Transcript Highlights:

• Do you need a little tech support? Yeah, it looks like they're not moving.
• <00:03:46.560> need<00:03:46.720> a<00:03:46.879> little<00:03:47.400> tech
• <00:03:47.720> support slide do you need a little tech support slide do you need a little
• tech support yeah<00:03:49.080> May<00:03:49.439> looks<00:03:49.640> like<00:03

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One big boop. Okay. So, have an ought to pass with a second. And have we had enough discussions?
• One<00:22:39.120> big<00:22:39.360> boop. One big boop. One big boop. Okay. Okay.
• I've been retired for seven years after a 40-year career in high-tech.
• I studied mathematics in high-tech.
• or bullying or something is a very big or bullying or something is a very big issue<02:39:50.160

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:10:38.960> center, the tech center, the tech center, VLAX, VLAX, VLAX, and<01:10:42.560
• sidewalk is or how big the trees are. sidewalk is or how big the trees are.
• One was that it's just they can't build something big enough up here that they will need something big
• One was that it's just they can't build something big enough up here that they will need something big
• One was that it's just they can't build something big enough up here that they will need something big

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Big things for the breakfast burritos this morning with Scott Scanlon.
• But the big ones are where we're going to. Have to target?
• And make a big dent in the state infrastructure needs.
• It's the first big spreadsheet you have, which says 2026.
• This is a large request from New Mexico Tech.

Transcript Highlights:

• amendments and put an then add in Tech amendments and put an effective<00:42:16.800> date<00:
• but for 396, which is for criminal court appointed as well, I know that there is a shortage on the Big
• island and we would welcome uh the big island and we would welcome uh the<01:34:42.159> support
• This is primarily because of the increasing Big Island population, but I would also point out I also
• This is primarily because of the increasing Big Island population, but I would also point out I also

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several fireworks-related bills. On HB 550, which would allow law enforcement to use drone recordings to establish probable cause for fireworks arrests in public areas and appropriate funds for drones, the Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure. The Public Defender and some public testifiers opposed it, arguing that a statute cannot mandate probable cause and that the bill raises constitutional concerns. A prosecutor later explained that the bill is intended to address Hawaiʻi case law, especially State v. Kit, which limits aerial surveillance over homes under the state constitution, and suggested that changing “shall” to “may” could reduce constitutional problems. Members also questioned whether current law already allows video evidence of fireworks violations and whether the bill was necessary. Testimony included both support and opposition from individuals and organizations, and no vote was taken during the hearing. The committees then heard HB 806, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The department and police supported the bill, while the Libertarian Party of Hawaiʻi opposed it, arguing that fireworks are already illegal and that the measure adds unnecessary enforcement powers and constitutional risk. Committee members asked what “sting operation” means and whether the term should be defined more clearly; the department said it refers to police or criminal investigations involving deception and agreed a definition would help guide use of the funds. The department also said the funding would support training, storage, and other operational costs for undercover investigations. Finally, the committees heard HB 1483, a broader fireworks enforcement bill that would create an adjudication system for fireworks infractions, revise definitions and penalties, establish new offenses, and increase penalties when fireworks offenses cause injury or death. The Attorney General’s office strongly supported the bill, saying it would improve enforcement by clarifying definitions and allowing cases to be proven without particle testing or expert witnesses when fireworks leave no physical evidence. The Department of Law Enforcement also supported it. The Public Defender opposed the bill, focusing on the bill’s penalty enhancements for offenses that are rarely enforced and its concurrent trial provision, which it said raises problems because of the differences between civil and criminal proceedings. No final committee action or vote was reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a uniform state building code would be really a big improvement over what we have now.
• <00:05:39.600> a the years they've told us how big a the years they've told us how big a problem
• <00:05:47.440> a state building code would be really a state building code would be really a big
• big improvement over what we have now. big improvement over what we have now.
• Seeing none, I'll close the we're this would prohibit tech the we're this would prohibit tech technical

