Transcript Highlights:

• And I know we've got a couple other legislators.
• So, to begin, starting off with some of our legislative priorities from the last legislative session
• So with next year being a legislative year, the NDSA will set legislative priorities for the 2027 to
• of the real-world impacts of priorities and particular pieces of legislation.
• We have one legislatively mandated report that we'll receive and then a couple updates on Legislatively

Summary: The committee met at Dakota College at Bottineau, approved the January 15, 2026 minutes, and heard an extensive campus update from Dean Corey Gorder and other DCB leaders. Gorder described the college’s affiliation with Minot State and its growing use of shared services, including business office functions, HR, institutional research, Title IX, printing, financial aid support through UND, and payroll support through NDSU. He said the arrangement lets DCB focus on its core mission while relying on system partners for specialized administrative work, and noted that accreditation concerns were not believed to limit those shared-service arrangements. He also highlighted DCB’s mission, enrollment growth, dual-credit reach across rural schools, and the college’s emphasis on nursing, dental, paramedic, farm management, and other workforce-oriented programs. Committee members asked detailed questions about dual credit, program delivery, and whether DCB’s partnerships were exclusive. Gorder said the relationships are generally collaborative rather than exclusive, that schools can choose other providers, and that many partnerships began through personal outreach and ongoing relationships with rural schools. Lisa Johnson of the university system added that transfer complaints are rare and that dual credit generally transfers well within North Dakota, though highly selective out-of-state institutions may treat credits differently. Members also asked about stipends for high school instructors, the share of K-12 versus DCB instructors, and the capacity limits in dental hygiene and other programs. Gorder said dental hygiene is capped by space and staffing, that there were more applicants than seats, and that expansion is being considered; he also said he would provide follow-up information on the paramedic program and instructor breakdowns. Gorder closed by identifying long-term challenges, including aging residence halls, recruiting faculty and staff, and the need to review low-enrollment programs. He said DCB should consider expanding into more high-demand trades such as welding, HVAC, and electrical work, and should streamline dual credit and strengthen its Minot programming. The committee then heard from the North Dakota Student Association, whose leaders outlined student priorities from the last session and the interim. Their main concerns included campus housing quality and affordability, food insecurity and food pantries, mental and physical health resources, student-led research funding, academic and career readiness, internships, and campus collaboration. They also discussed dual credit, saying it is valuable but uneven across the state, and raised questions about how to better retain students in North Dakota through the system. Members asked follow-up questions about housing, transferability of dual credit, and whether incentives could be used to encourage students to stay in-state for higher education.

Transcript Highlights:

• So last year, we passed legislation, and many of you were supportive of that legislation, to ensure that
• That's what we do in cleanup legislation.
• And I live pulled them around this legislation, kind of laid out there.
• I represent Moms for Liberty California Legislative Committee. Thank you.
• Well, I want to thank the author for bringing forward this legislation.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• On this March 1st, we are beginning the final third of our 60-day legislative session. legislative session
• Speaker and gentlelady, what I understand also from this legislation is that this legislation is also
• And there are a few elements required in the legislation.
• Will these institutions benefit from this legislation?
• Thank you so much for bringing this legislation forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> a little bit tricky to legislate. a little bit tricky to legislate.
• 16:09.880><c> everyone</c> because of this legislation, everyone because of this legislation, everyone
• </c> legislation itself. legislation itself. &gt;&gt; Okay,<01:29:43.920><c> great.
• </c> case, it would be in the legislation." case, it would be in the legislation."
• </c> at what that that legislation was. So. at what that that legislation was. So.

Transcript Highlights:

• and um legislative<02:54:54.520><c> staff</c> legislative staff legislative staff this<02:54:55.880>
• a summary that they and the legislative auditor work out. work with the legislative auditor on work
• </c><03:01:20.360><c> auditor</c> the office of the legislative auditor the office of the legislative
• </c> the office of the legislative auditor. the office of the legislative auditor.
• </c> prior to uh legislative prior to uh legislative uh<03:48:55.560><c> approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislative body has approved.
• </c> once the budget's with the legislative once the budget's with the legislative body<00:23:52.840>
• </c> members of the of the uh legislative members of the of the uh legislative body<00:24:48.640><c>
• wanted</c> legislation the legislative body wanted legislation the legislative body wanted to<01:44:
• </c><04:52:22.718><c> the</c><04:52:22.920><c> legislation</c> of the legislation the legislation of

