Transcript Highlights:

• I know that this is advancing what if happens to the other side of Iowa.
• And respectfully, That this is advancing what if happens to the other side of Iowa, and respectfully,
• And I want to thank you. that this is advancing what if happens to the other side of Iowa and respectfully

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I mean, I always think of, like, if we look at Iowa, they have major problems with non-point water
• And we can even look at their cancer rates in Iowa are like, I think they have the second highest cancer
• . ...rates in Iowa are like, I think they have the second highest cancer rates in the country.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Iowa, 60.9% of their energy comes from...
• Iowa, 60.9% of their energy comes from Thank you.
• Iowa, 60.9% of their energy comes from renewable energy sources, and Missouri is at 11.3.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I hope we can all work together to move education in Iowa forward.

Keywords: 913, all

Summary: The Education Committee was called to order, roll was taken silently, and members were informed that next week’s meeting would be canceled because of the short week and the start of subcommittees. The chair welcomed returning and new members and expressed a desire to work together during the session. Senator Corbach offered remarks emphasizing the importance of education to Iowa’s economy and democratic self-government, and urged the committee to work together to move education forward. Senator Taylor also briefly commented that he was glad to be back on the committee and looked forward to the year’s work. No bills or substantive policy items were discussed, and no testimony or votes on legislation occurred. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, we as a department work with Decision Innovation Solutions out of Iowa to complete the study.
• this study, I was, the partners that worked with you, can't thank you enough for the team down in Iowa
• is being promoted, one of the things that's really coming deeply and strongly from our partners at Iowa
• land-grant institutions who are deeply connected in AgTech like John Reed at Illinois or Matt Dar at Iowa

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, we as a department work with Decision Innovation Solutions out of Iowa to complete the study.
• why this study—I was, the partners that worked with you, can't thank you enough for the team down in Iowa
• is being promoted, one of the things that's really coming deeply and strongly from our partners at Iowa
• land-grant institutions who are deeply connected in AgTech like John Reed at Illinois or Matt Dar at Iowa

Summary: The committee met in Fargo and approved the minutes from the March 31 meeting before hearing a series of informational presentations focused on North Dakota agriculture, water, and research. NDSU President David Cook opened with remarks about NDSU’s land-grant mission, emphasizing statewide service through research, teaching, and extension, and highlighting examples such as the Lilac Agriculture startup and the university’s role in applying research to real-world problems. He said he intends to spend time listening across the state to better understand local needs. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study projected significant potential for expanded irrigation acreage, especially in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau, and estimated major economic gains from irrigation, including higher farm returns and support for value-added agriculture. Members discussed water permits, surface water versus aquifers, infrastructure, drought resilience, and the role of legal drains in improving productivity and generating economic activity. The presenters also noted that the full report is available online. Dr. Greg Lardy followed with NDSU’s required interim report, outlining the university’s agricultural research and extension system, including the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, seven research-extension centers, and the economic importance of agriculture to the state. He highlighted recent research impacts such as new crop varieties, potato breeding successes, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, weather-network tools, and 4-H programming. He also described NDSU’s budget priorities: restoring the governor’s proposed 10% cuts, additional operating support, and deferred maintenance funding. Committee members asked about the new agricultural field lab, storage sheds, and NDSU’s partnership with Grand Farm. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor presenting water-related research, including data center cooling, water reuse, smart irrigation, and a feasibility study on co-locating data centers with greenhouse and aquaculture production. Members asked about water use, ownership, and whether the concepts were operational or still speculative. Finally, North Dakota AgTech presented its NSF-funded innovation engine work, describing startup commercialization, on-farm trials, workforce development, and partnerships with NDSU, UND, tribal colleges, and other land-grant institutions. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the prior meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• H.B. 804 would... ...would make clear, similar to what several other states have done—Utah, Iowa, Tennessee—that
• I can give you a lot more acreage scattered out across Tennessee, Iowa, and Kansas.
• Iowa, Kansas. The fact of the matter is, Senator Kennedy is 100% right and calling a spade a spade.
• ...and North Dakota and South Dakota and Iowa not to do that?