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 94, which would prohibit municipal amendments to the state building code and move New Hampshire toward a more uniform statewide code. Senator McConi and several supporters, including the Josiah Barlo Center for Public Policy, the State Fire Marshal, the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association, argued that local variations create confusion, raise housing costs, and make compliance harder for builders operating in multiple towns. The Fire Marshal said the goal is a single state building and fire code with only limited administrative amendments at the local level, not technical changes, and noted that municipalities could still seek exceptions through the Building Code Review Board if needed. The chair explained that a similar House bill was already moving forward with fire code and administrative amendment language, and members agreed that retaining SB 94 would avoid conflicting bills. The committee then voted to retain SB 94 by roll call, 13-0, with no minority report. The committee then took up Senate Bill 30, which would designate the Virginia opossum as New Hampshire’s state marsupial. Senator Fenton presented the bill as a light-hearted measure inspired by Chesterfield School fourth graders, who had submitted written testimony and supported the idea. Members discussed the bill in a humorous but mostly supportive way, with one member objecting that it trivialized the legislature, while others said it could help engage students in the legislative process. The committee voted ought to pass on SB 30, 11-2, and agreed to place it on consent with no minority report. Later, the committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 95, concerning youth camp cabins and state fire/building codes. Senator McConi said the bill would exempt new residential cabins in youth recreation camps from sprinkler requirements and allow them to omit electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems, while requiring any such systems that are present to comply with state code. He said the measure was intended to resolve recurring interpretation problems that have caused expense and uncertainty for camp owners, and he praised work with the Fire Marshal’s office to reach a workable compromise. Representative Schmidt asked about cabin sizes and whether larger cabins with multiple occupants would still be safe; the senator explained that camps typically use counselors, drills, and supervision, and that the people behind him could answer more detailed questions. The transcript cuts off before the hearing concludes or any vote is taken on SB 95.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in the big 12. We've got a lot to prove there and we're on our way to doing so.
• This is a big deal and they have done an outstanding job and they will continue to do so.
• And we do have a big game tomorrow. Yes, yes.
• We do have a big game tomorrow and you the baseball game. Listen. So good this time.
• It is not a big town. It is not a big city.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In rural areas, not in the big cities. Missouri is a good example of that.
• Missouri had a Kohler requirement, but that requirement was not in the big cities.
• So the big question is, how does California level up?
• I'm a prim tech with AT&T.
• We are a state that lost our carrier of last resort with the big telco that I work for.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1734 creates the Oklahoma Responsible Tech in Schools Act.

Bills: SB1734, SB1630, SB1894, SB1975, SB1432, SB1437, SB1812, SB346, SB1250, SB710, SB1489, SB2045, SB1614

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, schools, public school districts, education technology, edtech, student privacy, FERPA, data privacy, data security, emerging technologies, machine learning, generative AI, classroom technology, instructional technology, teacher oversight, human-in-the-loop, student data, parental consent, opt-out

Transcript Highlights:

• Valdez, she, uh, is a resident of Mesquite, Texas, a graduate of Texas Tech University, and she very

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is a really big problem. It is what we have done is just incredibly unfair to new hires.
• It is what this is a really big problem.
• We<00:44:02.240> desperately<00:44:02.880> need<00:44:03.160> tech<00:44:03.520>
• workers We desperately need tech workers We desperately need tech workers that<00:44:05.080><
• Five percent of that is a pretty big number.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 7 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation from Reverend Chip Stevens of First Baptist Church in Jackson, and recited the pledge of allegiance. The body then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles, and received several guest introductions, including the president of Mississippi University for Women, the physician of the day, and the session’s pages. The main item of business was Senate Bill 2004, the Mississippi PERS Stability Act. Senator Sparks explained that the bill would provide a $500 million infusion to the PERS accumulated employers account on July 1, 2026, followed by $50 million annually for 10 years, with backup funding from unobligated general funds if needed. He said the measure was intended to help address the system’s roughly $26 billion liability and to support both state employees and local government employers, noting that the state had already taken other steps to strengthen PERS. The bill was advanced to engrossed status, read for the third time, and placed on the calendar for final passage. Senator Norwood asked whether the funding would help local governments, and Senator Sparks said it would, because the liability is shared by all employers in the system and affects local balance sheets and bond ratings. Senator Bryan then spoke at length in opposition to the broader direction of retirement policy, criticizing the committee process, the fragmentation of retirement legislation, and what he described as incentives for privatization and unfair treatment of new hires. He said he would still vote for the bill because it sends money into the system, but argued that the state should focus retirement benefits on older retirees and avoid further benefit expansions. Senator Sparks responded that the bill was a necessary cash infusion to honor commitments to employees, stabilize the system, and avoid insolvency, and said more PERS legislation would follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a few weeks ago, big bad fires broke out across Los Angeles County. disaster relief we urgently
• also live in America just a few<00:15:23.160> weeks<00:15:23.480> ago<00:15:24.320> big
• For the record, California has a lot of things, but one thing we do not have is a big old sink that can
• Oil and the executive orders for Big Oil and the tech<04:23:15.199> bigars<04:23:16.199> all
• Well, the Republicans are divided between two extreme positions: the big-business tech oligarchs who

