Transcript Highlights:

• to real training on the job. ...in the field to ensure that all workers have access to real training
• Democrats will meet in the Maddie Lounge, room 205.
• Republicans will meet in room 215 at the back of the chambers.
• Previously, the Legislature has passed legislation to allow various transit districts access to PERB,
• I rise in support of AB 46, and supporting access to...

Transcript Highlights:

• The state auditor is in the room today and he's available for questions, but he has helped today with
• The state auditor is in the room today and he's available for questions, but he has helped today with
• And I'm sure he's in the room.
• Statutory authority to access all the data necessary to complete the study.
• I know it's another state agency, but opening up, allowing the access and how they would allow that access

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.

Bills: SB1543 , HB1933 , HJR1088 , HJR1090 , HJR1091 , HJR1092 , HJR1093 , HJR1095 , SB1859 , HB2988 , HB3016 , SB237 , SB2065 , HB3418 , HCR1027 , SB1641 , SB1589 , SB44 , SB563 , SB1403 , HB1979 , HB3075 , SB2045 , SB1653 , SB1655 , SB2030 , HB2951 , SB2028 , SB2071 , SB206 , SB1849 , HB3755 , SB1509 , SB1314 , SB1561 , SB1217 , SB1618 , HJR1096 , HJR1099 , HJR1100

Keywords: driving under the influence, felony offense, ignition interlock device, community service, criminal assessment, nitrous oxide, Maddix Bias Act, intoxication, underage sale, misdemeanor, drug paraphernalia, enforcement, education rules, administrative rules, joint resolution, Oklahoma State Department of Education, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, Teachers' Retirement System, charter schools

Transcript Highlights:

• We RV the country, as you know, and we go to a lot of one-room schoolhouses out west.
• The focus of the bill is transparency and accessibility, not policy creation.
• No one, even his greatest supporters in this room, can say that Trump is uniting the country.
• No one, even his greatest supporters in this room, can say that Trump is uniting the country.
• First, ensure all doors and windows leading to direct access to the exterior of the dwelling unit are

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and a series of introductions recognizing guests, visiting groups, and special honorees in the galleries. The chamber then took up committee and executive appointment business, adopting a report confirming 42 gubernatorial appointments by a vote of 36-0. The Senate next considered a long special-order calendar of bills, most of them passing with little or no opposition. Measures included public-records sunset reviews and trade secret/cybersecurity exemptions; a child-abuse reporting statute of limitations bill; commercial driving school oversight; human trafficking training for nurses; a new injunction for protection against serious violence and its related public-records exemption; nature-based coastal resiliency and mangrove protection; a chiropractic trust-funds cap repeal; specialty license plates; a waiver of late financial disclosure fines; public school personnel compensation; the Florida Farm Bill with multiple agriculture, biosolids, and enforcement provisions; homestead exemption clarification for long-term leases; disability presumption clarifications for first responders; reinsurance intermediary manager conformity; patriotic displays in public schools; ADS-B aviation fee restrictions; autism-related law enforcement training and the Blue Envelope program; campus safety reporting procedures for public postsecondary institutions; and veterinary prescription disclosure. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary critical-need practice certificates, and domestic animals. The floor debate featured the most discussion on the farm bill, the HCSM/nonprofit religious organizations bill, the autism law-enforcement bill, and the school athletics bill. The HCSM bill drew extended debate over whether licensed insurance agents should be allowed to market faith-based health care sharing ministries, with supporters emphasizing consumer choice, free speech, and religious liberty, and opponents warning about unregulated products and commissions; it passed 32-5. The athletics bill, prompted by the Teddy Bridgewater/Miami Northwestern situation, would let coaches provide good-faith support to student-athletes while requiring reporting and FHSAA oversight; it passed 38-0. Most other measures passed overwhelmingly, including the autism bill 38-0, the campus safety bill 37-0, the public school patriotic displays bill 36-2, and the farm bill 38-0 after amendments addressing Everglades lands and biosolids timing were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Democrats will meet in the Maddie Lounge, room 205.
• Republicans will meet in room 215 at the back of the chambers.
• It's absolutely critical that consumers, as a baseline, at a minimum, have access to that information
• Previously, the Legislature has passed legislation to allow various transit districts access to PERB,
• I rise in support of AB 46, and supporting access to...

