Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, a clinical site innovation coordination program would provide incentives for innovative pilot
• A clinical site innovation coordination program would provide incentives for innovative pilot programs

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the bill was kind of gutted on the House side as the pilot program for average bid, but we did

Bills: SCR12, HB221, HB509, HCR58, SB78, SB25, SB80, SB132, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB228, SB250, SB414, SB433, SB479, SB513, SCR9, SCR58, SB65, SB215, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR32, HB17, HB41, HB73, HB223, HB244, HB759, HB906, HB966, HB1006, HB1009, HB1086, HB1107, HB1112, HB1215, HB1242, SB217, SB283, SB469, HB36, HB42, HB74, HB119, HB159, HB259, HB302, HB414, HB459, HB776, HB848, HB956, HB1017, HB1028, HB1095, SB208, SB312, SB382, SB389, HB210, HB258, HB359, HB368, HB468, HB552, HB732, HB784, HB870, HB953, HB1117, HB1236

Keywords: logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, Mississippi River bridge, Trump Expressway, transportation, federal funding, Louisiana highways, injection wells, public hearing, geologic sequestration, environmental impact, public comment, Ascension Parish, state capitol, economic development, community partnership, celebration day

Transcript Highlights:

• to school crisis management and response plans, to provide for the school's safety drone response pilot

Bills: SR107, SCR53, SCR54, SCR55, SCR12, HB167, HB181, HB243, HB316, HB321, HB335, HB492, HB578, HB624, HB708, HB864, HB906, HB968, HB969, HB978, HB985, HB1005, HB1032, HB1077, HB1095, HB1104, HB1118, HB1157, HB1187, HB1189, HB1195, HB1198, HB1220, HB221, HCR58, SB283, SB338, SB488, SB520, HB90, HB127, HB138, HB150, HB201, HB268, HB273, HB285, HB315, HB354, HB355, HB360, HB376, HB445, HB506, HB606, HB649, HB665, HB681, HB721, HB746, HB757, HB781, HB835, HB844, HB857, HB872, HB886, HB889, HB892, HB972, HB982, HB987, HB1037, HB1068, HB1072, HB1078, HB1085, HB1132, HB1137, HB1167, HB1174, HB1232, HB1238, SB68, SB76, SB149, SB191, SB196, SB318, SB162, SB382, SCR33, SCR30, SB112, SB194, SB307, SB341, SB346, SB363, SB495, SB503, SB507, SB509, SB513, SB408, SB131, SB145, SB333, SB464, SB466, SB500, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB228, SB246, SB249, SB268, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB312, SB319, SB323, SB369, SB431, SB474, SB484, SB490, SB492, SB501, HCR14, HB537, HB652, HB653, HB661, HB726, HB756, HB851, HB964, HB966, HB34, HB35, HB48, HB474, HB553, HB758, HB852, HB10, HB16, HB36, HB44, HB46, HB52, HB61, HB78, HB98, HB102, HB124, HB126, HB131, HB135, HB141, HB142, HB164, HB170, HB171, HB179, HB194, HB231, HB245, HB280, HB292, HB294, HB297, HB305, HB336, HB337, HB351, HB436, HB594, HB789, HB956, HB957, HB995, HB1040, HB50, HB117, HB120, HB122, HB139, HB148, HB149, HB185, HB199, HB247, HB271, HB286, HB301, HB358, HB359, HB384, HB413, HB428, HB450, HB462, HB547, HB613, HB631, HB657, HB669, HB675, HB680, HB691, HB712, HB716, HB720, HB723, HB727, HB728, HB735, HB747, HB759, HB825, HB842, HB845, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB907, HB923, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB965, HB1036, HB287, HB370, HB515, HB521, HB570, HB1200, HB119, HB129, HB677, HB850

Keywords: condolence resolution, memorial resolution, tribute, sympathy, Joel Parker Sr., Louisiana Senate, rodeo, cowboy, horse trainer, stock and rodeo producer, black cowboy, African American history, community recognition, funeral resolution, celebration of life, Lottie Stampede Arena, Easter Sunday Rodeo, ranching, plantation work, faith community

