Transcript Highlights:

• All right, the page 19, it's just on the left-hand side is a map of which states have adopted the 41
• On the right, there is a little bit of information about the map there.
• there so there um please on on the map there so there are<00:46:39.359><c> nine</c><00:46:39.760><c>
• The state has paid out those dollars entirely at a 50 percent match. map map a map of the US in terms
• of the map map a map of the US in terms of the various<01:32:43.320><c> minimum</c><01:32:44.320><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division III held an informational hearing on Medicaid, Medicare, Choices for Independence, and related financing, while postponing nursing facility financing and the county cap discussion to a later date. DHHS officials Ann Landry, Jonathan Ballard, and Medicaid Director Henry Litman provided an overview of Medicaid’s role, noting it is a federal-state partnership with state-specific eligibility and benefits, and emphasizing that Medicaid is a major funding and programmatic support for other DHHS initiatives. They also distinguished Medicaid from Medicare and explained that Medicaid funding is not the same as grant funding, though some providers may also receive federal grants through other channels. The presentation focused on New Hampshire’s relatively small Medicaid program and why it differs from national averages. Officials said about 184,000 residents are covered, roughly one in seven Granite Staters compared with one in five nationally, and attributed the difference largely to the state’s higher per-capita income and older population. They highlighted that about 65% of Medicaid-enrolled adults in New Hampshire are working, that only 22% of births are covered by Medicaid versus 42% nationally, and that the state’s uninsured rate is lower than the national rate. Members asked about covered services, income limits, federal matching rates, and the names of optional eligibility groups; staff explained that New Hampshire offers the optional groups discussed, with matching rates varying by category, including 90% for Granite Advantage and certain other groups, and 65% for children above the required level. A substantial portion of the hearing covered eligibility rules and recent policy changes. Officials reviewed the history of Medicaid, including HCBS waivers, the CFI program, Katie Beckett, the Olmstead decision, the ACA, and the end of continuous enrollment after the public health emergency. They also discussed the 2023 legislative expansion of postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months and child eligibility changes. In response to questions, DHHS said it is tracking utilization and costs for the postpartum expansion and reported that many maternal deaths occur after the prior 60-day coverage period, often involving substance use disorder or suicide; they said the longer coverage is intended to improve access to treatment and prevention. The committee also walked through household-income examples, clarified that Medicaid eligibility is based on household income and categorical rules, and confirmed that Granite Advantage ends at 138% of the federal poverty level unless another categorical basis applies. No votes were taken, and the hearing remained informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been working with Mark in Jan's office and with our office to build an interactive map that has
• There's been this buildup of activity, I think, to build an interactive map that has an American flag
• clear sense of the run of show that day and all the things that are happening, I shared before the map

Summary: The committee received updates on Idaho’s America 250 preparations, including ambassador outreach, the statewide celebration schedule, the Liberty Bell tour, and related public events. Treasurer Ellsworth reported nearly 2,000 ambassadors across cities, counties, businesses, schools, and veterans groups, and described recent branded events around the state, including service projects, food festivals, and community celebrations. Director Gallimore added that the state’s “Our American Story” booth had strong participation, Idaho’s Fourth of July event was accepted as an America’s Block Party, and the Great American State Fair and other statewide activations were underway. Secretary McGrane outlined plans for the main Capitol celebration in Boise, including a pancake feed, parade, concert, vendors, public television coverage, and the use of an interactive website map showing Celebration Fund projects statewide. Committee members asked about tribal participation, sponsor involvement, event timing, and logistics such as the Liberty Bell transport vehicle, water, and performer accommodations. McGrane said the vehicle was being built by Kendall Ford and that the team was coordinating with the Attorney General’s Office and risk management on transport and insurance issues. The committee debated additional funding needs for the Capitol celebration. McGrane requested $10,000 more to cover unanticipated costs such as paramedics, RVs/green rooms for performers, water, and performer compensation. After discussion about existing expenditures and the original budget, the committee approved a motion to provide an additional $10,000 in spending authority for those specific purposes, with any unspent funds to return to the committee. Members also discussed contingency planning for bad weather and agreed to revisit that issue at the next meeting, which was scheduled for June 24.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill involves our institutions of higher education creating maps that will be accurate, easy to
• These maps will be made in coordination with local law enforcement to ensure that any emergency situation
• The amendment makes the mapping a requirement of higher education institutions.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It aligns mapping, permitting, modernization, workforce training, and advanced manufacturing incentives
• can speak specifically to on the workforce component is what they've been trying to do and their mapping
• and their strategy to get something established. to do and their mapping and their strategy to get something