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through confirmations and floor legislation. Three California Housing Finance Agency and State Mining and Geology Board appointments were confirmed unanimously. The chamber then took up several policy bills, with debate often focusing on housing, public safety, energy, and local government impacts. Among the major measures, SB 1173 on lesser related offense jury instructions passed after supporters argued it would give judges limited discretion and improve fairness, while opponents warned it could create inconsistency. SB 1354, barring out-of-state military or law enforcement activity in California without the Governor’s permission, passed despite objections that it conflicted with federal commander-in-chief authority. SB 1090, the Altadena disaster-speculation bill, passed to restrict unsolicited purchase offers in fire-affected areas, and SB 966 passed to preserve refinery worker safety participation rights. SB 1256, a local housing/land-use bill, passed unanimously after discussion of fire-safety concerns and ongoing amendments. The Senate also approved SB 865 on music festivals, SB 866 on homelessness planning and regional coordination for jurisdictions not receiving HAP funds, SB 938 on peace officer training requirements for certain immigration-enforcement-related applicants after the author committed to major amendments, SB 1359 on natural gas planning to reduce ratepayer costs, SB 923 on privacy rights under the CCPA, SB 1098 on utility memorandum and balancing accounts, SB 1010 on refrigerant recovery for cooling appliances, SB 937 on restricting flashbang use in crowd control and immigration enforcement, SB 1082 on inter-district pupil transfers, and SB 1087 on modernizing regional transportation planning. Several bills drew split votes and pointed debate over mandates, taxes, local control, and regulatory certainty, but most ultimately passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We acknowledge that the work done in this room is sacred, not because of the power it holds, but the
• and transparency, making sure that every dollar is spent wisely and that our government remains accessible
• and transparency, making sure that every dollar is spent wisely and that our government remains accessible
• </c><00:22:51.440><c> and</c> government remains accessible and government remains accessible and responsive
• However, when I think about the Hockey Hall of Fame, I think about how it should be accessible to young

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> please explain to me what family access please explain to me what family access motion<00:29:54.360
• accessible to the family<00:43:21.760><c> I</c><00:43:21.880><c> think</c><00:43:22.000><c> you'll</
• So being geographically accessible is something we absolutely need to remain.
• </c><01:28:25.960><c> to</c> Division Vision was accessibility to Division Vision was accessibility to
• </c><01:28:56.360><c> is</c> being geographically accessible is being geographically accessible is something

Summary: The subcommittee on the Children and Family Law Committee met organizationally to continue work on family court issues, building on a prior special committee’s report and taking a collaborative approach with the Judiciary. The chair said the group would focus on solutions rather than rehashing public complaints, and identified three main topics for early study: specialization and training of family court judges, the extent to which judges should be bound by the rules of evidence, and whether mediation in family cases should be mandatory or voluntary and what qualifications mediators should have. A fourth concern was also raised about overlap between superior court domestic violence cases and family court custody/support matters, and whether one judge should hear both. Members discussed whether to divide into smaller subcommittees, but the prevailing view was to work as a committee of the whole at first. Most members agreed that additional public testimony was unlikely to add much, though recent concerns could still be emailed to the committee. The committee then heard from Attorney Erin Krian, general counsel for the judicial branch, and Judge Michael Mace. Krian said the judicial branch could provide additional witnesses on mediation and judicial training, including Judge Kissinger, and noted the branch was preparing materials on how other states handle the issues. Mace described the history of the Family Division and said he had reviewed older reports going back to the 1990s. He also outlined current judicial branch efforts, including expanded shadowing for new judges, monthly family-law trainings, and a year-long focus on family law topics. He reported that court rules had been updated to clarify notice requirements for minor guardianship changes, and that the branch had received positive feedback on the family access motion, which provides a statutory timeline and listed remedies for parenting-time disputes. Members also discussed prior committee work on rules of evidence and family court procedures. One member recalled recommending quiet review of any judges who appeared to apply evidence rules inconsistently, and Krian said the administrative judge can review complaints even if they come from a single person. The committee also received a status update on prior initiatives, including a federal grant for guardian ad litem services for indigent litigants in four locations, testing of redesigned court forms, and continued training improvements. The chair scheduled the next subcommittee meeting for April 1 and the full Children and Family Law Committee for April 8, with further documents from committee research and NCSL to be circulated.

