Transcript Highlights:

• Severely limiting breeding options will have long-term negative impacts on both the diversity and quality
• Severely<00:02:53.200> limiting<00:02:53.680> breeding<00:02:54.080> options<00:
• 02:55.040> will Severely limiting breeding options will Severely limiting breeding options will
• have<00:02:55.480> long-term<00:02:55.959> negative<00:02:56.400> impacts<00:02
• :57.440> on<00:02:57.600> both have long-term negative impacts on both have long-term negative

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Heintzeman presented House File 4508, which would allow the importation of elk from other states into Minnesota to help address challenges facing the state’s elk breeding industry and improve herd genetics. The Minnesota Elk Breeders Association supported the bill, arguing that recent CWD-related import restrictions have effectively cut off access to outside breeding stock, hurt breeder numbers, and limited options for maintaining healthy, profitable herds. The group said elk are relatively resistant to CWD and that importation could be allowed under Board of Animal Health oversight. The Minnesota DNR opposed the bill, saying there is no validated live test for CWD that can ensure incoming animals are disease-free and pointing to recent cases in other states where imported elk later tested positive. The DNR also said federal herd certification programs have not prevented spread of the disease and warned that responding to a new captive cervid detection can cost more than $500,000. Members then discussed broader issues around CWD testing, including frustration that a live test developed at the University of Minnesota has not been federally validated and whether Minnesota should pursue state or third-party validation. Representative Heintzeman said the bill was intended to start a broader conversation and noted that the current proposal does not address the testing issue directly. After testimony and discussion, no vote was taken and House File 4508 was laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support time limit entirely.
• maintaining a defined time limited maintaining a defined time limited structure<00:52:38.240>
• <01:02:05.680> Um to pursue teaching long term. Um to pursue teaching long term.
• And when you talk about long term, we can't get to the long term if we can't figure out the short term
• figure out the short term. figure out the short term.

