Transcript Highlights:

• Section 407.3701, the scope of the chapter, we replace the term permanent employees with regular and
• The term permanent employee was replaced with regular and probationary employee.
• We replaced the term permanent employee with regular and probationary employee.
• We replaced the term permanent employee with regular and probationary employee.
• The term serious or extraordinary was replaced with severe, extreme, or life-threatening, and we removed

Summary: The Administrative Rules Committee met on June 11 and first approved the March 12, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rules tied to recent legislation, including North Dakota’s participation in the physician assistant licensure compact and a new physician nutrition continuing education requirement. The Board said it was waiting on compact rules and fee information before finalizing its own changes. The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the Office of Management and Budget on broad personnel rule revisions, including salary administration, recruitment, leave, sick leave, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR language and implement recent legislation such as enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions and new hire leave. Members questioned the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but OMB and counsel said those standards come from statute, not the rules. The committee also heard and accepted rule packages from the Lottery, the Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the State Electrical Board, the Industrial Commission, PERS, and Health and Human Services, with each agency describing mostly technical, clarifying, or statutory-conforming changes and noting the public notice and comment process. The most significant action came during the Gaming Commission rules presentation. After questioning whether the commission had authority to raise the poker tournament buy-in limit from $300 to $1,500, members moved to void Section 99-01.3-09-01 on the ground that the agency lacked statutory authority for that change. The motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed several gaming-related issues, including online raffles, kiosk use, advertising restrictions, and the broader policy question of whether charities should be allowed to own bars, but took no further formal action on those topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• Following land burn restrictions, equipment replacement mandates, energy costs, labor pressures, and
• Following land, burn restrictions, equipment replacement mandates, energy costs, labor pressures, and
• They've been big supporters of that, and they've been big supporters of the tractor replacement program
• He was replaced by Darren Filkins, who's the CEO of Harris Farms.
• He was replaced by Darren Filkins, who's the CEO of Harris Farms.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the options are to remove it or replace it. There's no funds to replace it.
• So, the options are to remove it or replace it. There's no funds to replace it.
• in a while the people that put plow frames on their trucks wouldn't bother to put them on the replacements
• in a while the people that put plow frames on their trucks wouldn't bother to put them on the replacements
• in a while the people that put plow frames on their trucks wouldn't bother to put them on the replacements

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Joint Fiscal Committee met on March 20, 2026, approved the minutes, and adopted the consent calendar after removing two items for separate discussion: FIS 26048 from the Department of Safety and FIS 26053 from the Department of Environmental Services. The committee then adopted both of those items after brief questioning. Safety explained that a $2 million transfer would reduce its lapse, though it still expected a lapse of just under $4 million. Members, especially Senator Gray, emphasized concern about lapses and the need to track them closely given prior-year shortfalls. On the Environmental Services item, members discussed the Heavy Falls dam removal. The commissioner said the dam is old, not grounded in bedrock, and does not meet current safety standards, so removal was the practical option because replacement funding was unavailable. He said the aquatic resource mitigation fund and Army Corps of Engineers support made the removal feasible, and that the town had been involved in discussions for years. The committee adopted the item. The committee also adopted a Department of Transportation item, with staff noting high snowfall and a roughly 25% vacancy rate but saying contractors and bonus incentives had allowed plowing operations to continue. A Judicial Council item was then adopted, with the director saying it would likely be his last appearance this fiscal year. The committee next reviewed information materials on YDC claims administration, where DOJ staff said current spending would leave about a $10 million buffer into the next fiscal year and described reduced staffing and ongoing claims work; no action was taken. The committee then heard audit presentations for the Liquor Commission and Lottery Commission. The Liquor Commission audit reported seven findings, including a material weakness on reconciliations, issues with NextGen data/reporting, gift and promotional card controls, procurement and leasing practices, and one nonconcurrence on whether certain purchases were exempt from bidding requirements; members discussed whether attorney general review or legislation might be needed. The commission said it had completed a year-end reconciliation and was about 70% reconciled through February. The Lottery Commission audit reported three internal control comments, all concurred with by the lottery, focused on written procedures, filling the controller position, annual risk assessments, disaster recovery testing, user access controls, and training compliance; the lottery said it was hiring to reduce reliance on one employee and had no unresolved findings. The committee took no vote on the audit materials and adjourned after setting the next meeting for April 17 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Measure Q is set to expire in 2030 unless it is renewed by voters or a new measure comes forward to replace
• Measure Q is set to expire in 2030 unless it is renewed by voters or a new measure comes forward to replace
• The proposed hemp tax wipeout will likely replace cannabis products, as noted, rather than augment the
• The proposed hemp tax wipe positive will likely replace cannabis products as noted rather than augment
• The story included quotes about not having unions, replacing American workers with their own, and building

