Transcript Highlights:

• This has been interpreted as when the criminal charges are filed until the judgment is entered at sentencing

Keywords: Stop CSAM Act, child exploitation, online safety, reporting requirements, tech accountability, NCMEC, survivor support, legislative testimony

Summary: The committee meeting centered around the urgent need to address child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online, focusing primarily on the testimony and discussions surrounding the Stop CSAM Act. Several witnesses, including representatives from law enforcement and advocacy organizations, highlighted the significant drop in reports of child exploitation cases despite an alarming increase in actual incidents. Concerns were raised about tech companies' reporting practices, with calls for more stringent requirements to ensure timely and accurate reporting of suspected abuse. The legislation aims to fortify protections for child victims by imposing stricter obligations on tech platforms to report incidents and support law enforcement in investigations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Judgmental, but that's the way I looked at it at the time.

Transcript Highlights:

• Substance misuse planning and evaluation does that kind of program development and program evaluation
• <02:02:21.440> for datadriven support and evaluation for datadriven support and evaluation
• which does that planning and evaluation which does that kind<02:02:44.040> of<02:02:44.239>
• just specific to substance uh evaluation just specific to substance uh use<02:02:50.560> disorder
• those evaluating and finding those opportunities<04:06:49.479> to<04:06:49.720> improve

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division III convened a work session on the DHHS budget, with the chair noting there would be no votes and that the committee would spend the day hearing from the commissioner’s office. Nathan White, DHHS Chief Financial Officer, opened with the Division of Finance/Office of Business Operations, explaining that the unit supports the department through daily financial management, AP/AR, audit work, expense projections, transfers, and procurement functions such as contracts, amendments, RFPs/RFAs, and grants management. He also described the division’s revenue and reporting work, including federal draws, CMS-64 reporting, and the public assistance cost allocation plan, and said the department had centralized rate-setting work and a small team handling Medicaid rate analysis and nursing facility rebase work. Members asked about vacancies, turnover, and budget changes. White said the division had 18 positions unfunded in the governor’s budget, reducing personal services from about $10.8 million to $9.9 million, and estimated the division’s vacancy rate at about 11 percent, below the department average. He said turnover was relatively low, with one retirement at the manager level and higher turnover mainly at lower AP-level positions. He also explained that some budget lines reflected reallocations rather than new spending, including fringe benefits centralized elsewhere and an EBT card contract moved into this unit because the staff member overseeing it works in Finance. When asked about a rent/lease increase, he said it was due to higher copier leasing costs under a statewide DAS contract. White highlighted several management and technology improvements. He said a business intelligence tool procured in 2022, using Salesforce and Excel-based data, helped DHHS better track federal revenue and maintenance-of-effort spending, reducing FY24 General Fund lapse by about 70 percent and federal/other revenue lapse by 88 percent compared with FY23; he warned that the tool is not funded in the current budget. He also described Lean Six Sigma efforts in the contracts team, training for vendors and nonprofits on procurement and indirect cost rules, and a Finance Academy to standardize policies and procedures. On the contracts side, he said the department uses Smartsheet for project management and DocuSign for electronic signatures, which cut contract execution time dramatically, but noted DocuSign is also not funded in the governor’s budget. The session ended as the committee prepared to move on to the Employee Assistance Program presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that evaluation from an instructor or course, their general course scores?
• And so it's basically the judgment or weaponization of data by those who don't understand the data, which

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that evaluation from an instructor or course, their general course scores?
• And so it's basically the judgment or weaponization of data by those who don't understand the data, which

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 4, 2026 minutes, and received a lengthy Department of Public Instruction presentation from Stanley Schauer Jr. on North Dakota student performance data in math and ELA, with comparisons between students with disabilities and students without disabilities. Schauer explained the assessment systems used, the 1% alternate assessment cap for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, the absence of 2019-20 data due to the pandemic, and how state standards are set by North Dakota educators. Members asked about cohort trends, the role of alternate assessments, grade-level patterns, and whether the state should focus more on reducing the novice category than on moving students from approaching to proficient. Schauer also discussed the new NDA Plus assessment, the state’s planned growth model, and the possibility of future breakdowns by disability category or by schools using science-of-math approaches. Special education educators testified that students with disabilities continued to receive services during COVID because of FAPE obligations, which likely helped limit learning loss, and emphasized that IEP teams focus on individual growth rather than only proficiency buckets. Committee members then shifted to special education funding and possible funding models. Brandon Bombach of Grand Forks Public Schools presented on the state aid formula, focusing on the special education weighting factor and arguing that the current formula does not adequately respond to growing student needs because it counts enrollment but does not adjust when the number of students with IEPs rises. He used examples to show that a district can have the same enrollment and receive the same weighting even if the number of students needing services increases. Members discussed whether the formula should be tied more closely to actual need and accountability, and the chair indicated that the committee would continue gathering data and ideas for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that evaluation from an instructor or course, their general course scores?
• And so it's basically the judgment or weaponization of data by those who don't understand the data, which

