Transcript Highlights:

• "There's summer and winter things to do as well.
• "There's summer and winter things to do as well.
• "There's summer and winter things to do as well.
• "There's summer and winter things to do as well.
• "There's summer and winter things to do as well.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division II work session focused on Fish and Game’s budget-revenue proposals and several statutory changes the department said it needs to support its operations. The department recommended raising the fisheries habitat fee and wildlife habitat fee to $5 each, estimating additional annual revenue of about $640,000 and $144,000 respectively. Members clarified that these are habitat fees added on top of licenses, not reduced by senior or youth license categories, and discussed the need for RSA changes to allow the revenue to be transferred into the Fish and Game Fund. The department also said it would work internally on any broader license fee increases through the commission process. The committee then reviewed proposals to cap several dedicated accounts and transfer excess balances to the unrestricted Fish and Game Fund. Those accounts included the fisheries and wildlife habitat funds and the game management account, with the department proposing a $750,000 cap on each and transfer of amounts above that threshold. The department said the cap was based on several years of expenditures and the fact that dedicated funds are often used as match for federal funds. Members asked for reports on fund activity and questioned whether the cap and mandatory transfer language should be “shall” or “may,” with the department indicating it would prefer “may” for flexibility. The committee also discussed a Pheasant Management Program account, where the department said current law limits use of the money to buying and propagating pheasants and it wants authority to use it for broader program management. A substantial portion of the meeting addressed Fish and Game’s environmental review unit and the transfer of ARPA-funded positions to DEES under the governor’s initiative. The department said four positions are currently ARPA-funded, that DEES supports keeping them in place through the end of the year, and that the transition will require time because environmental review work is intertwined across the agency. The department explained that before the ARPA positions, biologists handled the work and that current staffing has helped eliminate a backlog and meet deadlines. Members also discussed a proposal to expand environmental review fees beyond private developers to state, federal, municipal, and local governments, with the department saying it would need rulemaking and stakeholder input. Additional requests included authority to conduct raffles to raise funds, creation of a revolving account for donations and raffle proceeds, and repeal of the obsolete fish food sales statute because the vending machines are no longer functional and the account generates no revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a program that is within Century Code that was created last session.
• That is a program that is within Century Code that was created last session.
• for the SUD voucher, where previously it said only a program could apply.
• for the SUD voucher where previously it said only a program could apply.
• Everybody have a wonderful summer, and thank you. Can I get a motion for it?

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 915 codifies the Working People with Disabilities Program at DCF.
• But the program itself is vital.
• As of now there is no way for us to formally enroll in the program.
• program.
• Where is this Working People's Program? Where is the $13,000 written in?

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a program of Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium.
• How does that change how we do the buildable lands program?
• We're able to run our program with less than $200,000 a year just for program operations.
• Very quickly, really, the heart of this program is matchmaking.
• Program is matchmaking.

