Transcript Highlights:

• Those districts that are listed in that letter, they're all minority urban districts, pure and simple
• Talking about race, well, but if you just targeted four districts that are minority urban districts,
• into a limited number of districts, and then you track out the rest of the minority community in the urban
• rural districts can then control... the vote along with the sympathetic voters from the suburban and urban

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We agreed to the study committee but used it to replace a more urban existing committee on procurement
• /c><00:07:21.840><c> replace</c><00:07:22.319><c> a</c><00:07:22.720><c> more</c><00:07:23.000><c> urban
• </c><00:07:24.000><c> existing</c> it to replace a more urban existing it to replace a more urban existing

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up several Senate messages on House bills. It recommended non-concurrence and a committee conference on HB 428 after Representative Pearson raised a constitutional concern about a retroactive provision in the building code bill. It also recommended non-concurrence on HB 156, which had been rewritten by the Senate to create a permanent subcommittee related to food/procurement; members said they did not want to create a permanent subcommittee and preferred to let the issue return next year if needed. On HB 85, concerning temporary student licenses for respiratory therapists, the committee concurred with a Senate rewrite that added restrictions but preserved the bill’s main purpose. On HB 82, a cleanup bill for occupational licensing, the committee concurred with a Senate amendment explicitly allowing the electricians board to create subcommittees, with members noting they did not think the authority was necessary but that it would not do harm. The committee then considered SB 178 on laboratory water testing. Representative Leyon offered amendment 2025-1743H to clarify how fees would be deposited and to direct a portion of certain fees and grants into a non-lapsing lab equipment and replacement fund rather than the general fund. Members said the amendment made the bill’s fiscal flow easier to understand. The amendment passed unanimously, and the committee then voted ought to pass as amended on SB 178, also unanimously, and placed it on consent. For SB 180, dealing with Coos County distressed-area designation, the committee adopted amendment 1748H to remove a provision requiring commissioners to give extra consideration to Coos County and to add a 20-year sunset on the designation. The amendment passed 14-2, and the committee then voted ought to pass as amended 15-1; Representative Schmidt said he would file a minority report because he viewed the provision as unenforceable rather than objectionable. The committee also voted to retain SB 185, which concerned OPLC-related issues, so the agency could continue working on a policy and report back later; that motion passed 16-0. Finally, the committee voted inexpedient to legislate on SB 198, establishing New Hampshire Service Dog Week, after debate over whether the recognition should be statutory or left to a gubernatorial proclamation. Supporters argued the bill would raise awareness and help promote service dogs, while opponents said the effort could continue without a statute and that special-day statutes often lose attention once enacted. The committee also voted inexpedient to legislate on SB 182 after extensive discussion of proposed changes to the maternal mortality review process. Opponents argued the bill would broaden access to personally identifiable information, change panel structure, and affect data comparability; supporters said it was a housekeeping update requested by DHS that would add DCYF and Corrections and improve review of maternal deaths. The ITL motion passed 10-6, and Representative Long said he would file a minority report and explain the committee’s reasoning to the bill’s sponsor.

Transcript Highlights:

• promote the well-being of American Indian communities and increase the visibility of Native cultures in urban
• Over 60% of Native people live in urban areas, and many come from reservations such as my own in search
• Our goal is to build a model for urban and tribal communities throughout California.
• Tribal communities need to partner with urban communities because we have our tribal members coming into