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2510, sponsored by Rep. Steinmeier, which would create a coordinated state framework for critical minerals involving the Departments of Natural Resources, Economic Development, and Higher Education and Workforce Development. The sponsor said Missouri is well positioned because it contains 36 of 60 minerals deemed critical to national security and manufacturing, and argued the bill would help Missouri pursue federal funding, build a workforce pipeline, and support advanced manufacturing with a five-year sunset. Committee members questioned the need for a new state structure and fund, the cost to Missouri, the role of universities, and whether the task force was too narrowly written around the University of Missouri system and mistakenly included DESE instead of higher education. A Missouri Chamber witness supported the bill for its economic and national security benefits, while an environmental witness urged adding an environmental professional to the task force and a mining permitting framework, citing health and water concerns and suggesting a separate mining-regulation bill as an amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 2585, sponsored by Rep. Castile, which updates Missouri workforce development statutes to align with federal law and implement the new Workforce Pell Grant program. The sponsor said the bill would allow short-term, high-value training programs in fields like welding, public safety academies, health technology, and trucking to qualify for Pell support, while preserving oversight and tying eligibility to outcomes such as completion, job placement, and earnings. Members asked about the number and makeup of the workforce board, whether the bill’s staffing references still pointed to the wrong department, how the 150% poverty-level threshold and reporting metrics would work, and whether the board could move quickly enough to meet federal timelines. A Missouri Community College Association witness said all 12 community colleges have programs likely to qualify and explained the federal eligibility standards, including a 70% completion rate, 70% job placement rate, and three-year rolling data review; a FGA Action witness and the Missouri Chamber also supported the bill as a way to expand access to skills training and draw down federal funds. After the bill hearings, the committee received an informational presentation from the Midwestern Higher Education Compact. The presenter described the compact’s regional cost-saving work, including reciprocity for distance education, technology contracts, grants, and efforts on dual credit and FAFSA support. She also shared Missouri-specific data on educational attainment, enrollment trends, student migration, and net price, noting that Missouri lags slightly behind the U.S. in attainment, has projected declines in high school graduates, retains most in-state students, and has higher net prices for low-income students than the Midwest average. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a quick map of our campus.
• It shows essentially the heating supply around our... ...a quick map of our campus.
• So this is the map of where the North Academic Commons is relative to the geo-eco plant.

Bills: SGA9314, SGA9282, SGA9288, SGA9296, SGA9232, SGA9233, SGA9235, SGA9236, SGA9237

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe in your packet you have a letter from one Kenneth McClure who shows a map on there and what
• As you see in the packet, I sent you a map that you can see what has been done in the nation.
• And as I said, I would point out that this, as you can see in the map, is something that's being done