Summary: The committee met for work sessions on land banking/shared homeownership and on maximizing existing housing stock. Members first heard an overview from Commerce on alternative homeownership models, including community land trusts, limited equity cooperatives, condominiums, accessory dwelling units, middle housing, church land for housing, and public land transfers. The discussion focused on how these models can help households build equity while keeping housing permanently affordable. Committee members asked about statewide counts of co-ops and land trusts, and Commerce said it does not track all of those entities directly. Pierce County staff then described the Pierce County Community Development Corporation’s rapid acquisition fund and its role in acquiring, holding, and transferring public land for affordable housing. They said the county used general fund and affordable housing sales tax dollars to buy properties, preserve a manufactured home park through resident ownership, and create a pipeline of sites for future development. Members asked about the advantages of a public development authority, funding sources, the use of surplus and underutilized public property, and how the model works with housing authorities. Spokane land bank staff followed with testimony that land banks can reduce blight, preserve affordability, and help nonprofits acquire land quickly, but that holding costs and taxes can make the work harder without state support. They also described brownfield assessments, donated properties, and work on Black homeownership and public surplus properties. The committee then heard from the Northwest Cooperative Development Center on limited equity cooperatives, especially in manufactured housing communities. The witness said Washington now has about 43 limited equity co-ops and that recent subsidy funding and legislation have accelerated resident purchases of manufactured home communities. Members asked how residents benefit from capped equity, how values are affected, and whether the model improves access to lending; the witness said the model stabilizes costs, allows modest equity gains, and that a recent law allowing manufactured homes in co-ops to be titled as real property should improve access to traditional financing. The committee also discussed House Bill 1974 from the prior session and possible updates to land banking legislation. In the second work session on maximizing existing housing stock, Commerce reviewed recent housing laws and implementation timelines, including ADUs, middle housing, condo liability reform, SEPA changes, tiny homes, and co-living. Members raised concerns about the long implementation horizon, vacancy data, corporate ownership of homes, and the need for better support for small landlords and first-time ADU owners. Sightline then testified on mobile dwelling units, arguing that RVs, tiny houses on wheels, and similar units are a low-cost, quick-to-install housing option that is often blocked by zoning; the witness said many Washington residents already live in these units, often informally. Finally, AARP discussed housing options for older adults, including ADUs, missing middle, manufactured home communities, co-living, universal design, and village-style support models, emphasizing aging in place and the need for more accessible, affordable housing choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of my experience has been around the visualization program.
• delivered those programs in Bryan College Station. ...at our main campus and in Fort Worth.
• We specifically state the Texas Moving Imaging Incentive Program. program because of the really remarkable
• Back in 2015, Representative Shaheen filed legislation to abolish the program.
• It's going to go towards this program rather than be used to, say, cut property taxes.

Bills: HB4568, HB5458, HB4543, HB2703, HB3728, HCR113, HCR126

Keywords: film industry, incentives, grants, Texas, moving image, economic development, production companies, content standards, HB 5458, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, chronic wasting disease, CWD, cervids, deer, elk, moose, wildlife management, game animals, disease management

Transcript Highlights:

• It's at the highest peak of summer demand across the world right now.
• in 2023, and there was a $2.5 million transfer from SIF for that program.
• Another area that has been discussed is a free meal program.
• from SIF for that program.
• Thank you. and there is a $2.5 million transfer from SIF for that program.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum present and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity, which described North Dakota production as holding steady around 1.1 to 1.2 million barrels per day despite lower prices and market volatility. The presentation emphasized that efficiency gains, longer laterals, and improved completion technology are allowing operators to sustain output while activity shifts north in the Bakken. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, flaring, and enhanced oil recovery; the witness said gas is taxed by volume, most liquids are handled through oil lines or gas processing, and the state’s EOR pilot projects and new gas infrastructure are intended to help hold production flat and expand future recovery. The committee then received a presentation from the Tax Department on the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. The department explained that most of the federal changes were extensions of existing Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, but several items — including the larger standard deduction, senior deduction, tip and overtime exclusions, auto loan interest deduction, and business expensing changes — affect state collections. Revised estimates showed a smaller-than-expected impact on individual income tax, with the department suggesting a net cash effect in the range of roughly $30 million to $35 million when business and individual effects are combined, plus a possible one-time distortion from large oil-field transactions in fiscal year 2025. Members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns, and the department clarified that most of the individual provisions apply broadly, while the SALT-related item is itemizer-specific. OMB then reported on major capital projects and facility funding. Updates included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, augmented reality displays for the Rough Rider Hall of Fame, tree management and lighting studies, and restroom and parking reconfiguration in the tower. OMB also described security upgrades at the governor’s residence, where human remains were discovered on site and are being handled with historical and legal review. The state hospital project in Jamestown remains on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028, with costs currently estimated a little over $292 million and a line of credit expected to be drawn in April 2027. The North Central State Office Building in Minot is under construction, with a $5.6 million line of credit already accessed. OMB also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, noting about $1.1 million spent so far on projects such as the Liberty Memorial Building roof and foundation work, Capitol window replacement, boiler replacement, and kitchen remodeling. Finally, Legislative Council staff reviewed the interim compliance report on legislative intent and state trust funds. The report highlighted the status of multiple lines of credit, including those for the state hospital and Minot office building, and noted that the executive budget will likely need to include repayment planning for about $350 million of expected outstanding balances. Other updates included the Bank of North Dakota profit transfer schedule, litigation pool spending, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, the Missouri River Correctional Center planning effort, HHS items such as FMAP and child care assistance, Job Service’s unemployment insurance modernization project, and DPI school aid turnback estimates. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I visited several prisons in the last year in California in the summer.
• , including the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Grant Program.
• That is an explicit, as they call them, syringe exchange program.
• It's the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program.
• program that funds affordable housing and mixed-income housing.

