Transcript Highlights:

• in 2023, and there was a $2.5 million transfer from SIF for that program.
• Another area that has been discussed is a free meal program.
• from SIF for that program.
• The last item on here is just an update on the school construction loan program.
• loan program.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We can look at any of our school district salary schedules to see that there is an increase in pay for
• national championship in Indianapolis, connecting this year's team to one of the defining moments in program
• period of time at the helm, In just a short period of time at the helm, Coach Lloyd has elevated this program
• They are serving lunch out in Wesley Bolin Plaza.
• They are serving lunch out in Wesley Bolin Plaza.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and several guest introductions and recognitions, including military award honorees, a resident doctor of the day, and visitors from Sahuarita and Buckeye. The chamber also later paused to honor the University of Arizona men’s basketball team for its Final Four run with a formal proclamation and remarks from legislative leaders and Coach Tommy Lloyd. A separate announcement recognized Motorcycle Awareness Day at the Capitol. The main legislative work centered on a large consent calendar and multiple Senate bills considered in Committee of the Whole and an additional Committee of the Whole. The House adopted committee amendments and advanced bills including SB 1067, 1100, 1137, 1174, 1189, 1206, 1215, 1235, 1254, 1413, 1503, 1620, 1668, 1671, and 1754, while SB 1428 was retained on the calendar. The House also referred SB 1160 and SB 1193 to an additional Committee of the Whole for further amendment, then advanced both as amended. On third reading, the House passed SB 1058, SB 1237, SB 1294, and SB 1372. SB 1058 drew debate over merchant category codes for firearm-related transactions, with supporters arguing it protected Second and Fourth Amendment rights and opponents warning it would hinder business compliance and privacy concerns. SB 1237 and SB 1294 passed with little substantive debate. SB 1372, dealing with reimbursement for certified registered nurse anesthetists, prompted extensive debate over rural health care access, insurance reimbursement, and whether the legislature should set payment rates; it ultimately passed 33-20. The House also concurred in Senate amendments to several House bills and passed HB 2050 on final reading, sending it to the governor. The session adjourned until April 13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, $9 school lunches, the lack of buses.
• Uh, $9 school lunches, the lack of buses.
• Uh, $9 school lunches, the lack of buses.
• Uh, $9 school lunches, the lack of buses.
• Uh, $9 school lunches, the lack of buses.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the State of Hawaii’s affirmative litigation against the federal administration, with no public testimony. Attorney General Lopez and deputies said the office’s goal is to enforce the rule of law, not make partisan points, and noted that Hawaii is involved in 27 ongoing cases. They grouped the cases into four broad areas: immigration, funding freezes and grant terminations, federal agency dismantling/reductions in force, and protecting elections, health, and safety. Several immigration-related cases were discussed in detail. These included a challenge to the federal sharing of Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement, a similar challenge to USDA’s demand for SNAP applicant and recipient data, and litigation over immigration-enforcement conditions attached to federal grants. The office also described the birthright citizenship executive order, saying it conflicts with the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court precedent; lower courts granted preliminary relief, and the U.S. Supreme Court later addressed only the scope of nationwide injunctions, not the merits. In the Department of Transportation case, the court granted a preliminary injunction against the “Duffy directive,” finding the immigration conditions lacked statutory authority, were arbitrary and capricious, and violated the Spending Clause and APA. The briefing also covered multiple funding disputes. In the education funding freeze case, the Department of Education and OMB withheld about $6 billion in formula funds, including roughly $33 million for Hawaii; after suit was filed, the funds were released. Other cases included the termination of over $11 billion in public health grants, which affected Hawaii Department of Health grants, the NIH indirect cost cap case, and NIH grant terminations tied to DEI, transgender issues, and vaccine hesitancy. The speakers said some cases have already resulted in preliminary or permanent injunctions, while others remain on appeal or are still being litigated.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill also addresses the barriers schools face in implementing a stock epinephrine program.
• This bill also addresses the barriers schools face in implementing a stock epinephrine program.
• This bill also addresses the barriers schools face in implementing a stock epinephrine program.
• Public Schools is a very diverse School Public Schools is a very diverse School District<00:57:56.200
• My question is, um, regarding how the schools promote this program for students during their high school

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I was 16 years on the school<00:57:05.440> board.<00:57:05.839> Okay.
• And I was uh chief school board. Okay.
• <00:57:30.160> Board of the things Minnesota School Board of the things Minnesota School Board
• I have to have lunch, and then that's...
• <01:10:30.800> if<01:10:30.960> you're able to have lunch if you're able to have lunch

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He attends McDonough High School every morning to take high school-level math courses, and he's been
• School.
• School.
• accelerated math program. He attends accelerated math program.
• at La Plata High education program at La Plata High School.<00:07:36.640> He's<00:07:36.880><

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, March 27, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a prayer, quorum call, and recognition of two House resolutions honoring student achievements. One resolution congratulated the Henry E. Lackey High School boys basketball team for winning the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference title and the Maryland State Championship; the other recognized Charles County spelling bee champion Ethan Ntanga, who will represent Maryland at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The chamber also received Governor Moore’s Supplemental Budget Number Two for fiscal 2027, which was referred to Appropriations. On third reading, the House passed House Bill 843, relating to Washington County tax sale notice changes, by 125-0, and House Bill 888, relating to eligibility for a Washington County property tax credit for disabled veterans, by 124-1. The House then took up Senate Bill 5, as amended, concerning special elections to fill legislative vacancies and related constitutional questions. Members debated whether the bill’s amendments violated the single-subject rule and whether it advanced voter control or, conversely, represented a partisan power grab and a threat to minority representation. Several members explained green or red votes on those grounds. Senate Bill 5 passed the House 93-33. The House and Senate then exchanged messages on the fiscal 2027 budget bills, Senate Bill 282 and Senate Bill 284, after each chamber declined to recede from its amendments and agreed to conference committees. The House appointed conferees for both measures. The session concluded with committee and personal announcements, including upcoming committee meetings, a Jewish Caucus and Women’s Caucus lunch event, a disabilities art show reception, recognition of the doctor of the day, and a motion to recess until Monday, March 30 at 8:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dispensaries have been added along with more qualifications to get into the program, and the program
• has into the program, and the program has into the program, and the program has been<00:44:27.920
• medical program for very sick patients. medical program for very sick patients.
• , out, they smoke for breakfast, lunch, out, they smoke for breakfast, lunch, and<01:18:14.320>
• <01:43:13.280> Uh, school somewhere down the line. Uh, school somewhere down the line.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen mental health programs and substance abuse programs in Massachusetts closed, seems like every
• Another thing that I'm concerned about are threats to the PCA program.
• Is it going to be the PCA program?
• programs, summer lunches, meals, and things like that, then they're not going to be ready, coming to
• school, ready to learn.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue, chaired by Senator James Eldridge and Representative Adrian Madaro, opened its hearing with a moment of silence for the late Lowell State Senator Ed Kennedy and reviewed hearing procedures and deadlines. The committee then took testimony on several corporate tax bills, including S. 2033/H. 3110 on offshore tax avoidance, H. 3248 on a manufacturing tax exemption, H. 3057 on a tiered corporate minimum tax, and S. 2041 on a corporate tax haven blacklist, along with a separate business interest deduction bill. No votes were taken during the hearing. Supporters of S. 2033/H. 3110, including labor unions, health care workers, educators, public health advocates, seniors, and several legislators, argued that Massachusetts needs new revenue to offset federal cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, health care, education, and other services. They said the bill would raise roughly $400 million annually by increasing the share of offshore profits included in the state tax base from 5% to 50%, and they framed it as a fairness measure that would require large multinational corporations to pay more while leaving most local businesses and workers unaffected. Testimony emphasized risks to MassHealth, PCA services, adult dental care, hospitals, schools, and public health programs if new revenue is not raised. Opponents, including the Mass Taxpayers Foundation and the Council on State Taxation, argued the proposal is poor tax policy and likely unconstitutional because it would tax foreign-source income without allowing foreign tax credits or a comparable apportionment method. They said Massachusetts should take a broader, coordinated approach to federal tax changes rather than a standalone bill, and warned of litigation risk and possible double taxation. Supporters such as MassBudget and former tax counsel Don Griswold countered that the bill is a reasonable rough-justice approach, consistent with federal and neighboring-state treatment, and that it would primarily affect a small number of very large multinationals. On S. 2041, the Global Business Alliance opposed the proposed tax haven blacklist, while supporting a separate bill allowing business interest deductibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:09:40.399> and people, municipalities, schools, and people, municipalities, schools,
• in high school and middle school<00:38:48.400> and<00:38:48.720> went<00:38:48.880>
• didn't happen at my children's school. didn't happen at my children's school.
• this fall for the Timberlane school this fall for the Timberlane school team.<00:41:18.800> Um
• Champion designation and grant program Champion designation and grant program fund<04:11:22.239>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , implement a new program, replace federal funds for a program that may have been eliminated by the federal
• we saw that beautiful school being built.
• One is the Community Development Block Grant Program, the CDBG program.
• Our program evaluation team over the years has looked at these programs, and we have consistently found
• Lunch is upstairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• , to build sufficient adequate space for all school districts.
• year and looking into the next school year as things evolve.
• We already started with our other two school districts.
• Nothing in August, except the start of school. Thank you.
• August break, because a lot of us are in schools, so we'll be returning back to school.

Transcript Highlights:

• Charles area and tied to school districts in some way.
• more political polarization in our school boards.
• The school year would be getting started as the school year is starting.
• and electing representation for our schools.
• We're paying for the school districts and for the education process in our schools and for our county

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• work-based learning programs.
• work-based learning programs.
• <00:05:13.639> graduation July 31st After High School graduation July 31st After High School
• work-based learning programs.
• charter schools and homeschools.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education and Labor and Technology heard Senate Bill 420, which would extend Department of Education workers’ compensation coverage to newly graduated high school students participating in DOE-sponsored work-based learning programs through July 31 after graduation. DOE testified in support, estimating the bill could affect about 50 to 100 students in the first year and saying it would help students gain experience and transition to employment. Members asked about current coverage, costs, and partnerships; DOE said current coverage ends at graduation, there had been no incidents, and the bill would create no additional cost. The committees voted to pass SB 420 with amendments, including an amended effective date, and the bill was adopted. The Committee on Education then took up several education measures. It adopted a proposed SD1 for SB 894, a Farm to School measure that would appropriate funds to help meet a goal of serving 30% locally sourced food in public schools. The committee also heard SB 789 on school cafeteria meal costs; DOE said it wanted the existing requirement lowered from 50% of meal preparation cost to 25% rather than repealed, to align with its administrative package, and explained current prices were about $2.75 while meal costs were about $9. Testifiers from the Hawaii Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Appleseed supported removing the requirement entirely or at least reducing it, saying it would avoid large price jumps and move toward free school meals. The committee later voted to pass SB 789 with amendments lowering the threshold to one-fourth of meal cost and changing the effective date. The committee also heard SB 449 on a school facilities planning database. DOE said it supports better planning but believes the database should be housed within DOE rather than duplicated under the School Facilities Authority, while SFA supported the bill as a proactive decision-making tool. The Attorney General’s office suggested clarifying language to make clear references to the Board of Education. In later agenda items, the committee heard SB 423, which would add Head Start-related ex officio members to the Early Learning Board; EOEL and the board chair supported it and suggested technical language to preserve required representation. The committee also heard SB 1384, a housekeeping bill redirecting repaid early childhood educator stipend funds to the Early Learning special fund after the prior special fund was repealed; EOEL supported it and said about $31,864 was being recouped from nine recipients. Finally, SB 684 would require the Board of Education to adopt rules banning cell phones at DOE schools; testimony was in support, and members discussed the need for a consistent statewide policy, with the board expected to work on one in collaboration with DOE.

Transcript Highlights:

• and out-of-school-time program.
• and out-of-school-time programs.
• and out-of-school-time program.
• and out-of-school-time programs.
• librarians, no after-school programs.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session held in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 education and local aid budget, with remarks from legislative co-chairs, local officials, and education agency leaders. Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero emphasized Lawrence’s high-need student population, the importance of Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, and the impact of state aid on schools serving many English learners and low-income families. Carrero highlighted Lawrence High School programs such as early college, dual degrees, career pathways, and early childhood classrooms embedded in the high school, while lawmakers introduced themselves and noted the importance of the hearing to their districts. Acting Secretary of Education Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of Higher Education Noi Ortega, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez, and Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw outlined the administration’s FY27 priorities. They described investments in literacy initiatives, universal school meals, student mental health, early college and career pathways, higher education affordability, community college and university student-success supports, preschool expansion, child care subsidies, and workforce supports for early educators. The commissioners also discussed federal funding threats, equity gaps, and the administration’s efforts to improve outcomes for Black and brown students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Members questioned the panel about the local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to revisit Chapter 70 funding to better address rising costs such as special education, transportation, and health care. Officials said the local contribution study report is expected by the end of June, with a draft to be shared after data analysis and public comment. Commissioner Martinez said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but more work is needed, and he pointed to a proposed Accelerating Achievement Initiative to support the highest-need schools. Senator Oliveira also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities and asked about partnerships with libraries to support literacy, prompting discussion of broader early literacy collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• I founded a new high school in South Florida. It's called Jewish Culture High School.
• These programs, curricular and extracurricular at this relatively small school, are off the charts.
• The oldest is a freshman in college, two in high school, and one in middle school.
• And I believe the dual enrollment program, which I know is everywhere, but generally in our local schools
• s A schools, where I oversee athletic programs, compliance, budgeting, and student-athlete development

Summary: The committee on Higher Education Appropriations heard and favorably reported two bills: SB 1570, which revives the former Project Leo program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices, and CS/SB 1376, which creates a grant program to support genetic counseling education in response to a statewide shortage of genetic counselors. Both bills drew supportive comments, with the genetic counseling bill also receiving public support from a university representative. The committee then took up a large slate of confirmations. It first approved a block of reappointments to various university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and Broward College. It then heard from numerous new appointees and some requested reappointments, many of whom emphasized workforce training, nursing, military and veteran support, dual enrollment, and local economic development as priorities for their institutions. Several nominees highlighted their personal ties to the schools and communities they would serve, including appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, UWF, FIU, the College of the Florida Keys, Valencia College, and Chipola College. Committee members repeatedly asked about nursing NCLEX pass rates, workforce alignment, and institutional growth. One reappointment, Thomas Zachary Smith to the UWF board, was pulled from the block for separate questioning about his past public comments and his role in Project 2025; he said he would serve in his personal capacity and treat all students equally. The committee also separately heard from a Florida Poly reappointment, I. Shapiro, who was questioned about prior remarks regarding race and Supreme Court nominations, and from a New College reappointment, Mark Bowerlaine, who described campus improvements and enrollment growth. The meeting ended amid ongoing confirmation processing and separate votes on the remaining nominees.

Transcript Highlights:

• antagonists on the school grounds.
• I just want to say this of teachers, education advocacy groups, school administrators, school boards
• Innovative school and teaching ideas—things that schools come and talk about.
• innovation in our schools.
• a public school in our district a school a public school in our district that<01:19:29.199> goes<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 675 will secure the future of California's farm to school program by making it state law.
• That support bringing local food to schools, food banks, and more. No program has been spared.
• That is why codifying California Farm to School Program is essential.
• California's farm to school program provides fresh, healthy food for our students. is working.
• So our work at CAF and the CDFA Farm to School Program are essential.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll see 52.6 million dollar increase in operating funds for school district workforce education programs
• We're putting 29.8 million to support the community school grant program administered by the University
• The the communities School Grant program is something we want to expand across the state of Florida and
• graduate school.
• I was about 2 years old on the high school grade school high school here got my degree from Georgia Tech

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , also called CCTE, and the start of our LPN Program for high school students.
• Some of our new initiatives include our high school LPN program, and we plan to launch an LPN program
• Okay, so we have three high school programs on our campus.
• and we have our CCTE High School program.
• Madam Chair, I'm not aware of any other LPN programs in the other schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• Something I love about my school is our Biomedical Sciences program.
• the Schools program. the Schools program.
• <00:20:27.400> students program that trains high school students program that trains high
• We have Asian Student Association as well as the school news program.
• Then section five is, uh, relates to the safe and supportive school programming and, uh, removing the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all