Bills: HB2185, HB2621, HB2179, HB2534, HB2168, HB2427, HB2560, HB2565, HB2172, HB2298, HB2304

Keywords: sports officials, referees, umpires, athletic directors, school administrators, league administrators, coaches, assault, first-degree assault, substantial bodily injury, temporary restraining order, TRO, private counsel, Department of Education, DOE, sports safety, school sports, amateur athletics, professional sports, public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• ACA 20 eviscerates the voter-approved spending limit in our state constitution.
• First and foremost, you want to get rid of the spending limit.
• Now, how do you get around the spending limit?
• The spending limit is there so that when the politicians hit the spending limit, any revenue that's collected
• This is all a long-term plan. Governance should not be done in silos.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then handled a series of procedural motions to re-refer bills, suspend rules, and remove items from the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions recognizing family milestones, a youth leadership program from Assembly District 13, a delegation of Japanese business leaders, and a Michoacan delegation. Later, members adopted several resolutions and consent items, including California Craft Beer Week, the Freedom Flag as a 9/11 remembrance symbol, Probation Services Week, and California Wildfire Week, along with other consent-calendar measures. The main floor debate centered on SB 417, a $10 billion housing bond for the ballot, with supporters emphasizing the state’s housing shortage, homelessness crisis, and funding for multifamily housing, supportive housing, homeownership, farmworker housing, student housing, tribal housing, infrastructure, and preservation of existing affordable units. Opponents criticized the proposal as adding debt without enough reform and objected to the use of veterans in the measure’s messaging. The Assembly passed SB 417 on urgency and on the measure, 54-7, and sent it to the Senate. Members then adopted ACA 20, which would expand and modernize the state Rainy Day Fund by increasing its cap and changing deposit rules; it passed 54-8 and was transmitted to the Senate. The Assembly also approved SB 623, a transportation-related bill addressing rideshare safety and medical lien practices. Supporters said it would curb abusive billing, restrict attorney conflicts and kickbacks, require stronger background checks for TNC drivers, and allow women riders and drivers to request women-only matches. The measure passed unanimously, 67-0. Later, the House adopted ACA 21, which removes ACA 13 from the November ballot, by 62-0, and ACA 22, which amends a ballot measure affecting taxation and local fiscal resources, by 64-0. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of Dr. Dorothy Viola Calvin, followed by announcements, recesses, and final adjournment until the next scheduled floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And let me just also lay moving the needle in terms of how are we doing?
• Well, that's a real challenge in terms of accountability and efficiency.
• to the $2 million limitation?
• The term nurse practitioner is replaced with the term applicant.
• The term nurse practitioner is replaced with the term applicant.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on homelessness in Arkansas, with speakers from law enforcement, behavioral health, homeless service providers, and policy groups. Presenters argued that Arkansas should focus more on treatment, accountability, better data, and stronger coordination among providers, and they highlighted the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model as a way to expand Medicaid-reimbursed crisis, mental health, substance use, jail-based, and homeless outreach services. Testimony emphasized that Arkansas has relatively low overall homelessness numbers but a significant unsheltered population with serious mental illness or substance use disorders, and several members asked about sex offender tracking, provider accountability, statewide coordination, and whether the state could apply for federal funding or a statewide continuum of care arrangement. Speakers also discussed workforce supports, family homelessness, and the need for more transparent reporting and outcomes-based funding. The committee then reviewed several Department of Energy and Department of Health/Board of Nursing rules. DEQ sought to raise the threshold for commission review of certain post-closure cleanup expenditures from $50,000 to $2 million to match Act 791 of 2025, and members asked about financial assurance and oversight; the rule was reviewed without objection. The Board of Nursing presented multiple rule changes implementing recent acts, including adding fees for dialysis patient care technician registration, updating contact-information requirements, clarifying APRN authority to sign death certificates and prescribe certain durable medical equipment, implementing delegation of certain nursing tasks to unlicensed workers, adding a declaratory-order process, revising certified medication assistant training and insulin-injection authority, and conforming independent-practice rules for clinical nurse specialists. Each nursing rule was reviewed without objection after brief questions. In closing remarks, Senator Irvin announced that UAMS had completed its National Cancer Institute designation submission, calling it an important step for the state. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it solves a short-term need but doesn't solve the long-term need.
• They cannot be renewed limited.
• but doesn't solve the long-term need. but doesn't solve the long-term need.
• <01:16:42.000> and term and then more encompassing term and term and then more encompassing
• putting those rules into place in terms putting those rules into place in terms of<01:35:57.120>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please adhere to these limits as directed by the chair.
• Please time limit for oral testimony.
• <00:02:57.120> and expected to adhere to time limits and expected to adhere to time limits
• local This would limit the local This would limit the local responsibility<00:31:33.120> for
• our budget bills are phrased uh in terms our budget bills are phrased uh in terms of<00:47:07.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > there<00:01:58.840> are<00:01:59.520> um<00:01:59.640> any would be limited
• If there are um any would be limited.
• yeah, it is difficult to apply for public assistance or public funds, but that’s because they are limited
• Also, I understand the differences of opinion in terms of spending money.
• <00:10:26.840> of, opinion in terms of, opinion in terms of, spending<00:10:28.600> money

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• take this time to remind our testifiers that due to time restrictions on our hearing, we will be limiting
• ,<00:18:56.960> we<00:18:57.120> will<00:18:57.280> be<00:18:57.440> limiting
• on our hearing, we will be limiting on our hearing, we will be limiting testimony<00:18:58.400><
• that the the land area might be limited. that the the land area might be limited.
• It's going to be on the record so you guys understand that's Eva Plains from Poa Limits to Black Rock

