Video & Transcript : 'Section 94B' :
Page 141 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Brad Parsons, Fishery Section Manager for the Minnesota DNR.
- I'm a section manager within the Division of Ecological and Water Resources.
- This year, the lands bill has seven sections.
- This year, the lands bill has seven sections.
- Public Water by private sale and section Public Water by private sale and section six<01:02:41.480><c
Keywords:
water appropriation, aquifer management, potable water, water conservation, environmental policy, fishing regulation, angling, sustainability, biodiversity, game fish, Carley State Park, Minnesota state parks, state lands, park boundary expansion, Wabasha County, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, public lands, land acquisition, park addition
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- So that's the new section E and F. It's in section five of the bill.
- five</c><00:21:18.320><c> of</c> section E and F.
- It's in section five of section E and F. It's in section five of the<00:21:18.640><c> bill.
- It's uh in addition to section the bill. It's uh in addition to section 127<00:21:22.480><c> A14.
- of the bill in section five, which is the state of emergency portion.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2145, which would establish a statutory right for the public to record law enforcement activities in public. Supporters, including the Libertarian Party of Hawaii and the ACLU of Hawaii, said the bill would clarify First Amendment protections, reduce confusion, and provide a private right of action if the right is violated. Most written testimony was in support, while the Maui Police Department and Honolulu Police Department submitted opposition. A senator asked about existing court cases, and the ACLU witness said courts have consistently recognized a right to record officers in public so long as recording does not obstruct police activity.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 2151 on emergency management. Testimony from the Office of Information Practices and HEMA focused on proposed changes to Chapter 127A, including limits on emergency powers and a two-thirds legislative override. Earthjustice and other supporters argued the bill was needed after the Hawaii Supreme Court’s Nakoa decision, which they said read emergency powers too broadly and could allow suspension of laws for long-term policy issues rather than true emergencies. HEMA opposed the restrictions, saying emergency managers need flexibility to respond to unknown, statewide crises such as tsunamis, hurricanes, war-related threats, and large disasters, and objected especially to limits on the governor’s ability to suspend public records requirements during emergencies.
Several witnesses, including the Public First Law Center, said the bill was a step in the right direction but suggested amendments to better define emergencies and make clear the changes respond to the Nakoa decision. Committee members questioned whether the proposed limits would hinder disaster response and whether the legislature already has tools to override emergency proclamations. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary (2-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 1, paragraph 8, establishes a precise definition of what disability is, and at this point I'd
- Assets in section one it defines<00:19:16.520><c> what</c><00:19:16.720><c> is</c><00:19:16.919><c>
- Section three includes sexual extortion in the definition of sex crime under Kentucky law.
- </c> sex crime under Kentucky law section sex crime under Kentucky law section four<00:26:44.279><c>
- </c><00:26:53.399><c> five</c> an education campaign and section five an education campaign and section
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:05
Roll Call: 00:00:14
SB 26: 00:01:50
SB 64: 00:18:29
SB 73: 00:22:54, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Chair Storm, would protect parents and prospective parents with disabilities by barring disability alone from being the sole basis for denying an adoption petition or terminating parental rights. Testimony from Judge Marcus Vanover and Crystal Adams described the bill as a product of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health and its work groups, cited Kentucky and national cases and federal ADA guidance, and said the bill would require consideration of supportive services, clearer documentation, retention of records, and conforming language changes. Senator Carroll asked how the bill would apply to a hypothetical adult child with special needs; witnesses said the bill is aimed at adoption and termination proceedings where the Cabinet is already involved, not proactive service requests. The committee approved SB 26 by a unanimous 7-0 vote and sent it to the floor with favorable expression.
The committee next considered Senate Bill 64, also sponsored by Chair Storm, which would expand the definition of key infrastructure assets to include telecommunications services such as telephone lines and broadband and make damaging, tampering with, or rendering those services inoperable a Class D felony. Representatives from Charter/Spectrum and AT&T testified that copper theft and vandalism have increasingly damaged fiber and other facilities, citing more than 20 incidents in Kentucky in 2024 affecting over 30,000 customers and diverting resources from broadband expansion. The committee adopted a committee substitute and then passed SB 64 by a 7-0 vote with favorable expression.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Senator Julie Adams, which would create a felony offense for sexual extortion, allow victims or their representatives to bring civil actions, include the offense in Kentucky’s sex-crime definitions, and require school-based notification and education efforts along with resource information for students. Senator Adams and witness Lady T. Thompson described sextortion as a fast-growing online crime targeting minors, often through social media, gaming, and messaging apps, and argued that stronger penalties and prevention efforts are needed. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on SB 73.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:05:07.320><c> 302A-1116,</c> of Section 302A-1116, of Section 302A-1116, Hawaii<00:05:10.600>
- Uh, this is affirming the Section 20302A-116.
