Transcript Highlights:

• This milestone highlights the exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication shaping the future of the
• This milestone highlights the exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication shaping the future of the
• also served on the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Board and other regional bodies that reflect a broader vision
• For example, Georgia, Iowa, Florida, South Carolina passed a law to protect the unborn child when a heartbeat
• I want our farmers in Iowa, Minnesota, and places that want to have E15, E20, whatever year-round.

Bills: HR915 , HB7401 , HB2478 , HR1381

Keywords: Holodomor, Ukraine famine, 1932-1933 famine, genocide recognition, Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, collectivization, grain confiscation, human rights, Ukraine, Ukrainian people, Russian aggression, Vladimir Putin, foreign affairs, sense of the House, commemorative resolution, historical remembrance, Soviet repression, Kremlin denial, Ukraine sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• Your stomach drops, your vision narrows, and the rest of it becomes a blur.
• Your stomach drops, your vision narrows, and the rest of it becomes a blur.
• Your stomach drops, your vision narrows, and the rest of it becomes a blur.
• States like California, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Minnesota, Arizona, Iowa, Nevada
• States like California, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Minnesota, Arizona, Iowa, Nevada

Summary: The House first established a quorum after introductions of the Freedom of the Road Riders and Warsaw High School students. Members then took up House Bill 1855, a reporting bill on alpha-gal syndrome. The sponsor described the bill as a public health surveillance measure to add alpha-gal to Missouri’s reportable conditions, require lab reporting to the Department of Health and Senior Services, and send aggregated data to the CDC. Supporters said the bill would help identify hotspots, guide education and funding, and address a serious tick-borne condition affecting rural and urban Missourians alike. Opponents raised concerns about cost, false positives/negatives, and privacy, but the sponsor and others said the system would be HIPAA-compliant and de-identified at the federal level. Two amendments to HB 1855 were debated. An amendment changing the department’s follow-up authority from “may” to “shall” was adopted, with supporters arguing that if the legislature funds follow-up, the department should be required to do it. A second amendment creating an opt-in/opt-out consent process for reporting was rejected 41-10 after extensive debate over privacy, data collection, and whether consent would undermine disease surveillance. The House then adopted the House committee substitute for HB 1855 as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. The chamber next considered House Bills 2230 and 2978, a revised education measure aimed at reducing screen time in K-5 classrooms and encouraging handwriting and cursive instruction. The sponsor said the bill was based on research linking heavy screen use to poorer educational and behavioral outcomes, and supporters emphasized local control, parent access to screen-time policies, and the need to bring experts together through a state-level focus group. An amendment to exclude virtual school programs was adopted. The House then adopted the committee substitute for HB 2230 and 2978 as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House began debate on House Bill 2355, the Food Is Medicine Initiative. The sponsor said the bill would let Missouri use federal funds through 1115 waivers to pilot medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, nutrition counseling, and related interventions to improve health and lower Medicaid costs. Members generally supported the concept, citing food deserts and the benefits of better nutrition, but an amendment adding vitamin therapies and cleanup language prompted concern from one member about supplement quality and regulation; the transcript ends during that amendment discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:58.720><c> His</c><00:12:59.279><c> vision</c><00:12:59.519><c> and</c> His vision and leadership
• North Dakota does have a vision, a very clear vision for energy development.
• North Dakota does have a vision, a very North Dakota does have a vision, a very clear<06:06:00.320><c
• </c><06:06:03.040><c> We</c> clear vision for energy development.
• We clear vision for energy development.

Bills: HB4553 , HJR105 , HJR106 , HJR104 , HR539 , HR672

Keywords: energy, water development, appropriations, fiscal year 2026, flood control, infrastructure, Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota, resource management plan, congression disapproval, public lands policy, HJR106, H.J.Res. 106, Congressional Review Act, CRA, BLM, Central Yukon, Alaska, public lands, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• What if the trustees at the same time lived in the state of Iowa and had the language in Iowa that’s
• It would be taxable in Iowa if those decisions and those distributions were made outside of Iowa.
• It would be a nonresident trust in Iowa if two of those three were made in Iowa.
• </c> being um um put in place by Iowa being um um put in place by Iowa resident<01:02:34.599><c> also
• </c> here if they had your your bill in Iowa here if they had your your bill in Iowa that that that was