Transcript Highlights:

• Troy University legislative breakfast is 8 to 9, room 418 on Thursday.
• Advocacy Day at 8:30 in room 200. room 418 on Thursday.
• Alban Department room 418 on Thursday.
• </c><00:26:06.159><c> in</c><00:26:06.400><c> room</c><00:26:06.799><c> 206.
• </c><00:26:08.159><c> and</c> Prayer Caucus 8:30 a.m. in room 206. and Prayer Caucus 8:30 a.m. in room

Transcript Highlights:

• and for the people that they this room and for the people that they this room and for the people that
• I think this is exam. Oh yeah. Yes. Yes. I think this is exam. Oh yeah. Yes. Yes.
• President, thank you room. Mr. President, thank you room. Mr.
• He he had to be out of the room. So I got he had to be out of the room.
• I don't know if there's any room for is. I don't know if there's any room for is.

Bills: HJR 1 , HB 9 , HB 21 , HB 26 , HB 30 , HB 37 , HB 116 , HB 630 , HB 879 , HB 913 , HB 1151 , HB 1318 , HB 1593 , HB 1899 , HB 2703 , HB 2809 , HB 2890 , HB 2970 , HB 3307 , HB 3526 , HB 5092 , SB 128 , SB 203 , SB 317 , SB 393 , SB 397 , SB 644 , SB 731 , SB 801 , SB 913 , SB 1071 , SB 1073 , SB 1086 , SB 1087 , SB 1232 , SB 1250 , SB 1262 , SB 1285 , SB 1310 , SB 1359 , SB 1444 , SB 1483 , SB 1705 , SB 1782 , SB 1861 , SB 1897 , SB 1944 , SB 2023 , SB 2043 , SB 2082 , SB 2133 , SB 2215 , SB 2297 , SB 2298 , SB 2309 , SB 2532 , SB 2549 , SB 2566 , SB 2617 , SB 2619 , SB 2639 , SB 2688 , SB 2696 , SB 2717 , SB 2790 , SB 2841 , SB 2847 , SB 2850 , SB 2857 , SB 2891 , SB 2919 , SB 2928 , SB 2972 , SB 3052 , SB 3053 , SB 1 , SB 260 , SB 1506 , SB 1637 , HB 37 , HB 109 , HB 334 , HB 1130 , HB 1238 , HB 1327 , HB 1610 , HB 1615 , HB 1620 , HB 1689 , HB 2081 , HB 2809 , HB 2884 , HB 2890 , HB 4215 , HB 5092 , HCR 7 , HCR 75 , HCR 86 , HCR 92 , HCR 93 , HCR 126 , SB 644 , SB 1086 , SB 1230 , SB 1310 , SB 1361 , SB 1553 , SB 1778 , SB 1790 , SB 2344 , SB 2460 , SB 2515 , SB 2600 , SB 2747 , SB 2751 , SB 2785 , SB 2790 , SB 3047 , SB 3048 , SB 3050 , SB 3051 , SB 3052 , SB 3053 , SB 3056 , SB 3058 , SB 3061 , HJR 1 , HB 1130 , HB 1689 , HB 2884 , HB 1393 , HB 