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislative budget package will be amended into AB 101 and SB 101, which we will consider on the
• The legislative budget is the result of hard conversations and impossible choices.
• Overall, I would, you know, as we've talked about here today, the legislative...
• The Bay Area Legislative Caucus is actively working on a regional funding measure.
• I defer to legislative staff for the specifics on why $30 was chosen.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• to develop a plan for best practices when legislators are naming grants in legislation.
• to develop a plan for best practices when legislators are naming grants in legislation.
• to develop a plan for best practices when legislators are naming grants in legislation.
• to develop a plan for best practices when legislators are naming grants in legislation.
• Best practices when legislators are naming grants in legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Protesters have appeared at some of our legislative hearings.
• About seven years ago, we sponsored legislation...
• This legislation in front of us. You'd like to close? Mr.
• There is no opposition to this legislation.
• That legislator was Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda focused heavily on housing, local government, Brown Act teleconferencing, and public agency administration. Early bills included AB 39, which would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning for EV charging and building decarbonization; AB 76, which clarifies Chula Vista’s university innovation district housing requirements; AB 259, AB 409, and AB 467, which extend or modernize Brown Act teleconferencing provisions for local agencies, community college student bodies, and Los Angeles neighborhood councils; and AB 428, which would let water corporations join joint powers authorities for pooled insurance. Supporters emphasized climate planning, housing access, public participation, safety, and cost savings, while several bills were amended to address stakeholder concerns. Most of these measures advanced on bipartisan votes, generally 6-1 or 7-0, and were left open for additional members to add on later. The committee also heard AB 632, which would strengthen local enforcement tools for serious code violations, fire hazards, illegal cannabis operations, and unsafe housing by allowing unpaid administrative fines to be converted into money judgments and liens. Local government and code enforcement groups supported the bill as a way to improve compliance and reduce costly litigation. AB 670 would let local governments count investments in preserving naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element reporting and require broader reporting of demolitions and replacement housing compliance; supporters argued preservation is essential because many unsubsidized affordable homes are at risk. AB 761 would allow Monterey-Salinas Transit to place a future sales tax measure on the ballot with approval from two-thirds of its board, rather than separate approval from each member jurisdiction, to preserve transit funding for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. These measures also moved forward, with the committee noting amendments and sending them to the next committees of referral. Another major item was AB 810, which would require special districts and joint powers authorities to migrate public-facing websites and email addresses to .gov or CA.gov domains by 2031. The author argued the change would reduce fraud and improve public trust, especially after emergency-related scams, while opponents from special districts and IT organizations said the transition would be costly and difficult for smaller agencies. Several school-related opponents withdrew after amendments, and committee members discussed possible aliases and tribal-government language. The bill passed 7-1 to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. Finally, AB 1206 proposed a pre-approved design catalog for single-family homes and small multifamily developments, modeled on a prior ADU bill, to speed rebuilding and reduce design costs; supporters from Habitat for Humanity and housing advocates said it would help both wildfire recovery and broader housing production, and the bill drew at least one opposed-unless-amended position as the committee moved into further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislation identical to House Bill 501, as passed by the House on February 19, 2026, or Senate Bill
• Legislation identical to House Bill 5205, as passed by the House on February 19, 2026... D.
• I think this is a smart move for us as legislators to... All in favor of the amendment say, yay?
• I think this is a smart move for us as legislators to Gasoline.
• This bill is a placeholder for the legislation.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session for budget conference work, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and moments of silence honoring Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mateer and former Senator Bill Posey. The Secretary read the joint proclamation calling the special session, which was limited to the budget, implementing bill, collective bargaining/state employee issues, retirement, DMS, law enforcement radio system, health, higher education, K-12 education, government administration, correctional facilities financing, judges, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, fuel taxes, and taxation. Chair Hooper outlined the process for moving Senate and House budget conforming bills into conference posture, noting that conference meetings would be on one-hour notice. The Senate then took up and passed a series of Senate conforming bills and House companion bills, generally by unanimous 32-0 votes, with delete-all amendments used to place Senate language onto House bills or to clear bills for conference. Measures addressed fuel taxes, the state agency law enforcement radio system, judges, pre-K through 12 education, retirement, higher education, health care, government administration, correctional facilities financing and capital improvements, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, state employees/collective bargaining, and the implementing bill for the 2026-27 budget. Senators repeatedly moved that, when the House version was not passed as received, the Senate request conference or accede to the House’s request for conference. The General Appropriations Bill was handled by substituting House Bill 5001E for Senate Bill 2500E, amending it with Senate substance, and passing it 32-0 before requesting conference. House Bill 7031E on taxation was also amended and debated; Senator Berman used the debate to urge consideration of suspending the motor fuel tax for summer relief, but the bill ultimately passed and the Senate requested conference after failing to pass the House version as received. The session ended with a motion to waive rules for publishing the Special Order Calendar for the remainder of the special session, followed by adjournment upon the call of the President for committee meetings and other Senate business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, Chair Hansen, I respectfully disagree with you that legislators put money into funds for certain
• Is there anything that is preventing any legislator of any party in a future year, if this bill passes
• future legislators can just not withstand this provision. >> Uh, that's it, Mr.
• </c><00:08:32.080><c> do,</c> determine what future legislators do, determine what future legislators
• </c><00:10:45.680><c> that</c> understand a piece of legislation that understand a piece of legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• the Las Cruces Police Department Chief Jeremy Story. ...support the legislation.
• Legislative Provided in the statute.
• Legislative intent should not be derived from this type of legislature.
• Governor Legislative Message Number 1. Seeing no objection. Governor Legislative Message Number 1.
• Governor Legislative Message Number 1.