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met as a subcommittee and heard several bills, with members explaining that measures with significant fiscal impacts would be held for suspense or taken up later. AB 761 would let the Monterey-Salinas Transit District place a local sales tax measure on the ballot with approval from two-thirds of its board rather than needing approval from each member jurisdiction; supporters said it would preserve transit funding for veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities, while an opponent argued it would make it easier to raise a regressive tax. The bill was voted out 5-2 after being called for absent members. AB 1253, which would clarify property tax treatment for wildfire reconstruction beyond substantial equivalence, drew support from the Los Angeles County Assessor and the California Assessors Association but was sent to suspense. AB 8, dealing with hemp enforcement, intoxicating hemp products, and integration of hemp cannabinoids into the cannabis supply chain and tax system, drew strong support from cannabis operators and labor groups and opposition from small cultivators and public health advocates concerned about supply, tax revenue, and voter intent; it was also sent to suspense. The committee then heard AB 1138, a major expansion and modernization of the film and television tax credit program. Supporters, including entertainment unions, workers, studios, and local officials, said the bill would help keep production and jobs in California amid competition from other states and countries; opponents criticized it as picking winners and losers and argued broader business costs were the real problem. The bill was referred to suspense. AB 829, which would create a California Parkinson’s Disease Research Fund and voluntary tax contribution program to support research and services, received unanimous support from advocates and was approved 6-0 to Appropriations. AB 474 would exempt rental income from nonprofit home-sharing programs for low-income homeowners from state income tax and protect participants’ eligibility for certain benefits; supporters said it could help older adults age in place and address housing shortages, and the bill was sent to suspense after members asked for clarification on the fiscal estimate. The committee also heard AB 376, which would exempt wildfire settlement payments from state income tax for certain disaster survivors; supporters from rural counties said the money is meant to help victims rebuild and should not be taxed, and the bill was referred to suspense. Finally, AB 480 would allow developers using low-income housing tax credits to switch from allocated to certificated state credits after an award, with supporters saying it would maximize private investment and stretch housing dollars further; it too was sent to suspense. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly emphasized the need to balance policy goals with fiscal impacts, and several bills were held or referred to suspense rather than voted out immediately.

Transcript Highlights:

• The total benefits issued last year was $1.77 billion, which includes $115 million in replacements.
• In the last two months of 2024, we replaced a little over $10.2 million in benefits.
• Now we can no longer replace benefits prior to December.
• December 20th, it was in the federal budget that you could replace benefits twice a year, but that did
• We have one lady, and several others, for whom we replaced benefits twice, and they were stolen off her

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now these these bridges are replaced.
• <01:42:38.480> these embark upon a project to replace these embark upon a project to replace
• So it's a very efficient way to replace this bridge.
• So it's a very efficient way to replace this bridge.
• If you go the superructure replacement.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• decisions until a replacement is ready. decisions until a replacement is ready.
• <00:15:22.040> Replacing uh who know the program best.
• Replacing uh who know the program best.
• Um, we were work on a replacement plan.
• <00:17:28.199> plan, committee with that replacement plan, committee with that replacement

