Transcript Highlights:

• Does it create a better opportunity for affordable housing because you can allow density or whatever
• for affordable housing because you can allow density or whatever it might be.
• And as we think about affordable housing, sometimes it is less expensive to go out than it is to go up
• And as we think about affordable housing, sometimes it is less expensive to go out than it is to go up
• I know that most of these issues are always in the name of affordable housing that has yet to be seen

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• competition for concessions with gross annual sales exceeding $25,000, and it requires the renting, leasing
• competition for concessions with gross annual sales exceeding $25,000, and it requires the renting, leasing
• question, this came up, as Sherry mentioned, related to the Capitol Cafe, and we were at the end of a lease
• It used to be where there was a monthly lease arrangement with the vendor, and then over time... ...a
• monthly lease arrangement with the vendor, and then over time that has changed.

Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature intends this program to improve health care in rural communities, provide affordable
• The legislature intends this program to improve health care in rural communities, provide affordable
• The legislature intends this program to improve health care in rural communities, provide affordable
• Funds like this may be able to help with debt services, leases, and things like that that are pointed
• </c><00:50:29.280><c> and</c> um you know debt Services leases and um you know debt Services leases and

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• help offset the agency's costs when they're dealing with somebody who's going to buy the property or lease
• 00:26:17.240><c> um</c> who's going to buy the property or um who's going to buy the property or um lease
• 18.240><c> properties</c><00:26:18.800><c> that</c><00:26:18.960><c> this</c><00:26:19.200><c> the</c> lease
• the properties that this the lease the properties that this the state's<00:26:19.680><c> willing</c>

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee first approved the March 16, 2026 minutes, then took up several Department of Transportation property actions. The committee approved a Greenland access point sale for a cell tower site to Wakefield Investments for $132,800 plus a $1,100 administrative fee, and approved disposal of two Epsom parcels to the town at no cost, with the town assuming demolition of the former depot and the committee waiving the fee. It also approved a Milton access point sale to Jeremy West Champney and Cameron McDermott for $90,000 plus the fee, with conditions requiring permits and other approvals. During the DOT items, members asked about appraisals, access restrictions, and where the administrative fee goes; staff said the fee generally offsets agency administrative costs and may go to a dedicated fund or the general fund depending on the project. The committee then considered three Department of Environmental Services requests for utility easements to bring power to dams so gates can be operated more efficiently and potentially remotely. It approved an easement with New Hampshire Electric Co-op for Pine River Dam in Wakefield, an easement with New Hampshire Electric Co-op for Sunset Lake Dam in Alton, and an easement with Eversource for Suncook Lake Dam in Barnstead. Members discussed whether to waive the $1,100 administrative fee on these items, with some questioning the fee’s purpose and where it is deposited. The committee ultimately approved the DES items as requested, including the fee waivers, while asking staff to research the fee’s history, sufficiency, and use for a future report. Finally, the committee received informational items from the New Hampshire Council on Resources and Development. Members briefly discussed a property at Bloody Point in Newington and the related Sullivan Bridge demolition, and DOT staff said the property had been tabled previously and is now being worked on with Fish and Game for a possible transfer of management and future water access use. No votes were taken on the informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• OHA has maintained that decisions regarding the future of Pohakuloa and all other lands leased to the
• future of Pohakuloa and all<00:15:08.600><c> other</c><00:15:08.800><c> lands</c><00:15:09.120><c> leased
• /c><00:15:09.360><c> to</c><00:15:09.440><c> the</c><00:15:09.520><c> federal</c> all other lands leased
• to the federal all other lands leased to the federal government<00:15:10.280><c> and</c><00:15:10.400

