Video & Transcript Research : 'technical changes'
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HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Fri Jan 30, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:26:20.400>
crops your mind would uh like changing crops your mind would uh like changing - Let's change.
- Let's change. You know, you production. Let's change.
- technical amendments.
- <01:35:00.639>
the house draft one and then change the house draft one and then change the
Keywords:
biosecurity, invasive species, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Department of Land and Natural Resources, appropriation, agriculture, land use, farm dwelling, renewable energy, income qualification, solar energy, geothermal resources, hydropower, agricultural tourism, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, land leases, Hawaii
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection (3-26-26)
Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- Um I am happy I was able to work with the League of Cities to get some language changed.
- Happy to work with Senator Higdon and Senator Reed on making any additional changes so that the body
- Um I am happy I was able to work with the League of Cities to get some language changed.
- <00:20:38.840>
My Cities to get some language changed. - My Cities to get some language changed.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session, Day 1 (1-6-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Rule 39, the change of the appointment of committees.
- We're making a technical change to remove the reference to General Assembly citations and replace it
- We're making a technical citations.
- We're making a technical change<00:11:42.720>
to <00:11:43.040>remove <00:11:43.360> - the<00:11:43.600>
reference <00:11:43.920>to change to remove the reference to change
Summary:
The Kentucky Senate convened for the opening of the 2026 regular session with an invocation and pledge, then administered the oath of office to Senator-elect Gary Clemens of Jefferson 37. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 1, establishing the 2026 Senate membership, and declared a quorum present with 36 members. The absent senators were excused, and the journal from March 28, 2025 was approved.
The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 2, which set the rules of procedure for the 2026 session. The rule changes included moving certain resolutions and announcements, removing the 12-member limit on standing committees, shifting administrative regulation jurisdiction, eliminating hard-copy posting and bill-printing requirements in favor of electronic versions, allowing same-day action on conference reports, striking COVID-era remote voting language, tightening floor privilege and lobbying access rules for the temporary chambers, and repealing vote-pairing language. Democratic leadership also reported a change in majority whip, naming the senator from Jefferson 19 after the former whip resigned.
The clerk reported a large number of newly filed measures, including memorial resolutions, policy resolutions, and bills on topics such as safe room rebates, trauma center coverage, planning commission membership, paid maternity leave for state employees, veterans benefits, wages, CASA, podiatry, mushrooms, motor vehicle operation, schools, city government, music therapy, dual credit scholarships, geoengineering, educational discrimination, cremation, solid waste, motor vehicle commission, economic infrastructure, recovery residences, property transfer at death, oaths, and an Article V convention term-limits resolution. Senate Resolution 3, inviting Frankfurt-area pastors to open sessions with prayer, was adopted. Members also announced an ethics training for the next day and a reception for Senator Clemens. The Senate then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting date announced by the chair.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector and Senate Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector Aug 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It's more challenging at times when there is chaos and change coming suddenly.
- Chang, would you like to go next? Great.
- But AB 590 changes this.
- This isn't just a small change. It's a game changer.
- So what we, I think, need to change is a narrative that that's something that's on the table.
Summary:
The joint Senate and Assembly select committee hearing focused on the challenges facing California nonprofits in 2025 and possible state responses. Opening remarks emphasized the sector’s size and importance, the impact of federal funding disruptions and tax policy changes, and the need for stronger public-private partnerships, especially in disaster response and recovery. Witnesses from community foundations, food banks, Cal OES, long-term recovery groups, CalNonprofits, and nonprofit finance organizations described funding uncertainty, delayed reimbursements, reduced indirect cost coverage, staffing strain, and the effects of climate disasters and immigration-related fear on service delivery.
Testimony highlighted several policy ideas, including advance payments for state grants and contracts, prompt payment standards, sustainable indirect cost rates, contract flexibility in emergencies, streamlined registration and reporting, and a possible new Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to serve as a central point of contact and coordination within state government. Speakers also described how nonprofits and VOAD networks support wildfire response and long-term recovery, but noted that recovery groups often lack stable operating funding even when they are recognized as best practice. A food bank leader described federal food aid cuts and disruptions to deliveries, while other witnesses stressed that nonprofits are increasingly forced to use reserves, loans, or service reductions to manage cash flow gaps.
Committee members generally expressed support for the sector and asked how the state could better partner with nonprofits during both disasters and budget crises. Several members raised the possibility of incremental steps if full legislative changes are not immediately feasible, and witnesses suggested pilots, better sharing of best practices, and stronger state leadership on payment timelines. Public commenters echoed the need for better contracting practices, support for community-based organizations, and attention to nonprofit worker compensation and protections. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the hearing, which concluded with adjournment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Jun 18th, 2025
Communications and Conveyance
Transcript Highlights:
- In the years since, these services have continued to grow. and evolve in a changing legal, regulatory
- As a member who strongly believes in the imperative of addressing climate change, I know that personal
- be changed via rulemaking, should you see a need?
- I don't necessarily refer to it as a technical issue or a challenge. This is simply a lot of data.
- But the technical challenge has largely been overcome, and I don't worry about that so much anymore as
NV
Transcript Highlights:
- Maybe yes, changes, but that happens. So is there any prioritizing?
- Then it's been changed. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. All right.
- She is not asking for a change in policy and funding.
- I so move to amend and do pass as amended with those two correction changes.
- We do have fiscal staff has a small technical amendment to present.
Bills:
AB49, AB93, AB108, AB169, AB188, AB212, AB221, AB224, AB251, AB282, AB284, AB296, AB304, AB331, AB356, AB366, AB375, AB409, AB467, AB475, AB476, AB479, AB494, AB514, AB515, AB533, AB542, AB550, AB558, AB567, AB568, AB571, AB581, AB583, AB584, AB585, AB595, AB596, AB597, SB170, SB427, SB460, SB508
Keywords:
educational personnel, teacher licensing, reciprocal licensure, provisional teaching, school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, state education standards, public employees, police officers, benefits, appropriation, law enforcement, outdoor education, recreation, grant program, environment, funding, health insurance, speech-language pathology
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/27/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- operational um changes that um Miss operational um changes that um Miss James<00:17:20.679>
recommended - every stage of this gas technical every stage of this gas technical advisory<00:34:59.280>
committee - <01:10:54.400>
advisory through the gas technical advisory through the gas technical advisory - <01:19:05.880>
assistance discharge providing technical assistance discharge providing technical - So the amendment has four notable changes on there.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- I did mention to him the change.
- because you made that slight change in the language.
- It changes one word from may to shall.
- This is really a very technical bill.
- These changes aren't just a wish list.
Bills:
SB1004, SB1012, SB1100, SB1110, SB1170, SB1213, SB1317, SB1402, SB1413, SB1416, SB1476, SB1511, SB1573, SB1655, SB1656, SB1709, SB1720, SB1723, SB1725, SCR1040
Keywords:
sex offender registration, sex offender registry, A.R.S. 13-3821, sexual offenses, public safety, GPS monitoring, electronic monitoring, transient offender, homeless registrant, online identifiers, internet identifiers, sheriff notification, Department of Public Safety, DPS, DNA collection, juvenile adjudication, kidnapping of a minor, unlawful imprisonment of a minor, lifetime registration, community notification
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- That salinity changes. Some of it relates to potential species impact at time of the year.
- One of our budget change proposals is for an additional $5 million.
- For example, as climate has changed, fish have become susceptible to new dynamics.
- And so the human element, for all the technical, important, critical technical work that goes on in funding
- SAFER is one of our critical resources to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items.
Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting.
In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not actually technically any better.
- It's not actually technically any better.
- All right, explanation: technical. ...be adopted.
- All right, explanation: technical change to improve the bill's effectiveness.
- I'm sorry that I cannot change the short title.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We must always remain aware and watchful of how our skin changes.
- The city and county are working on a plan to address the change.
- This month is a reminder: we can change that. This month is a reminder that we can change that.
- We must change that.
- Bauer-Kahan vote change, Abbey-Vee-Han vote change, AB-13, Okay, Bauer-Kahan, vote change, AB 1390 from
Summary:
The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then moved through guest introductions, including students and fellows from California Lutheran University, UC Merced’s CAPE program, the Maddy Institute, and Madera High School’s Madtown Robotics Team 1323, which was recognized for multiple robotics world championships. The chamber also adopted an adjournment in memory and took up the daily file.
Several bills and resolutions were considered and passed, including AB 1390 on school board compensation thresholds, AB 1338 on air district cost recovery for fence-line air monitoring, AB 648 on community college housing, AB 1207 on cap-and-trade price ceilings, ACR 66 recognizing Skin Cancer Awareness Month, AB 49 on keeping ICE out of public schools, AB 317 on a CEQA exemption for certain single-family homes, AB 527 on geothermal exploratory wells, AB 665 on the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation ombudsman report, AB 940 creating quantum innovation zones, AB 1021 on workforce housing for education agencies, AB 1112 on property tax apportionment in Rancho Mirage, AB 1318 on nonprofit eligibility for public funding, and AB 1470 on using student housing loan funds for affordable housing in downtowns and commercial districts. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 49 and AB 1318 were urgency bills and passed with the required higher vote threshold.
The floor also adopted H.R. 40, declaring May 25 as Rosenda’s Day to honor a teen killed by a drunk driver, and H.R. 42, recognizing May as Behavioral Health Awareness Month. Both drew extensive personal testimony from members about mental health, suicide, substance use, and the need to reduce stigma and expand access to care. Additional health-related bills passed, including AB 408 creating a physician health and wellness program, AB 546 requiring coverage for HEPA purifiers for certain enrollees after wildfire disasters, AB 967 expediting licenses for out-of-state physicians, and AB 968 expanding pharmacist authority to provide non-hormonal contraception.
The Assembly also debated AB 1056 on phasing out gill net fishing and AB 1376 on limiting juvenile probation terms, with supporters framing both as conservation or rehabilitation measures and opponents warning about economic harm or public safety concerns. Both bills ultimately passed. Throughout the session, members repeatedly emphasized public safety, education, housing, climate, health care access, and support for immigrant and youth communities, with recorded roll-call votes and voice votes taken on each measure.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 4/14/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We don't know exactly changes coming.
- <00:35:54.000>
So, for those changes to come. So, for those changes to come. - Uh these changes without a permit.
- This is about building code changes and how we have to update things, and it's very technical, so I'm
- <00:45:27.040>
the change anything for municipalities. the change anything for municipalities
Keywords:
workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, correctional officer, security counselor, public safety dispatcher, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Fiscal Policy Apr 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The courts can change their opinion. I understand the... It can change.
- The courts can change their opinion.
- changes.
- This amendment makes two changes.
- We'll make whatever change. Thank you, Madam Chair. We'll make whatever change in terms of..."
Summary:
The committee met and first reported favorably CS for SB 1782, which creates a new offense for dangerous excessive speeding, with support noted from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida PBA. It also reported favorably CS for SB 306, which addresses Medicaid managed care provider network access by requiring after-hours and holiday appointment availability and a minimum level of primary care participation. CS for SB 716, imposing mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offenses committed by registered sex offenders or predators, and CS for SB 1084, expanding protections against non-consensual dissemination of intimate images and digitally forged intimate images, were also approved.
The committee then approved CS for CS for SB 1604, a corrections package that would require prepayment of court costs for certain inmate lawsuits, shorten the limitations period for confinement-condition claims, allow consecutive sentencing in some cases, and revise mental health treatment procedures in correctional settings. Members discussed constitutional concerns and access-to-courts issues, but the bill was reported favorably. CS for CS for SB 1804, which creates a capital offense for trafficking a child 12 or younger or a mentally incapacitated person for sexual exploitation, drew extensive debate and opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Floridaans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; despite objections about constitutionality and ethics, it was reported favorably.
The committee also approved CS for SB 1838, expanding protections for court officials against tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for CS for SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which creates a statewide VTE registry and requires blood clot screening and training in hospitals and care facilities. Members and public witnesses spoke in strong support of the blood clot bill, including family members and survivors. Finally, the committee reported favorably CS for SB 1252, directing FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database, CS for SB 468, increasing penalties for fleeing or eluding law enforcement and allowing vehicle impoundment, CS for SB 490, expanding off-duty concealed carry eligibility for correctional officers and correctional probation officers, and CS for SB 572, the Pam Rock Act on dangerous dogs, which was amended to refine enclosure, confiscation, euthanasia, and insurance requirements.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (03/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- us a brief explanation of what changed us a brief explanation of what changed from<00:34:13.079>
- Those are the major changes.
- >
the they're going to have to change the they're going to have to change the rates<01:35:24.960 - before or after the policy change before or after the policy change suggesting<03:33:23.080>
- Okay, but technically, they're not.
Summary:
The committee met in executive session and first discussed scheduling, noting that Town Meeting Day would cancel the next Tuesday meeting, that they would meet Wednesday instead, and that remaining bills would be handled through subcommittees and a likely final executive session on the 19th to meet the deadline for committee action on the 20th. The committee then took up several bills, with repeated roll calls and votes, often placing measures on the consent calendar after committee approval.
House Bill 185 on ambulance reimbursement rates was described as a perennial issue and was voted inexpedient to legislate, with members noting concerns that an any-willing-provider approach would make premium impacts hard to evaluate. House Bill 186 on cannabis legalization was retained for further work, with members saying the bill addressed stopping marijuana arrests but that the sales and implementation details still needed more development. House Bill 241 on treatment alternatives to opioids was also retained because the sponsor could not attend and the committee wanted more time to continue work.
The committee then considered House Bill 302 on state treasury investments in digital assets and precious metals. The amendment narrowed the proposal, removing more complicated provisions like stable tokens and staking, lowering the authorized allocation from 10% to 5%, and limiting eligible digital assets to those with very high market capitalization; members discussed volatility, the treasurer’s discretion, and oversight through bond-rating concerns. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar.
Other measures moved quickly: House Bill 451 on a paint product stewardship program was amended to remove direct funding and framed as manufacturer-run enabling legislation, then passed and was placed on consent; House Bill 499 made technical corrections to insurance laws and passed unanimously; House Bill 538 on relocating Liquor Commission positions passed unanimously; House Bill 552 on children covered under the state retirement insurance plan was cleaned up to remove a student requirement and passed unanimously; and a blockchain/digital currencies bill was amended to address noise and local regulation concerns for data mining operations, with supporters emphasizing energy-use issues, municipal authority, and a separate commission studying regulation. That bill also passed and was sent to consent.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Education Postsecondary Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- There is an amendment which changes this just a little bit.
- There is an amendment which changes this.
- There is an amendment which changes this just a little bit.
- Adding a sixth would be a pretty big structural change, but this gets to the intent, which is to make
- Today we're funding dual enrollment at, so this policy change would be to allow more optionality for
Summary:
The Committee on Education Postsecondary considered several items. First, it took up SB 1694 on technology education, which would revise postsecondary general education standards to incorporate technology-related instruction, including computer science and artificial intelligence concepts. An amendment was adopted that shifted the bill away from creating a sixth core requirement and instead required technology-integrated core courses to include digital literacy, AI applications, and related topics such as software engineering, networks, databases, and cybersecurity where applicable. The amendment also added guidance for high school computer science courses that include AI, emphasizing critical evaluation, limitations, and ethical use. After brief discussion, the committee voted to report CS for SB 1694 favorably.
The committee then approved confirmation of the appointments on Tabs 1 through 2 by a single favorable vote. Next, it considered SPB 7038, a proposed committee bill on postsecondary education and workforce development covering tuition and fee policies, consumer protections, career and technical education, student acceleration, and institutional operations. Senator Berman asked about changes to CIE licensure/jurisdiction and dual enrollment expansion; the sponsor said the bill affects institutions rather than individual courses and is intended to expand student options without necessarily increasing enrollment or funding needs. A Florida Dental Association representative testified in information only, urging preservation of the existing exemption for dental assisting programs from CIE oversight. The committee adopted a motion to submit the proposal as a committee bill and then reported SPB 7038 favorably.
The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety Apr 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It's been, some of those changes have been due to policy changes.
- The sentencing changes such as the 2011 realignment.
- We agree with the administration that a change which is necessary for this program, a couple of years
- This is because the effects of the formula have been impacted by policy changes which.
- And this won't change at a statewide level, this won't change the payment a whole lot, but it could have
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- changes so that it cleans up the bill on who can be at the negotiation table.
- those that we make those technical those that we make those technical changes<00:01:08.000>
so - If we had a union, we would be able to work directly with our employer to make these changes.
- If we had a union, we would be able to work directly with our employer to make these changes.
- We would be able to work directly with our employer to make these changes.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So there's not even our general fund has ties to it or, or broader language, technical term, right?
- So there's not even our general fund has ties to it or, or broader language, technical term, right?
- So there's not even our general fund has ties to it or, or broader language, technical term, right?
- So there's not even our general fund has ties to it or, or broader language, technical term, right?
- So there's not even our general fund has ties to it or, or broader language, technical term, right?
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Insurance Committee Apr 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The risks to farmworkers are only expected to grow due to climate change.
- Then we have Jason Marcus, workers' compensation attorney, for technical questions.
- Her life and needless death inspired change.
- Climate change is making working outdoors in the heat extremely dangerous.
- Just technical support. Okay, great. Is there any additional support in the room? Good morning.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Insurance met as a subcommittee and heard several bills related to workers’ compensation, insurance access, climate resilience, and farmworker protections. AB 815 would prevent social service workers who use personal vehicles to transport clients from being misclassified as commercial or for-hire drivers under personal auto policies; supporters said the current practice leads to unaffordable premiums and denied claims, while no opposition testified. AB 1329 would revise the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund to reduce litigation and medical-legal costs and lower employer assessments; insurers and business groups opposed unless amended, citing concerns about eligibility standards and the QME process, but the bill advanced after amendments were discussed. AB 1048 would allow disputed unauthorized payment reductions for medical providers to be reviewed through independent bill review; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while opposition argued IBR is the wrong forum and existing contract dispute processes should control, though the bill also passed. AB 1236 would create a Department of Insurance grant program for climate and sustainability risk-reduction projects, with broad support from the department, environmental groups, and insurers, and it passed unanimously.
The committee also heard AB 1336, the Farmworker Heat Illness Prevention Act, which would create a rebuttable presumption that a heat-related injury arose out of employment when an agricultural employer fails to comply with heat illness prevention standards. Supporters, including United Farm Workers, argued the bill would help protect farmworkers amid extreme heat and enforcement gaps; opponents from the workers’ compensation and agricultural sectors said the measure improperly uses the compensation system to enforce OSHA rules and could create unclear adjudication and delay issues. Members discussed Cal/OSHA enforcement limits, undocumented workers’ reluctance to report violations, and the relationship between the bill and existing workers’ compensation procedures. Despite opposition, AB 1336 passed on a divided vote.
The committee also took up a consent calendar including AB 1125, AB 1293, and AB 1398, which were approved together. Roll calls were held open and later completed, and the bills that advanced were sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning after final votes were recorded.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy and Natural Resources Apr 3rd, 2025 at 08:30 am
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- The other proposed change is just for, it would accommodate just one company, and I think for the greater
- We would not support that change at this stage, although I appreciate it.
- I think there is a technical error in, and I'm not...
- I think there is a technical error in, and I'm looking at the 2001 version, so the line and... that's
- Chair, my motion included that change we made last week on that version, so we don't have to further
Summary:
The subcommittee met on Senate Bill 2339 and worked from engrossed version 02001, which members said reflected an agreement between insurance companies and utility companies. Representative Olson moved to recommend that version to the full committee, and Representative Johnson seconded. Representative Conmy raised concerns about keeping strict liability in the bill but removing a rebuttable presumption provision on page 3, arguing it favored utilities and shifted burdens unfairly to landowners. Levi Andres, speaking for North Dakota power companies, opposed removing the language and said the bill was a negotiated, incremental step that still leaves the plaintiff with the burden of proof in court.
The discussion also clarified that the bill’s language was intended to codify negligence standards and encourage wildfire mitigation plans, with the utility side noting the Public Service Commission was not yet ready for a mandatory review-and-approval process. A technical correction was noted on page 4, line 2, changing “shall” to “may,” and members confirmed that change was already reflected in the version before them. The committee did not pursue additional amendments, including a proposed Mincota-related change, and voted unanimously to recommend the bill as presented. The motion passed 4-0, and the subcommittee adjourned.