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Senate Committee on Education, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing heard House Bill 1088 HD1, which would exempt housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) from school impact fees. The Department of Education said it was open to working with DHHL and the Legislature, including possibly eliminating the construction-cost portion of the fee for DHHL and other government affordable housing projects, but it wanted to retain the land-dedication requirement for future school sites where growth would exceed existing school capacity. The School Facilities Authority supported the bill, and DHHL strongly supported it, noting that its testimony referenced an earlier emergency proclamation but that the exemption remains in the current proclamation. DHHL also said it had no objection to a proposed amendment from the Wahiawa Hawaiian Homestead Association. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii testified in opposition to the broader school impact fee program, arguing that the fund has accumulated about $29 million that has not been spent and citing concerns raised in State Auditor Report 19-13, including administrative and constitutional issues. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether the fee system is being applied fairly, especially to smaller projects and homeowners, and whether the districts and calculations used to assess fees have been updated. Members questioned the DOE and SFA about the distinction between land and construction costs, the use of fees in areas like Kīhei, Kalihi, Ala Moana, and Ewa, and whether the department had revisited district calculations as recommended in the audit. DOE said it had collected about $500,000 in construction money and $2.8 million in land contributions for Kalihi-related areas, and said it would follow up on questions about land conveyances and district updates. After discussion, the chair called for a vote. The Education committee recommended passing HB 1088 HD1 as is, with Senator San Buenaventura voting with reservation and Senators Ihara and Kole voting aye. The recommendation was adopted. The Housing committee then also deferred the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's a discussion we need to have about what limits 50% increases in that cost.
• As to why we phase the way we do in terms of sequencing.
• So, in terms of sequencing and why we build what we build in the way of sequencing, Ms.
• So, in terms of sequencing and why we build what we build in the way of sequencing, Ms.
• reduction. back in terms of the batch reduction.

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of the list that already... Okay.
• <00:19:50.559> revenues we have limited revenues we have limited revenues the<00:19:53.039
• <00:20:58.400> of you're talking about um in terms of you're talking about um in terms of
• would definitely favor in the long term would definitely favor in the long term a<00:31:43.760><
• <00:32:31.679> goal while we may decide on a long-term goal while we may decide on a long-term

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting on retained education funding bills, focusing on HB 366, which concerns school building aid for eligible projects, and HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing. The chair framed the discussion broadly around whether school building aid should remain a state program, how to address limited revenues, and whether the current system should continue to prioritize debt service and the existing formula or move toward a different model such as per-pupil allocations, a dedicated fund, or a split between new construction and renovation. He also raised questions about whether leasing should be included and how to manage any new fund under current law and the school building authority structure. Representatives and department staff discussed the current backlog of applications, the age and condition of school facilities, and the possibility that large projects can consume available funding for a year while other districts go unsupported. Tim Carney of the Bureau of School Facilities introduced himself and provided technical context on the program and current debt levels. Representative Luneau argued that under the ConVal decision, the state’s responsibility includes school buildings, construction, and renovation, and that the program also serves an equity function by helping districts with less property wealth. He noted that construction and renovation have long been recognized categories and asked about leasing, which staff said is already supported in statute for charter schools and possibly CTE, with a cap of 30% of annual lease cost or $50,000. The discussion also covered CTE facilities: staff explained that capital funding for CTE centers is state-funded, that federal Carl Perkins funds cannot be used for construction, and that the current rotational capital model means only a few centers are funded each year, which may not match changing program needs. A committee studying CTE capital needs was referenced, along with concerns that the report from that work had not yet been received. Representative Papich urged the subcommittee to focus on policy, principles, and structure rather than just numbers, saying the current system produces a few winners and many districts that never receive aid. He favored a simpler, more equitable per-capita or formula-based approach, while acknowledging the need for a transition plan for projects already in the pipeline. The chair later cautioned against mixing maintenance and operations with construction and renovation, noting that operation and maintenance are already part of the adequacy formula and should not be confused with capital funding. No votes were taken during the meeting; the discussion was exploratory, with members and staff laying out competing approaches and identifying issues for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• supports<00:16:14.480> advisory long-term services and supports advisory long-term services
• uh the uh operating payment rate limits uh the uh operating payment rate limits were<00:49:11.040
• <00:53:14.800> reduction enacted and uh the rate limit reduction enacted and uh the rate limit
• It limits rate 36 was unchanged.
• into the long-term care service system, and achieve better outcomes for Minnesotans with long-term care