- Uh, this is affirming the Section 20302A-116.
- Uh, this is affirming the Section 20302A-116.
- </c> Uh this is affirming the Section Uh this is affirming the Section 20302A-116.
Bills:
HCR122
Keywords:
Olelo Hawaii, micro-credentials, Hawaiian language, Niihau dialect, language revitalization, 912, senate, all
Summary:
The joint Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Hawaiian Affairs first took up HCR 122, which requests the University of Hawaii to allow an ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi E Pathway under the Niʻihau dialect. Testimony was generally supportive, and the chair noted agreement with the House author to mirror amendments already made in the Senate version, including technical, non-substantive changes and a micro-credential reference. Both committees voted to pass HCR 122 with amendments.
The committee then heard HCR 181, affirming the legislative intent of HRS 302A-1116 regarding the Department of Education’s authority to create temporary positions. DOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi testified that the department follows statutory requirements and consults with the Attorney General, while several members expressed concern that the department’s interpretation could allow repeated annual renewals and undermine the budget process. Members discussed the need to make the bill more explicit that temporary positions may not exceed one year. The committee ultimately adopted the proposed SD1 and passed HCR 181 with amendments.
The committee also considered HCR 42 on recognizing cheerleading as a title sport, HCR 53 on a UH associate degree completion audit, HCR 110 on refining campus roles within the UH system, HCR 111 on clarifying UH system and campus responsibilities, and HCR 118 HD1 on strengthening menstrual health education and adopting a comprehensive menstrual cycle curriculum. HCR 42 and HCR 53 were passed with technical/non-substantive amendments, HCR 110 and HCR 111 were passed unamended, and HCR 118 HD1 was passed with amendments reflecting the Senate version. Testimony on HCR 118 strongly supported standardized menstrual health education, with speakers emphasizing student demand and existing school infrastructure.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Mar 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- On page 8, under the juvenile section on line 15, the reference to age is 17.
- Let's start with page 8 under Section 211. The bill defines a juvenile detention facility.
- It says Senate Bill 888, page 84, section 568.045, line 39.
- Page 84, section 568.045, line 39.
- So if looking at this, it's section 568.045, which begins on page 82.
Summary:
The Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions heard Senate Substitute No. 3 to Senate Bill 888, a broad criminal justice measure sponsored by Sen. Nick Schroer. The bill would change juvenile procedures, including fingerprinting certain offenders under 18, sealing those records for law enforcement and prosecutors, closing juvenile proceedings to the public in some cases, allowing shackling in limited circumstances, and revising the juvenile detention assessment form. It also revises sentencing rules for certain felonies by increasing minimum time-served thresholds, limiting or eliminating conditional release for some offenses, changing how jail-time credit is calculated and challenged, and adding or reclassifying several offenses as dangerous felonies, including some sex offenses, trafficking-related crimes, and endangering the welfare of a child. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve consistency, public safety, and transparency for victims and offenders, while clarifying that it did not change the elements of endangering the welfare of a child or create a vaccination-based offense.
Testimony was mixed. The Missouri Prosecutors Association and Missouri Sheriffs’ United supported the bill, emphasizing clearer sentencing information for victims and stronger consequences for violent and repeat offenders. The Missouri Department of Corrections also supported the sentencing portion, saying the bill’s parole-percentage changes were conviction-based and that the department’s main goal was transparency at sentencing. Opponents, including the Missouri Justice Coalition, the Public Defender System, and several juvenile justice advocates, argued that the juvenile provisions would push more children into adult court, undermine Missouri’s nationally recognized juvenile model, and increase racial disparities and recidivism. They also criticized the mandatory minimums and longer sentences as costly and punitive, warning of higher prison populations and possible new prison construction. Several witnesses raised concerns about the bill’s treatment of vaccination status in the child endangerment section.