Bills: SCR56 , SCR25 , SCR79 , SCR179 , SCR181 , SCR182 , SR54 , SR22 , SR81 , SR174 , SR176 , SR177

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard SCR 56 and SR 54, which recognize open water lifeguards as first responders and acknowledge their role in emergency response and public safety. Testifiers from the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, Hawaii Water Safety Coalition, Honolulu and Kauai Ocean Safety, and a junior guard all strongly supported the resolutions, describing lifeguards as often first on scene for drownings, cardiac arrest, spinal injuries, flooding rescues, and other emergencies. Several speakers said formal recognition would better reflect the work lifeguards already do and could improve training, support services, pay equity, and access to benefits such as retirement and trauma resources. Members asked about what legal or administrative changes would follow, and the discussion suggested the resolutions were a first step toward broader recognition and related policy changes. The committee then took up SCR 25 and SR 22, opposing federal condemnation or threats of condemnation to take control of Pohakuloa and other state land. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the resolutions, saying Pohakuloa has deep historical, cultural, genealogical, and ecological significance and that any future decisions should go through existing state legal processes with meaningful consultation with Native Hawaiians. Members discussed the role of the governor’s advisory process, the need to follow DLNR/BLNR procedures, and concerns about environmental and health violations at the site. The committee also noted 14 written testimonies in support. Next, the committee heard SCR 79 and SR 81, urging the U.S. Navy to take responsibility for eradicating octocoral and other invasive species in Pearl Harbor waters, including West, Middle, and East Loch. DLNR supported the resolutions, and testimony focused on the spread of invasive coral, the difficulty of eradication, and the limited access state agencies have inside Pearl Harbor. Members raised concerns about contamination, responsibility for the problem, and whether the Navy should fund or carry out the cleanup; DLNR said it could not speak to broader contamination issues but supported the resolution as a way to encourage action. The committee then began discussion of SCR 179 and SR 174, which urge Maui County to enforce fire code provisions on brush clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation clearing, and emergency access, with written support noted from Aloha Independent Living Hawaii.

Transcript Highlights:

• other asset class, you know, you can imagine each little individual space within a building gets leased
• If those lease rates are lower, because there's less demand...
• Leased out, if those lease rates are lower because there's less demand, you know, the cash flows are

Committee: Joint Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board

Transcript Highlights:

• other asset class, you know, you can imagine each little individual space within a building gets leased
• If those lease rates are lower, because there's less demand...
• Leased out, if those lease rates are lower because there's less demand, you know, the cash flows are

Committee: Joint Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the October 22 minutes, and received an update on the planned Legacy Fund transparency website. Jody Smith said the site is in contract negotiations after six bidders responded, with a target go-live around November 1 after added security review. The website is intended to provide downloadable, more detailed public information on the Legacy Fund, including historical changes, legislative allocations, and investment breakdowns. Members asked about comparables and data detail, and Smith said North Dakota would likely be the first state to offer this level of sovereign wealth fund transparency. Scott Anderson of the Retirement Investment Office then reviewed Legacy Fund performance through January 31, 2026, describing strong returns, low fees, and the benefits of diversification. He noted that real estate had been a drag on returns, but it is a small portion of the portfolio, and he discussed market effects from geopolitical events, inflation, credit spreads, and private credit. Members also questioned the in-state investment program and the BND CD-Match program. Representative Bosch moved to pause new transfers to the CD-Match program until the bank reports back, and the motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also agreed to request a cost-benefit analysis from RVK on that change. After lunch, the committee heard from RVK consultant Jim Voidko on the investment policy statement, focused on the in-state investment provisions. He reported that, after interviews with implementers and stakeholders, RVK found no major policy impediments in the current IPS and no strong calls to change the size limits or core guardrails. He emphasized the importance of risk-adjusted returns, diversification, pacing, exit strategies, and governance, and warned that foregone returns or higher spending obligations can pressure the fund’s long-term mission. He also recommended clearer terminology around “infrastructure,” distinguishing public infrastructure from commercial infrastructure, and noted unresolved policy questions about nexus and economic diversification. The committee then began reviewing proposed IPS updates with Rio staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• underway and will be launched shortly, covering the employer share of health insurance costs and our lease
• insurance costs employer share of health insurance costs and<00:02:14.800><c> our</c><00:02:14.959><c> lease
• > costs</c><00:02:15.599><c> at</c><00:02:15.840><c> the</c><00:02:15.920><c> judicial</c> and our lease
• costs at the judicial and our lease costs at the judicial center<00:02:17.200><c> and</c><00:02:17.760

Transcript Highlights:

• So me as a farmer, I have 80 landlords that we lease ground from.
• c><00:13:36.480><c> we</c> farmer, I have 80 landlords that we farmer, I have 80 landlords that we lease
• <00:13:38.800><c> it</c><00:13:39.040><c> was</c><00:13:39.279><c> in</c><00:13:39.519><c> the</c> lease
• The way it was in the lease ground from.