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard a guest minister’s prayer and pledge, and then proceeded through the journal, legislative bureau report, and a large number of bills and resolutions. Several Senate resolutions and concurrent resolutions were introduced or laid over, including measures recognizing individuals and events, commemorating the YMCA’s 175th anniversary, and creating or referring study and memorial resolutions. The House also sent over multiple bills, which were introduced and referred to the appropriate committees, covering topics such as court filings, travel reimbursement, public assistance integrity, pregnancy and baby care data protections, alcohol permits, capital-case intellectual disability procedures, and pharmacy benefit manager transparency. The chamber then considered House-returned Senate bills. SB 68, a constitutional amendment concerning Louisiana Supreme Court jurisdiction over attorney disciplinary matters, failed to receive the required votes on concurrence after a 24-10 vote, though the author gave notice. SB 76, dealing with child custody modification standards, was concurred in unanimously. SB 149, on general obligation bond bid requirements, had House amendments rejected and was sent to conference. SB 191, concerning ad valorem tax notice procedures, and SB 196, extending the appeal period for tax assessments, were both concurred in. SB 318, on publication of the tax exemption budget and local reporting, was also concurred in unanimously. The Senate also suspended the rules to recall HB 1017 from the Retirement Committee and recommit it to Judiciary A. During personal privilege remarks, members highlighted Disability Awareness Day, recognized a local award recipient, and provided an update and prayer request for Senator Selders following surgery. The meeting concluded with committee announcements and adjournment to reconvene the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• He was a B-17 pilot. Years of youth sports. Just a fine gentleman. I ask that we join in memory.

Bills: HR144, HB4182, HC51, HR169, HB4178, HB4179

Keywords: commendation, sports, team achievement, high school, state championship, suffrage, restoration of voting rights, conviction, probation, law-abiding citizen, congressional term limits, constitutional amendments, Article V, state resolution, political reform, Jackson State University, Veterans Memorial Stadium, economic growth, property tax, multi-purpose facility

Transcript Highlights:

• We've opened 1,500 new beds at existing prison facilities, and we created a recidivism pilot program

Summary: The transcript covers the opening of the Arkansas House and a joint session of the 95th General Assembly’s fiscal session. The House first established a quorum, granted leave for absent members, recognized guests, and adopted House Resolution 1001 to convene a joint session with the Senate for Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s address. Several bills and resolutions were read for the record, including House Resolution 1002 and House Bills 1001, 102, and 103, before the House recessed to await the Senate and then the governor. In the joint session, leaders recognized the late Representative Stan Barry with a moment of silence, introduced constitutional officers, judges, and other guests, and appointed committees to escort the governor. Governor Sanders then delivered a lengthy fiscal-session address focused on her budget priorities and policy agenda. She emphasized continued funding for education under LEARNS, teacher pay and literacy gains, public safety and law enforcement funding, government efficiency and tax cuts, and the 1033 initiative aimed at helping vulnerable Arkansans move from crisis to self-sufficiency. She also urged lawmakers to avoid new Medicaid mandates or ongoing spending and said she would call a special session to cut income taxes further if the budget is passed. After the governor’s remarks, the joint session adjourned. The House then reconvened briefly, adopted a motion to adjourn until the next day, and announced that the Joint Budget Committee would meet later that afternoon and again the following morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill authorizes the division to set up a pilot program, subject to the availability of funds, and