Committee members questioned the sponsor and witnesses extensively about whether the bill changed commitments versus convictions, the fiscal note, prison capacity, juvenile detention bed space, and whether the measure would apply retroactively. The sponsor and DOC said the sentencing changes were forward-looking and that the bill was meant to provide more certainty at sentencing, though some details were left to experts and later cleanup. The committee recessed during testimony to return after session, then reconvened in executive session. Representative Davis offered an amendment clarifying that vaccination status alone cannot prove endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, and the committee discussed the amendment before continuing consideration of the bill.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Feb 12th, 2026
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- Have had a different approach and have fully decoupled, at least from some of the sections of OB3, and
- You mentioned the provision, I believe it's Section 5, that if there's a future change to federal tax
- zones, Section 70421.
- Okay, my first question goes related to section 703-07...
- The other piece I just want to drill into is our thoughts around the R&E sections in particular.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on H. 4975, Governor Healey’s bill to manage the impact of federal tax changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) on Massachusetts. Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorowitz said the bill would phase in selected corporate tax changes over time, avoid a $442 million FY26 revenue hit, preserve the current-year budget, and add a few related changes, including expanding the pass-through entity excise to income subject to the 4% surtax, delaying large federal tax changes over $20 million by one year, limiting opportunity zone benefits to Massachusetts investments, adjusting DFML contributions to match IRS guidance, and aligning casino slot-winnings reporting thresholds with federal law. Committee members questioned the administration about why it chose phased conformity rather than full decoupling, the effect on the budget if the bill does not pass, the purpose of the pass-through entity change, opportunity zones, and the slot-machine threshold and family leave provisions.
Public testimony was sharply divided. MassBudget, Progressive Massachusetts, and Don Griswold of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities urged the committee to go further and permanently decouple from the five most costly OB3 corporate tax provisions, arguing that automatic conformity is fiscally risky, rewards investment outside Massachusetts, and has already caused or could cause large revenue losses. Labor and public-sector witnesses, including leaders from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, AFT Massachusetts, SEIU 509, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, and building trades unions, also called for permanent decoupling, warning that the federal law will deepen state budget pressures, harm schools, health care, human services, and infrastructure, and shift costs onto workers and public programs. Several speakers said Massachusetts should not adopt federal corporate tax cuts that mainly benefit wealthy individuals and corporations.
Other testimony focused on specific provisions. Unite Here Local 26 asked the committee to strike the casino slot-winnings threshold change from $1,200 to $2,000, saying the current limit helps identify problem gambling, creates an opportunity for intervention, and supports union jobs. The Massachusetts Society of CPAs supported the administration’s phased approach, especially the research and experimental expense deduction, citing the importance of certainty for business filers and Massachusetts’ strong R&D economy. Greater Boston Legal Services testified on the paid family and medical leave sections, explaining that the bill’s changes would align PFML payroll contributions with new IRS guidance and, if paired with administrative action, would be cost-neutral for workers and employers. No votes were taken during the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Feb 12th, 2026
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- You mentioned the provision, I believe it's Section 5, that if there's a future change to federal tax
- And the last question I have is regarding opportunity zones, Section 70421.
- Okay, my first question goes related to Section 703-07.
- The other piece I just want to drill into is our thoughts around the R&E sections in particular.
- I have with me the sections three and four.
Bills:
H4975
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Jan 21st, 2026
Ways and Means Education
Transcript Highlights:
- It's to replace lines 23 on page one with the following sale and use tax as provided for in sections
- And then section B, any county or municipality may exempt the gross proceeds from the retail sale of
- </c><00:09:08.720><c> 40-23-2</c> as provided for in section 40-23-2 as provided for in section 40-23
- B,</c><00:09:29.279><c> any</c> sectioning code.
- And then section B, any sectioning code.
Keywords:
illegal alien, enhanced sentencing, criminal offenses, minor victims, felonies, Alabama legislature, HB116, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset bill, sunset review, Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board, bail bonding, bail bonds, bail bond industry, professional bail bondsman, licensing board, state agency continuation, agency reauthorization, regulatory board, criminal justice
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health Mar 20th, 2025
S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health
Transcript Highlights:
- I think that if you eliminate Section 7 of the bill.
- HB 25, Section 7 only.
- The current labeling requirement in Section 7 makes that difficult, as I've already mentioned.
- If section 7 does. Remain in the bill.
- Um, the labeling section does bring us some concern.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation May 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The second section that we have for Part A are items number six, 12 through 16, 22, 23, 27, 29, 31, 40
- The issues within that part section are 1 through 14, 16, 18 through 20, 22 through 26, 28, 30 through
- We'll now move to the third and final section, which is transportation.
