Transcript Highlights:

• The individuals served by our system are mandated for mental health treatment by either a criminal or
• accused of committing crimes linked to their mental illness and come to us directly through the criminal
• Under SB 1323, when a court finds restoration is not in the interest of justice, the court must conduct
• We are also conducting extensive research to design one of the exemptions.
• During the same time frame, our mobile crisis teams conducted 1,723 in-person crisis assessments.

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of State Hospitals (DSH), the Commission for Behavioral Health, and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on budget proposals and implementation updates. DSH outlined its proposed 2026-27 budget, including funding for patient operating expenses, IST solutions savings, conditional release program costs, LPS bed allocation changes, electrical infrastructure projects at Napa and Patton, SB 380 transitional housing feasibility work, and expanded dental services at Metropolitan and Patton. DSH also reported that it has met court-ordered IST treatment benchmarks in the Stiavedi v. Clinton case, with average time to initiate treatment down to about five days and pending placements reduced to roughly 250, while noting that Proposition 36 could increase referrals and SB 1323 may divert some individuals earlier into community-based treatment. Members asked about rising outside hospitalization costs, Medicare enrollment, the timing and structure of capital projects, and whether IST solution funds are being fully used; DSH said the savings reflect slower-than-expected ramp-up of community programs and that the Central California FACT replacement program is still on track for January 2027 activation. The Commission for Behavioral Health described its role under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), including data, evaluation, grantmaking, technical assistance, and transparency work. It highlighted the new statewide Innovation Partnership Fund, a five-year, $20 million-per-year program with small and large grant categories; the first RFA drew strong interest, with more than 400 questions and over 1,000 bidders’ conference participants. The Commission also discussed a proposed extension to spend down about $4.1 million remaining for the Alcove Youth Drop-in Center grants so sites can finish implementation and Stanford can complete the final evaluation. Members asked about grant duration, whether projects can be renewed, what qualifies as innovation, and whether the fund could support service delivery rather than awareness campaigns or training; the Commission said awards are expected to be three-year contracts and that proposals must be new or meaningfully expanded approaches that support BHSA priority populations. DHCS reviewed major behavioral health changes under CalAIM and BH Connect, including peer support, mobile crisis, contingency management, traditional health care practices for tribal members, updated specialty mental health access criteria, and new substance use treatment standards based on ASAM’s fourth edition. DHCS reported strong contingency management results, with more than 13,000 members served and 95% testing negative for stimulant use during treatment, and said 21 Indian health care providers have been approved to offer traditional health care practices. It also described BH Connect initiatives such as the $1.9 billion access reform and outcomes incentive program, workforce investments, evidence-based practice expansion, IMD participation by four counties, and transitional rent services. On BHSA implementation, DHCS said it is not tracking individual county contract cuts but is monitoring county plans and statewide outcomes, while stakeholders raised concerns about local prevention and service gaps. DHCS also outlined its H.R. 1 implementation strategy, including outreach, streamlined renewals, exemptions for disabled, substance use, and medically frail individuals, and proposed clinic navigator and outreach funding; it said it has not yet produced a focused estimate of H.R. 1 impacts on behavioral health populations. The discussion ended with DHCS noting that B-CHIP bond funding has supported 437 infrastructure projects, creating 546 new or expanded facilities and more than 9,500 residential beds across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• The individuals served by our system are mandated for mental health treatment by either a criminal or
• accused of committing crimes linked to their mental illness and come to us directly through the criminal
• Under SB 1323, when a court finds restoration is not in the interest of justice, the court must conduct
• We are also conducting extensive research to design one of the exemptions.
• During the same time frame, our mobile crisis teams conducted 1,723 in-person crisis assessments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The individuals served by our system are mandated for mental health treatment by either a criminal or
• accused of committing crimes linked to their mental illness and come to us directly through the criminal
• Under SB 1323, when a court finds restoration is not in the interest of justice, the court must conduct
• We are also conducting extensive research to design one of the exemptions.
• During the same time frame, our mobile crisis teams conducted 1,723 in-person crisis assessments.