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then received a lengthy DPI presentation from Stanley Schauer on statewide reading and math assessment data for students with and without disabilities. He explained the assessment systems used over time, the absence of 2019-20 data, and how North Dakota’s standards are set by educators. Members asked about alternate assessments, cohort trends, the apparent drop in proficiency in higher grades, and the new NDA+ assessment. Schauer emphasized that the biggest pattern in the data was the relative stability of students with disabilities, the post-pandemic drop and partial recovery, and the need to focus on reducing the novice category. He also said the state plans to revisit high school standard setting and that future data could be broken out by program, disability category, and schools using science-of-math or other initiatives. Public testimony from special education staff suggested that the flat performance of students with disabilities during COVID likely reflected continued services and intensive supports, and committee members discussed whether the current disparity goal is realistic and whether growth measures would be more useful than simple proficiency buckets. After the presentation, the committee took a short break and then moved into discussion of special education funding models. Chair Richter said members should contact Schauer directly with ideas for additional data views and noted that the committee would continue its work on funding and possible model changes. Brandon Bomback of Grand Forks Public Schools began a presentation arguing that the special education funding formula, especially the weighting factor, should be reconsidered if the committee wants a system that better reflects accountability and student needs. He said his comments were based on the perspective of a larger district and focused on the special education weighting factor rather than other parts of the formula. The remainder of his presentation was not included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• "Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; devise evil
• another contingent reduction in the county costs for min choices that encourages the counties to evaluate

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is a judgment call about local control. We hear about local control all the time.
• About 12 years ago, I was contacted to produce a project similar judgment call about local control.
• It interferes with the prefrontal cortex development, leading to poorer judgment, conduct problems, and
• development development leading<01:18:50.000> to<01:18:50.239> poorer<01:18:50.560> judgment
• ,<01:18:51.199> conduct leading to poorer judgment, conduct leading to poorer judgment, conduct

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would defer to the professional judgment of the people who hold these credentials from our State Board
• 20.000> um<02:30:20.240> in<02:30:20.479> a I would defer to the professional judgment
• make sure that if a parent is upset by this, then it would be properly taken care of. professional judgment
• of the uh of the professional judgment of the uh of the people<02:30:38.160> who<02:30:38.720
• And I specifically want to say I don't want to make a professional judgment because I'm not in the position

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 102, which would make informational materials about type 1 diabetes available on the Department of Education website. Senator Ward said the bill is intended to help parents, teachers, and school staff recognize early symptoms such as thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and weight loss so children can be referred for care before they develop diabetic ketoacidosis. He noted that a newer blood test can identify some children at risk earlier than in the past. Members asked how people would be directed to the website, and Ward said the information would be posted online and also distributed in handouts, with school personnel helping spread awareness. He emphasized the bill is informational only and not a diagnostic or treatment tool. Several supporters testified in favor, including representatives from the Dartmouth Diabetes Link and students with type 1 diabetes who described delayed diagnoses, emergency hospitalizations, and the difficulty of having symptoms misunderstood as stress, athletics, or normal teenage changes. They said the bill could help parents, teachers, and peers recognize warning signs earlier and reduce the risk of life-threatening ketoacidosis. One witness noted that New Hampshire ranks high in childhood type 1 diabetes, and another said even a single person seeing the information could make a difference. A retired diabetes educator and state representative also testified in support. The hearing on SB 102 was then closed. The committee then opened the hearing on Senate Bill 211, which would require school sports teams to be designated as male, female, or co-ed, bar biological males from female-designated teams and locker rooms, and create a cause of action for violations. Senator Avard said the bill responds to constituent concerns and is meant to protect fairness, safety, and privacy for biological females. In questioning, he said girls could still play on boys’ teams, but boys could not play on girls’ teams, and he said he would be open to changes. Opponents, including an attorney from LGBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders, argued the bill is substantially the same as a law passed the previous year that was already challenged in federal court and found likely unconstitutional under equal protection and Title IX; they urged the committee to mark it inexpedient to legislate. The transcript cuts off before any committee vote or further action on SB 211.