- We'll now go to the second section of Part C, and those items are 1, 2, 12 through 15, 20, 24 through
- Our final section in Part C of transportation will cover three issues, five, 22, and 53. 33.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- We know this bill or this section of statute as 292.
- The chair asked for the specific line, and it was identified as lines 38 and 39 of Section 3.
- And down in Section 3 on line 39, it would read: 'Institutes of Higher Education,'" In Section 3, on
- It is a simple strike and deals with Article 9, Section 9, where we have compulsory education.
- And that is striking Section 9 and replacing it, it still remains Section 9, with: “The right of the
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/02/2026 - House Rules
Transcript Highlights:
- Specifically, Section 230 of the Federal Communications Decency Act says that no provider or user of
- House Bill 2133 might be preempted by Section 230 because it attaches liability to a commercial entity
- , which could include websites, when it hosts third-party content, and by our reading of Section 230.
- And by our reading of Section 230 and the cases about it, the federal law says that you can't expose
- interference to the fundamental right of abortion that is provided by Prop. 139 and in Article 2, Section
Summary:
The Rules Committee considered several bills for constitutional and proper-form review, with the chair holding House Bill 2555. The committee heard legal analysis on House Bill 2060, which would prohibit public educational institutions and universities from encouraging or facilitating abortions; counsel flagged possible state constitutional issues in light of Proposition 139, but the committee still recommended the bill 5-3. House Bill 2085, dealing with gender transition procedures and referrals, was discussed at length for possible First Amendment concerns, especially around provider referrals, but it was also recommended 5-3. House Bill 2133, requiring age and consent verification for online sexual material, was flagged for possible federal preemption under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and was recommended 5-3. House Bill 2086, which would bar government entities from requiring masks or vaccinations, raised Supremacy Clause and intergovernmental immunity concerns because it included the federal government, but the sponsor was said to be working on an amendment; it passed 5-3. House Bill 2279, concerning liability and waivers for Grand Canyon river outfitters, drew an anti-abrogation clause concern, with staff saying ordinary negligence liability must remain available; it was also recommended 5-3. House Bill 2364, adding criminal penalties for mailing or delivering abortion-inducing drugs, was flagged as likely conflicting with the new abortion-rights language in Proposition 139, though staff said the courts were still sorting out the issue; it too passed 5-3.
The committee then took up a large mass motion covering many additional bills, resolutions, and memorials. Staff noted one update on House Concurrent Resolution 2003, which would place on the ballot changes affecting school sports participation based on biological sex; they said the U.S. Supreme Court was considering similar laws from Idaho and West Virginia and that the outcome could affect the measure. No other specific concerns were raised on the mass motion items, and the committee recommended all of them 8-0.
Throughout the meeting, members asked clarifying questions about the constitutional issues, including the effect of Proposition 139, the scope of First Amendment protections for medical providers, federal preemption, and the anti-abrogation clause. Several members voted no on the abortion- and gender-related bills, while the majority consistently voted to advance the measures as constitutional and in proper form. The meeting adjourned after the mass motion vote.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations Apr 3rd, 2025 at 08:30 am
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- And at the very end of the bill, Section 3, this act applies to health benefit plans that are delivered
- Section 4 applies to the Public Employees Retirement System, Uniform Group Insurance Program, or, for
- That's in this, I believe that's Section 2 of the bill. Okay.
- The additional amendment with Section 4 is specific to PERS.
- As far as Section 3 and how that impacts private insurers, I would not be the best one to answer that
Keywords:
adult residential facilities, care services, Medicaid, payment rates, elderly care, health services, North Dakota, prescription drugs, drug affordability, copay assistance, copayment accumulator, deductible accumulator, out-of-pocket maximum, health insurance, health benefit plan, self-insured health plan, self-funded plan, third-party payment, manufacturer assistance, patient assistance program
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and took up three bills. House Bill 1216, dealing with prescription drug expense co-pay accumulators in health plans, was presented by Rep. Karen Carl’s, who explained it would prevent insurers from refusing to count third-party assistance toward deductibles for patients using high-cost, non-generic drugs. An amendment was offered to clarify effective dates, including a delayed January 1, 2026 start for PERS coverage. PERS testified that the amendment would align with its calendar-year benefit structure and likely reduce the fiscal note. The amendment was adopted 16-0, and the bill was set aside for further discussion later.