2559 , HB 26 , HB 3012 , HB 1327 , HB 109 , HB 1238 , HB 2890 , HB 9 , HB 4215 , HB 2970 , HB 37 , HB 1899 , HB 1593 , HB 2607 , HB 3526 , HB 3810 , HB 5092 , HB 388 , HB 2809 , HB 1151 , HB 913 , HB 3307 , HB 879 , HB 116 , HB 12 , HB 2703 , HB 1610 , HB 1615 , HB 1620 , HB 30 , HB 21 , HB 2712 , HB 2692 , HB 1633 , HB 1318 , HB 685 , HB 630 , HB 4753 , HB 2742 , HB 303 , HB 198 , HB 1535 , HB 762 , HB 148 , HB 1520 , HB 5061 , HB 2286 , HB 1606 , HB 1041 , HB 132 , HB 11 , HCR 7 , HCR 75 , HCR 86 , HCR 92 , HCR 93 , HCR 126 , SJR 36 , SJR 50 , SJR 63 , SCR 12 , SCR 39 , SB 2023 , SB 1310 , SB 2972 , SB 1073 , SB 2847 , SB 2532 , SB 2619 , SB 62 , SB 666 , SB 847 , SB 284 , SB 854 , SB 810 , SB 1505 , SB 583 , SB 507 , SB 1434 , SB 1772 , SB 2016 , SB 1122 , SB 731 , SB 397 , SB 508 , SB 1436 , SB 287 , SB 1882 , SB 393 , SB 1791 , SB 209 , SB 2429 , SB 511 , SB 2309 , SB 1085 , SB 1975 , SB 2717 , SB 1262 , SB 636 , SB 2056 , SB 884 , SB 1200 , SB 1845 , SB 2458 , SB 801 , SB 3014 , SB 3013 , SB 758 , SB 2797 , SB 2076 , SB 2876 , SB 1640 , SB 1449 , SB 1181 , SB 1359 , SB 1234 , SB 2926 , SB 2841 , SB 1528 , SB 2891 , SB 1854 , SB 317 , SB 1250 , SB 2082 , SB 1285 , SB 1237 , SB 2819 , SB 629 , SB 2608 , SB 1602 , SB 2009 , SB 2460 , SB 867 , SB 640 , SB 1698 , SB 2680 , SB 2994 , SB 2747 , SB 913 , SB 1071 , SB 1086 , SB 1087 , SB 1483 , SB 1444 , SB 1553 , SB 1556 , SB 1703 , SB 2133 , SB 2297 , SB 2298 , SB 2622 , SB 2955 , SB 2334 , SB 1861 , SB 2043 , SB 1367 , SB 2857 , SB 128 , SB 3058 , SB 2044 , SB 2363 , SB 2565 , SB 1888 , SB 3048 , SB 3052 , SB 3053 , SB 3036 , SB 3057 , SB 3056 , SB 3043 , SB 3050 , SB 3063 , SB 3035 , SB 1790 , SB 1778 , SB 203 , SB 3061 , SB 2799 , SB 2790 , SB 2688 , SB 2515 , SB 1230 , SB 2522 , SB 2639 , SB 2459 , SB 3051 , SB 2655 , SB 2251 , SB 1884 , SB 2617 , SB 2751 , SB 2928 , SB 2566 , SB 1897 , SB 1749 , SB 1361 , SB 2549 , SB 2553 , SB 2919 , SB 1782 , SB 1705 , SB 2696 , SB 1944 , SB 2215 , SB 644 , SB 1232 , SB 2850 , HB 45 , HB 48 , HB 1261 , HB 1465 , HB 1778 , HB 2596 , HB 5238 , HB 33 , HB 1188 , HB 