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs opened its 2025 hearing with a traditional song and remarks about the importance of Native visibility and land acknowledgment. The hearing focused on missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP), exploitation and trafficking in a Public Law 280 (PL 280) state, and California’s response. Members and tribal leaders emphasized that MMIP is tied to historical trauma, forced removal, undercounting, and ongoing inequities in law enforcement response, media attention, and access to resources. Several panelists urged stronger tribal consultation, better data collection, more funding, and culturally informed education and victim services. In the first panel, tribal chairpersons described personal and community impacts. Chairperson Antonet Del Rio spoke about the need to include federally and non-federally recognized tribes and to educate schools and communities, while naming long-unsolved cases from her tribe. Chairperson Cheyenne Stone connected MMIP to the history of violence in Owens Valley and to the disturbance of Indigenous remains during infrastructure projects, calling for forensic resources, mandatory consultation, and accountability. Chairperson Charles Martin described the death of Morongo citizen Amy Porter and said the Feather Alert failed her family because law enforcement did not act quickly enough; he called for reforms and better coordination, especially in PL 280 jurisdictions. Chairwoman Nelson and committee members echoed the need for equity, urgency, and government-to-government respect. The second panel examined how PL 280 complicates MMIP and trafficking cases. Professor Carol Goldberg explained that PL 280 created an unfunded mandate, reduced federal jurisdiction and funding, and contributed to under-resourced policing and mistrust; she recommended mandatory training, community-oriented policing, formal tribal-county collaboration, and possible retrocession in some cases. Yurok Chairman Joe James tied MMIP to boarding schools, trafficking, and the need to advance bills such as AB 31, SB 4, ACR 39, AB 285, and AB 1378, along with increased budget funding. Morning Star Gali argued that PL 280 enables traffickers and violent offenders to exploit jurisdictional gaps and called for tribally led public safety, housing, victim services, and stronger consultation. Dustin Contreras, a human trafficking investigator, described the overlap between trafficking and MMIP, stressed partnerships and task forces, and supported more education for law enforcement, schools, and families. In the final panel, state and county officials described current efforts and acknowledged remaining gaps. The Attorney General’s Office said it is working on MICIC outreach, tribal response planning, PL 280 training through an advisory council, and improved data systems, while supporting bills and the Feather Alert. Humboldt County Sheriff Hansel described the case of a missing woman, Emily, as an example of how people with mental illness or justice involvement can become invisible, and said counties need more consistent training and clearer jurisdictional protocols. He and other officials supported the Feather Alert, tribal police authority, and a pilot program for POST status for tribal police, which they said had been vetoed previously. Across the hearing, speakers repeatedly called for better coordination, more funding, stronger tribal authority, and sustained action rather than symbolic recognition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Adam Haynes, the Conference of Urban Counties, and we are in support of Senate Bill 866. Mr.
• Because I can't have the major urban county driving up property taxes by 15% because they get a Category
• Chairman, members, Adam Haynes, Conference of Urban Counties, appreciate the ability to come and testify
• Thank you for your time. ...of urban counties and mark the tape. I agree with Mr. Quintero.

Bills: SB467, SB325, SB867, SB994, SB1052, SB1237, SB1449, SB1531, SB2063, SB2172, SB2173, SB2520, SB2529, SB2538, SB2541, SJR46, SJR84

Keywords: SB 467, Texas property tax, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, residence homestead, fire damage, house fire, destroyed home, temporary tax relief, appraisal district, chief appraiser, local taxing unit, tax rollback, tax refund, Tax Code Chapter 11, prorated exemption, homestead improvement, disaster relief, property tax exemption, residential property

Transcript Highlights:

• for comprehensive risk assessments for specific high-risk trees, implementation of best practices in urban
• Implement best practices in urban forestry...” the vote. Chair votes I. I vote with the vote.
• Implement best practices<00:44:14.079><c> in</c><00:44:14.400><c> urban</c><00:44:14.720><c> forestry
• </c><00:44:15.440><c> and</c> Practices in urban forestry and strengthen community-based disaster preparedness

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard three resolutions first. STR 32/SR 18 asked the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to work with the Department of Transportation to use inmate work furlough programs for state roadway and highway maintenance. Testimony was generally supportive of the intent, but the Correctional System Oversight Commission raised concerns about using work furlough for maintenance and emphasized that participants should be paid at least minimum wage, be able to meet restitution and support obligations, and not have their release timing affected. The measures were later recommended and adopted by both committees with no amendments in the joint portion. STR 199/SR 179 concerned increased caution regarding foreign infrastructure. There was no public testimony. In decision-making, the committees split the measures: STR 199 was deferred because of a similar measure, while SR 179 was passed with amendments. The amendments were described as clarifying Hawaii’s goals of self-sufficiency, local self-reliance, and self-determination, and encouraging scrutiny by departments and agencies to reduce dependence on imports. STR 231/SR 207, which would direct DOT to install electronic equipment at state airports and harbors to scan for illegal fireworks, drew mixed testimony, including support from the Oahu Filipino Community Council and comments from Matson Navigation. DOT said it supported the intent. The committees adopted amendments to address Matson’s concerns by moving inspections to a place outside the immediate loading and unloading area, and both committees passed the measures as amended. The Public Safety and Military Affairs committee then took up additional resolutions. STR 113/SR 94, designating Hawaii as a Purple Heart state on August 7, 2025, received no testimony and was not discussed further. STR 204/SR 164, asking the Department of Law Enforcement for information on disposal, detonation, and destruction of explosive fireworks and similar hazardous materials, also drew no testimony in the excerpt. STR 107/SR 88, urging military branches in Hawaii to provide hurricane-resistant shelters for active and retired personnel and families, likewise received no testimony. STR 148/SR 119, supporting construction of a floating dry dock at Pearl Harbor, drew broad support from industry, military, and state economic development representatives. STR 149/SR 120, creating a vegetation management working group to address wildfire risk, received extensive testimony in support and comments, with speakers from DCCA, PUC, Hawaiian Electric, IBW 1260, Hawaiʻi Telecom, and Kamehameha Schools discussing wildfire hazards, responsibility for vegetation near utility infrastructure, and the need to include workers and landowners in the process. STR 126/SR 105, calling for an incremental reduction in the number of inmates housed in private out-of-state facilities, prompted a lengthy discussion with DCR. The director said Hawaii’s out-of-state incarceration is driven by overcrowding and security needs, not a quota, described the per-person-per-day cost of CoreCivic housing, noted that Hawaii pays about $96 per inmate per day out of state versus about $37 in-state, and said the department is working on a master plan and future facility needs. The committee also discussed the need for a new prison and possibly a new jail. The excerpt ends with the committee still in discussion, without showing a final vote on STR 126/SR 105.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we know it's statewide, but in the more urban areas there's an opportunity to be heard remotely as
• I'm in an urban area, but there's still lots of connectivity issues in some of the parts that I represent
• of the kind of technologies that should be available more broadly to communities, be they rural or urban
• that has to be true not only in our most remote and rural parts of the state, but also in our denser urban