Bills: SB241

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Summary: The Senate began by outlining the day’s agenda, then received several House messages, including the House’s request for concurrence on Senate Bill 151 and notice that the House had concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 2, 3, and 70. The Senate also received enrolled bills SB 64 and SB 101, and later adopted committee reports on House Bill 120 and SB 64. The chamber then took up concurrence on SB 151, a tax package that the House amended to remove the gross receipts tax provision for medical supplies, add a 1% salary increase for state employees, higher education, and public schools, extend a high-wage job tax credit, and add sunsets. Senator Hamblen supported concurrence as a friendly amendment, while Senator Cervantes argued the House changes transformed the bill into an unconstitutional appropriations measure and urged a conference committee. The Senate nevertheless concurred, 22-14. On third reading, the Senate passed House Bill 61, which increases the penalty for aggravated battery on a peace officer from a third-degree to a second-degree felony to align with other sentencing provisions. Supporters, including Senator Cervantes, cited consistency in the criminal code and noted the Sentencing Commission’s endorsement; the bill passed 37-0. The Senate also passed House Joint Memorial 3, directing the Environment Department to convene stakeholders and report on implementation of the PFAS Protection Act, despite a brief exchange over whether the memorial could be read as expanding authority under the existing PFAS law; it passed 22-13. The chamber then passed several memorials: Senate Memorial 20, amended to include youth and family voices and legislative appointees in a statewide youth violence summit, passed 35-0; Senate Memorial 21, calling for a study of a statewide overdose prevention program, passed 35-0; Senate Memorial 22, which asks the Legislative Finance Committee to convene a working group on domestic violence funding and CYFD-related funding flows, passed; and Senate Memorial 27, urging expansion of the Radiation Exposure Act to compensate New Mexicans affected by atomic testing and uranium mining, passed 34-0. At the end of the session, the Senate received a governor’s message authorizing consideration of SB 74 on cockfighting penalties, followed by a playful Senate response message. The body also agreed to move House Joint Memorial 2 from Rules to the President’s table and then recessed until 8:30 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• If it receives enough signatures for release from the committee, it will be reported on the legislative
• It will be reported on the legislative website and announced on the House floor during session.
• We deal with the insurance ramifications of the legislation, ma'am. Okay.
• We deal with the insurance ramifications of the legislation, ma'am. Okay.
• This legislation requires all commercial, state group health insurance, and Medicaid plans to include

