Transcript Highlights:

• This is authorizing the Board of Supervisors to now assess the court cost on convictions in the amount
• not to exceed $25 for any conviction obtained in the Justice Court, County Court, Circuit Court of Prentiss
• It is also not to exceed $50 on any conviction of a DUI. I'm happy to answer any questions.
• This is simply conviction of a DUI. conviction of a DUI.

Committee: Joint Local and Private

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:47:45.880><c> resulting</c><00:47:46.240><c> in</c><00:47:46.400><c> five</c><00:47:46.599><c> felony
• </c> dozen infants resulting in five felony dozen infants resulting in five felony charges<00:47:47.400
• Uh, my daughter generated a felony charge. It's going to—we have to work to make that stick.
• Uh, my daughter generated a felony charge. It's going to—we have to work to make that stick.
• charge it's going to we have to felony charge it's going to we have to work<01:03:19.039><c> to</c><

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• notice to a victim or a designated family member of the victim prior to a resentencing or final conviction
• The current state of post-conviction relief in this state would acknowledge that there must have been
• “Post-conviction relief in this state would acknowledge that there must have been some form of either
• It seeks to remove a segment that says that after a defendant is tried and convicted, Article 873 provides
• “And this bill today seeks to remove the 24-hour delay between conviction and sentence.

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Summary: The Senate Committee on Judiciary C met on May 19, 2026, with a quorum present and first deferred House Bill 276 at the sponsor’s request. The committee then heard and advanced several bills, largely focused on criminal justice, domestic violence, victims’ rights, probation/parole, and critical infrastructure protections. HB 160, by Rep. Knox, would increase the penalty for domestic abuse battery and battery of a dating partner involving strangulation from three to six years, with at least one year without probation or suspension; it drew strong support from prosecutors and domestic violence advocates and was reported favorably. HB 769, by Rep. Boyd, would create a 24- to 72-hour cooling-off hold in domestic violence cases, with an amendment to make the hold concurrent with other detention periods and to avoid stacking with existing law; it was reported with amendments. The committee also reported favorably HB 1234, which creates mandatory jail time for fleeing the scene after striking a person and failing to render aid, and HB 158, which restores custodial inpatient treatment as an option for probationers and increases the allowable treatment period from 90 to 180 days. HB 169, allowing courts or the parole board to assess extradition costs against absconders based on ability to pay, was also reported favorably. HB 251, requiring notice to a victim or designated family member before resentencing or final conviction hearings, drew support from the Attorney General’s office and opposition from the ACLU, which argued that victim involvement at that stage could be inconsistent with post-conviction standards; it was nevertheless reported favorably. Additional measures advanced included HB 289, which removes a redundant 24-hour delay between denial of a new trial motion and sentencing; HB 394, extending the conditional parole period from nine months to 24 months to allow completion of required programming; and HB 330, increasing penalties and restitution for vandalizing churches and graves, which was supported by the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. HB 429, expanding critical infrastructure protections to oil and natural gas facilities and related operations and increasing penalties for unauthorized entry, drone activity, and cyber interference, was reported with amendments after discussion about harmonizing the definition with another bill and ensuring coverage of water-related facilities. The committee also approved the minutes from the prior meeting before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We even have SNAP fraud cases here in Minnesota that have led to convictions.
• We even have SNAP fraud cases here in Minnesota that have led to convictions.
• We even have SNAP fraud cases here in Minnesota that have led to convictions.
• We even have SNAP fraud cases here in Minnesota that have led to convictions.
• We even have SNAP fraud cases here in Minnesota that have led to convictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill allows judicial assessments, or our conviction assessments, on all misdemeanors of $25 and
• This bill allows judicial assessments, or our conviction assessments, on all misdemeanors of $25 and
• </c><00:12:05.400><c> assessments,</c><00:12:05.960><c> on</c><00:12:06.200><c> all</c> or our conviction
• assessments, on all or our conviction assessments, on all misdemeanors<00:12:07.120><c> of</c><00:12
• They're asking for the similar conviction assessments on all of their misdemeanor and DUI's.