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AIS IT addresses the big AIS IT addresses the big question<01:13:45.840> to<01:13:46.120>
• And just as a point of information, I don't know if you can see the big pile up there: 42 bills.
• Years ago, during the opioid crisis, as a pharmacist, I did not question Big Pharma's narrative that
• I was one of the people fired from their essential job for questioning Big Pharma, and I was not the
• their essential job for questioning big their essential job for questioning big Pharma<04:48:30.718

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bachelor Tech Park.
• Ron, CO2 was a big topic here last session or even before.
• The big guys just want to play in the Bakken.
• So a big part of our mission—these are below market.
• So a big part of our mission—these are below market.

Summary: The committee took roll, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a compliance-report update on the Industrial Commission and related funds and programs. Staff reviewed the status of one-time appropriations and grant programs, including electric grid resiliency, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the salt cavern business-case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members asked about funding balances, reimbursement timing, matching requirements, and how some commitments would affect the State Investment Fund and future biennia. Industrial Commission staff then gave a broader update on the agency’s administrative office, grant management system, leadership transitions at several commission agencies, and active grant rounds. They reported that the grant management system is nearing completion, that several agency leadership searches have concluded, and that the commission’s grant programs currently have 108 active grants totaling more than $165 million. They also described the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority round, the oil and gas research program’s enhanced oil recovery awards, the grid resiliency grants, the salt cavern study, and the research technology park program, noting that some projects are awaiting federal funds or additional matching cash. Ron Ness, speaking for the Oil and Gas Research Council, focused on the state of the oil industry and the enhanced oil recovery “Bakken 2.0” effort. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on better infrastructure, longer laterals, and new EOR methods such as CO2, natural gas, and surfactants. He emphasized the importance of the Bakkeneast pipeline and related gas-utilization projects, the recent DOE funding that will return some money to the research council, and the need to modernize tax and incentive rules for CO2-based recovery. Members discussed the potential economic benefits for oil, agriculture, and manufacturing. The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and a broader strategic update. Bank leadership reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, participation lending, student lending, disaster programs, and legislatively directed programs, and said the bank is managing for a flatter deposit base and stronger liquidity because of fintech competition and changing market conditions. They reported improved earnings, with net income rising to about $231 million, and described Rough Rider Coin as a new internal payment rail for North Dakota banks and credit unions, not a public cryptocurrency. Members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster lending, and the bank’s capacity to support state programs while maintaining its balance-sheet and liquidity requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Anne Schwagerl, and I am a farmer in Big Stone County.
• c><01:00:40.320> this And the big part of this And the big part of this is<01:00:42.200> a<
• Making a pretty big investment in that.
• So, this is really big for businesses.
• really big for uh businesses. really big for uh businesses.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The big can you go after that? Have you met insurance that one Mr. Clegg and Cool. >> Yeah.
• It's got a big price tag, and the final amount will be determined above my pay grade—mine too.
• It is proven And they see we have Mark Hacking, like tech outside and not from here.
• And we just had a big loss, and it's terrible.
• But the other big point I want to get across to you is this idea of appraisal.

Bills: HF4881, HF4867, HF4422, HF4223

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, regulation, financial institutions, prescription drug affordability, consumer protection, restitution account, financial compensation, attorney general, distributions, property insurance, homeowners insurance, fire and allied lines, hail insurance, appraisal clause, loss adjustment, alternative dispute resolution, insurance claims, claim valuation, actual cash value

Transcript Highlights:

• These four out of the five are hired, and we're in the process of hiring the last reclamation tech.
• Right now, we don't see that as a big trend, but it is kind of the site.
• The limitations on steel are there, and that's always a big one that you have to watch out for. Mr.
• And what I wanted to point out, the big red line right in the middle, kind of to the right of the graph
• I was at some of these farmers meetings this winter, and fertilizer is getting to be a big issue, and