Bills: HF1767, HF2068, HF4725, HF4637, HF4638

Keywords: human services, community support, integrated care, disability services, stakeholder consultation, homeless youth, grants, funding, Minnesota, mental health, substance use disorder, education, workforce development, licensure, direct care services, healthcare, long-term care, personal care assistants, employment support, medical assistance

Summary: The Human Services Finance and Policy Committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 1767, as amended by the DE4 amendment. Representative Garande explained that the bill, originally intended to codify Integrated Community Supports (ICS), was being redirected because of concerns about fraud vulnerability and program integrity. The DE4 would create a smaller legislative study group to redesign ICS, pause DHS changes for about six months while the group develops a transition plan, continue DHS fraud investigations and enforcement, and ultimately terminate ICS as currently structured. Testimony in support came from Mr. Buck and Zania Harut of the Residential Providers Association of Minnesota, both of whom argued that ICS is unstable, inconsistently implemented, and in need of a new statutory foundation. They said the current system mixes different service models under one rate framework, lacks clear codification, and has shifting policy guidance that creates compliance problems for providers and risks to people receiving services. They emphasized that the bill would preserve oversight and enforcement while allowing time to build a replacement service with clearer rules, documentation standards, and guardrails. Members asked about effects on counties, providers, data, audits, and fraud enforcement. Representative Curran and Mr. Berg said the bill would not change funding structures or DHS’s existing authority to audit, request documentation, investigate fraud, or sanction bad actors, and that the study group would use existing data to identify where problems are concentrated. Vice Chair Gillman supported the study-group approach as a bipartisan, public process and raised concerns about whether the bill would prevent DHS from acting on known fraud; Curran responded that the language was intended to preserve those enforcement actions. The discussion ended without a final vote on the bill in the portion provided, beyond adoption of the DE4 amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's a total replacement. it's a total replacement. >> Correct. >> Correct.
• Um, it is a replace-all amendment.
• Um the um a replace all amendment.
• So, I'm supporting the amendment, which replaces it and deletes it.
• supporting the amendment which replaces supporting the amendment which replaces it<04:17:13.279>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh he has replaced me in uh Collins.
• , and valve replacement.
• , and valve replacement.
• So inspection, repairs and replacement So inspection, repairs and replacement of<00:43:09.440> those
• essentially is going in there to replace essentially is going in there to replace whether<01:31:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Special Committee on Red Hill held an informational briefing at the State Capitol focused on updates from the Navy Closure Task Force Red Hill and NAVFAC Hawaii. Members and Navy officials opened by noting the meeting format, providing public links to tank closure supplement 4 and environmental remediation resources, and thanking Admiral Barnett for attending before his transition. The Navy emphasized that the Red Hill closure effort and the PFAS/PAS environmental remediation effort are separate but coordinated, and that both are long-term undertakings. For the closure effort, Navy officials reported progress on tank cleaning, ventilation, sludge removal, groundwater monitoring, and preparation for pipeline removal. They said supplement 4 to the tank closure plan was submitted in May and outlines the overall closure strategy, post-closure monitoring, and the decision to proceed with closure rather than wait for beneficial reuse decisions. They described completed ventilation of tanks 3 through 8, the start of tank 2 ventilation, removal of 283 gallons of sludge from the first six tanks, and plans to begin pipeline pigging and removal later this year. Officials also said all sludge samples tested so far were non-hazardous and that air monitoring has not shown elevated volatile organic readings during operations. NAVFAC Hawaii then outlined the PFAS/PAS remedial investigation under CERCLA, explaining the cleanup process, the nature