Transcript Highlights:

• It authorizes the ISRB to review and approve resentencing for a person that was convicted as a persistent
• offender if one of the convictions used was from an offense committed when the person was under the
• It prohibits a person from resentencing if they've been convicted of a serious violent offense, a violent
• It includes persons convicted of murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, or any second
• definition of persistent offender, and resentencing is not necessary for any person that's been convicted

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met in executive session to review several bills, with one bill on the DCYF Oversight Board (SB 5942) held until the following week so additional stakeholder input could be incorporated. Staff briefed bills on escorted leaves for incarcerated individuals (SB 5873), extraordinary medical placements (SB 5895), financial stability for youth in DCYF care receiving Social Security benefits (SB 5911), an extended foster care housing pilot (SB 5940), changes to the persistent offender definition and resentencing (SB 5945), adding positions to the Office of Homeless Youth Advisory Committee (SB 5957), and medically tailored meals for Apple Health enrollees (SB 5966). Several of these bills had multiple proposed amendments, many offered by Senator Christian, addressing eligibility limits, monitoring, location restrictions, time limits, liability, victim notification, and funding contingencies. In executive action, the committee adopted only the chair’s technical amendment to SB 5873 and rejected the other proposed amendments, then advanced the bill as a proposed substitute to the Rules Committee. SB 5895 also moved forward as a proposed substitute after most amendments were rejected and one was withdrawn; the committee sent it to Ways and Means. SB 5911’s amendment clarifying protected accounts for youth benefits was adopted, and the bill was advanced to Ways and Means. SB 5940 was also advanced to Ways and Means after adoption of the substitute. SB 5945’s proposed substitute was adopted and the bill was sent forward, while SB 5957 and SB 5966 were briefly discussed in briefing but not acted on during the portion of the meeting captured here. The chair noted that any remaining executive bills not completed would be taken up at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you are convicted, you can be ordered to repay the cost of your indigent defense attorney.
• from the deep end of the system and deal with them on the front end without necessarily needing a conviction
• or perhaps a deferred conviction, where you can basically enter an agreement with the prosecutor that
• ...the deep end of the system and deal with them on the front end without necessarily needing a conviction
• or perhaps a deferred conviction, where you can basically enter an agreement with the prosecutor that

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division

Summary: The committee met to review fiscal aspects of House Bills 1417 and 1425, both part of a broader criminal justice reentry package. HB 1417 would eliminate the $35 public defender application fee and end court-ordered reimbursement of indigent defense costs, while also removing the $55 monthly community supervision fee. Testimony from the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents and the Department of Corrections said the bill would replace lost revenue with general fund appropriations of about $310,000 for indigent defense and $1.5 million for supervision fees, and that the fees are rarely collected and can hinder reentry. Representative Clemene said the bill is intended to reduce barriers to successful community reintegration and improve data and supervision practices. HB 1425 would create and fund front-end diversion, deflection, and pretrial services programs. Supporters described it as allowing prosecutors and local jurisdictions to divert appropriate low-level offenders from prosecution, establish deflection programs for people with behavioral health needs, and expand pretrial services. The bill includes a pilot program in three counties, a $1 million appropriation to DOCR for one FTE and contracts with local providers, $750,000 to DHS for treatment services, and $55,000 for a study of pretrial services cost savings. Committee members asked several questions about how the pilot counties would be chosen, how the consultant study would be procured, and what services the DHS funds would cover. The committee also heard House Bill 1603, which would provide a $500,000 matching grant for Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act compliance, with $100,000 available to each of North Dakota’s five tribes if matched. Sponsor testimony said the funds would support a Historical Society NAGPRA compliance committee and help catalog and repatriate human remains and cultural items in coordination with tribes. After questions about the federal mandate and the difficulty of identifying artifacts, the committee voted 4-0 to give HB 1603 a do-pass recommendation, with Senator Meyer assigned to carry it forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• then you may recall that the bill had struck, purposely, and I thought that since we're going to a felony
• then you may recall that the bill had struck, purposely, and I thought that since we're going to a felony
• then you may recall that the bill had struck, purposely, and I thought that since we're going to a felony
• I thought that since we're going to a felony level here, that we ought to have the purposely and, in