Summary: The committee first took up HB 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which was presented as a narrowly focused ban on climate-change damages lawsuits rather than a measure affecting emissions claims, pollution claims, or private property rights. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to stop speculative suits targeting energy producers, farmers, truckers, manufacturers, and other businesses for global climate impacts, while preserving claims for actual legal violations under state or federal environmental and safety laws. After a substitute amendment was adopted to clarify and streamline the bill, the committee heard extensive support from oil and gas, chemical, business, port, and legal reform groups, along with a few opposition speakers who argued the bill could still be read to shield industry too broadly or weaken climate accountability. HB 804 was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 802, as amended, which creates a watershed conservation fund tied to the Amite River Basin. The author explained that the bill was narrowed from a statewide proposal to a basin-specific program to reduce flood risk and restore watershed areas using existing severance revenue from sand mining, modeled in part on coastal restoration funding. Supporters from the concrete industry, landowners, levee boards, and conservation groups described it as a practical, low-cost, non-government solution to help remediate old sand and gravel pits and improve flood control. With no opposition cards and no objections, HB 802 was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HB 934, as substituted, which would allow licensed wildlife rehabilitators to possess white-tailed deer fawns under specific conditions, including disease monitoring, release only within the same management zone, and other handling requirements. The author said the bill was meant to prevent the euthanizing of orphaned fawns that could be rehabilitated and to create a lawful pathway for licensed care. A supporter described her experience rescuing an orphaned fawn that was later confiscated and killed, while the Louisiana Wildlife Federation opposed the measure, warning it could effectively create a captive deer program, undermine wildlife conservation principles, and lead to dangerous or inhumane facilities. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 934, before final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that's an important point because as we look at what other states are doing around us, Iowa
• what other states are doing<00:03:48.080><c> around</c><00:03:48.400><c> us,</c><00:03:48.799><c> Iowa
• ,</c><00:03:49.280><c> Nebraska,</c> doing around us, Iowa, Nebraska, doing around us, Iowa, Nebraska

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Law enforcement gets involved, and that child fortunately was located 138 miles south near the Iowa border
• south</c><00:09:48.840><c> uh</c><00:09:48.960><c> near</c><00:09:49.160><c> the</c><00:09:49.320><c> Iowa
• </c><00:09:50.800><c> Um</c> 138 mi south uh near the Iowa border.
• Um 138 mi south uh near the Iowa border.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• HiSET, which was developed by Educational Testing Service in collaboration with the University of Iowa
• <00:42:51.280><c> of</c> collaboration with the University of collaboration with the University of Iowa
• :52.800><c> used</c><00:42:53.040><c> by</c><00:42:53.280><c> many</c><00:42:53.680><c> states</c> Iowa
• It has been used by many states Iowa.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, Minnesota has also had essentially the same residential energy code as Wisconsin and Iowa since
• 18.160><c> and</c> residential energy code as Wisconsin and residential energy code as Wisconsin and Iowa
• c> 2015,</c><00:10:20.079><c> while</c><00:10:20.399><c> Illinois</c><00:10:20.880><c> adopted</c> Iowa
• since 2015, while Illinois adopted Iowa since 2015, while Illinois adopted a<00:10:21.600><c> more</

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• know, Minnesota can be leading on this, and in fact there are many other states, and red states like Iowa
• and<00:46:57.560><c> red</c><00:46:57.800><c> states</c><00:46:58.160><c> like</c><00:46:58.400><c> Iowa
• </c><00:46:58.760><c> and</c><00:46:58.880><c> Kentucky</c> and red states like Iowa and Kentucky and
• red states like Iowa and Kentucky that<00:46:59.600><c> are</c><00:46:59.680><c> also</c><00:47:00.040

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And when I visited the great state of Iowa just a few weeks ago, I even saw $1.85 a gallon for gasoline
• And when I visited the great state<00:48:13.119><c> of</c><00:48:13.440><c> Iowa</c><00:48:13.839><c>
• 14.240><c> few</c><00:48:14.400><c> weeks</c><00:48:14.560><c> ago,</c><00:48:15.280><c> I</c> state of Iowa
• just a few weeks ago, I state of Iowa just a few weeks ago, I even<00:48:15.839><c> saw</c><00:48:16.319

Keywords: Presidential address to the Joint Session of the United States Congress on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent, uh, seven counties starting a little bit northwest of Jordan all the way down to Iowa, and
• the</c><00:04:26.639><c> way</c><00:04:26.720><c> down</c><00:04:26.960><c> to</c><00:04:27.240><c> Iowa
• </c><00:04:28.240><c> and</c><00:04:28.639><c> I</c> of Jordan all the way down to Iowa and I of Jordan
• all the way down to Iowa and I am<00:04:29.040><c> the</c><00:04:29.280><c> Republican</c><00:04:29.759