of PFAS, and the role of aqueous film-forming foam as a source. The presentation said the Navy began investigating PFAS releases in 2014-2015, that the 2021 Red Hill fuel release led directly into remedial investigation work, and that current activities include quarterly groundwater sampling at 42 monitoring wells, installation of new shallow and deep wells, soil sampling where exceedances were found, fate-and-transport modeling, and human health risk assessments. Officials said data are publicly available on the Red Hill environmental website and that the next restoration advisory board meeting is scheduled for August 27. The Navy also gave a water resiliency update, saying it is upgrading the joint base drinking water system with pump, tank, and cybersecurity improvements and is installing treatment systems for the inactive Navy Aiea and Red Hill shafts ahead of EPA drinking water standards taking effect in 2029. No votes or formal committee actions were taken, as the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:42.440> all confused because this replace all confused because this replace all amendment
• Interim replacement for permanent replacement, so I've been shanghaied into filling in for him, along
• Interim replacement for permanent replacement, so I've been shanghaied into filling in for him, along
• <01:21:36.040> for interim interim replacement for interim interim replacement for permanent
• been permanent replacement so I've been permanent replacement so I've been shangy<01:21:38.960>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Over time, that autonomy has not only eroded, but it's been replaced.
• not only eroded, but it's been replaced. not only eroded, but it's been replaced.
• <00:56:00.240> And replace the thinking of the nurse.
• And replace the thinking of the nurse.
• We just don't want it to replace tool.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill supports that vision not by replacing our financial institutions, but by complementing them
• Our approach does not replace banks. It strengthens the pipeline.
• Our approach does not replace<00:04:21.199> banks.
• <00:04:21.680> It<00:04:21.919> strengthens<00:04:22.320> the replace banks.
• It strengthens the replace banks.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 2581 was presented as a request for a $1 million state investment in Fortis Capital, a Minnesota nonprofit economic development lender. The bill was described as supporting entrepreneurship and wealth-building by expanding access to capital for businesses that are underserved by traditional lending, especially in rural areas, communities of color, immigrant communities, and low-wealth areas. Testifiers argued that conventional underwriting standards leave viable businesses without financing and that Fortis provides flexible gap financing to help deals close, complementing rather than replacing banks and CDFIs. Brian Smith, co-founder and CEO of Fortis Capital, said the organization was established in 2019 and has deployed 37 loans totaling over $4 million since 2021, leveraging an additional $29.5 million through partnerships. He said Fortis seeks to increase lending capacity, reduce risk in innovative capital structures, expand statewide partnerships, and accelerate small business growth and job creation. In response to questions, he said Fortis typically charges about 6.12% on average, has had two defaults, and operates as a revolving loan fund. He also explained that Fortis already participates in some Department of Employment and Economic Development programs, but is not eligible for certain grant programs because those grants go directly to borrowers. Committee members asked how the proposal fits with existing state economic development efforts and whether competitive grant programs exist for this kind of work. A DED representative said he would need more detail to compare the proposal to agency programs, though he mentioned the emerging entrepreneur loan program as a possible fit. Members also discussed broader concerns about direct appropriations versus competitive grants. No public testimony was offered. Chair Frasier closed by saying the bill addresses a real need and laid House File 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• academic building at New Mexico State University, $40 million for renovations and major system replacements
• And if it's something that doesn't need to be replaced that often, or if it's something that never has
• to be replaced, To be replaced that often, or if it's something that never has to be replaced, I don't