Transcript Highlights:

• They evaluated over 1,500 vacation destinations worldwide and ranked them across numerous categories.
• They evaluated over 1,500 vacation destinations worldwide and ranked them across numerous categories.
• that they move slowly and get to a such that they move slowly and get to a final<08:23:39.200> judgment
• > that<08:23:40.160> would<08:23:40.320> be<08:23:40.478> against final judgment
• that would be against final judgment that would be against him.<08:23:41.840> This<08:23:42.080

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The board is in the best position to evaluate concerns regarding quality of work, provide oversight and
• c><03:40:49.479> defer<03:40:49.800> to<03:40:49.960> your<03:40:50.160> judgment
• /c><03:40:51.040> um<03:40:51.439> if<03:40:51.520> you we we defer to your judgment
• um if you we we defer to your judgment um if you don't<03:40:51.880> pass<03:40:52.080> this
• so we work with clients to evaluate so we work with clients to evaluate their<03:56:05.279> skills

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 702, which would change how extra or special duty pay for retired police officers is treated for retirement and work-limit purposes. Supporters argued the bill would let retirees work more special-duty hours, helping municipalities fill traffic-detail and similar assignments without added state cost, and said it would not prohibit retirees from working but would simply stop those hours from counting toward the return-to-work threshold. Opponents argued the change would be inconsistent with the retirement system’s 2011 reforms, could increase pension liabilities, and would treat the same compensation differently for active employees and retirees. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect current and future retirees, the role of municipalities, and whether the policy amounted to “policing for profit.” The subcommittee ultimately voted 3-2 to recommend inexpedient to legislate (ITL) on HB 702, sending it to the full committee with that recommendation. The committee then discussed House Bill 581, which would create a Group Three retirement plan for new state employees hired after the bill’s effective date. The chair outlined a housekeeping amendment to delay implementation, moving the effective date to January 1, 2026, and noted a sponsor amendment addressing health insurance group inclusion and medical and surgical benefits so those benefits would not be put at risk for the new group. Testimony and discussion focused on the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution, with supporters citing Michigan examples and arguing the bill would help recruit and retain employees while giving them more flexibility. Opponents said the change could weaken retirement security and increase unfunded liability, though supporters responded that the bill still requires employer contributions toward accrued liability and is intended to keep the state on track to pay off its unfunded liability by 2039. The transcript ends with continued discussion of the bill and no final vote shown on HB 581.

Transcript Highlights:

• One, you must approach these people in a non-judgmental way and meet them, One, you must approach these
• people in a non-judgmental way and meet them and treat them where they are at.

Summary: The meeting focused on Missouri’s substance use prevention and treatment system, with repeated emphasis on recovery support services, peer support, recovery housing, transportation, and harm reduction. Dan Haniken of Into Action described his own recovery from addiction and incarceration and argued that treatment alone is not enough; he urged greater investment in recovery housing, peer support, employment, and community-based supports that help people stay sober and avoid relapse. Members asked about funding sources, program capacity, referrals, treatment court, transportation, and how Into Action supports people on medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Haniken said the organization is funded through a mix of federal, state, county, city, foundation, and private donations, and that housing and transportation remain major barriers, especially because support is often funded for too short a period compared with the longer time people need to stabilize. Matt Cushman of the Raytown Fire Protection District gave a strong endorsement of harm reduction, including naloxone distribution, syringe service programs, and broader decriminalization of harm reduction tools. He argued that stigma is a major barrier to care and that Missouri should expand access to clean needles, test strips, and other services, while also improving access to MAT in jails and communities. Committee members questioned the evidence base, the role of faith-based providers, and whether safe consumption sites should be pursued; Cushman said syringe exchange decriminalization should be the immediate priority, while safe consumption sites are a longer-term issue. He also described community paramedicine and mobile integrated health as valuable but funding-dependent, and said naloxone distribution is improving but still uneven, especially in rural and minority communities. Representatives from Central Ozarks Medical Center and Four Rivers Community Health Center highlighted the importance of peer support specialists, community health workers, care coordinators, and wraparound services in rural health centers. COMC’s Morgan McClure and Monet Lehman described a jail reentry program in Pulaski County, with Lehman sharing her trauma and recovery story and explaining how she helps incarcerated people prepare for release with housing, employment, benefits, transportation, and treatment connections. Four Rivers’ Devon Polarys and Cassandra Trout said their CEO would change Missouri policy to allow FQHCs to receive reimbursement for peer support and community health worker services similar to CCBHCs, arguing that these roles are essential for addressing barriers like transportation, housing, food insecurity, and insurance. Members discussed confusion over reimbursement rules, the differences between FQHCs and CCBHCs, and the need for better funding and clearer policy for peer and community health worker services. No votes were taken; the discussion ended with a suggestion to bring in a subject matter expert on community health workers for a future session.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Injunction and final judgment.
• The silver lining is that it did preserve Alabama's island judgment, saying that it would not be affected