Committee: House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce

Summary: The committee met with roll call attendance and took up two bills. First was Senate Bill 315 with Senate Amendment 1, which would allow the Division of Small Business to add state funding to existing federal small business programs, including the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. There was brief public support from one in-person commenter, no virtual comment, and the committee voted to release the bill, though it did not yet have enough signatures for immediate release and was left open for absent members to sign. The second item was Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319, a women’s health insurance mandate requiring coverage for medically necessary menopause and perimenopause diagnostic and treatment services, including FDA-approved hormone replacement therapy, pelvic floor therapy, and related care. Representative Smith presented the bill as a response to gaps in menopause care and insurance coverage, and Department of Insurance witness Kennedy Cook explained the religious exemption as applying to certain religious employers and blanket health policies. Committee members asked about the scope of that exemption, and some expressed concern about religious carveouts, while others praised the bill as important women’s health legislation. During public comment, one speaker supported the bill but warned that expanding mandatory health benefits can raise insurance costs. The Department of Insurance then testified in support, saying the bill would align Delaware with other states, many insurers already comply, and the department did not expect a meaningful premium impact. The committee voted to release Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319 from committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation would remove that section from the charter.
• The legislation would remove that section from the charter.
• I want to say partners include our state legislators.
• It was actually in all of our legislative analysis and legislative priorities; this issue started out
• And so this bill includes some similar language as that legislation.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hybrid hearing on bills related to land use, zoning, permitting, municipal governance, and homelessness. Early testimony focused on a home rule petition for Ipswich to remove a residency requirement for a town manager, with supporters saying it would broaden the applicant pool and help fill a vacant permanent manager position. Another panel backed legislation to change the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission’s governance so ratepayers in surrounding communities would have representation, arguing the current board structure leaves many users without a voice in rate-setting and capital decisions. Several housing and zoning bills drew testimony. Senator Keenan and the Home Builders and Remodelers Association supported a bill to toll the one-year period for acting on a variance while an appeal is pending, saying appeals should not consume the time needed to implement approved projects. Representative Murray and the Real Estate Bar Association also testified on broader zoning reforms, including changes to undersized lots, merger rules, hearing deadlines, appeals, and variance standards; they argued the proposals would reduce delay and uncertainty and help housing production. Committee members questioned whether shifting zoning appeals from de novo to closed-record review would limit new evidence, and the witnesses said the change would speed cases while preserving limited opportunities to supplement the record. The committee also heard testimony on bills to end the criminalization of homelessness. Representatives, advocates, and shelter organizations said local camping bans and fines are counterproductive, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Grants Pass decision, and urged a statewide response centered on housing and public health rather than punishment. Other municipal bills included remote participation in open town meetings for Wayland and a statewide local option, Fairhaven and Mattapoisett charter changes, and Cambridge’s request to use automated parking enforcement and mail parking tickets. The hearing also included testimony supporting fairground zoning flexibility, a Shrewsbury solar siting bill, and an Inspector General bill clarifying county land disposition procedures by requiring written notice to DCAM and a defined response period. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So how can we legislate that, right?
• So how can we legislate that, right?
• That's any legislative assistance we can get with that.
• You're absolutely going to be a legislator, so you're going to be bringing legislation here soon.
• So it won't be starting over brand new with legislation.

Summary: The Tribal and State Relations Committee met at Standing Rock with tribal council members, state legislators, and agency representatives to discuss state-tribal coordination and local priorities. Early discussion focused on process concerns, including the short agenda time and the need for better communication, more advance notice, and more relevant state department staff at future meetings. Tribal leaders asked for lists of state tribal liaisons and bills affecting tribes, and state members said they would follow up, share grant and deadline information, and plan another meeting in Bismarck with program experts and agency staff. A major portion of the meeting centered on health, child welfare, law enforcement, housing, infrastructure, and sovereignty issues. Tribal speakers said rural health transformation funding and other state programs often do not fit direct-service tribes or IHS-funded systems, and they raised concerns about Medicaid, ICWA, foster care delays, human service zones, housing shortages, and the placement of Native children off-reservation. They also discussed missing and murdered Indigenous people, search-and-rescue cooperation, cross-deputization, extradition and banishment ordinances, and the need for stronger law enforcement partnerships that respect tribal sovereignty. Other concerns included poor roads, water and sewer needs in Sioux County communities, census accuracy, and the impact of data centers and other development on water and health. Economic development and regulatory issues were also discussed. Standing Rock representatives raised concerns about charitable gaming and e-pull tabs, saying the machines function like Class III gaming and have harmed tribal revenue while spreading into local businesses. They also described problems with county-issued fireworks permits and state/county liquor licensing rules that they said undermine tribal authority within reservation boundaries. In response, legislators said the committee would continue to look at these issues, and one member suggested possible legislation such as limiting e-tabs near tribal lands. The committee also heard from Joseph McNeil of Sage Development Authority about a 235-megawatt wind project on tribal, allotted, and fee land; he said federal permitting delays have stalled the project and asked for state support to help move it forward. The meeting concluded with a presentation from Dave Archambo of Wojou, a nonprofit focused on land regeneration, buffalo, food sovereignty, cultural programming, and youth wellness. He described the organization’s work on buffalo processing, gardening, fishing, hunting, language, and arts programs, and framed it as a response to historical trauma and community healing. The committee then broke for lunch and planned to resume with the Wojou presentation after the recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• The quote was, "We legislative auditor.
• He said he had met with the legislative auditor a couple of weeks ago to see if there were any legislative
• He said he had met with the legislative auditor a couple of weeks ago to see if there were any legislative
• He said he had met with the legislative auditor a couple of weeks ago to see if there were any legislative
• </c> had a meeting with the uh legislative had a meeting with the uh legislative auditor<00:24:19.440