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to learning more about your vision today, about how we can work together to strengthen
• for his... passionate desire to make America healthy again and for nominating me to support that vision
• They have to see the vision that you have, and there's a fine line between vision and hallucination.
• Other people have to see it for it to be a vision.
• So there's first up the whole broader idea of what's the shared vision, where do we want to head.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: Michael Falkender, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, IRS, taxpayer privacy, nomination process, committee hearing

Summary: The committee convened to discuss critical issues surrounding the nomination of Michael Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. This meeting included a series of remarks from committee members who expressed divergent views on Falkender's qualifications and the implications of his appointment. Senator Wyden voiced strong opposition, arguing that Falkender represents harmful policies expected to be perpetuated under the current administration, especially concerning taxpayer privacy and IRS tactics. Meanwhile, other members defended Falkender, noting his extensive experience, including a commitment to transparency in government operations if confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We look forward to reviewing nominees based on their qualifications, experience, and vision for all Arizonans
• You had the governors of Alaska, Iowa...”
• “You had the governors of Alaska, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, and Wyoming all formally ask, at the advice

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations held a confirmation hearing for John Connolly, the current Adjutant General and Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). Connolly described his background in the Army, National Guard, and military law, and outlined DEMA’s dual mission of supporting the Arizona National Guard and emergency management. He emphasized readiness, modernization of aging aircraft and facilities, growth in capabilities such as drones and electronic warfare, partnerships to restore helicopter training at Silver Bell, and stewardship of resources. He also discussed DEMA’s border-related missions, including Task Force Safe at Nogales, counter-drug operations, and use of artificial intelligence to monitor drone activity and build a common operating picture for law enforcement. Committee members questioned Connolly about his interview and vetting process, his role in emergency management, disaster response in Gila County, support for rural counties and tribes, and services for Guard members and families through the Integrated Resilience Operations Center. Several members pressed him on military discipline, lawful orders, classified information, and the distinction between war and hostilities. Senator Rogers focused on chain of command, combat readiness, and whether Connolly’s JAG background prepared him to lead a combat-oriented force; Connolly responded that his role is to provide ready forces, follow civilian authority, and ensure troops have training, equipment, and family support. He also said he had experience advising commanders and teaching lawful versus unlawful orders. A major point of contention came when members questioned Connolly about the 2021 COVID-19 vaccination mandate for the Guard and whether he had treated it as unlawful or unconstitutional. Connolly said it was a lawful order at the time and that exemption processes existed under the regulations. The hearing also turned to immigration enforcement, emergency powers, and whether the Guard should support ICE; Connolly said the Guard is a support function and would respond to a direct request through the governor, but he could not identify a specific scenario in the abstract. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the committee appeared to continue its review after testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We look forward to reviewing nominees based on their qualifications, experience, and vision for all Arizonans
• You had the governors of Alaska, Iowa... ...you had the governors of Alaska, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• often been saying entrepreneurs in Austria are successful because of their resilience and long-term vision
• And in Virginia and Iowa, we know right now this has led to litigation.
• And in Virginia and Iowa, we know right now this has led to litigation.