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing-related bills and moved most of them forward. SB 655 (Stern) would establish a state policy that residential units should be able to maintain a safe maximum indoor temperature, with supporters citing extreme heat deaths and the need for statewide guidance. Members raised concerns about the lack of a specific temperature standard and possible impacts on the electric grid, but the bill passed the committee 8-0 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 634 (Perez), which would bar state and local governments from adopting or enforcing ordinances that punish people or organizations for providing basic survival services to unhoused people. Supporters, including people with lived experience and homelessness advocates, argued that criminalizing food, water, blankets, and outreach prolongs homelessness and harms vulnerable residents; opponents from some cities and counties warned about limits on local control. The bill passed 8-2. SB 772 (Cabaldon) would continue and expand the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program by better supporting walkability, transit, and climate-resilient infrastructure for infill housing; it passed 8-0. The committee also considered SB 838 (Dutraslo/DeRazzo), which would keep the Housing Accountability Act focused on housing by excluding transient lodging from housing streamlining protections. Supporters said some developers have used housing laws to fast-track hotel projects instead of homes, while opponents worried the bill could be too broad and limit mixed-use financing. After discussion about possible clarifying amendments, the bill passed 8-2 to Local Government. Several consent items—SB 484, SB 489, SB 686, and SB 724—also passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're empowering small cities programs to help smaller communities utilize more grant programs and do
• This program is going to make that program more sustainable with ongoing funding and allow us to build
• program.
• And so that's going to be a new program that gets started.
• And as the way that the North Star Promise program came about in the last few years, this program has

Transcript Highlights:

• The Women in Apprenticeship and Non-Traditional Occupations Grant Program.
• The Department of Labor has some specific programs designed to benefit veterans.
• There's a couple of programs within the DOL focused on veterans' employment.
• It's to test the market and seeing where we need the guest worker program.
• Is there ways that we can look at to expand apprenticeship programs, youth apprenticeship programs?

Keywords: PRO Act, labor laws, worker rights, unionization, right-to-work, public testimony, political polarization

Summary: The meeting centered around an in-depth discussion of the PRO Act, with representatives expressing passionate opinions both for and against the legislation. Representative Chavez de Rimmer emphasized the importance of worker freedom, arguing that the PRO Act would infringe upon individual rights by coercing unionization. This perspective was strongly received by members from right-to-work states, who articulated their concerns about the potential erosion of workers' choices and protections. Speaker after speaker conveyed conflicting views on labor laws, indicating a deeply polarized environment surrounding labor issues at the moment.

Transcript Highlights:

• and P-TECH is one of those programs.
• <00:04:40.199> uh and proven to be successful program uh and proven to be successful program
• to to provide support to new program to to provide support to new PTEC<00:20:51.559> programs
• in<00:24:18.919> the the the program the one program in the the the program the one program
• or part of the to be part of the program or part of the program<01:23:51.159> participants program