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• So typically, an initial appearance is different if it's a felony or a misdemeanor.
• On a felony, they don't take a plea.
• So typically, an initial appearance is different if it's a felony or a misdemeanor.
• On a felony, they don't take a plea. They just read you your rights.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2271, which would formally place adult residential facilities in code and rebase their Medicaid reimbursement rates. Sponsor Chairman Ruby and HHS staff explained that these facilities, often serving people with dementia or acquired brain injury, are reimbursed at a much lower rate than skilled nursing care and help reduce bottlenecks in higher-level facilities. Members questioned how the program differs from basic care and nursing facility memory care, and the bill was referred to the HR section for deeper review before possible action on Monday. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2396, as amended, which would authorize an independent third-party performance audit of the Department of Commerce and the North Dakota Development Fund, with findings shared with the state auditor. Sponsors said the proposal was prompted by concerns raised in testimony and that a private audit could begin faster than a state audit. The committee adopted an amendment adding an emergency clause and directing the report to the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, then passed the bill 20-0 with 3 absent. Next, Representative Clemine presented Senate Bills 2226, 2036, and 2037. SB 2226 would presume an incarcerated person indigent at initial appearance so counsel can be provided at that critical stage; the commission said the appropriation would fund contract attorney hours, and the bill was sent to HR for further review. SB 2036 would create procedures for determining juvenile fitness to proceed in delinquency cases, with a $500,000 appropriation for mental health evaluations, and SB 2037 would begin a juvenile criminal code framework and include a $300,000 appropriation for fitness-to-proceed evaluations; both were also referred to HR, with some concern raised about staffing and overlapping functions. After a short break, the committee heard education-related appropriations bills. SB 2234 would replace expired ESSER funding for Choice Ready grants, but members noted the program was not included in the K-12 budget and sent it to E&E for comparison with existing appropriations. SB 2286, a University of North Dakota request for a new nursing school facility, drew extensive discussion about the age and condition of the current building and the size and scope of the project; the committee ultimately adopted a do-not-pass motion 22-0. SB 2213, the “science of mathematics” bill modeled on the science of reading initiative, would fund math professional development and implementation; it was also referred to E&E for further review. The committee then briefly passed the Racing Commission budget, SB 2023, and began discussion of the Trust Lands budget, SB 2013, including a proposed retention increase for investment-related positions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 87, Felony Interference with a Police Officer Amendments.
• Senate File 87, Felony Interference with a Police Officer Amendments.
• Senate File 87, Felony Interference with a Police Officer Amendments.
• 41:15.440><c> with</c><01:41:15.600><c> the</c> file 87 felony interference with the file 87 felony interference
• 54:15.520><c> with</c><01:54:15.679><c> a</c> file 87 felony interference with a file 87 felony interference

Transcript Highlights:

• You're committing a felony. Don't do it again.'
• You're committing a felony. letter. You're committing a felony.
• When they see felony activity taking place, they have a duty and responsibility to act.
• So when<00:41:04.160><c> they</c><00:41:04.319><c> see</c><00:41:04.880><c> felony</c><00:41:05.359><
• c> activity</c><00:41:05.839><c> taking</c> when they see felony activity taking when they see felony

Bills: SF0044 , SF0046

Committee: Senate Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, a conviction for vehicular manslaughter, and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and
• system by adding three points to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, becoming the first conviction
• In New Jersey, a person convicted of repeat DUIs cannot get their license back until eight years after
• their conviction.
• 1687, will require the Department of Motor Vehicles to immediately revoke the license of a person convicted