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then reconsidered Committee Substitute for House Bill 5212, noting that an Education Committee amendment had been inadvertently omitted the day before; the vice chairman withdrew the prior motion to report the bill, and the committee returned to the bill with the technical Education Committee amendments pending. The transcript then moved through a long agenda of bills and supplemental appropriations, with the committee generally hearing brief explanations from counsel, occasional member questions, and then voting to adopt amendments and report measures to the full Senate. Among the substantive policy bills, the committee advanced House Bill 4007 on the Industrial Access Road Fund, allowing an additional possible $3 million transfer in a fiscal year, expanding eligible uses, and increasing county/municipal spending limits; House Bill 4765, which raises salaries for state police, teachers, and school service personnel and, via a strike-and-insert amendment, creates a market pay enhancement tied to county and regional income data; House Bill 5162, recodifying tax lien sale procedures and clarifying ownership and government-property tax treatment; House Bill 5382, extending the Neighborhood Investment Tax Credit Program to July 1, 2031; House Bill 5685, authorizing up to $150 million in revenue bonds backed by excess lottery funds for State Culture Center improvements; House Joint Resolution 42, placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot to raise the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000; House Bill 4010, creating an airport hangar grant program and fund; House Bill 4404, increasing from $500 to $5,000 the amount volunteer fire departments may spend on training and fire prevention materials; House Bill 4592, requiring standardized campus safety mapping data for higher education institutions; House Bill 4784, extending and making retroactive a qualified opportunity zone business tax modification; and House Bill 5088, increasing retirement benefits for Division of Natural Resources police officers, with a one-time $4.25 million cash injection. The committee also reported several supplemental appropriations and originating bills, including Senate Bill 842 for the Spay Neuter Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 846 for Culture and History capital repairs, Senate Bill 872 for Natural Resources capital repairs (reduced to $10 million in committee substitute), Senate Bill 876 for Department of Health facilities, Senate Originating Bills 1 through 5 covering Culture and History, road funds, corrections IT and services, tobacco education, and the Adjutant General’s armory board transfer, respectively. Most items were adopted by voice vote; House Bill 4765’s strike-and-insert amendment was adopted after a division vote of 10-6. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill authorizes the division to set up a pilot program, subject to the availability of funds, and

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a wildfire mitigation revolving fund and requires the conservation commission to develop the test, pilot

Bills: HB4246, HB4230, HB3617, HB3657, HB2976, HB3391, HB4459, HB4128, HB3989, HB2989, HB4060, HB3145, HB2992, HB3464, HB4246, HB4230, HB3617, HB3657, HB2976, HB3391, HB4459, HB4128, HB3989, HB2989, HB4060, HB3145, HB2992, HB3464

Keywords: water rights, rural water districts, board members, training requirements, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, right to repair, agriculture, OEM, repair providers, documentation, farm equipment, parts availability, maintenance, labor, employment definitions, agricultural services, Oklahoma Workforce Commission, confidentiality, data access, environmental protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this intended to be sort of a pilot to see how this goes without going through the process and then

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, right now, we have moved from our lab bench experiments to our first pilot, and we are looking to

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many have accepted the managed care pilot program.

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs heard and advanced several bills and confirmations. SB 1016, on medical assistance eligibility for working persons with disabilities, was amended to remove automatic enrollment and to improve information sharing between AHCA and DCF; supporters said the bill codifies an existing program that helps developmentally disabled adults work without losing Medicaid coverage, and the committee reported the bill favorably. SB 1002, on temporary custody of minor children, was amended to focus on substance abuse as a pathway for court intervention when parental drug abuse creates ongoing risk to a child, and it was also reported favorably. SB 1594, on veteran benefit payments for minor clients in foster care, would ensure military benefits accessed for foster youth are preserved for post-secondary education or aftercare rather than used as reimbursement to agencies; it passed favorably without amendment. The committee also considered SB 1630 on aging and disability services, a broad modernization bill covering long-term care screening, emergency continuity of care, area agency oversight, Alzheimer’s services, home care, and guardianship reforms. Two amendments were adopted, including one on competitive procurement and another allowing area agencies on aging to directly provide core services during emergencies with department approval. Supporters emphasized caregiver navigation, dementia training, and service continuity, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1030 on substance abuse services/recovery residences was taken up with a substitute amendment that narrowed transfer definitions, required faster licensure action for existing providers adding levels of care, and limited credentialing entities’ access to resident medical records; stakeholders said further work was needed, but the committee still reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard the nomination of Robert Astellos to lead the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. He outlined priorities including reducing the pre-enrollment list, improving transparency and family involvement, strengthening customer service, and streamlining agency processes. Several disability and provider organizations appeared in support, and the committee voted to recommend his confirmation. The committee then recommended confirmation of the appointees on tabs 7 through 10 by a single favorable vote, and adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• In discussing DEI programs in airline safety, he said, “I see a Black pilot and I’m going to be like,