Bills: HB248, HB309, HB332, SB48

Keywords: general obligation bonds, GO bonds, capital projects, bond election, property tax levy, state debt, state finance, capital outlay, senior centers, senior citizen facilities, aging services, long-term services, libraries, library acquisitions, broadband for libraries, higher education, university capital projects, community colleges, tribal schools, special schools

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:15:43.600> necessary whether the replacement necessary whether the replacement necessary
• >> No, it say repair or replace >> No, it say repair or replace >> cover<04:20
• >> No, it say repair or replacement. >> No, it say repair or replacement.
• and have it replaced. and have it replaced.
• No single prosthesis can replace all of that.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Examples include emergencies, single-source providers, licensed professionals, perishable foods, replacement
• > licensed professionals, perishable licensed professionals, perishable foods,<00:10:13.040> replacement
• <00:10:13.600> parts,<00:10:13.920> and<00:10:14.160> certain foods, replacement
• parts, and certain foods, replacement parts, and certain insurance<00:10:14.959> products.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:07 Roll Call 00:00:18 HB 333 Discussion 00:02:49 HB 333 Vote 00:06:47 HB 432 Discussion 00:08:44 HB 432 Vote 00:12:13 Adjournment 00:13:54, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Local Government met with a quorum present, heard introductions, and then considered two bills. House Bill 333, sponsored by Representative Pollock, would allow faith-based organizations to develop small-scale affordable housing projects of up to 24 units on property owned before January 1, 2026, and to operate modest homeless shelters, including cooling or warming centers, in commercial, business, or industrial zones if health and safety requirements are met. Pollock said the bill is intended to help address homelessness and housing affordability while preserving building, fire, health, and reporting standards. Representative Stalker supported the measure and asked about its effect on the tax base, and Representative Fleming asked a clarifying question about the bill number. The committee voted 16-0 to give HB 333 favorable expression. The committee then took up House Bill 432, sponsored by Vice Chair Neighbors, which updates Kentucky local purchasing laws. A committee substitute was adopted first, then Neighbors explained that the bill clarifies when local public agencies may use non-competitive negotiations, such as in emergencies, with single-source providers, licensed professionals, perishable foods, replacement parts, and certain insurance products, while still requiring written justification. The bill also keeps the $40,000 advertised-bid threshold and adds clearer exceptions, including used vehicles or equipment purchased at no more than 75% of MSRP, to give local governments more flexibility and stretch taxpayer dollars. Representative Roarx explained the difference between the original bill and the substitute regarding how the 75% value is measured. The committee voted 17-0 to report HB 432 favorably as amended. Before adjournment, the chair welcomed constituents in the audience and congratulated Representative Roarx on becoming ranking member. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• to a patient about alternatives, whether it's antibiotics or different varieties of total joint replacements
• This amendment would replace line 13 on page one with the following. This is really just cleanup.
• The next is we're going to replace lines 16 through 17 on page one with the following: information to
• The last part is the substantial part where we're going to replace lines 106 through 115 on page four

Bills: SB87, HB491, SB43, SB101

Keywords: midwifery, licensed midwives, State Board of Midwifery, licensure fees, professional liability insurance, complaints investigation, emergency care plan, out-of-hospital care, HB491, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school lunch, cafeteria, artificial dyes, food additives, food coloring, synthetic dyes, Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40

Transcript Highlights:

• The local bridge replacement program is one of our top priorities, has traditionally been funded in the
• The current five-year bridge list includes 924 bridges with an estimated total replacement cost of over
• cost of over 762 total replacement cost of over 762 million<00:07:47.680> with<00:07:47.919><
• wetland replacement for local government<00:09:26.320> road<00:09:26.640> projects.
• <01:15:38.239> service different uh replacement service different uh replacement service municipalities

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that is people are typically replacing that is people are typically replacing it<00:30:52.960>
• it with their opioid pain replace it with their opioid pain medication<00:32:01.840> or<00:32
• On line 18, replace that with 650,000. On line 19, we would strike Department of Agriculture.
• >> Basically on page 17, we're replacing >> Basically on page 17, we're replacing the
• So the 24,000 would be replaced with of.