210 , HB 1022 , HB 1458 , HB 5560 , HB 1240 , HB 1950 , HB 2027 , HB 2768 , HB 2788 , HB 2791 , HB 3146 , HB 3698 , HB 3699 , HB 1893 , HB 3700 , HB 4850 , HB 4187 , HB 1397 , HB 4885 , HB 4804 , HB 3751 , HB 3611 , HB 2775 , HB 2061 , HB 2003 , HB 1729 , HB 1242 , HB 791 , HB 2029 , HB 647 , HB 2522 , HB 4738 , HB 3033 , HB 3594 , HB 3474 , HB 2563 , HB 2802 , HCR 90 , SJR 87 , SB 2969 , SB 3073 , SB 2497 , SB 1798 , SB 2603 , SB 2607 , SB 781 , SJR 34 , SB 17 , SB 314 , SB 455 , SB 509 , SB 529 , SB 541 , SB 693 , SB 761 , SB 963 , SB 1023 , SB 1968 , SB 2122 , SB 2308 , SB 2371 , SB 2420 , SB 2544 , SJR 87 , SB 1285 , SB 1359 , SB 2857 , SB 3073 , HJR 1 , HB 9 , HB 21 , HB 116 , HB 913 , HB 1151 , HB 1899 , HB 2970 , HB 3307 , SB 1073 , SB 1310 , SB 2532 , SB 2619 , SB 2847 , SB 2972 , SB 128 , SB 2043 , SR 393 , SR 511 , SR 518 , SR 520 , SB 314 , SB 455 , SB 761 , SB 1023 , SB 2122 , SB 2371 , SB 2420 , SB 17 , SB 509 , SB 644 , SB 1230 , SB 1361 , SB 1778 , SB 1790 , SB 2460 , SB 2515 , SB 2747 , SB 2751 , SB 2790 , SB 3048 , SB 3050 , SB 3051 , SB 3052 , SB 3053 , SB 3056 , SB 3058 , SB 3061 , HB 37 , HB 109 , HB 1130 , HB 1238 , HB 1327 , HB 1610 , HB 1615 , HB 1620 , HB 1689 , HB 2809 , HB 2884 , HB 2890 , HB 4215 , HB 5092 , HCR 7 , HCR 75 , HCR 86 , HCR 92 , HCR 93 , HCR 126 , SB 1086 , SB 1553 , HJR 182 , HB 4 , HB 24 , HB 46 , HB 101 , HB 146 , HB 170 , HB 214 , HB 305 , HB 426 , HB 549 , HB 551 , HB 594 , HB 722 , HB 824 , HB 1119 , HB 1579 , HB 2215 , HB 2458 , HB 2530 , HB 2674 , HB 2713 , HB 2974 , HB 3015 , HB 3151 , HB 3180 , HB 3221 , HB 3359 , HB 3556 , HB 4088 , HB 4211 , HB 4396 , HB 4413 , HB 4580 , HB 4609 , HB 4864 , HB 5088 , HB 5154 , HB 5263 , HB 2294 , HJR 182 , HB 4 , HB 24 , HB 46 , HB 101 , HB 146 , HB 170 , HB 214 , HB 305 , HB 426 , HB 549 , HB 551 , HB 594 , HB 722 , HB 824 , HB 1119 , HB 1579 , HB 2215 , HB 2458 , HB 2530 , HB 2674 , HB 2713 , HB 2974 , HB 3015 , HB 3151 , HB 3180 , HB 3221 , HB 3359 , HB 3556 , HB 4088 , HB 4211 , HB 4396 , HB 4413 , HB 4580 , HB 4609 , HB 4864 , HB 5088 , HB 5154 , HB 5263 , HB 2294