Committee: House House International Trade Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began with a presentation from Berthold Barak Karlich of Benor Capital on investment and innovation from a European perspective. He argued that legacy in trade and innovation is about enabling future generations, not isolation, and highlighted Austria and Europe’s strengths in education, applied research, hidden-champion SMEs, and deep-tech. He also warned against economic nationalism and emphasized that entrepreneurship and cross-border trade create shared interests, peace, and long-term collaboration. In response to questions, he said Arizona had impressed him as a strong, international deep-tech hub, and he expressed interest in learning more about opportunities there. The committee then considered HB 2746, which creates a study committee on trade offices under the Arizona Commerce Authority to review existing trade offices, gather stakeholder input, and report recommendations by December 31, 2028. Members discussed oversight of Arizona’s trade offices in countries including Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Romania, and Germany, and the sponsor said the bill would help evaluate effectiveness while identifying new opportunities. The bill received a due pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote. HB 2750, which establishes the Arizona-Sonora Trade Commission with legislative appointees, also received a due pass recommendation after members discussed its role as a complement to executive-branch efforts; it passed 5-1 with one present. The committee next heard HB 4036, a bill restricting the sale and distribution of compounded GLP-1 weight-loss drugs made with certain bulk drug substances and authorizing inspections by the State Board of Pharmacy. Supporters, including Novo Nordisk and the Partnership for Safe Medicines, argued the bill would address unsafe imported ingredients, impurities, misleading advertising, and a surge in mass compounding that they said exceeds the intent of compounding law. Opponents from the Arizona Pharmacy Association, compounding pharmacists, and a physician argued the bill would burden lawful compounders, raise costs, reduce access, and could harm patients who rely on compounded medications. After extensive debate, the committee failed to pass HB 4036 on a 5-5 vote. Finally, the committee took up HB 2765, as amended by a strike-everything amendment creating a vapor product manufacturer licensing framework, fees, penalties, and Department of Revenue oversight. The sponsor said the measure was intended to address illegal smuggling of vape products and protect children, while opponents argued it would burden lawful businesses and that the real problem was illicit actors outside the regulated market. The transcript ends during the discussion of this bill, before a final vote is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got Iowa now to the North, got Illinois Cross River.
• I actually come from the beautiful town of Hannibal, Missouri, right on the Illinois, Missouri, Iowa
• The 12 states this compact would include are Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee
• The 12 states this compact would include are Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee
• The 12 states this compact would include are Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee

Committees: House Economic Development , House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sorry, I can keep talking about this, as you can see, because it's a big vision.
• is helpful because it gives us... ...keep talking about this, as you can see, because it's a big vision
• But within this, you know, Vision 2030 I think. ...goal is a system with no unfunded FTES because that
• But within this, Vision 2030 does have a goal to increase enrollments across the next five years.
• Meeting this vision requires a highly skilled workforce with expertise in nutrition compliance, food

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard updates on several higher education budget items, beginning with a pulled follow-up item on the State Library’s administration of the Imagination Library. The chair said the committee had received new documentation from the State Library and the Department of Finance late the prior evening, and staff would review it before deciding whether additional oversight or accountability measures are needed. The committee then turned to the California Community Colleges budget request, with Chancellor Christian outlining strong post-pandemic enrollment recovery, asking for 3% enrollment growth funding, changes to the three-year average formula, removal of the 10% growth cap, and support for several one-time and ongoing initiatives including the Common Cloud Data Platform, credit for prior learning, AI literacy, Rebuild L.A., veterans services, Calbright College, and the Chancellor’s Office. Senators raised concerns about district reserves, part-time faculty conditions, veterans’ credit pathways, and fraud prevention in enrollment systems; the chancellor said the system is using DMV and other identity verification tools, AI screening, and audits, and that reported final enrollment numbers are clean. The committee then reviewed the student-centered funding formula. The Department of Finance described the governor’s proposal to fully repay $408.4 million in deferrals, provide a 2.41% COLA, and add one-time funding to cover current-year apportionment costs, while the Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended prioritizing the proposals within available Proposition 98 funding. Community college finance staff said most districts are growing, many would benefit from current-year funding rules, and that without the proposed apportionment funding districts could face a deficit factor and reduced course access. Members asked about infrastructure prioritization, deferred maintenance, safety, accessibility, and campus police; staff explained that life safety projects are prioritized first, followed by modernization and growth-related facilities, and that colleges are built to high safety standards under the Field Act. Enrollment growth was discussed separately, with Finance and LAO supporting the governor’s 1.5% growth proposal split across two fiscal years, while noting that growth is being driven in part by dual enrollment, regional demographic shifts, and unemployment. The Chancellor’s Office said 54 of 72 districts grew year over year and that funding more growth could help districts move off hold harmless status, though some districts face long-term demographic challenges. The committee also heard from Calbright College President Agita Menon, who described Calbright’s role serving adult learners statewide, its completion and wage gains, and the governor’s proposed $38 million ongoing funding. The LAO recommended transitioning Calbright to the student-centered funding formula beginning in 2027-28, arguing that the current proposal lacks a clear funding rationale and performance linkage; Calbright responded that its competency-based, non-credit model is structurally different and should be funded separately, while agreeing to continued accountability reporting. Finally, the committee received an update on the Community College Higher Education Student Housing Program. Finance said the governor proposes about $11 million ongoing General Fund for debt service on approved student housing projects, and that 11 projects are in the financing pipeline, with two completed, three under construction, four in working drawings, and two in preliminary plans. Finance also noted that some projects have withdrawn and that about $81 million in bond authority remains unallocated, which the Legislature may need to address going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our vision statement captures it well: change the world's energy future, primarily nuclear energy, but
• Island plant now called the Crane Clean Energy Center in Pennsylvania, and the Duane Arnold plant in Iowa
• Their vision at that time was not to build, but to operate some of the advanced test reactors, bring