Summary: The subcommittee heard budget and policy updates from the Department of State Hospitals, the Commission for Behavioral Health, and the Department of Health Care Services. DSH described its proposed 2026-27 budget of $3.2 billion, including savings tied to IST solutions, higher patient-driven operating costs, and a small increase in caseload projections. Officials said the department has met court-ordered IST treatment benchmarks, with wait times reduced from a pandemic peak of 1,953 pending placements to about 250, and average treatment initiation now around five days. Members asked about the effects of Proposition 36 and SB 1323, rising outside hospitalization costs, Medicare enrollment, and whether IST solution funding was being overbudgeted; DSH said referrals are slightly down overall, aging and medically complex patients are driving outside care costs, and the IST solution savings reflect slower-than-expected program activation rather than a service gap. The department also outlined proposed funding for CONREP cost increases, a new county-by-county LPS bed allocation model, electrical infrastructure upgrades at Napa and Patton, SB 380 transitional housing feasibility work, and additional dental staffing and space at Metropolitan and Patton. The Commission for Behavioral Health reviewed its role in the Behavioral Health Services Act transition and its new Innovation Partnership Fund. Staff said the commission is shifting from county-level innovation oversight to a statewide grant strategy, with the first $20 million RFA drawing strong interest and awards expected in mid-June. Members asked how “innovation” would be defined, whether grants could be renewed after the initial three-year contracts, and how the state would ensure the money supports real service delivery rather than general outreach or training. The commission also sought a liquidation deadline extension for the Alcove youth drop-in center grants so remaining funds can be spent before they revert, allowing sites to finish implementation and support the final evaluation. DHCS provided an overview of CalAIM and BH Connect implementation, including updated specialty mental health access criteria, new ASAM-based substance use treatment standards, contingency management, traditional health care practices for tribal members, workforce investments, evidence-based practice expansion, IMD participation, and transitional rent services. The department also addressed BHSA implementation, saying it does not track specific local program cuts but will monitor county three-year plans, performance measures, and outcomes as counties shift to the new funding structure. On H.R. 1, DHCS said it is preparing outreach, eligibility simplification, and exemption strategies to reduce Medi-Cal coverage losses, including clinic navigators, a statewide outreach campaign, and possible employment supports through a future waiver. The department also reported that BH-CHIP bond funds have supported 437 infrastructure projects, creating 546 facilities and more than 9,500 residential beds, with additional outpatient capacity and tribal investments. Finally, DHCS outlined a proposed 988 trailer bill to create a statewide designation process for 988 centers and mobile crisis teams, with implementation no earlier than October 1, 2027.

Transcript Highlights:

• HCM 2002 urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to conduct a federal
• We conduct that work through lawful advocacy, pro bono legal services, and public education.
• CAIR is being targeted, not for criminal conduct, but because it advocates for justice and accountability
• In addition, because HLF's leaders were co-defendants in the criminal trial, there was a conflict of
• And then only after that takes place can the elections officials conduct signature verification... ..

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee convened with roll call, member and staff introductions, and a review of amendment deadlines and decorum rules. Members also suspended the committee rule on late-distributed amendments to allow consideration of a Kolodin amendment. The chair then moved to the agenda bills, beginning with HCM 2001, a memorial urging Congress and the President to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization and asking Arizona agencies to monitor related organizations. Testimony on HCM 2001 was sharply divided, with supporters arguing the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR are linked to terrorism and Sharia law, and opponents calling the memorial discriminatory, unsupported by evidence, and an attack on Muslim civil rights organizations and free speech. The committee voted 4-3 to pass HCM 2001 out of committee. The committee then heard HCM 2002, which urges a federal review of CAIR for possible foreign terrorist organization designation and supports related congressional action. Testimony again split along similar lines: opponents, including CAIR representatives, a veteran, and community members, said the measure was scapegoating, lacked legal basis, and would stigmatize Muslim communities; supporters cited the Holy Land Foundation case, FBI concerns, and alleged ties between CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Hamas. After debate, the committee voted 4-3 to pass HCM 2002 out of committee. Following a brief recess, the committee took up HB 2009, which would prohibit committees primarily organized to influence constitutional amendments from accepting foreign national contributions and require disclosure of out-of-state funding. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve transparency and keep constitutional initiatives focused on Arizona voters; members discussed whether the measure should apply to all ballot initiatives and how donor verification would work. HB 2009 was also approved 4-3. The committee then began HCR 2001, a proposed constitutional amendment on election procedures, including citizenship requirements for voting, limits on foreign contributions to candidate and ballot measure campaigns, government-issued ID requirements, and changes to early voting and mail ballot rules. The committee adopted a late amendment after procedural discussion, and the sponsor described the resolution as a broad election-security reform modeled on Florida. Members raised concerns that the proposal could reduce access, increase lines, and create confusion for mail voters, while the sponsor argued it would improve security and voter confidence. The transcript cuts off during this bill’s discussion, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's not just that; making getting high is a criminal enterprise.
• So it's not just it makes getting high as a criminal enterprise.
• Inmates getting high is a criminal enterprise.
• We're left with violent criminals. They are criminals. They committed a crime.
• The age of criminality is up to, like, 26.