Bills: S0194, S1246

Keywords: Charlie Kirk, remembrance, free speech, civic engagement, youth leadership, nursing shortage, health care, education funding, workforce development, LINE Fund, monetary contributions, nonmonetary contributions

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary met with a quorum and first considered SB 1246, which would expand Florida’s Line Fund for health service workforce shortages. Senator Davis explained that the bill would broaden eligibility beyond nursing to include health science education programs and students, allow matching funds from private contributions, and permit use of funds for scholarships, faculty recruitment, equipment, simulation centers, and facility renovations. Senator Harrell asked for more specificity about which professions would qualify, and Davis said the bill was intended to add flexibility but could be made more concrete. Several witnesses supported the bill, and the committee reported SB 1246 favorably without additional funding being requested. The committee then took up SB 194, which would designate October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. Senator Martin said the bill would recognize Kirk’s influence on civic engagement, youth leadership, and constitutional education without creating a state holiday. The bill drew both support and opposition from public speakers, with supporters emphasizing Kirk’s advocacy for free speech and unborn children, and opponents arguing that his public statements on race, civil rights, and Black leaders made him an inappropriate figure for state honor. Members also debated whether statute was the right vehicle for such recognition and whether the bill could encourage future requests for similar commemorations. A late-filed amendment by Senator Jones would have added George Floyd to the remembrance language, framing the issue as selective remembrance and pointing to Floyd’s death as another national reckoning. Senator Martin opposed the amendment as unfriendly, and it failed on a roll call vote. The committee then debated SB 194 at length, with supporters describing Kirk as a defender of open debate and opponents saying the bill would legitimize divisive rhetoric. The committee ultimately reported SB 194 favorably, with Senators Berman, Harrell, and Jones voting no, Senator Rodriguez and Chair Simon voting yes, and Chair Calatayud casting the deciding favorable vote. The committee then adjourned after a motion to record Tab 2 in the affirmative was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• He was a World War II Marine fighter pilot, fought off the carrier, was in the battles of Leyte Gulf

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met to consider several bills, beginning with HB 335 by Representative Kendall, which sought to recognize space as a fifth mode of transportation, give voting rights to ex officio Space Florida board members, and reduce what the sponsor described as unnecessary state oversight of spaceport operations. The bill was presented as a response to feedback from NASA, Space Force, and other federal partners about clarifying the state’s role at federally owned facilities like Kennedy Space Center. Members raised questions about terminology, authority over federal property, and the role of Space Florida; the sponsor said an amendment would remove the voting-rights provision and instead require spaceports to provide an annual list of shovel-ready projects. The amendment was adopted, and HB 335 passed favorably. The committee then unanimously passed HB 885, which designates a road in Baker County near the courthouse in honor of former Representative and Judge John Cruz, and HB 403, which names a portion of the road leading into NAS Pensacola as Warriors Way to honor the sailors killed in the 2019 Pensacola attack and the broader naval community there. Both bills drew brief supportive remarks and no opposition. The committee also considered HB 25, a bridge designation for Coach Wilks, a longtime local basketball coach, and adopted a Senate amendment adding the Dickey Betts Memorial Highway designation on U.S. 41 in Sarasota County. HB 25, as amended, passed unanimously. The meeting concluded with adjournment after all measures on the agenda were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• vendor to conduct a feasibility study for an accountable communities for health Medicaid delivery model pilot

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a quorum declared. The journal from January 14, 2026 was approved, absent senators were excused, and the chamber moved through second readings of several bills and a concurrent resolution, including measures on identity documents, limiting gubernatorial pardon authority, motor vehicle regulation, solid waste facilities, pharmacist reimbursements, battery stewardship, property tax exemption, and a Medicaid delivery model feasibility study. Those items were referred to the Rules Committee after second reading. Committee reports were received from Education, Judiciary, and Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection, each recommending passage of listed bills, which were then treated as having first reading and placed on the calendar. The Committee on Committees later referred additional bills to Health Services, Natural Resources and Energy, and State and Local Government, and sent Senate Resolutions 35, 36, and 37 to the floor. The Rules Committee also posted Senate Bill 7 and later additional measures for the next day’s regular orders. Several new bills and resolutions were introduced, including bills on grandparent visitation, prosthesis and orthosis coverage, welding safety, transactional precious metals, Kentucky State Police, and concealed deadly weapons, along with memorial and honorary resolutions. Members also filed multiple co-sponsorship requests, all accepted without objection. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 29 honoring Edward Todd Jr., observed a moment of silence for Jeremiah Parsons, and heard announcements about a Kentucky State Police Professional Association breakfast, a Higher Education open house, and a Bags of Hope foster-care service project. The session ended with technical issues noted in filing documents, but the clerk reported the new filings and the Senate adjourned without objection until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• If I see a Black pilot, I’m going to be like, boy, I hope he’s qualified. December 8th, 2022.