House Bill 1199, creating a criminal justice data-sharing system and missing persons/missing Indigenous people task force, was introduced with a committee amendment changing the Attorney General reference to the Attorney General or designee. The committee noted the bill includes a $250,000 general fund appropriation for ongoing costs. The amendment passed 16-0, and the amended bill received a do pass recommendation by a 15-1 vote, with one no vote from Senator Magrum.
House Bill 1531, appropriating $75,000 for an irrigation expansion study by the Agriculture Commissioner, was supported as a way to update older economic-impact studies on irrigation and assess opportunities for expansion. Members discussed its relationship to broader study pauses and the history of irrigation development in the state, including Garrison Diversion and remaining authorized acres. The bill passed 16-0. The committee then discussed scheduling for the coming week, noting a heavy bill load and plans for daily morning meetings before adjourning.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Mar 25, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> comment are related to another section comment are related to another section it's<00:21:00.400>
- 5 and subsection B of Section 19.
- Thanks for submitting it. subsection uh section 19 subsection subsection uh section 19 subsection b<00
- </c> particular uh section particular uh section 32-114<01:15:20.400><c> c</c><01:15:20.719><c> it's<
- </c><01:15:21.840><c> at</c> 32-114 c it's a new proposed section at 32-114 c it's a new proposed section
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard Senate Bill 1322, SD2, HD1, a comprehensive measure revising Hawaii’s mental health code. The bill would clarify emergency transportation, examination, and hospitalization procedures for people who may be mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse and deemed imminently dangerous, expand notice requirements, allow certain information-sharing for assisted community treatment petitions, and add liability protections for emergency responders and providers. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill as a collaborative update to the law, while the Department of Health asked for a copy of provider-generated emergency transport documentation within five days for data and planning purposes.
Testimony was sharply divided. Queen’s Health System, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, HHSC, and the Institute for Human Services supported the measure or parts of it but requested amendments, including clarifying whether a second psychiatric exam is required, restoring a 72-hour rather than 48-hour stabilization window, and adjusting where patients are taken when an MEO cannot be reached. The ACLU of Hawaiʻi strongly opposed the bill, arguing it weakens due process and civil liberties, especially around involuntary commitment, assisted community treatment, emergency transport by police, and reduced procedural safeguards; it urged the committee to hold the bill and consider an interim working group. Louie E.K. of the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center also opposed the bill, focusing on immunity from negligence, the use of police for transport, and the reduction of a three-provider review to one in state-hospital treatment orders.
Other testimony included support from an individual who said the bill could improve mental health care delivery amid provider shortages, and a comment from Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center warning that the substance use portion of the bill lacks evidence of effectiveness and could be misused. In response to committee questions, the Attorney General’s office said the measure was developed with input from multiple stakeholders, including state agencies, hospitals, the ACLU, HHSC, and IHS, and that it aims to make assisted community treatment more accessible and effective by streamlining the legal process and improving consequences for noncompliance. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (03/19/2026)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:56:39.840><c> Um</c> section as well as the other one. Um section as well as the other one.
- Sections four, five, six, eight, and the repeal sections in nine, all taken together, repeal the class
- On section nine, which is the repeal sections, on line 13 that should be struck entirely because it is
- ><c> been</c><02:06:50.400><c> um</c> Um section three, there's been um Um section three, there's been
- , uh which is the on uh section nine, uh which is the repeal<02:08:05.560><c> sections,</c> repeal sections
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, I move to amend Senate Bill 1264, page 27, section 3, line 6, by deleting after the word Faculty
- Page 27, section 3, line 6, by inserting after the word 'concussion' the words 'brain bleeds' and page
- 27, section 3, line 9, by deleting after the word 'scrapes' the phrase 'in the' Presence of a minor
- That first section Talks about release from DOC and it's got 3 or four line items in there.
- What was your take on that section?