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• investigation, but then the jury comes back and now we're going to have our local communities paying out big judgments
• communities<03:36:41.359> paying<03:36:41.760> out<03:36:42.000> big<03:36:42.800> judgments
• <03:36:43.840> I communities paying out big judgments.
• I communities paying out big judgments.
• Uh, this bill tackles both of those issues at once by putting into statute de novo judgment, which means

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and so in evaluating the application of RSA... is it appropriate to take a segment out of a book,
• Um and so in<01:59:11.599> evaluating<01:59:12.560> the<01:59:12.960> application
• ><01:59:13.920> of<01:59:14.159> RSA in evaluating the application of RSA in evaluating
• What evaluations do we have?"
• What evaluations do we have?"

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:46:12.320> I<04:46:12.560> am operational testing of evaluation.
• I am operational testing of evaluation.
• Speaker, I rise to support my amendment to direct the Department of Defense to begin evaluating pulse
• There is absolutely no reason to think that their evaluations of offshore wind facilities will be any
• reason to think that their evaluations reason to think that their evaluations of<05:34:52.958>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• remarkably unremarkably budget, Such a remarkably unremarkably budget, so I'm questioning my own judgment

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• patience, clearer communication, and support instead of just... ...communication and support instead of judgment

Bills: SCR58, SB309, SB514, HCR63, HCR69, HB401, HB487, HB722, HB730, HB745, HB988, HB989, HB1001, HB1024, HB1032, HB1050, HB1081, HB1086, HB1108, HB1172, HB1173, HB1175, HB1192, HB1218, HB1244

Keywords: SCR 58, Senate Concurrent Resolution, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, public-private partnership, P3, public-private partnership contracting, Belle Chasse Toll Bridge, Belle Chasse Bridge, toll bridge, tolling, tolls, transportation infrastructure, roads and highways, Plaquemines Parish, bridge project, toll fees, unauthorized charges, contract oversight, procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• It is money that our good friends at the Fiscal Bureau, in their best judgment, have estimated will be

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and CEO and executive director roles, I can confidently say that Laura possesses the integrity, judgment

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee first established a quorum and then approved several non-appearing gubernatorial appointments, including Rick Simpson to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Trinidad Solis, M.D. and Gerald Talbert, M.D. to the Medical Board of California. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments, with all of those items receiving unanimous 5-0 votes. The main public business was the confirmation hearing for George Cardona, reappointed as Chief Trial Counsel of the State Bar of California. Cardona described reforms made in response to the Girardi scandal, including stronger conflict-of-interest and gift rules, improved auditing and investigative procedures, efforts to reduce discipline disparities, and steps to address a growing backlog amid staffing vacancies and rising complaints. Senators questioned him about Girardi-related safeguards, backlog and funding pressures, discipline disparities affecting Black and Latino attorneys, unauthorized practice of law by notarios, and the State Bar’s use of AI; public witnesses from the State Bar, SEIU Local 1000, and others testified in support. The committee advanced Cardona’s appointment to the full Senate on a 3-1 vote, with Senator Jones withholding support. The committee then heard Laura Enderton Speed’s confirmation as Executive Director of the State Bar. She emphasized fiscal stability, public trust, and operational improvements, and said the Bar is addressing the troubled February 2025 remote bar exam through audits, internal investigations, and a forthcoming recommendation to the Supreme Court on the exam’s future. Senators asked about the budget deficit, the bar exam failures, conflict-of-interest safeguards after Girardi, and how the Bar is preparing for future fee and staffing pressures. Supporters from the State Bar Board of Trustees, SEIU Local 1000, the California Defense Counsel, and a colleague testified in favor, and the committee approved her appointment to the full Senate on a 5-0 vote. The meeting concluded with thanks and a farewell to Senator Jones, who was leaving the committee, followed by a cake presentation and adjournment of the public portion.