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard a long agenda of transportation-related measures, with testimony focused on housing, safety, environmental access, and fuel affordability. Several bills dealt with Caltrans surplus or former freeway properties in the Los Angeles area: AB 1338 would let the City of Linwood transfer a public-purpose covenant to another parcel to enable 55 units of affordable housing; AB 1594 would remove a net-equity repayment requirement for Ronald McDonald House’s purchase of former SR 710 properties in Pasadena; and AB 2329 would create a more transparent process for tenants and cities to facilitate sales of former SR 710 homes, with support from South Pasadena and Pasadena officials and tenants. AB 2679 addressed safety and access around Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay corridor by allowing Caltrans and local Tahoe agencies to manage parking and improve pedestrian, transit, and public access infrastructure. The committee also heard several public safety bills aimed at impaired driving. AB 1685 would increase DMV points for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated from two to three, and AB 1687 would extend the license revocation period for a third DUI conviction from three years to eight years, with an interlock option after four years. Both measures drew strong support from law enforcement, MADD, and victims’ families, including emotional testimony about repeat offenders and drunk-driving fatalities. AB 1613 would require an off-highway vehicle safety and stewardship course before access to off-highway lands beginning in 2029, with supporters describing it as an education-first response to rising OHV injuries and fatalities. Other bills focused on transportation efficiency and affordability. AB 2046 would allow EPA-approved E85 conversion kits in California, which supporters said would give drivers a cheaper, lower-carbon fuel option and improve fuel resiliency. AB 2168 would revise the Active Transportation Program to better prioritize transit-connected biking and walking projects and add stronger accountability for grantees that do not spend funds on time. AB 2263 would authorize the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to reserve some affordable housing units for its employees, and supporters said it would help workers live closer to their jobs and reduce long commutes. The committee reported no opposition on most measures, and after quorum was established it approved the bills, sending them onward mostly to the Committee on Appropriations, with AB 2679 sent to Natural Resources and Water. Several votes were unanimous, while AB 1613 and AB 2168 drew some no votes but still advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Three cases were dismissed, and 20 cases resulted in a conviction and a court-ordered sentence.
• Three cases were dismissed and 20 cases resulted in a conviction and a court-ordered sentence.
• Exhibit 4 on page 8 lists all the matters referred for which a conviction was obtained.
• You've got 20 convictions, five pending, three that were acquitted and dismissed, and then 96 charges
• would allow you to bring convictions, or what?

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Transcript Highlights:

• As students, she said, they pursue education to get degrees, not felonies. [00:18:20.000] She said students
• pursue education to get degrees, not felonies, and should have the freedom to grow into the change-makers

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard AB 2551 by Assemblymember Sade Elhawary, which would require the California State University system to hold a student hearing on time, place, and manner (TPM) policies and to collect and report demographic data on TPM violations and related discipline. The author and student witnesses argued the bill would increase transparency, reveal disproportionate enforcement, and give students a voice, citing examples of students facing investigations, holds on records, and other consequences after campus protests. Supporters included the California Faculty Association, CAIR-California, and ACLU California Action. The University of California opposed the bill, raising privacy concerns that disaggregated reporting could make it easier to identify individual students, especially in small categories. Committee members debated whether the bill was too prescriptive, whether it could create federal privacy issues, and whether the reporting should include additional categories such as political viewpoint. The author said the bill had been narrowed, including removal of a sunset provision, and emphasized that the goal was to understand and address possible disproportionate enforcement while balancing student safety and free speech. After discussion, the committee voted to concur in Senate amendments and pass AB 2551 to the floor. The roll call ultimately showed 8 ayes, 1 no, and 1 not voting. The chair then announced the committee’s final meeting of the year was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The felony, a Class E felony, was changed to a Class A misdemeanor.

Committee: House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bills 2404 and 2172, then voted the substitute do pass by a roll call vote of 10-2. The bills were not discussed in detail, but the action advanced them out of committee. The committee then took up House Bill 2989, a large gaming-related bill sponsored by Representative Hardwick. Hardwick described numerous changes in the substitute, including removing references requested by the Highway Patrol, clarifying tax reporting, extending local opt-out time, changing the effective date from August 2027 to August 2028, reducing a felony penalty to a misdemeanor, increasing a casino-related fee from $2 to $4 with the extra amount going to the Missouri Veterans Commission, and adding non-severability language. Members adopted three committee amendments, including language barring previously illegal gambling machines from being licensed as video lottery terminals and requiring games to be out of line of sight from the front entrance, then adopted the revised substitute and voted HCS HB 2989 do pass by an 8-5 vote. The committee then moved to public hearing on House Bills 1746 and 1769, both related to artificial intelligence. Representatives Miller and Amato presented the bills as an effort to establish that AI has no personhood and to create a framework for responsibility and accountability. They said the legislation was informed by outside experts and other states’ efforts, and Miller emphasized using the National Institute of Standards and Technology AI risk management framework as a baseline. Members questioned how liability would work, especially for developers, deployers, and users, and raised concerns about undefined terms such as “harm” and about possible conflict with federal policy discouraging a patchwork of state AI laws. The sponsors said the bill would be cleaned up further and that liability should generally rest with the person using or deploying the AI, not the AI itself. During public testimony, one witness spoke in favor of the AI bills, arguing that states should act proactively rather than wait for problems and noting concern about prior federal efforts to limit state AI legislation. No witnesses spoke in opposition during the hearing. The committee then closed testimony and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The felony, a Class E felony, was changed to a Class A misdemeanor. That's in there.