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Members met to review a budget bill agreement using a nonpartisan spreadsheet and summary materials. Chairs and members thanked fiscal, research, revisers, and agency staff for the collaborative process, noting the bill had been difficult and that the final product reflected compromise. The chair also said only minor technical changes were expected before final enactment, and the spreadsheet walkthrough was then turned over to fiscal staff. Fiscal staff explained that the agreement met the overall budget target and walked through major human services provisions. Key items included nursing facility payment changes, including a phased PDPM change, APS inflation, modified single-bed incentives, and a CPI-U capped payment cap; a nursing facility surcharge; workforce standards board rule costs; continuation of certain nursing facility property tax rates; regulation of for-profit acquisitions of nursing homes and assisted living facilities; repurposing assisted living special project funds; funding the SEIU self-directed worker agreement; CFSS reimbursement in acute care hospital settings; and multiple disability waiver rate and authorization changes, including CPI-U inflation caps, waiver authorization reforms, and a waiver reimagined advisory task force. The agreement also included family residential service rate increases, a temporary extension of customized living disproportionate share payments, tribal eligibility for targeted case management, positive supports training changes, out-of-home respite modifications, swimming lessons as an allowable service for certain children with disabilities, a provisional EID provider license, and program integrity services funded by licensing fee increases. Additional provisions covered MinnChoices studies and assumed savings, behavioral health fund changes, substance use disorder treatment billing and rate changes, supportive recovery housing, housing support supplemental rates for specific providers, disability determinations, enteral nutrition payment timing, temporary funding for Boundary Waters Care Center, several one-time human services grants, senior nutrition funding, and grant reductions and extensions. No formal vote was described in the transcript; the discussion focused on explaining the agreement and its fiscal effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• You cannot comply with a limit you never measure.
• of how do we need to put a limitation on that.
• of how do we need to put a limitation on that.
• In terms of people making mistakes, it's different than new crimes, right?
• We're going to limit it. Why is that the singular focus?

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:

• Senate File 4400 speaks for itself: aggregate bond limitation reduction applicable to the allocation
• it was 30% of the cost, if their project was not going to use the tax-exempt bonds for their long-term
• cap on the maximum bond um limitation. cap on the maximum bond um limitation.
• of what benefits go to the in terms of what benefits go to the equity<00:35:55.480> investors.
• subject to those household income limits subject to those household income limits to<00:53:54.800

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:41.279> of<00:24:41.679> negotiating in terms of negotiating in terms of negotiating
• <00:40:32.079> of<00:40:32.240> the just in terms of the just in terms of the uh<00
• <00:40:48.800> of go by to see where we are in terms of go by to see where we are in terms
• I will say that SchoolCare has bells in terms of actually requiring the bells in terms of actually requiring
• It establishes a limited pools.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to happen on the for different terms to happen on the loan.<00:10:41.120> And<00:10:41.279>
• This is basically using the same terms with clearly defined changes.
• <00:13:15.920> with is basically using the same terms with is basically using the same terms
• > statute<00:14:01.920> of<00:14:02.240> limitations.
• statute of limit statute of limitations. statute of limit statute of limitations.