Committee: House Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• I was your tenant, okay, and you wanted to enter an agreement with me that said, hey, here's the lease
• > agreement with me that say hey here's agreement with me that say hey here's the<04:32:30.479><c> lease
• 31.399><c> way</c><04:32:31.640><c> you</c><04:32:31.800><c> can't</c><04:32:32.080><c> ever</c> the lease
• and by the way you can't ever the lease and by the way you can't ever say<04:32:32.600><c> I</c><04:

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 148, which Rep. Jim Kofalt said is the same language as last year’s HB 396, vetoed by the governor. He described the bill as allowing, but not requiring, separation by biological sex in three areas: bathrooms and locker rooms, houses of correction, and certain athletic competitions. Kofalt argued the bill would give local school boards and other policymakers discretion to set practical rules, citing concerns about safety, privacy, and a Milford incident involving a biological male in girls’ locker rooms. Committee members pressed him on the lack of a definition of “biological sex,” and he said he did not think one was necessary because males and females are commonly understood. He also said the bill was meant to address situations where outside groups threaten lawsuits and leave local boards with no latitude. Testimony then split sharply. Supporters, including Executive Counselor Karen Hill and several others, said HB 148 would roll back anti-discrimination protections, contradict New Hampshire’s “Live Free or Die” values, and harm transgender and non-binary people. Opponents described the bill as discriminatory and unnecessary, arguing that existing bathroom and sports policies already work and that the bill would invite harassment, invasive enforcement, and legal conflict. Several speakers, including trans residents and parents of trans children, said they had used public restrooms without incident and warned that enforcement would be impractical or abusive. One supporter argued the bill was needed to protect girls’ privacy and safety and cited school sports disputes and a concern about a sex offender at a game as examples of why sex-segregated rules should be restored. Committee members asked questions about how biological sex would be defined, whether the bill was responding to real incidents in New Hampshire, and how any restrictions would be enforced. Kofalt said he was aware of issues in several school districts and at the State House, but did not have detailed documentation for every case. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the chair instead moved through public testimony under a strict two-minute limit and noted that follow-up questions would be limited so the committee could hear multiple bills that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Act to authorize the state of Wyoming to administer and manage mineral leasing on federal lands located
• enact law to amend the<00:52:47.760><c> Federal</c><00:52:48.319><c> Mineral</c><00:52:49.119><c> Leasing
• </c><00:52:49.520><c> Act</c><00:52:49.839><c> to</c> the Federal Mineral Leasing Act to the Federal
• Mineral Leasing Act to authorize<00:52:50.400><c> the</c><00:52:50.640><c> state</c><00:52:50.720><c>
• </c><00:52:53.520><c> on</c> administer and manage mineral leasing on administer and manage mineral leasing

Transcript Highlights:

• It might involve leases and, um, new acquisition.
• It might involve leases<00:50:42.800><c> and</c><00:50:43.520><c> um</c><00:50:44.000><c> new</c><00:
• </c><00:50:45.359><c> Um</c><00:50:46.079><c> so</c> leases and um new acquisition.
• Um so leases and um new acquisition.
• </c><00:52:51.680><c> that</c> the existing uh sites and leases that the existing uh sites and leases