Bills:
SB372, SB1224, SB1232, SB1264, SB1330, SB1381, SB1441, SB1450, SB1589, SB1618, SB1936, SB1980, SB2011, SB2030
Keywords:
SB372, firearms, gun rights, lawful carry, concealed carry, open carry, handgun license, Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, weapons policy, gun law, school safety, private school, public school, college campus, university campus, technology center, courthouse, government buildings, municipal buildings, county courthouse
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
House Floor Session Jan 21st, 2026 at 08:30 am
North Dakota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the name of state representative to whom I issued a certificate of appointment in accordance with Section
- 7 of the North Dakota Constitution, Whereas, under Article 5, Section 7 of the North Dakota Constitution
- : the Governor is vested with executive authority under the North Dakota Constitution, Article 5, Section
- authority to convene a special session of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly under Article 5, Section
- And the remaining changes, and in your packet, sections 7, 10, and 13 are subject to delayed effective
Keywords:
presidential physical fitness test, physical education, fitness assessment, student fitness, school curriculum, graduation requirements, elementary school, middle school, high school, public schools, nonpublic schools, superintendent of public instruction, exceptions, disability accommodations, North Dakota studies, computer science, cybersecurity, health education, concept-based fitness class, school standards
Summary:
The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the reading of communications from the Secretary of State and Governor Kelly Armstrong certifying the special session call. The governor’s executive order said the session was called to act on funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program so the state could accept and appropriate federal funds and avoid interruptions to government services. Three new members, Representatives McNally, Scraw, and Timmons, were sworn in, and the roll showed 91 members present, establishing a quorum.
The main business was a Rules Committee report outlining temporary special-session rules. The changes were designed to speed up floor action, including allowing second reading the same day a bill is reported from committee, final passage one day after first reading, and immediate transmission to the other chamber unless reconsideration is noticed. The report also replaced the regular standing committee structure with two joint committees: Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy, allowed remote testimony and remote member participation with approval, and limited bill introduction to Legislative Management-approved bills or bills approved by a two-thirds vote. Several deadline changes for resolutions and bill filing were also described, with some provisions delayed until the special session ends.
The House adopted the Rules Committee report after a motion by Representative Bosch and no opposition. During announcements, the clerk listed the membership of the Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy committees, and the Highway Patrol announced safety sessions for legislators in the Rough Rider Room at 11 a.m. that day and the next day. The House then recessed until the joint session scheduled for 10 a.m. the following day.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- This deals with repealing the section of code related to the Pacific Fisheries Legislative Task Force
- Oregon has already repealed their statute, so it's just an inactive section of code.
- It's a fairly short section of code. So it's just an inactive section of code.
- It's a fairly short section of code, but it originally served as an opinion for various interests involved
- So we'd like to get this section of code also repealed this year.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Management Jun 11th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Legislative Management
Transcript Highlights:
- The measure would permit laws to be enacted to facilitate, safeguard, expand, or implement the section
- And if the section conflicted Held invalid would not affect the remaining provisions.
- And if this section conflicted with North Dakota law, this section would control.
- conflicted with North Dakota law, this section would control.
- That bill created the legislative districts that are currently set forth in Section 54-03-01.14.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 33 Apr 8th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Sweezy of Duxbury moves to amend the bill by inserting after Section 2 the following section: Section
- 2A. ...moves to amend the bill by inserting after Section 2 the following section, Section 2A.
- Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, nothing in section...
- In Section 2, in lines 99, by striking out and inserting it.
- Michael Witts of Boston and other members move to amend the bill in Section 3 by... Mr.
Summary:
The House opened with ceremonial activities, including the Pledge of Allegiance and recognition of several student athletic teams and guests, then took up a series of routine matters. Members adopted a resolution congratulating the William Diamond Jr. Fife and Drum Corps on its 25th anniversary, suspended Joint Rule 12 for a petition concerning lease authorization for Eastern Mountain State Forests, and enacted several bills, including measures related to the Sandwich town charter and Springfield tax relief. The House also passed a bill authorizing charity alcohol auctions after adopting a substitute amendment, and passed a bill directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for a specific applicant.
The main policy debate centered on Senate Bill 2581, amended and retitled as an act promoting safe technology use and distraction-free education for youth. Supporters described the bill as a response to classroom distraction, bullying, and mental health harms associated with cell phones and social media, and said it would require bell-to-bell restrictions on personal devices in schools, provide guidance and a model policy for districts, and limit social media access for children under 14 while requiring parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. Several members cited educator testimony, school district practices, and concerns about anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and online predators. Opponents and amendment sponsors argued for more local flexibility and warned about implementation costs, but amendments seeking to preserve district-specific policies or prohibit unfunded mandates were rejected.
The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the bill by roll call, then passed the bill to be engrossed by a vote of 129-25. Earlier, the House also accepted a conference committee report on legislation modernizing cannabis laws by a vote of 155-0, after debate focused on restructuring the Cannabis Control Commission, expanding licensing and ownership rules, and addressing equity and social justice provisions. The chamber recessed several times, briefly lost quorum during proceedings, and adjourned to meet again in informal session the following day.