Committees: House Emerging Issues , House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The Emerging Issues Committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session on House Bills 2404 and 2172. The committee adopted a House Committee substitute for both bills and then voted the substitute do pass by a 10-2 roll call vote. The transcript did not include substantive bill discussion beyond the substitute adoption and final vote. The committee then took up House Bill 2989 in executive session. Sponsor Representative Hardwick described a large House Committee substitute with numerous changes, including technical cleanup, a longer transition period for gray machines, lowering a felony provision to a Class A misdemeanor, increasing a casino-related fee with proceeds going to the Missouri Veterans Commission, and other revisions to gaming-related language. Members adopted three amendments, including one barring previously illegal gambling machines from being licensed as video lottery terminals and another requiring games to be out of line of sight from the front entrance. The committee then adopted the revised substitute and voted House Bill 2989 do pass by an 8-5 vote. In public hearing, Representatives Miller and Amato presented House Bills 1746 and 1769, which focused on artificial intelligence. They said the bills are intended to establish that AI has no personhood and to create accountability and risk-management standards, with discussion centered on using the NIST AI risk management framework and clarifying liability among developers, deployers, and users. Committee members asked about liability, harm definitions, and possible conflict with federal policy; the sponsors said the bill would be refined further. One public witness testified in favor, saying states should act proactively on AI rather than wait for problems, and no opposition testimony was offered before the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• WILL GIVE YOU MONEY FOR WORK THAT IS NOT COMPLETED AND IF YOU DO NOT GET IT RIGHT WE HAVE CREATED A FELONY
• , POTENTIAL FELONY FOR CONTRACTOR WHO IS OTHERWISE A GOOD ACTOR.

Committee: House Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• the prohibition against a person owning a pet animal for a minimum of five years from the date of conviction
• for cruelty to animals in the second degree only applies to convictions involving pet animals.
• the prohibition against a person owning a pet animal for a minimum of five years from the date of conviction
• for cruelty to animals in the second degree only applies to convictions involving pet animals.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee considered House Bill 698, which increases criminal penalties for certain animal cruelty offenses. The chair explained that the committee would adopt the proposed SD1 and further amend the bill to narrow its scope to pet animals, clarify that the five-year prohibition on owning a pet animal applies only when the conviction involves a pet animal, and separate the increased penalties into distinct subsections at the Attorney General’s recommendation. The committee also planned to reinstate provisions increasing penalties for second or subsequent offenses involving injury or death to service animals or law enforcement animals, and to place the definitions of pet animal and service animal in the preamble. It was noted that the pet-animal definition would not apply to chickens, roosters, or pigs raised for food, and that the service-animal definition covers only dogs. Senator Chang said he appreciated the effort to tighten the bill and clarify its scope, but he remained concerned about possible impacts on the agricultural sector and said he would vote with reservations. No other concerns were raised. The committee then voted to pass HB 698 HD1 with amendments. The vote was Chair Rose aye, Vice Chair Osai aye, Senator Chang reservations, Senator Sanur excused, and Senator A aye. The measure was adopted and the meeting concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• of abusers, prohibited employers from discriminating against survivors, helped survivors vacate convictions
• of abusers, prohibited employers from discriminating against survivors, helped survivors vacate convictions
• Also, the ability to vacate any convictions so that there isn't any criminal record that would prejudice
• The defendant in the court had previously been convicted...
• The defendant in the court had previously been convicted and sentenced and served a term in the state