Summary: The special commission on consolidation and cooperation among public safety agencies held a hearing focused on correctional labor perspectives, with testimony from union representatives and correctional officers from state and county facilities. Chair Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger opened by noting the commission’s extensive site visits and prior testimony, and they recognized Correctional Officers Week. Witnesses emphasized that officers are central to any reform discussion and described the daily realities of staffing shortages, violence, mental health crises, substance use, and the need for better wellness support. Kevin Flanagan of the correctional officers’ union said officers face serious safety risks, citing weapons recovered, assaults, suicides, and the spread of synthetic drugs like K2 that are often introduced through paper soaked with chemicals. He urged stronger contraband controls, including paperless systems and technology to detect synthetic drugs, and criticized policies he said can be manipulated in gender-identity housing and search situations. He also argued that staffing shortages, forced overtime, and low morale are worsening retention, and that officers need more support after traumatic incidents, including fuller use of the OnSide Academy program. Other union representatives, including NCU and county officers, opposed consolidating sheriffs’ offices or merging them with the Department of Correction, warning it could weaken collective bargaining, reduce local accountability, and harm programming and reentry work. They argued that county facilities are distinct and should be funded and staffed based on local needs, not a one-size-fits-all model, and several speakers supported expanding vocational and reentry programming. Commissioners responded with support for officer wellness and asked for more information on EMS transports, medical interventions, and possible models from other jurisdictions, including Norway and Germany. At the end of the hearing, the commission discussed extending its reporting deadline beyond September 30, with members agreeing to seek an extension to November 30. The commission also agreed to continue site visits, including the upcoming Barnstable visit, and adjourned after adopting the motion to request the extension.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 234, a bill to be entitled an act related to criminal offenses.
• CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE PROVISIONS WHERE THE DIRECTOR OF THE PROGRAM WILL BE CRIMINALLY LIABLE?
• FOR—IS IT CRIMINALLY LIABLE? OR LIABLE—IT'S NOT CRIMINAL; LIABLE FOR THE PROGRAM? SENATOR BURTON.
• CAN THIS NURSING DIRECTOR BE HELD CRIMINALLY LIABLE FOR ISSUES HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOL?
• NO, THEY WILL NOT BE HELD CRIMINALLY LIABLE. SENATOR DAVIS. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an act relating to providing language-accessible public programs, activities, and services conducted
• Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1604 relates to providing parameters for conducting searches of transgender
• It will require local jail administrators to implement policies and procedures for conducting these searches
• Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1604 relates to providing parameters for conducting searches of transgender
• It requires they comply with whatever training the Criminal Justice Training Commission requires for

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• , so you might be thinking, well, there goes 87% of the criminals.
• I was a victim number four of my criminal.
• Criminal history is presumptively relevant to child safety and parental fitness.
• Criminal history is presumptively relevant to child safety and parental fitness.
• But the statute that talks about sealing criminal records is not discretionary.