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a value many in this room likely share.
• My name is Katie Kennedy, and I'm the executive director of Wellspring Health Access.
• </c><00:58:52.079><c> Uh,</c><00:58:52.400><c> my</c> Wellspring Health Access.
• Uh, my Wellspring Health Access.
• </c><01:30:21.199><c> to</c> more taxed as women have less access to more taxed as women have less access

Bills: HB0003 , HB0004

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• The state auditor is in the room today and he's available for questions, but he has helped today with
• And I'm sure he's in the room.
• Statutory authority to access all the data necessary to complete the study.
• that access...
• You know, allowing that access and how they would allow that access and the security of the people that

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• My question is, is there a limit as to how if a physician were to come back in and be granted that access
• > passing</c><00:39:33.839><c> a</c><00:39:34.079><c> national</c> Certified by passing a national exam
• achievements, but in the everyday experiences of Lexington residents, from morning market strolls to access
• Tomorrow morning from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Room 113, there will be a legislative breakfast sponsored
• The Health Services Committee will meet at 12 noon in Room 149 tomorrow.

Transcript Highlights:

• state accounting manual requirements, specifically that the board limit the number of staff who have access
• First, we approved 3,903 new exam applications within an average processing time of just three business
• Together, these figures highlight a service model centered on access, accountability, and care, meeting
• We’ve limited the number of people, according to the state accounting manual, who have access to that
• This will establish clear and accessible ways for the public to submit complaints.

Committee: Senate Senate Regulatory Affairs & Government Efficiency Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard the Arizona Auditor General’s 2025 sunset review of the Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board. The audit found the board generally processed licenses and complaints timely and had adopted required school curriculum rules, but it also identified inconsistent disciplinary actions, gaps in required infection-prevention and law education for some reciprocity and instructor applicants, weak application review controls, and noncompliance issues involving open meeting law, public records, and conflicts of interest. Auditors also recommended statutory changes on esthetics scope of practice, cease-and-desist authority, and eyelash technician training standards. The board’s executive director said the agency agreed with the findings, had already implemented some changes including updated disciplinary parameters, conflict-of-interest training, lawful presence verification, and revised cash-handling procedures, and was working through the remaining recommendations. After questions, the committee voted 7-0 to recommend the board implement the audit recommendations and be continued for six years, until July 1, 2032. The committee then took up the combined sunset review and performance audit of the Arizona Department of Gaming, the Arizona Racing Commission, and the Arizona Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission. The Auditor General reported that while the department distributed tribal gaming funds and issued some licenses appropriately, it failed to consistently obtain and review required independent audit reports for event wagering and fantasy sports operators, did not fully comply with conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements, lacked comprehensive complaint-handling processes, and had delayed some compact trust fund distributions. Additional issues included IT security documentation, horse-racing suitability checks, fee-setting reviews, rulemaking, and public records procedures; the Boxing and MMA Commission also had licensing and fee-setting deficiencies. The department and commissions agreed to implement the recommendations, and the department director said the agency was already making changes, including updated guidance to operators, a new complaint-tracking process, conflict-of-interest training, and work on trust fund distributions and rule changes. Committee members pressed both the auditor and the department on why fantasy sports audit reviews had not been completed, whether underpayments would be recovered, and why no distributions had yet been made to certain Category 3 tribes under the 2021 compact trust fund. The director said the department was now doing a look-back review, would seek any owed fees, penalties, and interest, and was helping tribes resolve the baseline-revenue formula needed for distributions. Members also asked about conflict-of-interest practices, problem gambling, and whether prediction markets fall under gaming regulation. The discussion continued into the department’s broader presentation, with the director describing the agency’s regulatory role and ongoing modernization efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:55.399><c> to</c> community members to have easy access to community members to have easy
• We're basically driving a one-room schoolhouse through traffic.
• We're basically driving a one-room schoolhouse through traffic.
• We have room to change and grow, but I would do that.
• We have room to change and grow, but I would do that.