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're state legislators. Okay.
• that's my concern with this legislation that's my concern with this legislation that<00:20:16.960><c>
• > is</c> legislative day.
• A legislative day is legislative day.
• <c> they're</c><00:28:00.399><c> combined</c> legislative days and they're combined legislative days

Bills: HB272 , HB272

Committee: House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections

Keywords: HB272, LASEA, AMSTEP, Alabama Commission on Higher Education, State Department of Education, teacher loan repayment, student loan forgiveness, educator shortage, teacher shortage, acute educator shortage, acute shortage location, public K-12 schools, school systems, math teachers, science teachers, computer science teachers, charter schools, failing schools, underperforming schools, teacher recruitment

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you to Senator Wagner for Legislation, Senate Bill 5868.
• Why do we need this legislation? My answer is, why not?
• They were invited to give comments to the legislation.
• This legislation, the problematic part of this legislation, in my opinion, is an offense to me as a citizen
• This legislation, the problematic part of this legislation, in my opinion, is an offense to me as a citizen

Summary: The committee first took up executive action on several bills. SB 5865 on garnishment forms was amended to require the Washington Pattern Forms Committee to finish the new forms by December 31, 2026, with an effective date of January 1, 2027; a competing amendment was withdrawn, and the bill received a due pass recommendation. SB 5880 on toxicology testing by certified laboratories was amended to clarify that local governments may accept private donations to help fund ISO-IEC 17025 testing, without requiring them to do so, and it also received a due pass recommendation. SB 5912 to reinstate the Indigent Defense Task Force was amended to remove legislators from the task force, add members, revise duties and reporting, and adjust staffing and reimbursement provisions; it too was advanced. SB 5855 on law enforcement face coverings drew extensive amendment debate. The committee rejected amendments that would have narrowed mask exceptions, added weather/environmental language, created a private right of action against federal officers, and established a claims account for officers, but adopted the proposed substitute and sent the bill forward on a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard public testimony on SB 6011, which would let Court of Appeals bailiffs conduct threat assessments and access certain criminal history information for Court of Appeals judges and staff, mirroring authority already given to Supreme Court bailiffs. The bill’s sponsor and the acting chief judge for Division I said the change would address increasing threats and allow bailiffs to investigate and refer matters efficiently; there was no opposition testimony. SB 6009, which would make permanent direct-review procedures for certain administrative and land-use decisions, was described as a successful COVID-era process that reduces unnecessary court steps and conserves resources. The sponsor and a Court of Appeals judge supported making the sunset provisions permanent, and testimony was generally favorable. Public hearing also continued on SB 5868, which would add one Superior Court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties. Court officials, county leaders, and the Administrative Office of the Courts testified that both counties have growing caseloads, trial delays, and backlogs, and that the counties had budgeted their share of the cost. The committee then heard SB 5974, which would add eligibility requirements for sheriffs, police chiefs, and marshals, restrict the use of volunteers and specially commissioned officers, and clarify duties of sheriffs. Supporters argued the bill would improve professionalism, accountability, and public trust, especially in immigrant and survivor communities. Opponents, including several sheriffs, cities, and counties, argued it would undermine local control and voter authority, impose costly background checks, and raise constitutional concerns. Public testimony on SB 5974 closed when time expired, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a coordinated legal, legislative, messaging, and now executive order campaign, and the people
• And we're really able to use our own experiences to shape legislation that matters.
• </c><00:04:50.199><c> like</c> passed some Landmark legislation like passed some Landmark legislation
• </c><00:04:59.800><c> that</c> experiences to shape legislation that experiences to shape legislation
• </c> really to think about how legislation really to think about how legislation and<00:05:14.680><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> where they set in motion legislation where they set in motion legislation where<02:09:14.800><c>
• </c> co-sponsor for this legislation co-sponsor for this legislation including<04:09:39.319><c> Congressman
• Please vote yes on this bill and its companion legislation.
• </c> sides of the aisle this legislation sides of the aisle this legislation directly<04:40:36.680><c
• </c><07:49:50.080><c> they've</c><07:49:50.240><c> worked</c> this legislation they've worked this legislation