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Mandela Fellows, a State Department program, are introduced: 25th African careers from across the
• House Bill 4307 proposes approximately $1.2 billion in bonding for the Chapter 90 program, along with
• three additional key transportation programs and projects.
• The Chapter 90 program, along with three additional key transportation programs and projects.
• This program, therefore, is necessary.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and first took up a Rules Committee report recommending adoption of a resolution honoring the 200th anniversary of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Bedford. The House suspended the rules and adopted the resolution. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee then reported a series of local bills for consideration, including measures on legal notices, charter changes for Chicopee, Bridgewater, Wellesley, Weston, Somerville, and Watertown, as well as bills on firefighter residency, a checkout bag fee in Sudbury, senior tax exemption eligibility in Williamstown, and liquor licenses in Lexington. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The House also considered a Ways and Means report on H. 4257, financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. The committee recommended an amendment in the form of a substitute bill, H. 4307, authorizing $1.185 billion in general obligation bonds. After suspension of the rules, the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading. Later, during floor debate on H. 4307, members spoke in support of the bill as a major transportation funding package, emphasizing Chapter 90 aid, road mileage-based distribution, culvert and small bridge repairs, congestion relief projects, and the bill’s fiscal and credit-rating benefits. A roll call was ordered, and the bill passed to be engrossed 156-0. The House also passed to be engrossed a bill validating the results of a special election in Hardwick. In addition, the House adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and agreed to adjourn in memory of former Representative and Senator Matthew C. Patrick of Falmouth. The session included several guest introductions, including Mandela Fellows studying at Bridgewater State University, former legislator Vincent Dimacido, Bellingham Council on Aging guests, and interns in Representative Linsky’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• from this program take me.
• It was in the summer of 2012. I walked up to Ron. We were both brand-new candidates.
• Juvenile Justice Civil Citation Program.
• This is an existing program.
• Delaware had seven dealers in ATF's Demand 2 program, a program flagging dealers with disproportionate

Summary: The House convened with Girl State participants presiding for part of the session, including introductions of the student leadership and a unanimous voice vote passing House Concurrent Resolution 152 honoring the young women participating in Delaware Girl State. The chamber also welcomed congressional interns and other guests, accepted the prior day’s minutes, and observed a moment of silence for Nathan Cynix and Kara Feeley before prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes for Representative Ron Gray, who was recognized for his 14 years of service and his work on issues such as bond bills, dredging, bike paths, small business, constituent service, and agriculture-related funding. Multiple members from both parties praised his humor, honesty, mentorship, and dedication to the House and his district. Gray responded with extended remarks reflecting on his family legacy, legislative service, and appreciation for colleagues and staff, and the chamber later sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at his request. The House then received communications, including Senate messages returning several bills and informing the chamber of Senate passage of additional measures. Members were also told that the FY27 bond bill, House Bill 500, had been placed on desks as a gift for review. The House read in Consent Agenda S, which included House Bill 476, House Joint Resolution 13, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 168, Senate Bill 297, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319, and Senate Joint Resolution 21, and began a roll call vote on the consent agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:13.559> to licensure preparation programming to licensure preparation programming to
• before you offers a wide range of programs and services, including food programming, career services
• sustain their career pathway program sustain their career pathway program which<01:09:29.560>
• I'm the program director for the MABL Law School Pathways program.
• Services Program and this is a program Services Program and this is a program that<01:25:59.639>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They use programs that are on technology, on computers, on your Chromebook.
• needs and program. needs and program.
• . programs. programs.
• of students, the BIA, business leaders, and everyone else that this program works.
• If we that this pro this program works.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• key programs, including the mid-range<00:47:53.839> capability<00:47:54.560> program,
• mid-range capability program, mid-range capability program, armydirected<00:47:56.319> energy<
• <02:17:28.880> in administration froze the program in administration froze the program in
• Now, we've had program to be restored.
• They put in purchase orders, program.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, September 18, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There'll be time over the next couple of days, and certainly over the summer, to do that.
• Staff highlight: This is the one program that I think we could generally say is the most at risk in a
• highlight: The general proposal from the federal government has been to consolidate some of the programs
• No one knows what those programs would be or how it would be designed.
• Because it's not just direct federal dollars, but when a program is cut, it may increase the need for

Transcript Highlights:

• , Research, and Innovation Program, or AGRI program.
• , Research, and Innovation Program, or AGRI program.
• So there might be times when in the summer feeding program they have a salad bar and they can use literally
• have<00:37:25.640> a<00:37:25.760> salad summer feeding program they have a salad
• summer feeding program they have a salad bar<00:37:26.680> and<00:37:27.560> they<00:37