Summary: The meeting was an extended briefing from Idaho National Laboratory officials on the lab’s mission, its role in nuclear energy research, and the federal push to accelerate advanced reactor deployment. Speakers described INL’s size and capabilities, including test reactors, fuel and materials facilities, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure work, and partnerships with DOE, the NRC, the Department of Defense, and private companies. They emphasized that the lab is supporting both commercial nuclear development and national security work, while also training a large intern workforce. A major theme was the current federal effort to streamline nuclear regulation and speed up licensing and demonstration. The speakers said recent executive orders and DOE/NRC coordination are reducing redundant requirements, shortening environmental review timelines, and aiming for three new nuclear systems to reach criticality by July 4, 2026. They argued that regulatory uncertainty has been a major driver of nuclear cost and that the administration’s actions, along with DOE’s pilot and demonstration programs, are intended to rebuild the domestic supply chain and industrial base. The discussion also focused on advanced reactor types, including small modular reactors, microreactors, molten salt concepts, and liquid-metal designs. Officials said these technologies are being developed for data centers, military bases, remote communities, industrial heat, hydrogen production, and other nontraditional uses. They highlighted several projects and companies, including Oklo, Aalo, Radiant, X-energy, TerraPower, Kairos, and DOE’s MARVEL and Project Pele efforts, and said some reactors are expected to reach criticality or operation in the next few years. Questions from attendees covered safety, public health impacts, materials and heat management, waste or used fuel handling, costs, and whether nuclear could remain competitive against other energy sources; the speakers responded that advanced reactors are designed with passive safety features, that used fuel should be viewed as a resource, and that cost remains highly design- and supply-chain-dependent.

Transcript Highlights:

• They had talked to rangers up there, and this is their vision of what would happen.
• They had talked to rangers up there, and this is their vision of what would happen.
• He identified himself as a resident of Island Park, Iowa, and said he serves as the president of Friends

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So they scored very high, and $64 in Iowa.
• Our vision is for every North Dakotan to have access to the right service, whether it be preventative
• Our vision is for every North Dakotan to have access to the right service, whether it be preventative

Bills: HB1623

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1623, the appropriations bill tied to North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program, which is funded through a new federal rural health care grant. Senator Bekkedahl explained the bill’s background, the interim committee process that developed it, and the federal conditions attached to the award, including spending deadlines, administrative cost limits, and restrictions on uses such as new construction, supplanting existing funding, and certain other costs. Legislative staff then walked through the seven sections of the bill, including appropriation authority, transfer authority, contingent appropriations for pass-through grants, procurement and public improvement exemptions, recipient reporting, legislative reporting, and immediate effective date. Commissioner Traynor and HHS staff described how the department plans to implement the program, emphasizing that the funding is intended to improve rural access, workforce recruitment and retention, technology and data connectivity, and community health initiatives. They said the department will rely on local applications, technical assistance, templates, listening sessions, and partnerships with providers, schools, public health units, tribal entities, and other community groups. Members asked about reimbursement timing, upfront costs, administrative expenses, sustainability after the five-year grant period, and whether CTE centers, public health units, gyms, grocery stores, and other community partners could participate; the department said yes, within program rules and with a focus on measurable outcomes and sustainability. Several supporters testified in favor. Mental Health America of North Dakota and the Mental Health Advocacy Network supported the bill and urged investment in community-based mental health, crisis response, children’s services, peer support, and mobile crisis teams. HIA Health described the grant as a chance to expand home-based and hospice care, noting that rural providers already have workable models but need funding to scale them. A cybersecurity representative also supported the bill, warning that the large amount of health data and AI-related tools will require strong data protection and professional support. The hearing was closed with no opposition testimony, and the committee announced it would return later in the day for further work on the bill and other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is digital twins is computer vision is robotics.
• , of course, we have the technical courses into to AI robotics machine learning and Opie computer vision
• But we also want you to the apply courses thinking on that Iowa and certificate that every single student