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) to examine its history, current operation, and possible future changes in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the hearing was prompted in part by AT&T’s 2023 request for relief from COLR obligations and by broader concerns about public safety, affordability, universal service, and access to modern broadband and telecommunications. The first panel featured a telecommunications expert who traced COLR back to universal service principles and explained how states have handled COLR differently, including full deregulation, limited rural obligations, or transition pathways tied to competition and customer protections. Members asked about affordability, federal and state processes for service withdrawal, and whether COLR remains necessary given modern competition. CPUC staff then described California’s COLR framework, explaining that universal service rests on access, reliability/quality, and affordability, and that COLR requires carriers to provide basic service, including voice-grade calling, 911 access, relay services, and Lifeline. Staff said AT&T’s application sought relief in nearly all of its territory, but no replacement COLR came forward during the proceeding, and public participation hearings drew thousands of comments and strong concern from rural and vulnerable customers. The CPUC outlined its ongoing rulemaking to reconsider whether the 1996 COLR rules and 2012 basic-service definition still fit current conditions, with workshops and public hearings scheduled and a proposed decision expected later in the year or into 2026. Members pressed staff on geographic outreach, wireless coverage, whether broadband can be part of basic service, public safety during wildfires, and what reporting and complaint processes currently exist. In the final panel, industry and public-interest witnesses sharply disagreed. A U.S. Telecom representative argued COLR is outdated, costly, and copper-focused, and said reform should allow technology-neutral alternatives such as wireless, fiber, and satellite while preserving reliable voice and emergency access. The CPUC Public Advocates Office countered that COLR remains a necessary public safeguard, especially for rural and low-income customers, and argued that any transition should maintain or improve service, with public benefits such as broadband investment and continued protections for 911, disability access, and affordability. Committee members focused on the difference between an obligation to serve everyone and a mere option to serve, and on whether the Legislature should provide clearer guidance as the CPUC’s rulemaking moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• often seen as an issue confined to major cities, but the reality is the crisis is growing everywhere, urban
• Curry, we have you registered as Luke Curry registering, uh, for the bill representing the Austin Area Urban
• And ah Urban Lee started coming to me, you know, helping me throughout this ordeal.
• It's mandated by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to track service usage, assess needs

Bills: HB163, HB 296

Keywords: judicial liability, personal bond, felony offenses, judges, criminal justice reform, voter registration, election procedures, change of address, residence requirements, Texas Election Code, Texas election law, residence address, precinct voting, county move, same-county move, Election Code, registrar, statement of residence, polling place, local elections

Transcript Highlights:

• often seen as an issue confined to major cities, but the reality is the crisis is growing everywhere, urban
• Curry, we have you registered as Luke Curry registering for the bill representing the Austin Area Urban
• And Urban League started coming to. Me, you know, helping me through all this ordeal.
• Department of Housing and Urban Development. to track service usage, assess needs and improve program

Bills: HB713, HB827, HB932, HB499, HB510, HB163, HB296, HB879, HB913, HB163, HB296

Keywords: healthcare, maternal health, reporting requirements, Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, health provider immunity, workplace violence, nurses, grant program, healthcare facilities, safety measures, safety, nursing, grants, healthcare safety, verbal abuse, physical abuse, nurse empowerment, occupational therapy, licensure, interstate practice

Transcript Highlights:

• We do expect that those invoices will start to increase, especially as they start to enter the urban
• they start to increase especially as they start to enter<00:20:23.440><c> the</c><00:20:23.559><c> urban
• 25.320><c> so</c><00:20:26.200><c> um</c><00:20:26.720><c> again</c><00:20:27.000><c> but</c> enter the urban
• core uh so um again but enter the urban core uh so um again but if<00:20:27.280><c> there</c><00:20:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that are included in the governor's budget here are a move and increase to the appropriations for urban
• We have two urban search and rescue teams in Minnesota, Task Force One and Task Force 2, and they are
• </c> increase to the Appropriations for urban increase to the Appropriations for urban search<00:53:25.400
• search and rescue teams have TWO Urban search and rescue teams in<00:53:34.799><c> Minnesota</c><00:
• search and rescue Training for urban search and rescue things<00:53:48.520><c> like</c><00:53:48.760

Bills: HF2432

Keywords: HF2432, judiciary finance bill, public safety finance bill, corrections policy, crime victims, victim services, Minnesota victims of crime account, court fees, marriage license fee, financial crimes, fraud investigations, insurance fraud, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Commerce Fraud Bureau, wage theft, automobile theft prevention, nonprofit security grants, 911 funding, POST Board

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, and certainly, um, we're also looking at urban health with United Family Practice in particular
• Chairman, and certainly we're also looking at urban health with United Family Practice in particular,
• Chairman, and certainly we're also looking at urban health with United Family Practice in particular,
• and</c><01:14:50.400><c> literacy</c> On line 107, there is a proposal related to the collaborative urban
• an equal reduction to that program for the transfer from PELSB to MDE. related to the collaborative urban

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's also seven small urban transit systems for cities between 250 and 50,000 people.
• likely to commit suicide than<01:11:14.800><c> those</c><01:11:15.040><c> in</c><01:11:15.280><c> urban
• </c> than those in urban than those in urban areas.<01:11:17.120><c> And</c><01:11:17.360><c> lastly,
• Highways were designed to get people in and out of often urban, um, people of color communities as fast
• </c><01:42:28.080><c> um</c> people in and out of often urban um people in and out of often urban um

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The urban search and rescue team increase is $550,000 each year ongoing.
• Um German concurs.<00:14:50.079><c> The</c><00:14:50.399><c> urban</c><00:14:50.639><c> search</c><00
• The urban search and rescue concurs. The urban search and rescue team<00:14:51.920><c> increase.
• 15:07.040><c> both</c> Um, we're moving the the base of both Um, we're moving the the base of both urban
• and rural search and rescue teams urban and rural search and rescue teams from<00:15:11.040><c> the<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a proposal from the governor's budget that would move the Collaborative Urban and Greater Minnesota
• I already spoke to line 121, which moves the Collaborative Urban and Greater Minnesota Educators of Color
• urban and greater Minnesota<00:15:14.800><c> educator</c><00:15:15.279><c> colors</c><00:15:15.920><
• :10:10.800><c> of</c><01:10:10.960><c> the</c><01:10:11.120><c> collaborative</c><01:10:11.920><c> urban
• </c><01:10:12.159><c> and</c> transfer of the collaborative urban and transfer of the collaborative urban

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a statewide issue impacting rural and urban communities.
• 00:17:54.520><c> impacting</c><00:17:54.960><c> rural</c><00:17:55.280><c> and</c><00:17:55.400><c> urban
• </c><00:17:55.840><c> I</c> issue uh impacting rural and urban I issue uh impacting rural and urban I
• c> Metro</c><00:18:32.600><c> friends</c><00:18:33.120><c> need</c><00:18:33.679><c> so</c> our uh Urban
• The outcomes are seen in both our urban and our rural communities by helping families secure quality

Bills: HF2582, HF2266, HF2518, HF2039, HF1941

Keywords: child care, grants, appropriation, workforce development, families, YWCA Minneapolis, job training, child development, economic assistance, WomenVenture, economic development, entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, business training, financial support, youth programs, funding, employment, Minnesota, American Indian

Transcript Highlights:

• stronger culture around this commercialization idea, because I think that's where the public again interfaces

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• stronger culture around this commercialization idea, because I think that's where the public again interfaces

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an interfacing committee, a venue whereby legislators hold each other accountable.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• purchase a device that essentially turns that device into a cell phone or a computer into a vehicle interface

Bills: HF3131, HF3436, HF3106, HF3241, HF3531

Keywords: cancer, disability, parking certificates, transportation, state law, school bus, schoolchildren, student safety, traffic safety, stop arm, flashing red lights, amber lights, passing a school bus, 20 feet, vehicle stopping distance, driver duties, school transportation, Minnesota traffic law, school bus law, bus stop signal

Transcript Highlights:

• They interface with our public, they provide customer support, they ensure everything is timely filed