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability took up three bills. First, it heard Senator Gates’s employee protection bill, which would create whistleblower-style protections for people who file ethics complaints based on personal knowledge, allowing the Ethics Commission to investigate retaliation and, if probable cause is found, letting the complainant seek administrative or civil relief. The Commission on Ethics supported the measure, saying it had long recommended such protections and that implementation costs would be low. The committee adopted the delete-all amendment and then reported the committee substitute for Senate Bill 92 favorably. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 60 by Senator McLean, which reclassifies certain district assistant regional counsel supervisor positions in the Florida Retirement System to the senior management class, aligning them more closely with comparable attorney positions in public defender and state attorney offices. A late-file technical amendment aligning class codes with Florida statutes was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. A representative from the regional council spoke in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 194 by Senator Martin, which would designate October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. The sponsor argued the day would honor Kirk’s advocacy for free speech, debate, and civic engagement, and said it would not create a state holiday or require closures. The bill drew strong opposition from Senator Polsky and Senator Bracy Davis, who cited Kirk’s public comments on race, women, gun violence, and systemic discrimination and argued he was not a unifying figure worthy of state honor. Julie Keefe also spoke against the bill, while representatives from the Venezuelan American Republican Club and the Christian Family Coalition spoke in support. Despite the debate, the committee voted to report Senate Bill 194 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• If I see a black pilot, I'm going to be like, boy, I hope he's qualified. December 8th, 2022.

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability heard three bills and reported all three favorably. First, the committee took up Senator Gates’ employee protection bill, which was amended with a delete-all to create whistleblower protections for people who file ethics complaints based on personal knowledge. Gates and the Florida Commission on Ethics said the measure would reduce retaliation against insiders who report misconduct, while the commission said it supported the proposal and expected low implementation costs. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended. The committee next considered Senator McClain’s bill to reclassify certain district assistant regional counsel supervisor positions in the Florida Retirement System to the senior management class. Supporters said the change would align those positions with comparable attorneys in public defender and state attorney offices and help with recruitment and retention. A late-file technical amendment aligning class codes with statute was adopted, and the committee then reported the bill favorably. The final bill, Senator Martin’s SB 194, would designate October 14 each year as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance in Florida. Martin argued the day would honor Kirk’s advocacy for free speech, civic engagement, and debate, and said it would not create a state holiday or require closures. The bill drew strong opposition from Senator Polsky and Senator Bracy Davis, who cited Kirk’s public statements on race, women, guns, and systemic discrimination and argued he was divisive and unworthy of a state honor. Supporters, including representatives from the Venezuelan American Republican Club and the Christian Family Coalition, backed the measure. After debate, the committee voted to report the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• About 20 pilots joined in on that conversation, telling them thank you. So thank the people.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, AB 1347 takes a unique approach by creating a pilot program that would allow Govius and the