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• all of those who have answered the call to public service, and especially for those who are in this room
• SB 1020, Special Play; SB 1023, Elkimoiseide exam; SB 1029, Federalism and military affairs and elections
• She had to pay hundreds of dollars to access these contracts.
• Arizona voters want access, flexibility, and elections that work.
• All those opposed vote nay. caucus will meet tomorrow in hearing room 1 at 9 a.m. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• 03:27.920><c> have</c><00:03:28.080><c> 42</c> Right now, maybe next week they'll be taking the bar exam
• prosecutors on state funding<00:10:11.440><c> that</c><00:10:11.680><c> is</c><00:10:11.920><c> accessible
• </c><00:10:12.640><c> through</c> funding that is accessible through funding that is accessible through
• I would not want you all as policymakers to think that I think that there's no room for disability.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Um and because uh I've hogged this room &gt;&gt; Um and because uh I've hogged this room

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary heard testimony from the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) on attorney compensation and alternatives to incarceration. Because the committee lacked a quorum, the chair skipped formal roll call and minutes approval, then invited DPA Public Advocate Damon Preston, Deputy Public Advocate Melanie Lowe, and alternative sentencing worker Cena/Tina Mills to present. Preston said DPA is fully state-funded, has 698 funded positions, and was near full staffing with 673 filled positions and 42 new law graduates expected to join in August. He argued that DPA’s resources lag behind those of prosecutors, noting that local prosecutorial offices receive substantially more total funding and have additional revenue sources beyond the state budget. Preston focused on salary disparities and turnover. He said DPA trial-office attorneys total about $26 million in salaries, compared with about $41.9 million for prosecutors on publicly listed state funding, and estimated that more than 100 additional prosecutors are paid through other sources, bringing total prosecutor compensation to a little over $50 million versus DPA’s $26 million. He said starting DPA attorney pay is $58,200, experienced attorney pay averages about $73,000, and that these levels are too low given law school debt and the state’s constitutional obligation to provide defense counsel. He also said DPA attorney turnover is about 20%, median service time before separation was 15 months in 2024, and exit interviews often cite salary as the main reason for leaving. He gave examples of former DPA attorneys moving to prosecutor offices for raises ranging from 12% to 50%. Committee members asked about how often defendants are represented by private counsel versus DPA and how that affects workload. Preston said a 2017 study found about 50% of misdemeanor cases and about 75% of circuit court cases were handled by DPA, with DPA handling most of the most labor-intensive cases. He said DPA will step aside when a defendant hires private counsel or is found ineligible, and he acknowledged the system historically erred by denying counsel in some cases, though he said the current concern is whether DPA is now appointed too broadly. Members requested updated trend data on appointments over the past decade. Preston also described DPA’s pay scale and said the agency’s compensation structure makes retention difficult. Mills then described DPA’s alternative sentencing worker program, which she said has operated for about 20 years and has received national recognition. She shared a case example involving a client named Patrick, who faced a prison sentence on a possession charge and was referred to a horse-based treatment and certification program in Shelbyville. She said the client wanted treatment and a fresh start, a bed became available, and she and the client’s attorney presented an alternative sentencing plan to the court. The presentation was interrupted briefly by a technical issue, but the testimony continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:56.079><c> to</c> large-scale cargo operations, access to large-scale cargo operations, access
• to pertinent FAA documentation. access to pertinent FAA documentation.
• Um, of course they're in<00:54:16.559><c> the</c><00:54:16.720><c> room.
• They know that the study in the room.
• Yeah, please. >> And I know CVG is in the room, and I've met with them.