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division of the budget section and received updates on several Industrial Commission-related agencies and programs. Legislative Council first reviewed base budget materials, then the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported on its current appropriation and staffing, noting that its new FTEs were being filled gradually and that it remained largely funded through special and federal funds. Agency leaders described homeownership lending, loan servicing, and housing incentive fund activity, including below-market mortgage rates, down payment assistance, and a growing servicing portfolio that has increased workload but not yet required additional FTEs. Housing Finance also detailed use of the Housing Incentive Fund and homeless grant dollars. Officials said the multifamily HIF round drew more than $73 million in requests and awarded $25 million, while the single-family program supported rural development and community land trusts. Homeless grant funding was split between emergency shelter, prevention, and rapid rehousing, with performance-based scoring used to renew or reallocate awards. Members discussed housing affordability, aging households, rental assistance, and the need to coordinate housing and site-preparation messaging with Commerce. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased in the next session. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and operations update. Staff said the agency was on track financially, had filled most of its new reclamation FTEs, and was not expecting major litigation costs beyond normal late-biennium invoices. The director reviewed agency initiatives including Project North Star IT modernization, organizational restructuring, succession planning, rulemaking, and implementation of the development incentive well tax program and critical minerals rules. He also discussed oil and gas activity, explaining that longer laterals, especially three- and four-mile wells and the first five-mile spacing case, are helping keep production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. Members asked about gas capture, hedging, break-even prices, and the effects of Iran and Venezuela on oil markets. The committee also heard about enhanced oil recovery grants and the Pipeline Authority. The EOR program’s $25 million appropriation was fully allocated to six projects, with total awards reaching about $45.1 million when other fund balances were included, subject to a possible 5% reduction if federal DOE money does not materialize. Officials said the projects are public, reimbursement-based, and will produce results over the next several years. Finally, the Pipeline Authority outlined natural gas transmission projects, including the imminent Bakken Express line and the proposed Bakken East project, which WBI was selected to advance after an Industrial Commission RFI process. The project is moving through open season, survey permission, and regulatory work, with in-service dates projected for 2029 and 2030.

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...These four out of the five are hired, and we're in the process of hiring the last reclamation tech
• Right now, we don't see that as a big trend, but it is kind of the site.
• And that's always a big one that you have to watch out for. Mr.
• And what I wanted to point out, the big red line right in the middle, kind of to the right of the graph
• I was at some of these farmers meetings this winter, and fertilizer is getting to be a big issue, and

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division budget section and first reviewed the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s budget and program update. Legislative Council outlined the agency’s base budget and historical funding, and Housing Finance staff reported on homeownership lending, housing incentive fund (HIF) awards, and homeless grant spending. Agency officials said the five new FTEs approved last session are mostly filled, with one homeless program manager still open. They described strong demand for HIF, noting that September 2025 multifamily requests exceeded $73 million while only $25 million was available, and that single-family and homeless programs are also heavily subscribed. Members discussed the agency’s local loan servicing workload, interest-rate benefits, down payment assistance, and the need to coordinate housing discussions with Commerce and site-preparation efforts. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased, and committee members emphasized accountability and statewide access for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing funds. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and agency initiatives. Staff reported that the department is on track financially, that most of the five new reclamation-related FTEs are hired, and that litigation costs tied to oil and gas matters are expected to continue appearing late in the biennium. The director reviewed ongoing modernization and organizational efforts, including the North Star IT project, succession planning, training, and rulemaking for oil and gas and critical minerals. Members asked about longer laterals, spacing, and production trends; the department said operators are increasingly drilling three-, four-, and even an initial five-mile lateral, which is helping keep North Dakota oil production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. The director also discussed oil price volatility tied to Middle East conflict, hedging practices among producers, gas capture remaining around 95%, and the likelihood that current production levels will stay near flat unless prices or geopolitical conditions change significantly. An update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program followed. The Industrial Commission’s grant administrator said the full $25 million appropriation was allocated in the fall to six projects, and because the oil and gas research fund also had carryover and biennial tax revenue, total awards reached about $45.1 million. The projects are expected to run two to four years, with meaningful results not likely until mid-2026 or later. Members questioned whether the public would have access to the research findings and how accountability would be maintained; staff said the grants are reimbursement-based, require regular status reports, and will culminate in public final reports. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, which updated members on natural gas transmission projects, especially WBI Energy’s proposed Bakken East pipeline. The authority said the project has advanced through a nonbinding and then binding open season, with WBI now securing survey permissions and moving through regulatory and landowner processes, while other related gas transmission projects near Minot and Epping are also in development.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Yeah, I mean, our big worry here is stability for residents.
• mean,<00:22:52.840> our<00:22:53.080> our<00:22:53.400> our<00:22:53.520> big
• <00:22:53.760> worry<00:22:54.000> here >> Yeah, I mean, our our our big worry
• here >> Yeah, I mean, our our our big worry here is<00:22:54.600> stability<00:22:55.120
• I recommend that we move this out as an HD1 with tech amendments as necessary.