Bills: SF0114, SF0102, SF0117

Keywords: elections, Wyoming House of Representatives, state representatives, multi-member districts, county-based districts, party list voting, list voting, proportional representation, Jefferson method, greatest divisors method, ranked choice voting, RCV, primary elections, party conventions, minor parties, major parties, ballot design, apportionment, redistricting, nomination procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're missing 617 students in terms of not being able to match them with our information at PED.
• term that we approve virtual programs and to place enrollment caps.
• problems that have been mentioned today, and then potentially... longer-term solutions.
• But it isn't across the board, and not everyone is the same in terms of how they handle it.
• Now, what it tells me is 15 of the students stay in the program for their entire term.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's not limiting to just buildings and grounds.
• But it's not limiting to just buildings and grounds.
• Now that's sort of the beauty of being able to maximize the limited, it's a limited talent pool—people
• So there's a limited pool of that talent.
• In terms of, do the drones have lethal capabilities?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a quorum and announced a full agenda, including combined public testimony for two bills related to student personal communication devices. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1262 by Senator Nichols, a school safety cleanup bill following House Bill 3. The bill would allow TEA to commission peace officers for school safety purposes, require annual renewal of good-cause exceptions to armed guard requirements, create a new report based on intruder detection audits and vulnerability assessments, and require behavioral threat assessment teams to include someone with specific knowledge of a special education student’s disability. Committee members asked about the difference between TCOLE licensing and TEA commissioning, the scope of the officers’ authority, and how the good-cause exception would work. The committee substitute was adopted, and public testimony included support from school safety and drone-response advocates, Disability Rights Texas in favor of the special education provisions, and a student witness raising concerns about the mental health impact of repeated lockdowns and the need for immediate, reliable school safety responses. The bill was left pending after testimony, then the committee briefly recessed and later reopened testimony to hear the student witness. The committee then laid out Senate Bill 2252 by Senator Creighton, a major early literacy and numeracy bill for kindergarten through third grade. Creighton said the bill builds on prior literacy efforts by funding teacher stipends for literacy and math academies, providing free and clearly administered screeners and assessments, expanding screening options, clarifying how results are used, supporting high-quality pre-K, and increasing the early education allotment. He emphasized low reading performance and the need for early intervention. Members discussed how the bill differs from earlier academy models and whether the assessments are diagnostic or high-stakes; Creighton and witnesses said the tools are intended to identify students needing support, not to serve as punitive testing. The committee adopted the substitute. Witnesses for SB 2252 largely supported the bill. A Uplift Education representative described strong gains from small-group literacy tutoring and said students receiving targeted support can make more than a year of growth in a year. An education specialist explained that the bill aligns general education screening with existing dyslexia and special education practices and helps districts identify students who need intervention before a disability evaluation is required. A Commit Partnership witness cited statewide reading data, the importance of high-quality pre-K, and the need for transparent, consistent progress monitoring and parent engagement. Members asked about the meaning of the growth data, how dyslexia screening works, and how the bill would help identify struggling students earlier. Before finishing all questions, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair after the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, more recently, Public Law 86-272, in terms of this limitation, has been challenged in terms of
• Also, more recently, Public Law 86-272, in terms of this limitation, has been challenged in terms of
• Also, more recently, Public Law 86-272, in terms of this limitation, has been challenged in terms of
• Also, more recently, Public Law 86-272, in terms of this limitation, has been challenged in terms of
• Also, more recently, Public Law 86-272, in terms of this limitation, has been challenged in terms of

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an introductory Ways and Means Committee orientation led by Chair John Janigian. Members went around the room introducing themselves, with several returning legislators and several freshmen describing their backgrounds in business, education, public service, finance, transportation, journalism, military service, and nonprofit work. Janigian explained his own legislative history and professional background, and other members, including Bill Bolton, Fred Doucette, Mary Ford, Jim Tierney, Scott Brier, Thomas Oppel, Mary Murphy, Representative Spar, Susan Elberger, Dennis Malloy, Jordan Ulery, and Julius Soti, briefly described their prior experience and reasons for serving on the committee. The chair then outlined the committee’s role. He said Ways and Means is responsible for revenue estimates that Finance will use to determine how much the state can spend over the next biennium, and that the committee would spend the next five to six weeks developing its best revenue estimate, due around February 15. He also explained that the committee hears from state agencies and departments about how taxes are created, collected, and performing against expectations, and that it reviews bills affecting state revenue, including tax increases, tax decreases, tax removals, and fee-related measures. Janigian noted that the committee had five bills at the time of the meeting and expected more to be referred. He explained that most would be first-committee bills, though some second-committee bills could come over if they involved taxes or fees after passing policy committees. He used marijuana-related legislation as an example of a bill that might first go to another committee and later reach Ways and Means if it had fiscal implications. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational, and members were told how to participate in hearings and follow-up questions during regular committee work.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not limit funds. There is no good argument in opposition to this bill. We do not limit funds.
• address of a property, from short-term rental facilitators.
• Housing providers are facing limited availability.
• Independent public cemetery district trustees are appointed to fixed terms.
• Those won't change in terms of safety.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Further in 2027 and beyond, near-term inflation is higher than expected, but in the longer term, it's
• Near-term production growth is following as they?
• To make more non-recurring appropriations in the current year, the capacity is limited.
• Infant and toddler care was in short supply, and workforce wages were often below a limit.
• Chair, I know we're limited on time, Secretary, so very brief answers.