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In your email, you'll have all 11: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, North Dakota,
• In your email, you'll have all 11: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, North Dakota,
• It's a family of farmers from Iowa. Women in my family are all tall and broad.
• It's a family of farmers from Iowa.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1183, by Senator Creighton, which would require Lone Star Cards used for SNAP and TANF benefits to display the recipient’s name and photo, add fraud-reporting information, and require HHSC to track replacement-card requests. Creighton argued the bill would reduce fraud and protect taxpayer dollars, citing Texas SNAP theft and overpayment data. HHSC testified that photo IDs on the card are technically possible and explained how authorized secondary users are added. Dr. Amber O’Connor of Every Texan testified against the bill, saying SNAP fraud is a small share of expenditures, that the proposal would be costly and ineffective, and that federal rules limit mandatory photo requirements. Public testimony closed and SB 1183 was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1184, also by Senator Creighton, which would lower from 20 years to 10 years the minimum age of collectible wine that Texas collectors may sell to permitted restaurants. Supporters said the change would help Texas restaurants access desirable vintages, keep collectible wine in-state, and align with market demand; invited witnesses from the wine industry testified in favor. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1184 was left pending. Next, Senator Birdwell laid out Senate Bill 2051 and Senate Joint Resolution 68, both aimed at revising Texas impeachment procedures in response to issues identified during the 2023 impeachment process. The measures would clarify constitutional and statutory impeachment authority, require sworn testimony, extend review periods for House members, address conflicts of interest and presiding officers, require cost reporting, and modify rules for impeaching the governor or lieutenant governor. A committee substitute added protections for the accused, longer review periods, and a fallback presiding-officer option. Witnesses generally supported stronger accountability but raised questions about whether the language should also cover retired or visiting judges. Both measures were left pending after testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1577, which would expand Texas Motor Speedway’s alcohol sales authority to include distilled spirits and remove certain event and concession limits; the Speedway’s representative supported the bill and it was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 and Senate Bill 240, which would recognize only two sexes and restrict access to sex-designated private spaces in public facilities based on biological sex. Supporters argued the measures were needed to protect women’s privacy and safety, including in schools and shelters, while opponents warned about enforcement problems, privacy concerns, and impacts on transgender Texans and others who do not fit stereotypical sex traits. After extensive testimony, both measures were left pending. The committee then took up multiple pending bills and reported several favorably, including SB 511, SB 33, SB 510, SB 871, SB 2024, SB 2166, SJR 27, SJR 40, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 2420, SB 1999, SB 2309, SB 1860, and SB 2429, with some also certified for the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Supreme Courts in Washington and Iowa have also ruled that mandatory minimums, or the imposition
• <00:34:15.879><c> in</c><00:34:16.079><c> Washington</c><00:34:16.560><c> and</c><00:34:16.760><c> Iowa
• </c> Supreme Courts in Washington and Iowa Supreme Courts in Washington and Iowa have<00:34:17.480><c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with Senate Bill 869 on community outreach boards. The Office of Information Practices said the bill was now clear and raised no concerns after clarification that it applies to Hawaii County community development action plan committees under the Sunshine Law. Written support was received from several individuals, and one testifier initially opposed the bill but withdrew opposition after hearing OIP’s explanation. No vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senate Bill 405 on neighborhood board meetings, which would let boards receive and discuss reports from government officials that were not on a noticed agenda, with final action deferred to a later noticed meeting. OIP said the bill was a policy choice but warned it would give boards more flexibility at the cost of less public notice. Support came from the Wke neighborhood board and Jacob Weinek, while Natalie Iwasa and Greg Mian opposed it, arguing it could lead to unclear agenda items and deeper discussion without adequate public notice. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 903 on a claims review working group in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands asking for the measure to be deferred because it believed a complete inventory and audit of the public lands trust should come first. Members asked about the status of related House Bill 1358. The committee then heard tax measures: Senate Bill 1469, which would suspend the collection statute of limitations while tax assessments are on appeal, and Senate Bill 1467, which would clarify that county tax appeals do not need to be served on the Director of Taxation. The Tax Department supported both bills, and the Tax Foundation’s witness generally agreed but suggested a possible amendment to SB 1469 regarding insurance premium tax language. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 544 on sentencing of minor defendants, which would require courts to consider youth-related factors and allow departures from mandatory minimums; OHA, the Public Defender, Human Rights for Kids, and others supported it, citing trauma, diminished culpability, and national trends, and no opposition was noted in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 691 on family courts, which would set a minimum age of 12 for adjudication of law violations. The Public Defender and Human Rights for Kids supported the bill, saying very young children should not be treated as law violators and can still receive services through other family court mechanisms. The Attorney General’s office and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office opposed the measure, arguing it could limit court jurisdiction and services for younger children and might have unintended consequences, including recruitment of children into criminal activity. Members asked whether amendments could preserve the bill’s intent while addressing those concerns; no final action is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Appropriations, a bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the Rebuild Iowa