Summary: The Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee met in person and established quorum after beginning briefly as a subcommittee. The committee adopted its rules and then heard several bills focused on economic recovery, housing, technology, retail theft, and utility infrastructure. AB 265 (Caloza) would create a $100 million state-funded small business and nonprofit recovery program for organizations affected by declared emergencies; it drew broad support from small business, nonprofit, chamber, city, and community groups, with no opposition voiced. AB 797 (Harabedian) proposed a zero-cost state financing structure using CRA-backed securities to help community nonprofits buy wildfire-damaged properties at fair market value and prevent predatory investor purchases; it was presented as a community stabilization tool and received support from the California Community Foundation, with no opposition. AB 940 (Wicks/Ellis) would establish quantum innovation zones to strengthen California’s quantum computing economy, and AB 949 (Shiavo) would create a retail theft grant program for small businesses to fund security improvements and theft prevention measures; both bills were supported by business and university witnesses, though one member said they would not vote for AB 949 due to concerns about broader crime policy. AB 1347 (Carrillo) proposed a pilot program to speed utility interconnections in priority growth regions, including allowing developers to trade expedited connections for upfront infrastructure cost recovery and use microgrids in some cases; it had no opposition in the hearing. Committee members generally expressed support for the bills, especially those aimed at disaster recovery and small business resilience. Questions on AB 940 focused on where quantum innovation zones might be located and how local governments and universities would coordinate; the author and witnesses said the zones should be open statewide and could build on existing research centers such as Berkeley, Stanford, Caltech, UCSB, UCLA, and UCSC. On AB 797, members discussed the need to protect homeowners from below-market offers after wildfires. On AB 949, the author emphasized that modest grants could help small businesses make security upgrades and prevent repeated theft losses. The committee voted to send AB 265, AB 797, AB 940, AB 949, and AB 1347 forward, generally on party-line or near-unanimous votes, with the bills reported out of committee and placed on call as needed. The consent calendar, including AB 254, AB 415, AB 655, AB 1232, AB 1254, AB 1477, and HR 27, was also approved. The hearing adjourned at 10:33 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• the past year, we have been honored at Texas Advocacy Project to be a partner in Texas' Coerced Debt Pilot

Bills: HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB3833, HB4134, HB4233, HB4238, HB4243

Keywords: HB 3803, Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 712, perpetual care cemetery, perpetual care trust fund, cemetery regulation, financial confidentiality, confidential records, regulatory examination, Texas Department of Banking, commissioner disclosure, interagency information sharing, state agency enforcement, federal agency disclosure, trust fund oversight, burial services, cemetery trust, consumer protection, state banks, Texas Finance Code

Transcript Highlights:

• The DOE has funded large pilots similar to what we're doing in Grand Forks with their pre-combustion

Bills: SB2339

Keywords: wildfire mitigation, utility liability, strict liability, electric utility, public service commission, PSC, rural electric cooperative, municipal utility, transmission provider, vegetation management, power lines, reclosers, electrical safety, wildfire prevention, grid reliability, public safety, first responders, ANSI A300, National Electrical Safety Code, community outreach

Summary: The Energy and Natural Resources Committee continued work on House Bill 1459, which concerns rare earth and critical mineral recovery from North Dakota lignite coal. Testimony from UND researcher Dan Ludo and industry representative David Straely focused on the urgency of developing the process quickly, the technical differences between extracting minerals from coal versus ash, and the potential value of elements such as terbium, dysprosium, gallium, germanium, and synthetic graphite. Straely argued the bill is constitutional, limited to minerals within the coal seam, and needed to avoid years of quiet title litigation and provide certainty for development and compensation to royalty owners. Committee members raised questions about landowner rights, compensation levels, possible amendments from the Department of Trust Lands, and whether the bill should be modified to address constitutional concerns or sunset provisions. No final action was taken on HB 1459; the chair said parties could work on language until Monday before the committee revisits it. The committee then returned to House Bill 1579, a high-load study bill with a possible energy infrastructure investment amendment. Jody Smith of the Retirement and Investment Office presented updated language adding guardrails for in-state infrastructure investing, including requiring approved projects to be underwritten and managed by a qualified investment manager or financial institution and to follow the Legacy Fund investment policy. Members discussed whether the amendment had been shared with the House sponsor and noted that the related bill 1330 was still pending, so HB 1579 was being held for the time being. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 1566, which had an amendment from the Agriculture Commissioner’s office. The committee adopted the amendment 7-0, then passed a due-pass motion on the amended bill and referred it to Appropriations, also by a 7-0 vote. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal impact, including an estimated $580,000 for two FTEs over two years, and clarified that the study component remains in the bill. Senator Gerhardt was assigned to carry the measure.