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's at the highest peak of summer demand across the world right now.
• So the big beautiful bill that you heard about—that was passed last summer.
• in 2023, and there was a $2.5 million transfer from SIF for that program.
• from SIF for that program.
• Another area that has been discussed is a free meal program.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity in North Dakota. Ron Ness said production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with efficiency gains and longer laterals helping offset lower rig counts. He discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, northward movement of drilling activity, and the importance of new infrastructure and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) pilots. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, pipeline impacts, and the outlook for Continental and other operators. Ness said the industry is likely to remain steady rather than see a major ramp-up or decline. Matt Pearl of the State Tax Department then explained the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. He said the law extends or makes permanent several federal provisions and creates temporary deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest, with the biggest state impact coming from the standard deduction increase and business tax changes. He revised earlier estimates downward, saying the net cash impact on state collections is likely in the $30 million to $35 million range after accounting for business prepayments and one-time FY25 oilfield transaction effects. Committee members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns. OMB staff gave a detailed update on major capital projects and facility funding. Topics included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, seating, lighting, tree management, and restroom and lobby upgrades; security work at the governor’s residence, which has been delayed by the discovery of human remains; and space reconfiguration efforts in Bismarck-Mandan to reduce leases and create shared offices and conference rooms. They also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, including roof, window, boiler, and kitchen projects at state facilities, and on the state hospital project in Jamestown, which remains on budget and on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028. OMB also updated the committee on the Minot North Central State Office Building, the use of federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds, and the status of legislative intent and trust fund reports, including school aid turnback, the school construction loan program, the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund, the Legacy Fund, and the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. The committee ended by discussing future agenda items, including government efficiency, cash management, Bank of North Dakota lines of credit, and the rural health transformation program, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• A bill to be entitled in act relating to the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.
• So when the program changed significantly, did many banks drop out of the program? Senator Gruters.
• And that was part of the incentive for them to opt into these programs.
• I'm concerned about this program overall, to be quite honest with you.
• It requires the department to establish a statewide mapping program.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests, students, advocates, and a resolution honoring the late USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim. Senators also observed moments of silence for victims of recent campus violence and for former FSU President John Thrasher. The chamber then moved to special order bills, with several members explaining measures and, in some cases, substituting House companions before final passage. Among the bills passed were measures updating child care and early learning provider regulation; strengthening penalties and cost recovery for false reporting and swatting; extending protections against extraordinary medical debt collection; expanding hazardous walking condition criteria for schoolchildren; creating young adult housing support for foster and homeless students; and requiring private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to disclose which accommodations they will provide. The Senate also passed a bill adjusting interest rules for trust accounts funding legal aid, after extended debate over the impact on legal aid funding and banking practices, and a transportation package that was heavily amended to address issues such as school bus camera hearings, beach vehicle use for equipment removal, flooded-street wake restrictions, expectant mother parking permits, micromobility regulation, and traffic signal modernization. The chamber also approved public-records exemptions for Agency for Health Care Administration investigators, Judicial Qualifications Commission employees, and appellate court clerks; a municipal water and sewer rate bill affecting Miami-Dade residents near a plant; motor vehicle offenses involving impersonating law enforcement and obscured license plates; trespass penalties at law-enforcement-controlled locations and large ticketed venues; refund requirements for patient overpayments; stem cell therapy authorization with source and consent limits; and insulin administration authority for direct support professionals and relatives in group homes. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including cardiac emergencies, chemicals and consumer products, and motor vehicle manufacturer/franchise dealer legislation. Most measures passed with strong bipartisan support, though the trust fund interest bill drew notable opposition and passed 28-10, and the Family Empowerment Scholarship bill passed 37-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• Summer Danford. Megan Benton. All right, it's customary for those to be over here.
• My name is Summer Dunford, and I'm in opposition to SB8.
• Do you participate in the Texas Compassionate Use Program? I haven't thus far.
• That makes the compassionate use program very expensive for someone like me.
• Again, I'd love to take questions and discuss expanding this program potentially.

Bills: SB6, SB7, SB8, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB 6, SB 7, SB 8, SB 11, SB 12, SB 13, SB 15, SB 17

Keywords: SB 6, Woman and Child Protection Act, abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, pro-life, pro-choice, Texas abortion law, civil liability, qui tam, private enforcement, bounty hunter law, attorney general, parens patriae, abortion litigation, anti-SLAPP, Texas Citizens Participation Act, fee shifting