Keywords: 913, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Bill, why don't you talk a little bit about the Iowa trip and then that Tennessee trip, too?
• 00:04:42.800><c> to</c> little bit about the you all going to little bit about the you all going to Iowa
• </c> Iowa and then that Tennessee trip, too. Iowa and then that Tennessee trip, too.
• We did get out to Sioux City in Iowa.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:09 Approval of Minutes 00:00:48 KOAP Report 00:01:09 Update from CHFS 00:20:27, 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum, approval of the September 18, 2025 minutes, and a staff update on recent tobacco settlement-funded agriculture activities. The agriculture side highlighted Commissioner Shell’s outreach, including school visits, farm visits, and speaking engagements in Kentucky and a trip to Tennessee to discuss program models. A representative also described a national conference in Iowa, where Kentucky’s agriculture finance program was praised as a $180 million loan program built with tobacco settlement funds. The board noted September approvals totaling $950,000 for the agriculture development board and $3.3 million for the finance corporation, along with staff activity such as site visits, program closures, and project reports. The board also announced that the KKMP report covering 2015-2022 would be distributed and that the annual report, marking the program’s 25th anniversary, was being prepared. The board then reviewed two featured projects. The Organic Association of Kentucky requested $425,000 for organic producer support, but the board approved only one year of funding at $29,000, with members noting concern about recurring applicants and the need to evaluate long-term funding. The second project, by Joseph Dale Bentley in Lewis County, sought $51,300 to expand a small ruminant facility for goat production and export. Members were particularly interested because the project was already operating and creating market opportunities for Kentucky goat producers; the board approved half the project cost to help expand infrastructure and potentially allow quarantining on site. The cabinet then presented its annual update on tobacco settlement fund use in public health. Julie Brooks, Sarah Johnson, and Andrea Day reported on the HANS home visitation program, tobacco prevention and cessation efforts, lung cancer screening, and early childhood oral health. HANS served more families in FY25, rising from 6,293 to 6,715, and increased services from 139,943 to over 143,000. Tobacco prevention and cessation programs continued to support Quit Now Kentucky and My Life, My Quit, though officials noted federal uncertainty and the loss of federal tobacco control infrastructure. They also reported a slight decline in student outreach and cessation requests, but continued demand from schools and communities for vaping and nicotine prevention support. Lung cancer screening expanded to 55 screens, with Kentucky cited as a model for other states due to improved incidence, survival, and early detection rates. Early oral health efforts continued through local health departments, with more trainings for public health nurses, continued varnish kits, and expanded support for dental graduates and hygiene teams.

Transcript Highlights:

• right now, there are three states that I'm aware of that have this type of program in their state: Iowa
• And then I've also given you copies of the three programs that I mentioned for Ohio, Iowa, and Minnesota
• 46.360><c> Ohio,</c> programs uh that I mentioned for Ohio, programs uh that I mentioned for Ohio, Iowa
• </c><01:26:34.000><c> Are</c> this like Minnesota, Iowa, and Ohio.
• Are this like Minnesota, Iowa, and Ohio.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Twenty-five states have directly invested in educator pay, including our neighboring states, where Iowa
• Twenty-five states have directly invested in educator pay, including our neighboring states, where Iowa
• Twenty-five states have directly invested in educator pay, including our neighboring states, where Iowa
• Twenty-five states have directly invested in educator pay, including our neighboring states, where Iowa
• Twenty-five states have directly invested in educator pay, including our neighboring states, where Iowa

Keywords: 1183, house