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to have to become very aggressive in vision building, if you will, in order to Ahead and
• I was researching while you were talking; Utah, Iowa, Michigan, Maryland, they've all figured it out,
• And so my vision, I mean, in order for them to buy water rights, it's not a condemnation.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Revenue's vision is that everyone reports, pays, and receives the right amount. No more, no less.
• keep the dollars from the federal scholarship tax credit here in Minnesota, not let them leave to Iowa
• not let them credit here in Minnesota, not let them leave<01:31:00.960><c> to</c><01:31:01.280><c> Iowa
• c><01:31:01.840><c> Illinois,</c><01:31:02.480><c> South</c><01:31:02.719><c> Dakota,</c> leave to Iowa
• , Illinois, South Dakota, leave to Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota, or<01:31:03.280><c> other</c><01:31:

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• assessment, perform an observation of the child within the class, and you need to do a hearing and vision
• hearing and vision screening to rule<00:24:24.640><c> those</c><00:24:24.799><c> out</c><00:24:25.039
• There was a hearing in Washington called by Senator Harkin of Iowa, and they had the Surgeon General
• they</c><00:32:41.000><c> had</c><00:32:41.159><c> the</c><00:32:41.279><c> Surgeon</c> Harkin of Iowa
• and they had the Surgeon Harkin of Iowa and they had the Surgeon General<00:32:42.360><c> of</c><00:

Summary: The work session focused on special education, especially the differentiated aid component and special education aid, which members noted is still often called “catastrophic aid.” The chair said the committee was trying to better understand how special education costs are growing, how districts are delivering services through SAUs or internally, and how reimbursement formulas affect local costs. Members also discussed the need for better data before making decisions on several education funding bills, and Representative Brown was tasked with capturing questions for follow-up information from the department or elsewhere. Testimony from the state special education director, Becky Fad, centered on why student counts in various disability categories have shifted over time. She said the categories themselves have not changed much, but autism has increased because of greater understanding and identification, developmental delay has grown because it applies to children under age 10 who may not yet have a clear diagnosis, and some students previously classified under speech/language or other health impairment are now identified in more specific categories such as autism. She emphasized that the IEP is based on a child’s individual needs, so a change in category would not necessarily change services, though it may help educators support the student differently. Members asked about whether the shifts reflect better diagnostic capability, whether the department should gather more data on the reasons for the changes, and whether autism-spectrum data could be broken down further. Fad said the department does not currently have data on the causes of the shifts or on where students fall within the autism spectrum, but that collecting and analyzing such data is on its list of priorities and a new data manager had recently been hired. She also explained that each child is counted only once on the chart by primary disability, that the IEP or eligibility team determines the primary category based on evaluations, and that any child can be referred for special education by a parent, teacher, or doctor, after which the district must meet within 15 days to decide whether to evaluate. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And he went on to state, if Iowa can force every station in the state to sell E-15, why can't we make
• Quaker Oats use Iowa oats?
• And the reason why Quaker does not use Iowa oats is because Iowa can't grow the oats.
• Quaker does not use Iowa oats because Iowa can't grow the oats that Quaker uses.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this transition aligns perfectly with our vision for growth, for access, and for and for educational
• Cornel West, believes that this is a tragedy, that this is their vision for education.
• center who agree with this idea that jobs that education is merely jobs training is an impoverished vision
• I believe Iowa is the one that comes to mind. primarily based off of a report that they used that was

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• What did they say in Iowa?
• This is in Iowa.
• </c> they say in Iowa?
• In Iowa, they said they say in Iowa?
• In Wyoming, farmers shared with Iowa.

Bills: HR1048 , HR242 , HB1534

Keywords: House resolution, committee assignment, standing committee, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, committee membership, committee seniority, Mr. Menefee, Mr. Riley of New York, House organization, congressional procedure, internal rules, legislative administration, Energy Conservation, Energy Standards, Department of Energy, Higher Education Act, Foreign Contracts, rules resolution, House Rules Committee, Congressional Review Act