Transcript Highlights:

• And I gave you statistics on how often that is. It's too late to say, "Well, it's illegal.
• <02:15:55.599> that's the proposal and the program that's the proposal and the program that's
• allows for the child to have program allows for the child to have someone<02:16:24.239> in<02
• program? program?
• So providers who are part of the Title 10 program are required to offer confidential birth control.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• programs: sonography.
• low completion programs.
• But collapsing programs in like CIP codes, we've also identified new programs.
• programs are viable.
• , and then increasing our professional exchange program, or PSEP, program by $300,000.

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that some have prohibitions in their food programs.
• I think that some have prohibitions in their food programs.
• So this being kind of brought in the issue of being a public safety concern, the statistics do not bear
• Statistics indicate that when someone is the victim of strangulation, where they are rendered unconscious
• I represent the 14 licensed domestic violence programs in West Virginia that serve all 55 counties.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's only reflective of about 13 counties, and then, with the best statistical minds we could muster,
• calculation to take place and that the savings be redirected toward the counties for diversionary programs

Bills: HB4284, HB1250, HB4190, HB3086

Keywords: animal abuse, offender registry, public safety, animal welfare, criminal justice, Oklahoma legislation, local law enforcement, Public Safety Technology Revolving Fund, grants, state funding, law enforcement technology, cyber crime, fraud prevention, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, insurance fee, digital forensics, investigative support, revolving fund, prisons, corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• PREVIOUSLY SHE WORKED FOR THE OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.
• I BELIEVE THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE HAS STATISTICS ON THIS AND I THINK WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET THEM.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One such award program is the Outstanding Community Service Awards, started in 1999 by then President
• Over the last 25 years of this awards program, community partners from across the state of Minnesota
• One such award program is the Outstanding Community Service Awards, started in 1999 by then President
• Over the last 25 years of this awards program, community partners from across the state of Minnesota
• <00:26:45.120> um community engagement award program um community engagement award program

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Amber Cameron of the University of Minnesota’s Office for Public Engagement about the University’s Outstanding Community Service Awards and, specifically, the community partner award given to Communities United Against Police Brutality in 2021 and 2024. Cameron explained that the awards program recognizes faculty, staff, students, and community partners, that nominations are reviewed by University selection committees using criteria such as positive societal impact, innovation, extraordinary results, and overall impression, and that the committee evaluates only the application materials. She said the nomination for Communities United Against Police Brutality described a long-standing partnership with the University through student learning, including work through the Center for Community-Engaged Learning and a student white paper connected to the passage of Travis’s Law. Committee members raised concerns about the organization’s history, its public messaging, and whether it was appropriate for the University to honor it. One member argued that the group’s IRS records showed it was formally organized in 2020, questioned claims that it had existed for 25 years, and objected to the organization’s letterhead and activism. Cameron responded that the award does not require formal tax status and that the selection process relies on the nomination packet rather than outside information. She also said the award nomination documented work with 130 course offerings across 17 academic departments and about 1,000 students over 24 years. Cameron further said the award program was being phased out and retooled into a new internal Engaged Scholar Awards program focused on community-engaged scholarship rather than volunteer service. No vote or formal action was taken during the exchange, and the discussion ended with questions about the nomination materials and how the University defines the organization’s work with students and faculty.

Transcript Highlights:

• program program and<00:07:20.240> paid<00:07:20.720> 2<00:07:20.840> and<00:07:
• both root out fraud and put many program both root out fraud and put many program integrity<00:51
• throughout all these programs. throughout all these programs.
• <01:33:51.400> um large number of programs um large number of programs um and<01:33:52.760
• Um<01:45:37.400> a<01:45:37.480> program<01:45:37.880> evaluation, Um a program

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• program that is set to sunset. program that is set to sunset.
• So a range of programs, some of them long-standing programs, some of them newer creations, especially
• :50.800> of<00:46:50.880> them range of programs, some of them range of programs, some
• We'll be program assessment report.
• work with the rest of the programs. work with the rest of the programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And will you be working with our technical community college programs for creating some of these programs
• And some of that may go through this program, but certainly... Absolutely.
• and really a resoundingly popular program with the business community.
• It doesn't necessarily have to be through this program.
• It doesn't necessarily have to be through this program.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• : the Historical Texas Cemetery designation program.
• Senate Bill 586, relating to establishing the Historical Texas Cemetery designation program.
• Senate Bill 586, relating to establishing the Historical Texas Cemetery designation program.
• Senate Bill 217 creates the historical Texas-Freedmen Cemetery designation program.
• I move to suspend the regular order of business. program.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Jim Harris of Tilden Baptist Church, followed by remarks from Senator Zaffirini recognizing his service and retirement as an agricultural teacher. The chamber also received a message from the governor on appointments to the Coastal Water Authority Board of Directors. Senators then adopted SR 434 honoring Goodwill Industries of San Antonio’s 80th anniversary, with Senators Gutierrez, Menendez, and Zaffirini praising its workforce training and second-chance employment mission; SR 435 recognizing Dr. Christine Ramos Camacho as Doctor of the Day; and a group of additional resolutions adopted by voice vote. Senator Zaffirini also introduced the McMullen County Day delegation, and Senator Gutierrez introduced the Doctor of the Day. The Senate then took up and passed several bills. SB 1951 addressed penalties for late property rendition filings and removed a financial incentive for appraisal districts; SB 1261 related to financing water supply projects in the state water plan; SB 1620 created a Texas Forensic Analyst Apprenticeship Pilot Program; SB 530 updated higher-education accreditation rules; SB 2183 standardized fireworks sales periods statewide; SB 2368 strengthened the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act and added foreign-affiliation safeguards for electricity market participants; SB 1398 limited children without placement (CWOP) practices and added community-based care transparency; and SB 1960 established digital replication rights for voice and visual likenesses. Each of these bills advanced through suspension of the regular order, passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage, with recorded votes generally showing strong support and some opposition on a few measures. The chamber also debated SB 825, which would require an annual study of the economic, environmental, and financial impacts of illegal immigration. Senators Middleton, Hinojosa, Gutierrez, and Eckhardt debated whether the study should include positive as well as negative impacts; an amendment to require that broader analysis failed, and the bill was left pending after passage to engrossment. Other measures passed included SB 2010, prohibiting political subdivisions from operating guaranteed income programs; SB 546, requiring reporting and continued implementation of school bus seat belts; SB 586, establishing the Historical Texas Cemetery designation program; SB 1150, requiring inactive oil and gas wells to be plugged or returned to production under a compliance plan; SB 1184, lowering the minimum age of wine eligible for sale by wine collection sellers; SB 2185, clarifying bilingual education allotment funding; SB 1923, making child support follow the child in certain temporary placements; SB 2252, expanding early literacy and numeracy supports and screening tools; SB 1870, barring local decriminalization of drugs; and SB 2405, the major TDCJ sunset bill, which included facility planning, parole and rehabilitation reforms, and an amendment protecting parole board discretion. Most of these bills were adopted after floor amendments and passed with recorded votes, often along party-line or near-party-line divisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, Madam Secretary, I'm encouraged by the 100 and the statistics you had, but how far does
• Have we given it much thought and maybe given them a tax break when they're entering the program?
• I wanted to give you one more statistic as well.
• So we... ...love this program. We would love to see it extended to 14 years.
• We have a very active program.

Bills: SB36, SB88, SB92, SB97, SB48, SB55, SB58, SB76, SB93, SB89, SB60

Keywords: quantum technology, tax credit, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, foster care, income tax, guardianship, youth services, financial relief, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, tax credits

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:34.080> towards<00:19:34.400> a individual programs towards a individual programs
• system and not a single program. system and not a single program.
• <00:45:05.760> for Minnesota has a phenomenal program for Minnesota has a phenomenal program
• <00:47:05.359> very<00:47:05.599> fortunate programs that we were very fortunate programs
• And they improve assistant programs.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• had very, very good data, not only from around the state, but around the nation that showed what programs
• these changes back in 2015 is what we could show empirically, show it through data that having these programs
• sure about your exact area, but for the rest of the state and the rest of the nation, these kind of programs
• And from 2015 to 20 to 2025, if you look at the statistics that you're that you're requesting me, you'll
• The courts will say, hey, if you're in a GED program, we'll waive your community service because we know

Transcript Highlights:

• Hannah prepared a very in-depth and well-researched presentation that many of us saw, with the statistics
• c><00:15:12.040> saw<00:15:12.440> with<00:15:12.959> the<00:15:13.079> statistics
• that many of us saw with the statistics that many of us saw with the statistics on<00:15:15.079>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3489, an education bill establishing field trip supervision rules and creating the criminal offense of grooming, was debated on the House floor. Representative Bennett described the bill as a response to student sexual grooming, saying it would prohibit staff from being isolated alone with students except in limited circumstances, create a felony offense for child grooming, add grooming to mandatory reporting and educator discipline rules, require enhanced reporter training, and allow the Department of Education to look back further than three years in investigations. He also noted an ongoing fiscal cost of a little over $1.4 million, largely tied to additional investigative staff and anticipated prison-bed costs. Several members spoke in support, including Representatives Bakeberg, Jordan, Altendorf, Ryer, Knudson, and Mueller. They emphasized protecting children, strengthening field-trip safeguards, improving communication with licensing boards, and training educators to recognize grooming behavior. Multiple members thanked Hannah LaPresto and Detective Chad Clausen for their work and testimony, and several referenced Hannah’s survivor story as central to the bill’s development. Some members also stressed that the bill was not aimed at the teaching profession generally, but at bad actors who exploit trust and authority. The discussion repeatedly highlighted survivor testimony and the need to believe victims, with some members calling for broader prevention efforts such as education on consent and grooming. Representative Bennett and others said the bill was necessary because grooming is often hidden and can take years to disclose. After debate, the House took the roll, and the bill passed 133-0 with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I fear that they don't want to state that statistic in the United States in any state legislature.
• I fear that they don't want to state I fear that they don't want to state that<00:36:26.880> statistic
• the<00:36:27.840> United<00:36:28.240> States<00:36:28.800> in that statistic
• in the United States in that statistic in the United States in any<00:36:29.280> state<00:36:

Bills: SCR118, SCR173

Keywords: climate change, insurance affordability, working group, disaster recovery, fossil fuel companies, insurance stability, Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, ticket scalping, task force, consumer protection, event accessibility, local economy, 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection heard two resolutions. SCR 118 SD1 would urge the Insurance Division and the Attorney General to convene a working group on climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The Insurance Division deferred to written testimony, while the Attorney General opposed the measure because of an ongoing lawsuit, asking that references to legal recovery and the AG’s role in convening the group be removed. Members questioned how the resolution might relate to the state’s climate damages litigation and whether it could inform damages calculations. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including removing the Attorney General as co-convener and changing certain membership references to board chairs; the motion passed unanimously with one excused member. The committee also heard SCR 173 SD1, which would create a task force on event ticket scalping. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the concept but asked to be added as a task force member and said the draft left its role unclear. Supporters, including the National Independent Venue Association and D-BAT, described high resale prices, fraudulent or speculative tickets, and harm to consumers and local businesses. StubHub and the Ticket Policy Forum supported the task force but urged broader scope to include the primary ticket market and ticket sellers, and StubHub also sought inclusion on the task force. Members discussed whether the task force should focus on the secondary market or the broader ticketing ecosystem, and whether the Office of Consumer Protection should be part of the task force or only consulted. The vice chair recommended passage with amendments adding the Office of Consumer Protection as a member and clarifying the consultation language, and the committee adopted that recommendation unanimously with one excused member.

Transcript Highlights:

• Permit holders are statistically among the most law-abiding segments of our population.
• Permit<00:04:30.440> holders<00:04:30.880> are<00:04:31.040> statistically<00:04
• :31.760> among Permit holders are statistically among Permit holders are statistically among the

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3357, a bill to prohibit weapons on Minnesota State Capitol grounds, with exceptions for official protective personnel. The bill’s author and co-author argued it was needed to create a safer environment for legislators, staff, and the public in light of recent threats and violence, including the killing of Speaker Emerita Hortman and other threats directed at members. Supporters said the Capitol should be a place for discussion, not guns, and emphasized the emotional and safety concerns faced by lawmakers, especially women. Opposition testimony came from the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, which argued the bill would burden peaceable permit holders rather than violent criminals. Opponents said permit holders are highly vetted, commit crimes at very low rates, and should not be forced to choose between First and Second Amendment rights at the Capitol. Several Republican members echoed those concerns, saying the bill would create a confusing patchwork, fail to address threats outside the building, and infringe on lawful self-defense rights. One member also raised concerns about threats against legislators and questioned whether the bill’s assumptions about permit holders were supported by verifiable data. The discussion became contentious at points over procedure and interruptions, with the chair reminding members about decorum and allowing a roll call vote after repeated requests. The committee then voted 6-7, with one excused, against the motion to re-refer the bill to Public Safety. As a result, the motion did not prevail and House File 3357 was laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• they already report all those things, births, deaths, everything is already reported for those statistics
• those everything is already reported for those everything is already reported for those statistics
• 19:12.200> So,<00:19:12.520> it's<00:19:12.680> not<00:19:13.040> a statistics
• So, it's not a statistics.

Bills: HB128, SB297, HB128, SB297

Keywords: HB128, Alabama Board of Nursing, Sunset Law, sunset review, nursing board, nurse licensure, registered nurse, RN, licensed practical nurse, LPN, advanced practice nursing, certified registered nurse anesthetist, CRNA, consumer member, board appointments, congressional districts, geographic representation, nursing regulation, nursing education programs, licensure compact

Transcript Highlights:

• GROW program fund, and so the money from the big fund spends into the program fund.
• A program called the ZIP Program, Zero Interest Home Builder Program.
• Is that program still in place?
• So we have programs available.
• We do have a home rehab program.

Transcript Highlights:

• whenever we’re designing a new program or assessing a current program to make sure that it’s meeting
• And so we hue very those programs.
• <00:33:36.080> So all ADR programs in the branch. So all ADR programs in the branch.
• I'm using 2023 statistics now.
• similar to the way ADR programs are run. similar to the way ADR programs are run.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to continue its review of recommendations for New Hampshire’s family court, with the chair emphasizing a collaborative approach and noting that the group would focus on the origins of the family division, recurring problems identified in earlier reports, and comparisons with other states. Members discussed organizing testimony into three broad topics: the court hearing process and pro se litigant preparation, mediation/arbitration/counseling, and the interaction of domestic violence issues with family court and related criminal proceedings. The chair also noted that the subcommittee would not meet again for two weeks and encouraged members to review materials from Judge Michael Mace and NCSL research on other states’ family court systems. Attorney Heather Culp, senior administrator for the judicial branch’s circuit court, testified about New Hampshire’s ADR programs. She explained that the Office of Mediation and Arbitration, created by statute in 2007, oversees more than 12 statewide ADR programs across the Supreme, Superior, and Circuit Courts, including family division programs such as divorce-parenting mediation, neutral case evaluation, guardianship, termination of parental rights, and voluntary adoption mediation. She said the divorce-parenting mediation program is the largest family division ADR program, with about 3,400 mediation sessions in 2023 out of roughly 6,700 cases, and that most cases involving minor children are referred to mediation soon after the first appearance session. Culp described the family division process as beginning with a first appearance session led by a case manager, who provides information, helps with paperwork, and schedules mediation, usually within 30 to 45 days. She said mediation is strongly encouraged in parenting and divorce cases, but there is no requirement to reach agreement, and parties may settle some issues while leaving others for court. She also explained that mediation is prohibited or limited in certain domestic violence cases: cases with active civil protection orders may proceed only with both parties’ consent and possible safeguards, while cases involving criminal protective orders are not sent to mediation. Mediators in court-referred family cases are contracted with the court and must be certified by the executive branch’s mediator certification board; mediators do not communicate with judges, except through a brief ADR report noting whether the case settled or what the next procedural step is. Members asked about referrals, timing, and the meaning of “neutrals,” and Culp said the court uses in-house contracted neutrals for family division ADR and does not refer divorce-parenting cases to outside providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, because let me give you, I just searched the statistics.
• The last of my bills before you today is an act establishing a senior property tax deferral program,
• Municipalities should do more to identify seniors who may be eligible for these programs.
• this program.
• The tax work-off program also denies assistance for those who really need it most.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on bills related to senior and disability property tax relief, with a focus on helping older adults and people with disabilities remain in their homes. Testimony supported H. 3968, which would make certain senior and disability property tax exemptions permanent so eligible residents would not have to refile annually, and H. 3198, which would expand the senior circuit breaker tax credit by indexing income and credit limits to cost of living and raising the home valuation cap from $1.1 million to $1.5 million. Representative Scanlan also testified in favor of several additional bills, including a local option motor vehicle excise tax exemption for low-income seniors and veterans, a local property tax cap for low-income seniors, an expanded senior property tax exemption, and a senior property tax deferral program designed to be revenue neutral over time. Witnesses from the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, and the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers generally supported local-option property tax relief measures and said they would help seniors age in place while giving municipalities flexibility. Committee members raised concerns about possible abuse or fraud if exemptions became permanent, and about how assessors would verify continued eligibility without annual reapplication. Supporters responded that eligibility could still be tied to real estate transactions and other documentation, and that the current annual filing requirement causes many eligible seniors to miss out on benefits. Mass Senior Action Council members testified that many seniors are struggling with rising property taxes, insurance, and other costs, and urged broader reforms such as freezing assessed values, improving outreach, strengthening the work-off program, and allowing more flexible payment or deferral options. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and questions.