Summary: Washington State Sen. Manka Dhingra opened a press conference focused on survivor-centered policies and funding for victim services, saying the state should continue supporting survivors despite a difficult budget climate and reduced federal support. She highlighted prior state actions such as extending the statute of limitations for sexual assault, restricting firearms for abusers, protecting survivors from discrimination, easing access to protection orders, and addressing female genital mutilation, while emphasizing the need to fund services that are trauma-informed and victim-centered. Much of the event focused on the request to restore about $21.38 million in victim services funding. Colleen McIngles of the King County Children’s Justice Center warned that without the funding, programs statewide would close, eliminating forensic interviewers, advocates, and coordinated response teams. Kate Garvey of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center said agencies have already laid off staff and are triaging clients, and that the money would only maintain existing services. Several speakers tied the need for funding to broader public safety and survivor support, including references to federal VOCA cuts and the national reckoning over the Epstein case. Legislators also discussed several bills. Sen. T’wina Nobles described SB 5169, which would reduce the need for child victims and witnesses to repeatedly relive trauma in court. Rep. Jamila Taylor and Rep. Roger Goodman discussed HB 1591, which would provide mitigating treatment, resentencing options, and possible vacatur for survivors whose criminal conduct was connected to coercion or abuse. Rep. Chris Stearns and Sen. Tina Orwall discussed court-process reforms in SB 6017 and related efforts to prevent retraumatization of sexual assault survivors, along with recognition of female genital mutilation as sexual assault. Rep. Lauren Davis shared her personal experience with domestic violence and argued that cuts to system-based victim advocacy have left many survivors without support. The press conference also celebrated unanimous Senate passage of the Ebony Alert bill, which advocates said is needed to improve responses to missing Black women and girls; speakers urged the House to pass it next.

Transcript Highlights:

• And next, House Bill 794 adds<00:43:16.520><c> additional</c><00:43:17.640><c> felony</c><00:43:18.120
• ><c> charges</c><00:43:18.600><c> for</c><00:43:18.840><c> any</c> adds additional felony charges for
• any adds additional felony charges for any person<00:43:20.080><c> that</c><00:43:20.320><c> knowingly
• We are bumping our felony levels up one level.
• ><c> levels</c><00:46:52.320><c> up</c><00:46:52.600><c> one</c> are bumping our felony levels up one

Summary: The House convened with 98 members present, declared a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received Senate concurrence requests on Senate Bills 263, 281, and 324. The chamber then moved through second readings and committee reports on a range of measures, including education, agriculture, banking and insurance, judiciary, licensing, and task force resolutions. Among the reported bills were measures on KEES scholarships for non-certified schools, a residential safe room rebate program, dual credit scholarships, impeding a first responder, motor vehicles, tallow-based cosmetic products, animal health emergencies, mortgage loan income limits, deferred deposit fees, child protection, Attorney General operations, corrections operations, school leadership, school transportation, advanced mathematics coursework, and task forces on charitable gaming and early childhood education governance. The House passed House Bill 642, a Teachers' Retirement System housekeeping bill, after adopting House Committee Substitute 1. The sponsor said the bill updates survivor benefit documentation, raises the daily earnings limit for retired members returning to work from $170 to $200, removes an unused early-return provision, reinstates a pension waiver program, clarifies benefit tier calculations using an earlier participation date in another state system, and allows a parent member to manage payments for a disabled child without a court order. Members asked about substitute teaching limits, retirement penalties, budget impact, and a removed provision involving index funds; the sponsor said he would follow up on the day limits and stated he did not believe the bill would add to unfunded liability. The bill passed 96-0. The House also passed House Bill 780 on recording commissioner’s deeds, after adopting a floor amendment that removed fines and penalties. The bill allows a city to petition circuit court if a deed is not recorded within 30 business days, and the court may compel filing and award costs and attorney’s fees. Members discussed whether the bill effectively created a lawsuit-based enforcement mechanism rather than a fine, and supporters said it would help local governments identify responsible property owners and address code enforcement and public safety issues. The bill passed 96-0. House Bill 541, concerning peace officers, also passed after a committee substitute; the sponsor said it cleans up Kentucky Law Enforcement Council procedures, strengthens certification standards, clarifies revocation language, and reflects input from law enforcement groups. It passed 95-0. House Bill 195, the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative, passed after a committee substitute and floor amendment. The substitute added Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension alongside UK Cooperative Extension, and the floor amendment changed the pilot’s implementation date to January 1, 2027 and adjusted the program’s term timing. Supporters said the bill would expand urban agriculture education, connect youth to food systems and career pathways, and help students in urban counties learn practical agricultural skills; it passed 97-0. The House then took up House Bill 794 on financial exploitation, which expands protections to all adults age 65 and older, adds felony penalties for knowingly, wantonly, or recklessly exploiting those adults, allows the attorney general to seek extradition from another state, and requires investment advisers to complete three hours of continuing education on financial exploitation. Members cited real-world scam experiences and urged stronger penalties, but the bill passed 96-0.