Bills: HB0103, HB0070, HB0091

Keywords: First Amendment, free speech, lawsuits, immunity, public participation, strategic lawsuits, foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws, civil actions, speech protection, legal jurisdiction, joint liability, artificial intelligence, social scoring, biometric data, privacy rights, government regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• He asks that we look at the amendment and replace the amendment in whole.
• deportation of immigrants he replaced deportation of immigrants he replaced that<00:47:34.880>
• he asks that we amendment and he replac he asks that we look<00:47:46.960> at<00:47:47.160>
• > the<00:47:47.280> amendment<00:47:47.720> and<00:47:47.920> replace<00:47:
• 48.400> the look at the amendment and replace the look at the amendment and replace the amendment

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 180, which concerns critical incident stress management teams. Representative Mark PR, the bill sponsor, proposed an amendment to add a definition of “team leader” and to clarify that teams may or may not be affiliated with a municipality. He argued that a certification test offered by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation is unnecessary and too expensive at $400, since team members are volunteers who already receive training and continuing education. Committee members asked about the training structure and certification language, and the sponsor explained that the teams are self-certified and that the amendment was intended to clean up the bill’s language. The committee then voted on HB 180 in executive session. Amendment 0261H was adopted 11-0, and the bill was then moved as amended and passed 11-0. The committee placed the bill on consent. Later, the committee heard House Bill 438, sponsored by Representative Timothy Horan, dealing with immigration detention and related state policy. Horan described the bill as an update to earlier legislation and said it would codify best practices, prohibit state cooperation with mass deportation efforts, bar for-profit operation of immigration detention facilities, and require Executive Council approval before the governor could deploy the National Guard for immigration deportation activities. Committee members questioned whether the bill could be read as authorizing detention facilities and discussed the relationship between the state and Strafford County Jail. An amendment presented on behalf of Representative Patrick Long was described as a technical rewrite that removed several sections and changed language, but the hearing ended before any vote was taken on HB 438.

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine that patient is discharged from an outpatient setting after getting their knee replaced, for
• every single tablet out there of opioid, or it's going to replace 50 percent, not even close, right?
• Or it's going to replace 50%, not even close, right? A percent is what we're looking at right now.
• So think knee replacement, hip replacement, hysterectomy, cancer-related procedure, other general surgery
• And a knee replacement.

Summary: The committee first approved the previous meeting minutes and then heard a detailed annual report from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and policy issues. He explained the committee’s review process, confidentiality protections, and national and North Dakota data showing that most maternal deaths are preventable and that mental health conditions, substance use, cardiovascular issues, infection, hemorrhage, and embolism are the leading causes. Members asked about suicide, domestic violence, midwife training, home births, and whether pregnancy testing at death scenes should be expanded; Dr. Arnold said better coroner education, more investigation of unexplained deaths, and possible post-mortem pregnancy testing could improve case identification, especially in rural areas. He also noted that deaths often occur well after 42 days postpartum and that mental health-related deaths remain a major concern. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark on cigarette reduced-ignition-propensity standards and related fire prevention issues. He recommended updating the state’s cigarette propensity law to current national standards and also raised a separate recommendation to require fast-breakaway oxygen tubing for home oxygen users, citing fatal fires linked to smoking around oxygen. Members asked about implementation, cost, insurance coverage, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Dr. Clark said he would provide follow-up information and was willing to help with any legislation, but no agency bill had yet been planned. Next, Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services reported on the North Dakota Stroke System of Care. She described the statewide network of stroke-ready hospitals, registry-based quality improvement, and performance data showing continued improvement in stroke recognition, imaging, thrombolytic treatment, transfers, and EMS pre-notification. She highlighted new quality measures for inter-facility transfers and intracerebral hemorrhage care, and said the system remains strong but depends on continued legislative and hospital support. Committee members asked about participation by the VA hospital and were encouraged to consider outreach to include it more fully in the stroke system. Finally, the committee began a presentation on prior authorization and non-opioid pain treatment from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to non-opioid acute pain medications, especially in the 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window when pain is most severe, and said delays can push patients toward opioids. He emphasized that prior authorization has a role in utilization management but should not create barriers in acute pain care, and he noted that current use of the company’s non-opioid product remains very low. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.