Summary: The committee heard a staff report on Kentucky’s statewide emergency responder voice system (SERVS), a multi-phase project intended to improve interoperable radio communications for first responders. Staff said Kentucky State Police did not appear to have violated statutes or regulations, but the project lacked an overall master plan, clear milestones, and consistent documentation, which contributed to delays, spending issues, and deployment problems. The report recommended updating the Kentucky Field Operations Guide to reflect SERVS and noted that the project has been funded in phases since 2018, with appropriations totaling roughly $216 million across 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024, while about $109 million had been spent by the end of fiscal year 2025. The report raised concerns about project sequencing and oversight. Staff said most spending was concentrated in special mobile equipment, with Motorola accounting for about two-thirds of all SERVS expenditures and the top four vendors making up 81 percent of spending. They also said a sample of Motorola payments suggested possible late payments, though they could not confirm whether interest was paid. Staff criticized the use of master agreements for a project of this size, the lack of a centralized ledger, and the absence of a documented timeline or risk mitigation plan. They recommended stronger procurement and planning requirements, including possible legislative changes requiring approved master plans for large capital projects and additional funding conditions tied to SERVS master agreements. Land acquisition and deployment progress were identified as major bottlenecks, especially in Eastern Kentucky. Staff said the project began in western Kentucky using existing tower sites, but the remaining work is concentrated in harder-to-acquire areas, with more than 95 percent of new towers still incomplete. They said the Division of Real Properties did not begin formal contract work on acquisition until October 2024, despite earlier coordination, and recommended earlier consultation on future projects. Staff also noted that the Kentucky Wireless Interoperability Executive Committee had not been active in oversight, and survey results showed limited awareness and involvement among first responders. Committee members agreed that the lack of an initial implementation plan and the continuing need for funding reflected broader planning problems, and they discussed the need for a clearer end-to-end game plan rather than continuing to fund the project without a defined completion path.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some organizations own their own buildings, and some organizations lease their buildings or space at
• Some organizations own their own buildings, and some organizations lease their buildings or space at
• Some organizations own their own buildings, and some organizations lease their buildings or space at
• Some organizations own their own buildings, and some organizations lease their buildings or space at
• Some organizations own their own buildings, and some organizations lease their buildings or space at

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> all want to address is the affordability all want to address is the affordability of<00:50:41.200
• </c><01:20:33.840><c> home</c> opportunity to expand affordable home opportunity to expand affordable
• </c> quo and exclude those who can't afford quo and exclude those who can't afford to<03:19:38.040><c
• afford those mortgages<04:04:24.199><c> and</c><04:04:24.359><c> afford</c><04:04:24.720><c> those</c
• > mortgages and afford those mortgages and afford those rents<04:04:27.640><c> the</c><04:04:27.800><

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Our model affords us the opportunity to provide early intervention. Thank you. needs.
• Our model affords us the opportunity to provide early intervention.
• We cannot afford to defund schools proven effective at serving our most vulnerable students.
• I also serve on the PSCOC, and we just did not approve an increase on the lease reimbursement.
• This state can afford this. I would ask you to please fully fund the hold harmless legislation.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on strategic resource management in public education. LESC staff and PED officials argued that New Mexico has increased school funding, but local budgeting and planning remain fragmented and overly compliance-driven. They described long-term pressures including declining enrollment, rising special education costs, falling cash balances, changes in federal funding, and leadership turnover, and said schools need more intentional multi-year planning tied to student outcomes. They also outlined the many disconnected planning requirements schools must complete, compared New Mexico’s current approach with Ohio’s three-year budget forecasting model, and recommended continuing multi-year appropriations, adding $2.5 million for state grants in the unified application, and directing LESC, LFC, and PED to develop a long-term financial planning proposal. PED said it is working to reduce administrative burden through school accreditation, a unified application for federal and state funds, and internal alignment of guidance and coaching, with pilot schools reporting time savings and better alignment. Members raised concerns about four-day school weeks, the burden on small districts, the need for outcomes and return on investment, and whether the state should move toward a two-year or three-year planning cycle; staff clarified that the proposal was to streamline or eliminate redundant requirements, not add another layer. The committee then received an update on the Educator Fellows program. PED described it as a Grow Your Own pipeline that employs candidates as supplemental educational assistants while they work toward licensure, providing salary, benefits, paid leave, mentoring, and coursework support. Officials said the program helps address teacher shortages, improves student-to-teacher ratios, increases workforce diversity, and supports the Martinez-Yazzie action plan. They reported 370 current fellows across 86 LEAs and about 180 schools, with many fellows being people of color, first-generation college students, or second-career educators; roughly 85 are expected to become certified this year. A local HR director from Belen testified that the program has been especially valuable in small communities, where fellows are already rooted in the community and several have moved into teaching roles. Members asked about high school recruitment, tuition, retirement and benefits, the relationship to the Higher Education Department’s Grow Your Own scholarship, and the role of university partners. PED said fellows choose among accredited higher education partners, the program is separate from the scholarship but complementary, and the state is also building an apprenticeship model and seeking to expand the program to more LEAs, though some districts are on a waiting list because of funding and local match requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• With its open land and relatively affordable real estate and a growing population, it's a key area for
• to present a compensation package for our growers that mimics our current fish and wildlife water leasing
• And we've traveled, my colleague and I, over 16 hours to be afforded basically 15 to 20 minutes earlier
• So as we have these ongoing discussions about whether or not tribes have been afforded our rights to
• pool of water in the adjudication increased, so there's more to be divided because they alone can afford

Summary: The committee heard several water, wildlife, conservation, and local government bills. AB 362, by Assembly Member Ramos, would add tribal water uses as a statewide beneficial use and strengthen tribal consultation in water planning; tribal representatives and conservation groups supported it as a long-overdue correction, while water agencies, business groups, and agricultural interests raised concerns about CEQA, regulatory uncertainty, and impacts on existing water planning. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, with some members noting ongoing stakeholder discussions and one abstention. AB 1089, by Assembly Member Carrillo, would expand local permitting authority under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act to include commercial and industrial projects. The author and the City of Adelanto argued it would speed housing and economic development in the high desert while preserving the overall conservation framework, but environmental groups opposed it as premature and potentially weakening protections for Joshua trees. The committee approved the bill on a due pass motion to Appropriations. AB 1024, by Assembly Member Harabedian, would require a regional black bear mitigation plan for the San Gabriel Valley and related areas; Sierra Madre officials described rising bear intrusions and the need for state help, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 846, by Assembly Member Connolly, would streamline permitting for local wildfire preparedness and vegetation management projects in local responsibility areas by creating a faster review process at Fish and Wildlife and improving mapping coordination with Cal Fire. Local government, fire service, and agricultural witnesses supported the bill as a common-sense wildfire prevention measure, and it passed to Natural Resources with no opposition. AB 263, by Assembly Member Rogers, would extend emergency minimum-flow regulations for the Scott and Shasta Rivers for five years or until permanent rules are adopted; supporters said it protects salmon recovery, tribal subsistence, and the fishing economy during a transition period, while opponents argued it bypasses normal regulatory process and harms farmers. The committee approved it on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations, with one abstention and two no votes. AB 1044, by Assembly Member Bains, would create a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency for undistricted lands after other local agencies split off; the bill passed to Local Government. AB 1426, by Assembly Member Arambula, began testimony on creating a Diablo Range Conservation Program to fund habitat protection and restoration across the range.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe my background affords me a unique perspective of having personal experience with both the delivery
• assistance from Major General Selzer and TMD, Texas Military Department, but we need to be able to own and lease
• a salary for these folks, you've got enough income coming in that you should be able to hopefully afford

Bills: HB294 , HB405 , HB519 , HB294

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: food production, property owners' association, home gardening, cottage food, urban agriculture, livestock, community standards, renewable energy, ethanol, biodiesel, incentives, agriculture, grants, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties

Transcript Highlights:

• that our board. often requires successful completion of a treatment program prior to the release. lease
• are entitled to have the court or the court's knee, appoint a lawyer to represent you if you cannot afford
• Um, but they just don't feel that they can financially afford to do it because they come out. of law

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• following motion to have Concurrent Resolution 2003 referenced to House and Gross Resolution signed on lease
• following motion to have Concurrent Resolution 2003 referenced to House and Gross Resolution signed on lease
• As I mentioned, another provision is this requires that every county afford every lawful voter the ability
• and crises that we are facing, like our housing insecurity, the issue of people not being able to afford
• My grandparents couldn't afford that. My grandparents were never able to go to high school.

Transcript Highlights:

• because now, as Trinity is moving out, they're not going to continue to own that building and just lease
• their first-choice institution and give them the confidence that they can receive a quality and affordable
• Overall, the scholarship allows us to compete for academically strong students, supports affordability
• Overall, the scholarship allows us to compete for academically strong students, supports affordability
• So I hear a lot of times families being unable to afford dual credit.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee