Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, hearing none, we'll move on to decision making.
• /c> driven uh the decisions that we make up driven uh the decisions that we make up here<00:38:15.079
• We'll go into decision making.
• making making our<00:59:02.240> decision<00:59:02.599> making<00:59:02.920> separately
• <00:59:03.480> so<00:59:03.720> this our decision making separately so this our decision

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard several agriculture and food-system bills. SB 1562 would create a Combined Housing Operational Agricultural Mobilization Program to help bona fide farmers live and farm on agricultural lands and provide a tax credit for donated land. Testimony generally supported the goal of housing for farmers and farm workers, but raised concerns about placing the program within the Department of Agriculture, possible constitutional and drafting issues, land-quality standards, lease structure, and whether another agency might be better suited. The committees recommended passing SB 1562 with amendments, including clarifying DOA authority to acquire agricultural lands and establishing an advisory committee within the department; the recommendation was adopted. The committees also heard SB 1171 on providing monofilament netting through hardware stores to help slow coconut rhinoceros beetle spread, SB 1186 on creating a statewide interagency food systems coordination team and working group, SB 1250 on a Farm to Families program, SB 1303 on agricultural loans, SB 1395 on a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund, SB 504 on a local agricultural transportation cost reimbursement program, SB 1185 on reviewing and repealing obsolete agricultural laws, and SB 187 on funding permanent agricultural biosecurity positions. Most testimony on these measures was in support, with some suggested refinements: for SB 1186, a youth advisory seat and clearer performance benchmarks; for SB 1250, broader eligibility for food pantries, cold storage, and staffing support; for SB 1303, support for lower interest rates and expanded loan tools; for SB 1395, debate over the fund’s structure and revenue source; for SB 504, clearer eligibility for small and beginning farmers, cooperatives, and food hubs; and for SB 1185, interest in joining the working group but concern about overbroad deregulation. No roll-call votes were taken on the other measures in the excerpt, but the chair reported testimony counts on some bills, including 89 in support and none opposed for SB 1250, 13 in support and one opposed for SB 504, and 14 in support with one comment for SB 1395. SB 1303 and SB 187 also drew supportive testimony from the Department of Agriculture, farm groups, food banks, and industry organizations, with SB 187 emphasizing the need to make Act 231 biosecurity positions permanent and fully funded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I make my home out in Parks, Arizona, with my wife, my son, my daughter, our dogs, and we live there
• good decisions.
• I mean, you've got to have the data, which has got to be then supported by the decision-making process
• decisions wherever they might be in the state.
• Now, as an employee, there's a little bit different relationship as to who makes decisions regarding

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, seeing none, we will defer decision-making on this measure until the end of the agenda since we
• We're convening this joint committee hearing agenda for decision-making between the Committees on Commerce
• CPN agenda in Conference Room 229 to make decisions on the following resolutions submitted for consideration
• I think this goes ready to go, so we'll make it effective September 1, 2026.
• And just a reminder, we have a decision-making joint agenda in Ways and Means at 10:30.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard House Bill 1481, which would require cemeteries, crematories, funeral establishments, HSI facilities, and mortuaries to dispose of human remains within 60 days after a burial transit permit or related affidavit is issued. The Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association and several funeral-related entities supported the bill, and the association said it had already implemented consistent cremation authorization language regarding notice and consent for recycling metal implants, effective January 1. The committee later recommended HB 1481 be passed with a defective effective date of July 1, 2050; the vice chair voted with reservations, saying the prior version with Department of Health rulemaking was stronger consumer protection. The committee also considered several resolutions. SCR 96 and SR 91, on a status update for implementation of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, were recommended for passage with amendments adopting the PUC’s requested changes. SCR 172 and SR 163, seeking a comprehensive analysis of ways to reduce costs and financial risks while meeting state goals, drew support from the PUC and Energy Office with comments, and the committee recommended passage with amendments removing a disputed whereas clause. SCR 109 and SR 102, on studying expanded mail-order pharmacy use, drew mixed testimony: the Insurance Division and HMSA supported a study, while the Hawaii Pharmacist Association and others raised concerns about patient outcomes, rural access, and community pharmacy sustainability; the committee amended the resolutions to require broader agency cooperation and evaluation of community pharmacy impacts, then recommended passage. In additional decision-making, the committee deferred SCR 193 and SR 1802 on trust transparency due to no testimony. It recommended passage with amendments on several bills, including HB 1782 after clarifying terminology with the Attorney General’s Office, HB 1514 on workers’ compensation, HB 1619 on electric vehicle infrastructure, HB 1643 on pharmacy, HB 1721 on housing, HB 1864 on insurance, HB 1946 on timeshare registration, and HB 2475 on labeling requirements. HB 350 on energy was deferred for more work. The committee also reconsidered HB 2101 on commercial aquarium collection and recommended passage as amended after hearing from supporters and noting concerns about enforcement and statewide consistency.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oftentimes, of course, those companies, as we work with them, are making that decision not first and
• Oftentimes, of course, those companies as we work with them, they're making that decision not first and
• And so the supply chain has become an integral part of the strategic decisions we're making with our
• decisions.
• And so it's a moral decision that they have to make.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a teacher, I want to trust that the very people who are making critical decisions have some hours
• > some are making critical decisions have some are making critical decisions have some hours<00
• What if you saw an ethnic studies course and how it's taught before making a decision?
• <00:21:19.760> making<00:21:20.760> in the planning and the decision making in the
• decisions that and moving toward making decisions as<00:36:20.400> close<00:36:20.680> to<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It makes sense for a lot of different cities, and for others, it doesn't make as much sense for them.
• it is both a funding decision.
• I also want to ensure there's good discussion and decisions around making that to not limit access to
• This amendment just changes, instead of just making one phone call, you make two phone calls, and then
• Stahlberger, that actually makes a lot of sense.

Transcript Highlights:

• My concern is that you could have an individual... ...that's having bad behavior, making bad decisions
• And so I think what that decision did was make a ruling on that particular set of facts.
• But before a judge could suppress inculpatory evidence, the judge would have to make a final decision
• Eviscerate the judge's ability to make discretionary decisions about how to use it.
• So this tool recognizes that we can make better decisions with better information.

Bills: HB867, HB1347, HB1801, HB1820, HB2197, HB2617, HB3110, HB3166, HB3330, HB4237, HB4342, HB4629, HB4933, HJR148

Keywords: criminal case dismissal, attorney discretion, law enforcement misconduct, judicial approval, evidence, judicial consent, transparency, healthcare, Medicare, insurance, elderly, retired, benefits, access, cost, criminal justice, case dismissal, prosecutorial discretion, law enforcement oversight, criminal procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1825 keeps decision-making close to the voter.
• Younger voters are making decisions about jobs and about where they want to work solely around their
• decisions about jobs about where they want to work solo. younger voters are making decisions about jobs
• decisions.
• I move. in the democratic body that makes decisions.

Bills: SB1246, SB1338, SB1428, SB1443, SB1501, SB1566, SB1571, SB1645, SB1646, SB1663, SB1688, SB1805, SB1808, SB1825, SCR1023, SCR1029, HB2079, HB2080, HB2130, HB2239, HB2324, HB2375, HB2610, HB2619, HB2620, HB2716, HB2745, HB2749, HB2837, HB2857, HB2968, HB4064, HB4066, HB4087, HB4130, HCR2048, HCR2058

Keywords: homeowners associations, foreclosure, common expense liens, condominiums, special assessments, unit owner, public benefits, eligibility, immigration status, documentation, Arizona law, county governance, supervisorial board, population-based representation, local government, elections, noise pollution, environmental nuisances, building permits, urban development

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1825, which would shift precinct committeeman vacancy applications in certain cases from county party chairs to legislative district chairs and require the list of nominees to be submitted within five days. Supporters said the bill would streamline a bottlenecked process and better reflect local party leadership, while the County Supervisors Association said it had no issue with the basic structure but objected to the five-day deadline. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 5-0 vote, with two members not voting. The committee then considered SB 1566, a measure aimed at preventing municipalities, counties, the state, and state agencies from maliciously delaying permits or approvals, with enforcement by the Attorney General and civil penalties. After a strike-everything amendment narrowed the bill mainly to single-family residential construction and clarified terms, the sponsor and home builders argued it would deter intentional delays that increase housing costs, while one member raised concerns about breadth and public safety or planning issues. The amended bill passed 3-2, with two not voting. SB 1571, as amended, would bar monopoly utilities with a defined customer base from passing marketing, sponsorship, community relations, and similar costs through to ratepayers, and would require annual public reporting and an attestation that such costs were not passed on. Support came from the sponsor, the Home Builders Association, and environmental advocates, while a municipal power users representative warned the language could be too broad for small public utilities and emergency communications. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and then gave the bill a do pass as amended recommendation by a 4-2 vote, with one not voting. Later, the committee approved SB 1501, which expands the Administrative Rules Oversight Committee’s review authority to include whether agency rules or policies exceed statutory authority, and SB 1805, which requires county recorders to verify that a notary on a quitclaim deed is actively commissioned before recording the deed. It also passed SB 1808, as amended, to prohibit HOAs and condominium associations from banning flags of nations designated as major non-NATO allies, and SB 1688, as amended, to require certain membership associations receiving public dues support to disclose fees and allow opt-outs. SB 1246, as amended, increased the delinquency thresholds and time periods before HOA/condo foreclosure on common expense liens, and passed unanimously. Finally, SB 1428 was introduced to expand county boards of supervisors in larger counties, with debate focused on representation, cost, and the differing constitutional roles of counties and cities; the transcript cuts off before any final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've seen countless people have the same story: consumers that would have to make a tough decision on
• I think that I have to make and we all have to make as, uh, legislators.
• I think that I have to make and we all have to make as, uh, legislators.
• I think that I have to into the decision I think that I have to make<02:04:15.040> and<02:04:
• <02:04:15.920> as<02:04:16.480> uh make and we all have to make as uh make and we all

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think we can make that work.
• Who's at the table on making these decisions? And maybe this is better for the governor's office.
• But when it came down to the decisions to actually be made, But when it came down to the decisions to
• I like to really know what we're looking at so that we're making the best decision for the state of New
• I like to really know what we're looking at so that we're making the best decision for the state of New

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sure that we have enough out there to make sure that we can make an informed decision.
• sure that we have enough out there to make sure that we can make an informed decision.
• that provides the rule of decision. that provides the rule of decision.
• to make them parole-ineligible. to make them parole-ineligible.
• >> I'd make that motion. >> I'd make that motion.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Campuses suggest multi-year evaluation cycles as opposed to just making a decision on a single year's
• If we don't figure it out, these institutions are going to have to make decisions that are not just detrimental
• Institutions, why is the right policy decision to make the FTE the same, or close to the same?
• And the legislature can make those decisions on which ones those are and put more dollar value to the
• And the legislature can make those decisions on which ones those are and put more dollar value to the

Summary: The Higher Ed Funding Committee met to review how North Dakota might identify and address low-producing academic programs and to discuss draft funding formulas for the university system. Lisa Johnson of the NDUS explained that the State Board of Higher Education is already developing a system-wide policy, using models from other states such as Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, and Connecticut. She described how low-producing programs are typically flagged by multi-year enrollment or completion thresholds, then reviewed for workforce demand, mission fit, cost, accreditation, and regional need before any action is taken. Committee members asked about what counts as a program, how costs are analyzed, whether certificates are included, how exemptions work for mission-critical or high-demand fields, and whether the board or legislature should set the rules. Johnson said the board is the appropriate body to lead the process, but legislators could use funding leverage if they wanted to encourage action; the chair asked the board to bring a detailed proposal to the June meeting. The committee then heard a Legislative Council presentation on a draft formula for UND and NDSU. The proposal uses fall census FTE enrollment, with a placeholder undergraduate rate of $7,000 per FTE and a graduate/professional rate of $10,500, plus incentives for completions in in-demand fields and research productivity. Alex from Legislative Council walked through the projected funding effects, noting that the model would increase funding for NDSU and reduce it for UND in the current biennium, with different results in the next biennium as enrollment changes are recognized. Members questioned the use of the placeholder rates, the definition of in-demand programs, the treatment of research funding, and the exclusion of state-appropriated dollars from the external grants calculation. The chair emphasized that the numbers were illustrative and that appropriators would set the actual dollar amounts later. A second draft formula for the other nine institutions was also reviewed. That model uses fall census FTE without a weighted economic factor, applies a higher undergraduate rate, and adds completion incentives for in-demand credentials and all other completions. Members noted that the formula would benefit some institutions, such as Bismarck State College, while reducing funding for others, such as Mayville State, and discussed whether the nine institutions should be treated more uniformly or split into smaller groups because of their different missions and sizes. Committee members and staff repeatedly stressed that the formulas are still being refined and that some institutions would likely need hold-harmless adjustments or other transition measures. The meeting ended with the chair directing the committee to continue the discussion later and to expect further work on both the low-producing program policy and the funding formulas.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think Uh make sure you have anything.
• seemed more reasonable to me to make seemed more reasonable to me to make that<00:08:04.720>
• So I want to make their perspective.
• I think that we would make looked at.
• <00:43:45.599> That's decision to separate. Right. That's decision to separate. Right.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it keeps that in the forefront for them to make that decision.
• I think it keeps that in the forefront for them to make that decision.
• the DRRA to make that tax rate decision. the DRRA to make that tax rate decision.
• , I don't know that the decisions that they're making are diverse enough.
• , I don't know that the decisions that they're making are diverse enough.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so the, the, um, uh, they are, um, attempting to make efficient and effective decisions for the education
• But one of, one of the things that just to make, make sure you're aware of the broader demographic environment
• Yeah, that, that's a big, big adjustment to make.
• Yeah, you're talking about the sort of expenditure decisions, yeah, the expenditure decisions that are
• We see, we see districts making a, a mix of decisions, but there's definitely some cost associated with

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll make this quick.
• I shouldn't say gaming the system if you're making financial decisions. ...decisions.
• Madam Chair, Senator Cedillo-Lopez, I can't imagine most people make their decisions based off of that
• Because you're right, people don't make the decision based on pension, but after they've already done
• That's what I wanted to make sure everyone understood: that these are decisions we make as legislators

Transcript Highlights:

• May they trust in you fully, seeking your guidance in every decision they make.
• The amendment empowers cities and counties to make fluoridation decisions based on the community's needs
• Let's study to see if this is the right decision we're making.
• I know we're going to make that decision when we vote on this bill, but we could always come back and
• This will make people safer.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and gallery introductions, and several recognitions, including USF Day at the Capitol and visitors from Miami Gardens, Teach For America Florida, and Pathways to Prosperity. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and considered a series of bills, with several measures temporarily postponed and others passed after debate and roll call votes. The Senate unanimously passed several Open Government Sunset Review bills, including SB 7010 and SB 7008, which preserve public records exemptions related to insolvent insurance company receiverships and financial technology sandbox applications. It also passed SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, SB 28 and SB 22 as claims bills involving South Broward Hospital District, SB 8 for relief related to a Pasco County School Board accident, SB 1718 preserving a public records exemption for minors seeking abortions without parental consent, and SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements. SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands also passed, but with two amendments and some opposition. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which included technical updates, restrictions on certain additives in public water systems, limits on ESG practices in farm lending, drone-related penalties, truth-in-labeling provisions for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, charity registration requirements, agricultural worker housing, and support for FFA and 4-H. The most contentious debate centered on fluoride provisions in the bill: multiple amendments by Senators Berman and Polsky to remove the fluoride language, require targeted fluoride assistance, or order an OPAGA study were all defeated, while a technical amendment by Senator Truenow was adopted. The bill remained on the calendar for third reading after extensive debate and questioning. At the end of the session, the Senate adopted motions to certify passed bills to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and return CS for SB 7016 to second reading, then adjourned until April 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• decisions that are best for their local citizens. cannot be trusted to make decisions that cannot be
• trusted to make decisions that affect<00:45:48.079> them<00:45:48.240> and<00:45:48.560
• <00:45:59.839> for<00:46:00.160> their make decisions that are best for their make
• c> to<00:53:59.440> be decisions and planning decisions to be decisions and planning decisions
• decisions being made at a local level. decisions being made at a local level.

Bills: SF0059, SF0053

Keywords: language proficiency, literacy education, reading interventions, dyslexia support, Montessori methods, individualized reading plans, amateur status, high school athletics, student eligibility, sports regulation, monetary compensation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Make decisions, regardless of what, I mean, even if they're really bad, that you don't put them to death
• I could not rationally make a decision because...
• That's unhealthy, it's not good for them, and it's not a good lifestyle decision for them, and I make
• And one of your answers earlier struck me as you said that the jury still gets to make the decision.
• Everyone knows the case at that point and can make a decision on property.

Bills: HB 1194, HB 1221, HB1738, HB1913, HB2177, HB2178, HB2180, HB2229, HB2282, HB2448, HB2492, HB2777, HB2984, HB3357, HB3553, HB3602

Keywords: emergency protection order, protective order, magistrate, criminal procedure, victim safety, family violence, domestic violence, stalking, assault, magistrate's order, temporary protection, court order duration, defendant restrictions, Article 17.292, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, emergency restraining order, victim protection, firearm restriction, pretrial intervention, reimbursement fee

Transcript Highlights:

• Local towns and local boards should be able to make those decisions for themselves, make them through
• them further away from the decisions of power, but I think we're... ...volunteer board actually makes
• the decisions that make their safety a reality.
• They're a Western nation that uses Western scientific knowledge to make decisions.
• This is about restoring balance and respect in the principle of informed local decision-making.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of public health and emergency services bills, with many speakers focusing on EMS system failures, hospital service closures, trauma preparedness, epilepsy awareness, drink-spiking response, sudden cardiac arrest, and survivor financial assistance. Several legislators and advocates described the EMS system as underfunded and overstretched, citing long ambulance waits, staffing shortages, and the need for statewide oversight, a special commission, and clearer recognition of EMS as an essential service. A number of speakers also supported bills to preserve essential hospital services after closures such as Nashoba Valley Medical Center and birthing services in Leominster, arguing that current closure rules lack enforcement and leave communities without critical care. Multiple panels testified in support of bills requiring trauma kits in public buildings, public education on SUDEP and epilepsy mortality, and improved cardiac arrest response. Supporters of the trauma-kit bill said public buildings should have bleeding-control kits and trained staff, comparing them to AEDs and first aid supplies. Epilepsy advocates, clinicians, and grieving parents urged a public health campaign on SUDEP, saying families are often not warned about the risk and that awareness could improve medication adherence, reduce guilt, and save lives. On cardiac arrest, EMS professionals and the American Heart Association backed measures to improve telecommunicator CPR, create an AED registry, and strengthen dispatch and training standards. The committee also heard extensive testimony on a bill addressing illicit drink spiking. Senators, city officials, victims, physicians, and an international anti-spiking advocate described cases in which hospitals refused toxicology testing unless a sexual assault was reported, and argued for standardized testing protocols, better data collection, and coordination with law enforcement and licensed venues. Another bill drew a sharp exchange over local public health control and the SAFE 2.0 law, with one senator arguing for more local approval and voluntary participation, while committee members defended the earlier law as a response to inequities in local public health capacity. Finally, advocates from Jane Doe, Inc. supported legislation to provide flexible financial assistance to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, saying unrestricted cash helps survivors meet basic needs, escape abuse, and rebuild stability.