary framework to align wildfire fuel reduction with biodiversity and habitat restoration; no opposition was heard, and a member requested to be added as a coauthor. The committee also approved SCR 50 (Stern), which urges state climate agencies to define maladaptation and develop criteria for reviewing climate-related policies and investments, and SB 567 (Limón), a pilot program to study converting idle oil wells into gravity energy storage wells. SB 567 drew support from the sponsor and labor/local government witnesses, while the Water Replenishment District opposed unless amended, citing groundwater protection concerns in key basins and asking for additional safeguards. Finally, SB 831 (Limón) passed, clarifying the scope of geologic hazards to include conditions tied to climate change and natural disasters such as post-fire debris flows, subsidence, and coastal erosion. All measures were reported out of committee, with several absent-member votes later added to complete the roll.

Transcript Highlights:

• I simply execute state law. The State Bar runs the athletics. I'm asking your opinion.
• It's to execute. What are the other valid reasons?
• We have you listed as the Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops.
• When I went back to the video after they went into executive session, I couldn't figure out what the

Bills: SB226, SB413, SB571, SB1049, SB2398, SB2920

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, school boards, transparency, public meetings, attendance, recording, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension, reporting requirements, released time, religious instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• And on January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from
• Jennifer Suzmanski on behalf of Texas Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas CLEET as a deputy executive
• Firefighters, I'm also currently employed as a firefighter for the City of Arlington and on the executive
• As somebody who was at a COG, I call the other COG executive directors and it's like, what are y'all