Summary: The committee first took up a series of Idaho Department of Insurance rule dockets, all presented by Director Dean Cameron as part of a five-year negotiated rule review. The rules covered self-funded health care plans for government entities, joint public agency self-funded plans, long-term care insurance, small employer and individual health insurance availability, coordination of benefits, short-term health plans, and managing general agents. Cameron repeatedly said the changes were mostly clarifications, deletions of duplicative statutory language, and reduced filing burdens, with a few notable policy points including Medicare coordination for seniors, adding generic prescription coverage language, and revising short-term plan rules to allow both traditional and enhanced plans through the end of the calendar year. The committee asked several questions, but no opposition was raised, and each docket was approved by motion. For the short-term plan docket, the committee also approved making the pending rule effective on the Legislature’s 2026 sine die date to avoid a gap after the temporary rule expires. The committee then heard House Bill 563 from Representative Jeff Ehlers, which would change CPA licensure requirements in Idaho. Ehlers said the bill is intended to address a CPA shortage by creating additional pathways to licensure: a bachelor’s degree plus the CPA exam and two years of supervised experience, or a master’s degree/150 hours with the existing experience requirements. He also said the bill would expand reciprocity for out-of-state CPAs in good standing. During questioning, members explored whether the bill lowered barriers too much, whether Idaho-specific knowledge was needed, and whether the residency language for taking the exam should be removed. Public testimony included support from Ken McClure of the Idaho Society of CPAs, who said the bill reflects a national model and that supervised experience is a quality-control measure that can be satisfied through peer or mentor arrangements, not just direct employment. Rachel Misnick, a state employee, testified in opposition to one supervision phrase, saying it could make it harder for government accountants without access to an active CPA supervisor to qualify. Laura Lance, executive director of the Idaho Society of CPAs, supported the bill and said it adds flexibility for candidates with different learning styles and helps rural areas where supervision is harder to find. The committee ultimately voted to send House Bill 563 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe in your packet you have a letter from one Kenneth McClure who shows a map on there and what
• As you see in the packet, I sent you a map that you can see what has been done in the nation.
• And as I said, I would point out that this, as you can see in the map, this is something that's being

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard and approved several Idaho Department of Insurance rule dockets, most of them described as negotiated rules with no substantive changes and mainly aimed at removing duplicative language, clarifying definitions, and reducing regulatory burden. The approved rules covered self-funded health care plans, joint powers/self-funded arrangements, long-term care insurance, small employer and individual health insurance availability, coordination of benefits, short-term health plans, and managing general agents. Members asked a few technical questions, including about bonding versus dishonesty insurance, preexisting condition language, Medicare coordination, and the structure of short-term plans; the director explained that Idaho’s preexisting-condition protections remain in law and that the short-term plan changes were intended to expand consumer options and align coverage periods with the calendar year. One short-term plan docket had both a temporary and pending rule component, and the committee approved the pending rule to become effective on the Legislature’s sine die date. The committee also noted Rule 80 and Rule 82 declarations by members with insurance licenses. The committee then took up House Bill 563, which would lower barriers to becoming a CPA in Idaho by creating additional licensure pathways. Representative Ehlers said the bill responds to a CPA shortage by allowing a bachelor’s degree plus the CPA exam and two years of supervised experience, or a master’s degree path, while also easing reciprocity for out-of-state CPAs. Testimony from Rachel Misnick raised concern that the bill’s supervision language could make it harder for some state employees and others without direct CPA supervisors to qualify. Ken McClure, who helped draft the bill for the Idaho Society of CPAs, said the supervision requirement is a quality-control measure and that the Board of Accountancy can use peer or mentor verification arrangements; he also argued the reciprocity provisions reflect national uniform standards and would help Idaho CPAs practice elsewhere. Laura Lance of the Idaho Society of CPAs testified in support, saying the bill adds flexibility and helps address supervision challenges, especially in rural areas. After discussion, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another project on the side is around flood mapping under precipitation uncertainty.
• Another project that's on the side is around flood mapping under precipitation uncertainty.
• balance model that our hydrogeologist got spun up this past month, and the area in blue on the Idaho map

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Agricultural Affairs Committee approved the minutes from February 16, 2026, and then heard an update from the University of Idaho’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Rachel Bickerton described CALS’ land-grant mission, research and extension work, student placement outcomes, and examples of impact such as pale cyst nematode research, 4-H programming, and extension efforts on invasive weeds. She also highlighted new facilities including the Meat Science and Innovation Center and the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE), and explained how FY26 and FY27 budget cuts will delay some hires and reduce temporary support, including several potato-related and other faculty positions. Committee members asked about CAFE’s research focus, herd acquisition timing, the status of a proposed Jerome educational center, and how endowed positions are handled when hiring is delayed. Bickerton said CAFE’s research will depend on funding but is centered on water efficiency and manure treatment, that cows are expected to be acquired in the spring with milking by late June, and that the Jerome center was not pursued because of funding and priority constraints. She also said the delayed positions are still intended to be filled, but hiring is being timed around budget pressures and search timelines. The committee then heard from Dr. Kendra Kaiser of the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, who outlined IWRI’s state-funded research priorities and its work distributing grant funds, centralizing water data, and producing independent analyses for decision-makers. She emphasized statewide concerns about water scarcity, water quality, snowpack monitoring, managed aquifer recharge, harmful algal blooms, and Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer planning, including projects on curtailment forecasting and groundwater data visualization. Members requested the project selection materials and asked about remote sensing, water budgets, and the value of independent review; Kaiser said the institute’s role is to provide objective, accessible data and stakeholder-informed research. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 630 and House Bill 631, both rules-to-statute bills sponsored by Representative Schurz. HB 630 would codify the airborne shooting of coyotes, wolves, and other predatory animals, and HB 631 would move agricultural certificates of free sale from rule into statute. Both bills were moved and approved by the committee for a do-pass recommendation to the floor. The meeting ended with recognition of the committee page, Kaylyn, who spoke about learning to advocate for agriculture, and she was presented with a flag flown over the Capitol, a governor-signed certificate, and a necklace before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge a 500-foot-plus setback from roads, wetlands, and farm ponds, floodplains, which I have maps
• That's my testimony, and I'll provide maps with these.
• I also have a hydrology map that shows how much water I have: four different waterways that come onto

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Utilities Committee resumed hearing on House Bills 2402 and 2816, which address utility-scale solar development. The chair asked witnesses to keep comments to informational purposes, and testimony focused on setbacks, taxation, land conversion caps, county authority, decommissioning, and impacts on neighboring landowners and rural communities. Several witnesses said they supported solar in limited settings such as rooftops or industrial sites, but opposed or wanted changes to the bills’ treatment of agricultural land, especially the proposed 4% cap on cropland conversion and the 500-foot setback from homes. Testimony from landowners and farm groups emphasized concerns about property rights, viewshed impacts, fire risk, drainage and floodplain issues, and the loss of agricultural tax base and local economic activity. They argued the proposed $2,500 per megawatt tax was too low and suggested higher rates, with some recommending $6,000 per megawatt or more, along with decommissioning requirements and stronger county-level protections. A Renew Missouri representative supported much of the bill but preferred a smaller setback and raised constitutional concerns about changing solar land from agricultural to commercial assessment. Other witnesses, including a county commissioner, described local regulations already in place in some counties and asked for clearer statewide standards. Industry and utility representatives said the legislation was generally workable but needed further discussion on setbacks and property tax treatment. Clean Grid Alliance and related witnesses argued that tax comparisons with other states should account for total tax burden, not just nameplate taxes, and said higher taxes would raise electricity costs for consumers. Ameren Missouri said it was acceptable with most provisions, but cautioned against overly aggressive real-property assessments and noted its current and planned solar buildout. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee adjourned after taking testimony on both bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• districts, surface water users, and the State Natural Resource Conservation Board to create an updated map
• It prescribes mapping criteria and appropriates $100,000 from the state general fund in fiscal year 2027
• to DWR for the mapping, and with that I'm happy to answer any questions.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder on consent calendars and how bills can be pulled for floor debate or amendment. Members were told that third-read consent bills bypass caucus debate, while caucus consent bills may have committee amendments adopted together unless pulled. The meeting then moved into Minority Caucus Calendar No. 2. A large number of bills were briefly presented, with several members pulling measures from consent or voicing opposition. Topics included appropriations and federal monies accounting (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety center administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning disclosures (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighter workers’ compensation definitions (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), late tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineering and professional licensing reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and mutilation penalties (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting of partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking and fentanyl sentencing changes (HB 2131 and HB 2132), drive-by shooting forfeiture rules (HB 2045), probation review notice changes (HB 2046), venue changes for cases involving court employees (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Members repeatedly criticized several abortion-related bills, the library bill, and the tax and agriculture measures as harmful, unnecessary, or unfunded mandates. The latter part of the meeting focused on water and election legislation. Water bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), water conservation grant disclosures (HB 2029), removal of education/research as an eligible water grant use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource conservation board changes (HB 2117). Election-related items included moving the primary date earlier and changing signature cure timelines and observer rules (HB 2022), a memorial urging designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization (HCM 2001), a memorial urging review of CAIR for terrorist designation (HCM 2002), and a constitutional amendment on citizenship, voter ID, foreign contributions, and early voting limits (HCR 2001). Members raised concerns about voter access, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and the practical effects of the election changes. The caucus concluded with birthday acknowledgments and an announcement for Muslim Day at the Capitol before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• districts, service water users, and the state natural resource conservation board to create an updated map
• It prescribes mapping criteria and appropriates $100,000 from the state general fund in fiscal year 2027
• to DWR for the mapping, and with that I'm happy to answer any questions.

Summary: The caucus meeting began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder from Rhonda about caucus consent and third-read consent calendars. She explained that bills coming out of rules can be placed on consent if they are not amended, and that pulling a bill from consent means members should be prepared to speak to it on the floor. The meeting then moved through a long Minority Caucus calendar of bills, with staff giving brief descriptions and members frequently noting bills for no further comment, pulling several from consent, or stating opposition. The bills discussed covered a wide range of topics, including appropriations and federal monies (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at public school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning notifications (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighters’ workers’ compensation status (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineer and architect reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and related felony classifications (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting for partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking penalties (HB 2131), fentanyl sentencing thresholds (HB 2132), drive-by shooting definitions and forfeiture (HB 2045), probation review notices for sex offender hearings (HB 2046), venue changes in superior court when judicial employees are parties (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Water-related bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), WIFA grant disclosures (HB 2029), removing water conservation education as an eligible use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource board changes and education funding (HB 2117). Election-related measures included moving the primary date and adjusting cure periods and observer rules (HB 2022), and a proposed constitutional amendment on citizenship, ID, foreign contributions, early voting, and mail voting (HCR 2001). The committee also heard two memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CARE (HCM 2001 and HCM 2002). Members and staff offered substantive objections to many bills, often arguing they were anti-student, anti-abortion, overly punitive, unfunded mandates, or unfair tax policy. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2008, HB 2110, HB 2142, HB 2249, HB 2043, HB 2074, HB 2108, and HB 2144. Supportive remarks were also made for some measures, such as the cesspool remediation bill, which was noted as having unanimous support, while other bills were flagged for stakeholder meetings or future amendments. The meeting ended with announcements recognizing members’ birthdays and noting Muslim Day at the Capitol, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Garrett: If we could just get even a basic outline, the Women's Historical Marker would be nice, to get a map
• If we could just get even a basic outline, women's historical marker would be nice to get a map of where
• It won't allow us to complete our mapping program, which is really important for permittees, so they

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 879, by boils relating to professional licensors reciprocity in practices of surveys surveying and mapping
• She's a licensure by endorsement for a license surveyors and map ERs.
• So the licensure is ultimately issued by the Fdacs through the Board of Professional Surveying and mapping

Transcript Highlights:

• We do want to be careful as we've Discussed before, we may want to look at those maps we produced and
• to those projects that are going to take water out of the bays and discharge in the areas that the map
• protect our bays and estuaries, and we've already done the research, as, as Cyrus mentioned, we've got a map

Bills: SB 7

Keywords: water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I believe there's a map within your packet that's got those particular dark areas, areas of purple
• Um, I believe there's a map within your packet that's got those particular dark areas, areas of purple
• Um, I believe there's a map within your packet that's got those particular dark areas, areas of purple