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're going through the criminal justice system.
• And then afterwards, convicted criminals can certainly appeal.
• And then afterwards, convicted criminals can certainly appeal.
• We have the criminal justice information system.
• And criminals are not fooled by fake deterrence.

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence for a deceased member, then approved the April minutes and heard a presentation from HHS on the Diversion Task Force and related youth services grants. Chelsea Florey described the $750,000 one-time appropriation from HB 1012, the five awarded grants, and how programs in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot are using the funds for youth diversion, including school-based groups, physical activity, and services for problematic sexual behavior. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, family engagement, service silos, and whether diversion eligibility rules are too rigid; Florey said the task force is focused on better coordination, broader education about available services, and possible changes to diversion criteria, with the Children’s Cabinet likely to drive broader recommendations. The committee then received a North Dakota Lottery biennium report from Director Thomas Lawler, who reviewed the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, player programs, and revenue distribution. He reported about $67 million in ticket sales for the 2023-2025 biennium, about $16.2 million transferred overall, including roughly $13.6 million to the general fund, plus transfers to drug task force and compulsive gambling funds. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether it is set by statute. Next, the Department of Corrections presented on criminal justice data sharing and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that jails, courts, DOCR, HHS, and other entities use separate systems with limited interoperability, making real-time communication largely manual. He outlined possible hub or point-to-point IT solutions, but noted cost, vendor, identifier, and data-definition challenges. Robin Schmolenberger followed with an update on a Medicaid data exchange project between DOCR and HHS to suspend and reactivate inmate Medicaid coverage automatically and improve care coordination, with full bi-directional exchange expected in fall 2026. The committee also heard from county representatives on 24-7 sobriety program fees and an AG opinion allowing local sheriffs to use cheaper testing options when courts waive fees. Finally, the North Dakota Racing Commission reviewed a troubling audit. Bruce Johnson acknowledged serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, missing grant documentation, a reversed decision on breeders fund eligibility, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has begun corrective actions, including monthly tracking of the promotion fund cap, stricter grant documentation, written procurement procedures, and clearer eligibility rules in condition books. Members pressed him on how the overspending occurred, whether the commission board would impose consequences, and whether statutory clarification is needed on the promotion fund limit and related spending rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• for a regional system of care, looking for sustainable finance models, and then alternatives for criminal
• One of these areas is in our background studies provisions that relate to criminal barriers to getting
• Minnesota contains many additional criminal barriers to what the Adam Walsh requires, and one that I
• barriers to what the additional criminal barriers to what the Adam<01:00:09.039><c> Walsh</c><01:00:
• Even though I had my vehicle seized through forfeiture due to the criminal charges, I was able to get

Transcript Highlights:

• uh criminal code violations severe<03:44:45.199><c> cognitive</c><03:44:45.680><c> fire</c> [Music]
• Parents are well aware of what those code of conducts are as well.
• And I can only compare it, analogize it if you will, to my prior work as a criminal prosecutor, when
• </c><04:18:05.439><c> records</c> um dissemination of criminal records um dissemination of criminal records
• </c> incidents um the investigation conducted incidents um the investigation conducted locally<04:40:

Summary: The committee first took up HB 662, which would require discussion of abortion procedures and the viewing of certain videos in public school health education. Members argued the bill went too far by naming specific videos and involving the Attorney General in enforcement, and they said curriculum decisions should be left to educators. The committee voted ITL on HB 662 by a unanimous 18-0. The committee then considered HCR 6, a resolution calling for the removal of the superintendent of District 67. Members said the resolution targeted an individual and that the underlying dispute was already in court, so the matter should be left to the legal process. The motion to ITL passed 18-0. Next, HR 9, urging the Department of Education to emphasize STEM education, received broad support as a nonpartisan statement of priorities, and it also passed 18-0. HB 440, concerning educator licensing and shortages in Career and Technical Education, was amended to clarify that the bill applies to initial licensure only. After discussion about whether the amendment was necessary, the committee adopted Amendment 0188 unanimously and then voted OTPA on the bill as amended, 18-0. HB 222, which repealed the requirement for an MOU between charter schools and districts on services for students with disabilities, drew testimony that districts already provide substantial oversight through IEP processes and that the MOU requirement was burdensome and largely unenforced; the committee voted OTP 18-0. The committee then took up HB 719, which would repeal the right of first refusal for charter schools to purchase or lease unused district facilities. Supporters said the existing law had not generated complaints and could impede charter expansion, while opponents said the issue had not proven to be a problem and local control should be preserved. The committee voted ITL 17-1, with one member opposed and no minority report. The chair then postponed HB 184, a study committee bill on school start times, because it was scheduled for the next day, and the committee moved into a work session on bullying-related bills, discussing HB 108, HB 384, and HB 673 without taking final action in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of the other screening stuff, such as credit score or criminal background history, all that can still
• Not everyone is uneducated or criminals. Because I don't have a criminal record at all.
• A lot of fire inspections are conducted, and many school districts have their own practices.
• We're supportive of existing state laws that penalize and criminalize human trafficking.
• Certainly, if there's criminal activity and an active crime occurring, law enforcement has the tools.