Bills: HB1743, HB2122, HB1756, HB1837, HB1729, HB2559

Keywords: owner-builder, exemption, housing crisis, contractor, leasing restrictions, affordable housing, construction, regulations, teacher housing, housing vouchers, teacher retention, Hawaii Department of Education, hard-to-staff schools, housing, first-time home buyers, savings account, tax deductions, homeownership, savings accounts, tax deduction

Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on several housing-related bills. HB 1743 would expand the owner-builder exemption by repealing a leasing restriction and requiring notice when a leased residential structure was built by an unlicensed contractor. Subcontractors Association of Hawaii and the Contractors Licensing Board opposed the bill, warning it could encourage unlicensed contracting and weaken consumer protections, while Hawaii Realtors, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, BIA Hawaii, and others supported it as a way to increase housing flexibility. After questions about whether licensed electrical and plumbing work would still be required, the committee voted to pass HB 1743 with amendments and a defective date. The committee also heard and advanced HB 2122 HD1 on teacher housing, which would create a teacher housing assistance program using vouchers from the teachers housing revolving fund. Testimony included support from the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, and individuals, with the Office of Collective Bargaining in opposition and the Department of Education offering comments. The bill was voted out as is. The committee then considered HB 1756 and HB 1837, both updating the individual housing account program to reflect current housing prices; supporters including Housing Hawaii’s Future and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs said the limits were outdated and needed inflation adjustments, and HB 1756 was passed with amendments while HB 1837 was deferred as nearly identical. HB 1729 would disallow the state home mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Hawaii Realtors opposed it, while Housing Hawaii’s Future supported it as a way to prioritize first-time homebuyers and reduce competition from second-home buyers. The chair noted a possible revenue savings estimate and the committee passed the bill with amendments, with several reservations. Finally, HB 2559 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential property to limited exclusive groups of buyers, which the Office of Consumer Protection said needed an enforcement clarification and the Realtors said could affect some legitimate private-listing situations. The chair proposed replacing the outright ban with a disclosure requirement for private listings, and the committee passed HB 2559 with amendments. The hearing then adjourned after the chair thanked members, staff, and the public.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there currently vet tech—I'm sorry, vet PA schools in Florida? Senator Bradley: Thank you, Mr.
• So I just wanted to make sure to point out that there's a big disconnect there between federal law and
• Let's go ahead and do the big bill. All right.
• From a fiscal perspective, this is a truly big bang for the buck.
• And so what we would like to do is this is a really big deal.

Bills: S0302, S0394, S0480, S0546, S0636, S0774, S0796, S1028, S1050, S1066, S1120, S1230, S1288, S1682

Keywords: cybersecurity, information technology, data management, local government compliance, cloud services, state agency oversight, integrated governance, conservation lands, land exchange, state-owned land, Acquisition and Restoration Council, Florida water management, environmental protection, beach management, beach erosion, beach nourishment, coastal resilience, shoreline protection, critical erosion, critically eroded beach

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with CS/SB 796, which would create Veterinary Professional Associates as a new supervised veterinary role, expand telehealth prescription timeframes, and set training and scope limits. Supporters said it would improve access to care, lower costs, and create a career path, while opponents argued the proposal lacked a clear regulatory framework, could create liability and federal-law conflicts, and would not address the real shortage in rural large-animal practice. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Members also heard and favorably reported SB 1682 on local authority over derelict and abandoned vessels, CS/SB 1028 on a commercial Citizens clearinghouse for property insurance, SB 394 on exempting certain reinsurance underwriting managers from licensing, SB 636 on beach management and erosion designations, CS/SB 546 on public notice for conservation land sales or exchanges, CS/SB 302 on Biscayne Bay nature-based solutions and related coastal resiliency provisions, SB 1050 on pharmacy choice for pet medications, and SB 774 extending workers’ compensation benefits to 911 public safety telecommunicators for mental and nervous injuries. Testimony on these bills generally focused on access, regulatory clarity, environmental protection, or workforce support, with some concerns raised on insurance consumer protections and beach-management language. Senator Harrell’s bills were also taken up and reported favorably: CS/SB 480, a major overhaul of state IT governance creating DIGIT and new procurement, reporting, and workforce structures; CS/SB 1230, restricting PFAS-containing firefighting foam and adding testing, inventory, and disposal requirements; and CS/SB 1288, a naming bill designating the Andrew Red Harris Shoal and requiring markers. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on SB 1066 regarding restoration of the Oklawaha/Rodman system, with supporters emphasizing ecological restoration, flood-risk reduction, and economic benefits, and opponents warning about local impacts, water quality, and the loss of a world-class fishery. The transcript ends during testimony on that bill, before final action is shown.