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2360, as amended by H.F. 2360A1, which would create a state-level New Markets Tax Credit-style program modeled on the federal program. Chair Swedzinski explained that the bill is intended to drive investment across Minnesota, including a requirement that at least 50% of the $200 million allocation be directed to greater Minnesota, and noted that the program would run for 12 months with state oversight to help guide investments. Testimony in support came from Alex Stuponic of Advantage Capital and Jason Wabama of Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions in Hibbing. Stuponic described the federal New Markets program as a tool for directing capital to low-income and underserved communities, cited Minnesota projects that have already benefited from federal funding, and argued that state programs in other states have successfully attracted more investment. Wabama said the credit could help rural businesses like his expand, noting that his Hibbing company has grown from one employee in 2021 to 22 employees and hopes to reach 50 employees while eventually becoming an ESOP. Chair Gomez raised concerns about the bill’s changes, especially the set-aside of half the funds for one region and the five-year carryforward, saying the proposal seemed arbitrary and more permissive and that there was likely not room in the budget for the $100 million cost this year. In response, Swedzinski said the fiscal note pushes costs into future years, with the first costs beginning in 2028-2029, and emphasized that the structure would allow the investment benefits to occur upfront. The amendment was adopted, and the bill, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you turn to the back of your testimony, I have another map for y'all.
• This map shows all of the counties in Texas that have less than 150,000 people in them.
• But with this map, all of the counties that are in blue are counties where providers would get an additional

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee heard Senate Bill 1961, which would expand reporting on post-secondary outcomes and workforce data, including employment, earnings, regional labor demand, and credentials of value. Senator Bettencourt said the bill is intended to close data gaps and improve alignment between education programs and workforce needs. Witnesses from Opportunity Austin, Texas 2036, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, and the Fort Worth workforce community testified in support, saying better data would help students, parents, schools, employers, and regional economic development efforts. After questions from members about regional workforce pipelines and semiconductor talent needs, public testimony closed and SB 1961 was left pending. The committee then took up several pending bills and reported them favorably, including SB 1325, SB 604, SB 1832, SB 747, SB 2185, and SB 2395, with committee substitutes adopted where needed. SB 1325 was amended to remove the DSHS commissioner’s authority to issue standing orders for respiratory distress medication in schools. SB 1832, relating to school transfer or private-school funding options for students victimized by a public school employee, and SB 747, relating to intimate visual material policies, were both advanced on recorded votes. SB 2185, on the bilingual education allotment, was initially moved to a local calendar but was later backed up and reported to the full Senate after a fiscal note was noted. SB 2395, on school district general obligation bonds, was also reported favorably and then moved to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard SB 646, which would expand the Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program to additional professions, increase award amounts, and add stipends for rural and bilingual service. Senator West said the bill responds to mental health workforce shortages and inflation. The Texas Counseling Association supported the measure, and a Hogg Foundation representative said participation has grown sharply since prior changes. SB 646 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2647, which would create a Texas state accrediting agency and interim oversight system for higher education accreditors; supporters from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and a massage school owner argued it would improve accountability and reduce accreditor overreach, while Senator Menendez raised concerns about effects on law and medical school accreditation and student opportunities. SB 2647 was left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2786, which would exempt first responders from the Texas Success Initiative entrance exam, and SB 2615, which would standardize remote-work policies across public higher education institutions. The Texas State Association of Firefighters supported SB 2786, saying it would remove an extra step for career advancement; the bill was left pending because the committee substitute had not yet been adopted. SB 2615 was presented as a way to ensure more consistent in-person staffing expectations while preserving exceptions for illness, disability, and some non-teaching roles; it too was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a couple of maps in your packet.
• But what I also want you to understand is that next map is 216 counties that all produce some level.
• Yellow dots in the map show where current projects are. So this is not a historical representation.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As shown on this map, we have auditors located in 15 different locations throughout the state.
• The other locations are in leased spaces in the cities on this map.
• In the cities on this map, we have located our field offices to take advantage of placement where we

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive annual overviews of its oversight responsibilities and the work of the Auditor General and OPAGA. Committee staff reviewed the committee’s authority over state and local governments, enforcement of audit-report filing requirements, repeated audit findings, Transparency Florida reporting, and lobbying compensation audits. Auditor General Cheryl Norman described her office’s independence, audit standards, quality control, and major audit areas, including the state’s annual financial and single audits, school district and university audits, operational and performance audits, and attestation work. She also noted staffing shortages, recruitment efforts, and a request for carry-forward funds to study salaries. Members asked about whether audits can quantify recoverable dollars, how school district spending comparisons are handled, and how to raise concerns about DCF-related audits or a local city audit that has been pending for years. Norman said her office can quantify findings when possible, sometimes compares costs across districts in operational audits, and that members can bring specific concerns to the appropriate deputy auditor general or the committee. She also explained that citizen or local-government audit requests may require payment of audit costs. OPAGA Coordinator Kara Collins-Gomez outlined OPAGA’s role as a legislative research unit that conducts studies directed by law, the presiding officers, or the committee, and described its policy areas, methodologies, contract monitoring, and recurring statutory reports. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy explained how to read operational audit reports, including findings, criteria, condition, cause, effect, recommendations, and management responses. Deputy Auditor General Greg Senators explained financial audit reports, including audit opinions, required supplementary information, internal control and compliance findings, federal program compliance, and management letters. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenters and a motion to adjourn, which passed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• , a perfect map that would let them know where everything was.
• And they worked on it and decided the map had to be on a one-to-one scale, right?
• needed best was a map, a perfect map<00:55:14.160><c> that</c><00:55:14.559><c> would</c><00:55:14.800
• would let them know where map that would let them know where everything<00:55:15.839><c> was.
• </c> to map them into these two categories. to map them into these two categories.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this map shows two of the shared conference rooms that have been created.
• So this map shows two of the shared conference rooms that have been created.
• First of all, for the F-MAP, for fiscal year 2027, we were estimating a 52.52% F-map.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum present and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity, which described North Dakota production as holding steady around 1.1 to 1.2 million barrels per day despite lower prices and market volatility. The presentation emphasized that efficiency gains, longer laterals, and improved completion technology are allowing operators to sustain output while activity shifts north in the Bakken. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, flaring, and enhanced oil recovery; the witness said gas is taxed by volume, most liquids are handled through oil lines or gas processing, and the state’s EOR pilot projects and new gas infrastructure are intended to help hold production flat and expand future recovery. The committee then received a presentation from the Tax Department on the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. The department explained that most of the federal changes were extensions of existing Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, but several items — including the larger standard deduction, senior deduction, tip and overtime exclusions, auto loan interest deduction, and business expensing changes — affect state collections. Revised estimates showed a smaller-than-expected impact on individual income tax, with the department suggesting a net cash effect in the range of roughly $30 million to $35 million when business and individual effects are combined, plus a possible one-time distortion from large oil-field transactions in fiscal year 2025. Members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns, and the department clarified that most of the individual provisions apply broadly, while the SALT-related item is itemizer-specific. OMB then reported on major capital projects and facility funding. Updates included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, augmented reality displays for the Rough Rider Hall of Fame, tree management and lighting studies, and restroom and parking reconfiguration in the tower. OMB also described security upgrades at the governor’s residence, where human remains were discovered on site and are being handled with historical and legal review. The state hospital project in Jamestown remains on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028, with costs currently estimated a little over $292 million and a line of credit expected to be drawn in April 2027. The North Central State Office Building in Minot is under construction, with a $5.6 million line of credit already accessed. OMB also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, noting about $1.1 million spent so far on projects such as the Liberty Memorial Building roof and foundation work, Capitol window replacement, boiler replacement, and kitchen remodeling. Finally, Legislative Council staff reviewed the interim compliance report on legislative intent and state trust funds. The report highlighted the status of multiple lines of credit, including those for the state hospital and Minot office building, and noted that the executive budget will likely need to include repayment planning for about $350 million of expected outstanding balances. Other updates included the Bank of North Dakota profit transfer schedule, litigation pool spending, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, the Missouri River Correctional Center planning effort, HHS items such as FMAP and child care assistance, Job Service’s unemployment insurance modernization project, and DPI school aid turnback estimates. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.