Bills: HB164 , HB164 , HB411 , HB627 , HB 1226 , HB1677 , HB1865 , HB1997 , HB2985 , HB3462 , HB4188 , HB4685 , HB4840 , HB5370 , HB5424 , HB5466 , HB5509 , HB5660 , HB5673

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Clearly, there's a criminal investigation, there are criminal charges and whatnot. potentially, but I
• looking at cameras from across the street to try to determine who the parents are so that we can conduct
• Um, we're here to talk about Senate Bill 66, uh, criminal offender employment exemptions.
• It says SB 66 would enable the agency to disqualify applicants based on certain criminal offenses, based
• It wouldn't require us to disqualify someone based on any misdemeanor convictions or any criminal history

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• But if we pass this legislation and conduct these trials...
• All together, I conducted seven combat deployments.
• First, it requires freestanding psychiatric hospitals to conduct criminal background checks on all unlicensed
• As a group, freestanding psychiatric hospitals already conduct criminal background checks on all of their
• Nurses, doctors, and therapists all have criminal background checks conducted by their licensing boards

Bills: HB44 , HB2200 , HB1612 , HB2747 , HB2038 , HB3717 , HB1431 , HB3800 , HB3801 , HB3560 , HB3246 , HB44

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care

Summary: The meeting of the public health committee focused on the pressing issue of opioid addiction in Texas, with a particular emphasis on House Bill 3717. Chairman Harris detailed the bill's intent to fund a grant program for Ibogaine clinical trials, framing it as a critical response to the ongoing opioid crisis. He shared poignant testimonies highlighting the struggles of families and veterans battling addiction and mental health issues. The conversation underscored the necessity of innovative treatments, like Ibogaine, which showed promising results in studies for reducing symptoms of withdrawal and PTSD.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sentence modernization in and of itself took all of the criminal statutes.
• Sentence modernization in and of itself took all of the criminal statutes.
• I'm not sure I'm sensitive to an undue responsibility or an undue burden on a criminal.
• It was the criminalizing of a legal activity now.
• As I stated previously, my concern is to fit everything into a criminality kind of box.