Summary: The task force met on November 4, 2025, approved the prior minutes without objection, and then heard a presentation from Amazon on its Kentucky aviation and logistics operations. Amazon described its statewide footprint, including its Boone County air hub at KCVG, its investment of more than $60 billion in Kentucky since 2010, about 20,000 jobs in the state, and its use of Amazon Air as a middle-mile network supported by third-party carriers. The company also highlighted small-business support, community relief efforts, and workforce development through Career Choice, including partnerships with Kentucky schools and aviation maintenance training. Members asked about Amazon’s most in-demand workforce needs, future operational challenges, and whether autonomous vehicles are used on the KCVG ramp. Amazon said it would follow up on workforce-demand details, identified customer-driven innovation and culture as ongoing challenges, and said autonomous vehicles are in testing but are not part of regular KCVG operations. Amazon also emphasized sustainability efforts, including alternative aviation fuel, and said it wants to work with the legislature to expand AAF production and supply in Kentucky. The task force then heard from Secretary Jeff Noel of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Matt Wingate on the state’s aviation economic development strategy. They said aviation and aerospace are central to Kentucky’s logistics and economic-development goals, with aerospace identified as the state’s top export and air cargo as a major strength. They discussed outreach to general aviation airports, support for local grant matching, airport funding projects, workforce and education partnerships, and efforts to market Kentucky at aviation trade shows such as Paris Air Show and MRO America. No formal votes or other actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's not just about access or availability.
• So it's not just about access or availability.
• accessible to them in their home or work.
• It protects continuity of care in communities where access is already fragile.
• Access to health care should never depend on a zip code, and this is the bill.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report and a rules report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber also heard several recognitions and a farewell speech from Representative Nixon, who reflected on constituent service and her legislative priorities. On the floor, HB 1405, relating to a statewide project for missing persons with special needs, passed unanimously. The House then took up CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which drew questions about the handling of surplus conservation lands and agricultural uses; it passed 94-10. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, was explained as a broad package restricting foreign-country influence in government, procurement, gifts, cultural agreements, and related areas. An amendment adding restrictions on surrogacy and adoption involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern was adopted after debate over possible impacts on families and adoption practices, and the bill then passed 80-20. The House also passed CS/CS/HB 1197, a bill to modernize state information technology procurement and contracting, unanimously after debate about improving oversight of large IT projects. HB 1103, allowing local governments to fast-track action on derelict vessels, also passed unanimously. The chamber then considered CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use development and development regulations, including limits on development fees, changes to local voting thresholds for comprehensive plan and boundary actions, manufactured homes in RV parks, and resort-related provisions. Several amendments were debated, including one on local control and rural boundaries that failed and another strike-all amendment ruled out of order; the bill ultimately passed 71-38. The final item reached before the transcript ended was a local bill for the Pace Fire Rescue District in Santa Rosa County, described as adjusting its assessment formula to provide tax relief.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's not just about access or availability.
• accessible to them in their home or work.
• physicians, who cannot manage more than 10 emergency room physicians at a time.
• It protects continuity of care in communities where access is already fragile.
• Access to health care should never depend on a zip code, and this is the bill.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum verification. Members then adopted the special order report and a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber also recognized Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano as law enforcement officer of the day and several visiting groups in the gallery. On the floor, HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously, 109-0. The House then took up CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which drew questions about surplus conservation lands and oversight by the Acquisition and Restoration Council; it passed 94-10. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign-country-of-concern restrictions, critical infrastructure, gifts, contracts, sister city agreements, and related ethics and criminal provisions, passed 80-20 after debate and a germane amendment was adopted over objections. The House also passed CS/CS/HB 1197 on information technology procurement and contracting, aimed at modernizing oversight of major IT projects, by 109-0. CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use development and development regulations passed 71-38 after extensive debate over development fees, manufactured homes, and reducing local supermajority requirements for comprehensive plan changes; an amendment to preserve Orange County’s rural boundary vote failed, and a strike-all amendment was ruled out of order. Members then adopted a technical amendment clarifying manufactured homes language. Several local bills also advanced: HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed 109-0; HB 4051 and HB 4053 on Santa Rosa County fire protection district assessments passed 84-25 and 83-27, respectively, after compromise amendments; HB 4081 on the East Point Water and Sewer District passed 110-0; and HB 4093 on the Felsmere Water Control District passed 109-0. The transcript ended as the House moved on to HB 4095, with no final action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• that this would be... ...to take these classes, that this would be something that would expand that access
• Does the bill ensure that students have access and the opportunity to take dual enrollment courses at
• The Examiners of Public Accounts did a very extensive exam, and the Sunset Committee and the Agency Commission
• But prior to that time, you were not able to have access to the child's record, or you had to go to court