Bills: SB1636 , SB1584 , SB1730 , SB1255 , SB1627 , SB137 , SB2062 , SB1470 , SB1284

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The Public Safety Committee took up a series of bills dealing with cold cases, sexual assault investigations, parole, criminal code cleanup, jail backlog relief, private prison oversight, and human trafficking. SB 1636, by Sen. Hicks, would let an immediate family member or similar person request an OSBI investigation in a cold case; it passed 8-0. SB 1584, by Sen. Burns, shortened the deadline for submitting sexual assault evidence kits for forensic testing and required kits received after the effective date to be processed within 30 days; it passed 8-0. SB 1730, by Sen. Thompson, required law enforcement to forward sexual assault reports to OSBI to help identify repeat offenders, with testimony that the reports would remain confidential and could still be expunged where applicable; it passed 8-0. The committee also approved SB 1255, by Sen. Yack, which shifts the authority to request medical parole from the DOC director to the DOC medical director while leaving parole board and gubernatorial discretion intact; it passed 8-1. SB 1627, by Pro Tem Paxton, was a request bill to consolidate redundant and obsolete criminal statutes into a cleaner code, and it passed 9-0 after questions about underlined language in the committee substitute. SB 137, by Vice Chair Hamilton, would remove DUI causing great bodily injury from eligibility for DOC’s electronic monitoring program after a case highlighted what sponsors described as a loophole; it passed 9-0. SB 2062, by Sen. Pugh, sought to reduce county jail and LARC backlog by allowing certain low-level, nonviolent offenders to bypass county jail waiting periods and report directly to their assigned facility after screening; members raised concerns about flight risk, logistics, transportation, and county impacts. Pugh agreed to continue working on the measure and requested a struck title, and the bill passed 7-1. SB 1470, by Sen. Brooks, as amended, would allow elected officials and religious leaders to conduct informal inspections of private prisons operated for out-of-state interests, with a three-day notice requirement and definitions added to narrow the scope; it passed 8-0. Finally, SB 1284, by Vice Chair Hamilton, aimed at combating human trafficking in exotic entertainment venues by creating licensing and inspection requirements and penalties for unlicensed operation or knowingly hiring unlicensed performers. The bill drew extensive debate over whether it was too punitive or could sweep in lawful businesses, but supporters said it would help identify trafficking victims and improve oversight; it passed 7-1. The committee adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have changed how we have approached rehabilitation and criminalization over time.
• And I believe that's true in the criminal justice system as well.
• People sitting in cells who are given life without parole under old habitual criminal statutes.
• People sitting in cells who are given life without parole under old habitual criminal statutes.
• There are other ways to fix our criminal justice system.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Or disrupting the orderly conduct of official business.
• They are not concerned about being criminally prosecuted. This bill does not criminalize, protect.
• We have a failed approach to criminal justice reform that the left has been advancing.
• I rise in support of AB 1376, in part because I've worked in the criminal justice system.
• Are they criminals that cause great harm? Are they people who need to be protected and saved?

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're going through the criminal justice system.
• And then afterwards, convicted criminals can certainly appeal.
• They effectively resentence the criminals. And how do they do that?
• We have the criminal justice information system.
• And criminals are not fooled by fake deterrent.

Committee: Joint Judiciary Committee

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence honoring a deceased member, then approved the April minutes. The first major presentation was from Chelsea Florey of Child and Family Services on the Diversion Task Force and related grant programs created with one-time funding from HB 1012. She reported that five of six proposals were funded, with youth diversion services operating in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and a Red River Children’s Advocacy Center program focused on problematic sexualized behavior. Members discussed barriers such as staffing shortages, voluntary family engagement, service fatigue, and the need for better coordination, broader outreach, and possible changes to diversion eligibility rules so low-level cases can remain in diversion longer. Several legislators pressed for more practical system changes and clearer service navigation, while Florey said the task force is trying to build a service array or hub and is leaning on the Children’s Cabinet for broader recommendations. The committee then heard from North Dakota Lottery Director Thomas Lawler, who gave an operational overview and biennium report. He described the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, Pick and Click subscriptions, Players Club membership, and revenue distribution. For the 2023-25 biennium, about $67 million in tickets were purchased, with roughly $16.2 million transferred overall, including money for the general fund, drug task force grants, and compulsive gambling prevention and treatment. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether the amount is set by statute. A lengthy presentation followed from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on criminal justice data connectivity and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that North Dakota’s jail, court, HHS, and correctional systems use multiple separate databases that do not communicate in real time, requiring manual cross-checks and staff communication. He said the department is exploring a centralized hub or other integration approach, but noted challenges with identifiers, vendor contracts, confidentiality, and cost. Robin Schmolenberger then updated the committee on a Medicaid data-sharing project with HHS, saying monthly application assistance is now occurring in correctional facilities and that automated bi-directional data exchange is expected in late 2026 to help suspend and reactivate Medicaid coverage and identify former foster care youth. Members also discussed parole, probation, transitional housing, and the need for better real-time notifications and clearer data definitions. The committee also received an update from county representatives on the 24/7 sobriety program, including a recent attorney general opinion that if a court waives 24/7 fees, sheriffs may use the cheaper twice-daily breath test or urine testing instead of SCRAM bracelets or drug patches. Finally, Bruce Johnson of the Racing Commission presented on an audit report, acknowledging serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, grant documentation failures, a breeders fund eligibility reversal, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has already changed its procedures by tracking fund limits monthly, requiring grant applications and itemized reports, enforcing breeders fund rules as written, and routing purchases through procurement with written contracts. The committee asked follow-up questions throughout but took no formal votes on these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• It relates to prosecution of the criminal offense of cruelty to livestock animals.
• Or reckless conduct or something like that. Yes, sir.
• Thank you. ...prosecution and important to our criminal justice system.
• We need to get cases into grand jury within 90 days or violent criminals can be released.
• We need to get cases into grand jury within 90 days or violent criminals can be released.

Bills: HB75 , HB108

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice and public safety bills, with most measures focused on tougher penalties, victim protections, and procedural changes. Bills discussed included HB 75, requiring magistrates to make written findings when denying probable cause despite believing an arrestee committed an offense; HB 413, limiting pretrial detention so it cannot exceed the maximum jail term for the charged offense, with competency-related exceptions; HB 1422, expanding sexual assault survivor protections and increasing penalties for certain sexual offenses and voyeurism; HB 2073, increasing penalties for violating protective orders or bond conditions while armed; HB 2593, raising indecent assault penalties against elderly or disabled victims; HB 108, enhancing punishment when body armor is used during violent crimes; HB 3816, expanding cruelty-to-livestock offenses to include unlawful controlled-substance administration; HB 2854, requiring parole officers to notify hospitals or law enforcement when violent parolees visit hospital premises; HB 1871, increasing punishment for attempted capital murder of a peace officer and making such offenders ineligible for parole; HB 3463, clarifying notice methods in theft-of-service cases; HB 2348, allowing video-recorded depositions of elderly or disabled witnesses; HB 2594, expanding venue options for cybercrime and digital theft prosecutions; HB 2761, clarifying that children cannot be deemed to consent to prostitution-related offenses; HB 3185, authorizing administrative subpoenas in cybercrime investigations; HB 2017, increasing penalties for certain intoxication manslaughter cases involving undocumented immigrants with prior DWI convictions; HB 2306, making certain trafficking offenses ineligible for parole; HB 1607, allowing a rear-only license plate when a vehicle lacks a front bracket; HB 1828, creating a legislative leave pool for TDCJ correctional officers; and HB 3664, requiring prospective grand jurors to complete training and proposing additional changes to grand jury procedure in a future substitute. The committee also took up HB 3073, the Summer Willis Act, which would clarify consent in sexual assault law and address intoxication-related incapacity; the committee substitute narrowed the language to situations where the perpetrator knows the other person cannot consent because of intoxication or impairment, while removing withdrawal-of-consent and “reasonably should know” language from the House version. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes adopted, including HB 3463, HB 2594, HB 3073, and HB 3073’s substitute, and most bills were left pending after no invited or public testimony or after hearing testimony. Public testimony was especially extensive on HB 3073, with survivors, advocates, and prosecutors supporting broader consent language, while some prosecutors said the substitute was an improvement but still favored the House version’s broader protections. HB 3664 drew significant opposition from district attorneys, who argued that mandatory transcription or recording of grand jury testimony would be costly, chill grand juror questioning, and complicate timely presentations; concerns were also raised about new-evidence requirements and grand jury shopping. No final votes were taken on the bills discussed in the transcript, and the committee recessed partway through to return to the floor before continuing its hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• field in a very hard-to-comply-with manner, very transparently, very openly, as kind of the way we conduct
• 00:03:36.560><c> we</c> very openly uh as kind of the way we very openly uh as kind of the way we conduct
• I'm here today to conduct our business.
• activity when there is a criminal activity when there is a reasonable<00:15:53.600><c> basis.
• In our industry, the Wyoming Division of Banking conducts thorough investigations and due diligence on

Bills: HB0086

Committee: House Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions