Transcript Highlights:

• This is an incredible place, and I'm looking forward to learning more.
• So, looking forward to that.
• I've personally felt that, and I sincerely look forward to begin paying it forward to the current and
• And this is a tremendous step forward that NDSU is making.
• One of the people I wanted to bring forward today is Dr.

Summary: The committee met at NDSU and approved the April 9 minutes. The main purpose of the meeting was an informational presentation from NDSU President David Stewart and university leaders on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research, commercialization, and use of New Horizons funding. Stewart emphasized a “One NDSU” approach, thanked legislators for past support, and said the university will focus on recruitment and retention, a new strategic plan, and growing research and tech transfer while serving North Dakota’s workforce needs. University leaders said NDSU is using tuition waivers more strategically and will work to reduce them over time through scholarship optimization. Provost Sherry Vale described academic portfolio reviews, program closures or consolidations, strategic hiring, and workload policies aimed at aligning resources with demand. They also highlighted student outcomes, including high completion rates, strong employment placement, and NDSU’s role in producing a large share of the state’s engineers, nurses, and agriculture graduates. Several students testified about how NDSU’s mentoring, internships, research, and support services helped them succeed. The committee also heard from partners on New Horizons-related collaborations: Gateway to Science described K-12 STEM outreach in rural and tribal areas, and Sanford Research discussed joint research efforts, including COBRE-related work, obesity and GLP-1 studies, and a joint biostatistics hire. Later speakers highlighted Governor’s School and NDSU’s research and commercialization efforts, including growth in research expenditures and invention disclosures. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank them for coming forward.
• And I also appreciate the urgency of moving forward.
• She was passionate that we needed to move forward.
• She was passionate that we needed to move forward.
• Don’t move forward. There’s a snake right over there.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's evolved as we move forward.
• So it's, you know, it has evolved as we move forward.
• So as we move forward, keep going forward in time, in 2012, the district actually secured a Prop 84 grant
• So if there is public comment, please come forward and give us a quick rundown.
• So if there is public comment, please come forward and give us a quick rundown.

Summary: The hearing focused on oversight of AB 658 and the State Water Resources Control Board’s five-year temporary permits for groundwater recharge. Assembly Member Arambula and committee members discussed how the permits are intended to help capture high flows during wet periods, support SGMA implementation, and store water underground for later use. The State Water Board chair said the five-year permits have become an important tool, with seven five-year permits issued this season and over 43,000 acre-feet authorized, but noted that actual recharge depends on hydrology and that the board is open to improvements. Members and witnesses discussed several possible changes to make the program more effective: allowing a two-year delay before the five-year permit clock starts, codifying CEQA exemptions that have been used through executive order, and shifting from a public objection model to a public comment model to reduce delays. There was also discussion of water availability analyses, with some members asking whether the state could develop a broader statewide assessment to reduce consultant costs and make permitting more predictable. The board said such an effort would be large and costly, but could potentially save applicants money and improve consistency. District representatives described their experiences. Stockton East said the five-year permit was more cost-effective than repeated 180-day permits, but that the 90-20 methodology, consultant costs, and a burrowing owl survey condition made use difficult. Omaha-Hartnell Water District said its recharge work depends on simple, low-cost infrastructure and that five-year permits, CEQA reform, and lower upfront fees would help small districts. A consultant working with Scott Valley and Sierra Valley said five-year permits can work well in different basins, but local infrastructure, stakeholder coordination, streambed alteration agreements, and upstream flow constraints can limit recharge. Members also raised concerns about basin connectivity, downstream water rights, and the need to pair recharge with sustainable groundwater pumping and broader water storage planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who brought this bill forward? Where did this come from? Mr.
• I'm very supportive of moving forward with the investments in our neighborhood. of moving forward with
• I'm strongly in support of moving it forward.
• So I urge you to move forward. Thank you. Thank you, Hillary.
• So I urge you to move forward. Thank you. Thank you, Hillary.

Bills: HB248, HB309, HB332, SB48

Keywords: general obligation bonds, GO bonds, capital projects, bond election, property tax levy, state debt, state finance, capital outlay, senior centers, senior citizen facilities, aging services, long-term services, libraries, library acquisitions, broadband for libraries, higher education, university capital projects, community colleges, tribal schools, special schools

Transcript Highlights:

• I think would be a good step forward.
• All that to say, I look forward to continued conversations on this.
• I look forward to seeing it and consuming it on my own.
• Moving forward, the department aims to continue working.
• And so, looking forward to further discussions along the way.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, if not, we'll move forward.
• stepping forward to serve. Thank you. stepping forward to serve. Thank you.
• If not, we’ll move forward.
• If not, we’ll move forward.
• stepping forward to serve and join us. stepping forward to serve and join us.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held a confirmation hearing on a long list of nominees to state boards and commissions. Early nominees included David Padilla to the State Boxing Commission, Steven Pine to the Board of Dentistry, Deborah McMmen to the Board of Acupuncture, Tiffany Lyn Hmel and Gabriel Aay to the Board of Veterinary Medicine, Nathan Eslin to the Cable Advisory Committee, John Takitani and Tony Lao to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects, John Arbles to the State Board of Public Accountancy, and later nominees to the Board of Psychology, Board of Pharmacy, Hawaii Medical Board, Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Board of Chiropractic, Board of Physical Therapy, Board of Private Detectives and Guards, and the Real Estate Commission. Most nominations were for terms expiring in 2027, 2028, or 2029, with one Real Estate Commission term expiring in 2026. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support. DCCA and the relevant boards or commissions generally stood on written testimony supporting each nominee, and many individual supporters also testified, including professional associations, industry representatives, and community members. Several nominees briefly addressed the committee, expressing appreciation and interest in continuing or beginning service. The committee asked a few questions on some nominations, especially about the Real Estate Commission and the Board of Private Detectives and Guards, where members discussed condominium-related complaints, association practices, and whether the board could do more to assist security personnel; the nominee said staffing and authority limits constrained additional training or oversight. For the Real Estate Commission, members also asked about broader housing and market conditions, and the nominee said inventory shortages and housing supply issues remained a major concern. No opposition testimony or contentious votes were described in the transcript. The chair repeatedly asked whether there were questions or additional testimony, and after each nominee the committee generally moved on without objection. The hearing was focused on receiving testimony and evaluating the nominees for later confirmation rather than taking final action during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, and I look forward to any questions. Thank you so much for that.
• , we're entrusted for treatment to move forward.
• We are looking forward to having some of that data that's been collected.
• We are looking forward to having some of that data that's been collected.
• Looking forward to seeing that data later this year. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Proposition 36 and its implementation, with judicial and budget officials describing it as a major shift from misdemeanor to felony processing for repeat drug possession and certain theft offenses. Witnesses explained that the law creates a treatment-mandated felony process that can lead to dismissal if a defendant completes treatment, but also requires evaluations, court monitoring, and potentially long, open-ended supervision. Judicial representatives said the new law is already generating large numbers of filings, creating workload, staffing, courtroom, and facility pressures, and that access to treatment beds, housing, and evaluation capacity is limiting participation. Several speakers emphasized that collaborative courts are effective but are not a perfect fit for Prop. 36 because those programs are typically probation-based and serve different risk/need populations. Court officials from San Bernardino and Orange counties said the impacts vary by county but are severe, with some counties seeing hundreds or more filings in a short period and others moving more slowly to build treatment infrastructure first. They argued that Prop. 36 is effectively an unfunded mandate unless the state provides more resources for judges, staff, facilities, treatment, housing, and supervision. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted that Prop. 36 will reduce the Proposition 47 savings that fund mental health and substance use treatment grants, but said the near-term reduction is relatively modest and that the full effect will take time to appear because of the way those savings are calculated. Members of the committee repeatedly raised concerns that the state is underfunding the courts and counties needed to carry out the new law. The committee also reviewed the Governor’s proposed trial court operations budget, including a partial restoration of a prior $97 million cut and additional ongoing funding. Judicial branch officials said the restoration helped avoid furloughs, hiring freezes, and service reductions, and supported cybersecurity, technology, staffing, and records management. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more detail on how midyear restorations are handled and consider clarifying language for transferring unspent trial court trust fund monies to the General Fund. Finance said the flexibility in the ongoing funding was intentional and would be taken back for consideration. In a separate item, the committee heard testimony on a $6.3 million increase for Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal appointed counsel programs. Judicial officials and appellate project representatives said the system is facing a crisis because indigent appeals have risen sharply while the number of panel attorneys has fallen, leaving many cases waiting months for counsel. They argued the proposed increase would help but is still below what is needed to recruit and retain attorneys and prevent delays that affect criminal, juvenile, and child welfare cases. The committee also discussed the Tracy courthouse project in San Joaquin County, where local officials said reopening a courthouse closed since 2011 is necessary to serve a growing population and relieve overcrowding elsewhere. The LAO and Finance both noted the project is next in line under the facilities plan, though LAO suggested the Legislature could consider whether other facility priorities should come first.

Transcript Highlights:

• bringing forward. bringing forward.
• forward forward and<00:38:30.520> the<00:38:30.600> committee<00:38:30.880> for
• but you have certainly brought forward but you have certainly brought forward and<00:50:04.960><
• All right, come forward.
• of what it would take uh going forward. of what it would take uh going forward.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When insurance pays on time, recoveries move forward.
• Please come forward and state your name and affiliation.
• Please come forward and state your name and affiliation.
• If so, please come forward and state your name and affiliation.
• and moving it forward today?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Montgomery, you are welcome to come forward and sit here on the dais.
• I look forward to continuing to help lead the way.
• So we welcome you all to come forward.
• Going forward—it's 2026 now. It's 2026.
• You'll be moving forward to the Senate for a full.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We just need to be able to move the project forward.
• We look forward to this continued collaboration.
• Not seeing anyone coming forward. AVH, we are back to you.
• I don't see anyone coming forward, which means we are coming right back to you.
• I don't see anyone coming forward in our physical locations.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I must have come forward to you to testify.
• I must have come forward to you to testify.
• I must have come forward to you to testify.
• I must have come forward to you to testify.
• I must have come forward to you to testify.

Bills: HB4568, HB5458, HB4543, HB2703, HB3728, HCR113, HCR126

Keywords: film industry, incentives, grants, Texas, moving image, economic development, production companies, content standards, HB 5458, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, chronic wasting disease, CWD, cervids, deer, elk, moose, wildlife management, game animals, disease management

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask the panelists for issue number one to come forward.
• As they see the benefit and value of the system as it's moving forward.
• forward.
• So, I really appreciate the context and requests coming forward. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• We ask you to come forward.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have SB 921, Senator Grove, please step forward. When you're ready.
• We have SB 921, Senator Grove, please step forward.
• The reason why I brought forward SB 1089 is because, even with the proven results that are coming forward
• And I think there could be a balance here moving forward.
• This would be a big step moving forward.

Summary: The committee heard SB 921, which would create a tax credit to help agricultural employers offset overtime premium costs for farmworkers. Senator Grove and supporters, including farmworkers, the California Farm Bureau, and agricultural groups, argued the bill would restore lost hours and take-home pay after California’s agricultural overtime law reduced schedules. Opponents, including the California Federation of Labor Unions and CRLA Foundation, argued the proposal would subsidize employers with taxpayer dollars and undermine the principle that employers should pay overtime themselves. The bill was held in subcommittee until more members arrived. The committee then took up SB 1083, a cleanup bill to the prior year’s school employee misconduct database law. The author and supporters said it would add due process protections for classified school employees, require an administrative law judge review before placement in the database, and improve notice and vetting rules for contractors and non-permanent staff. School employer groups and other opponents warned the bill could slow investigations and weaken child-safety protections. The committee approved the bill 3-0 and sent it to Senate Appropriations. Members also considered SB 1089, which would require CalPERS health plans to cover GLP-1 medications and expand access through CalRX for chronic weight management and related health conditions. The author and supporters, including the American Diabetes Association and medical groups, said the drugs can prevent diabetes and improve health outcomes but remain unaffordable for many. Pharma representatives expressed concerns about the bill as drafted but said they were open to continued discussions. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar 4-0. Later, the committee heard SB 954, which would narrow and add guardrails to last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing, including environmental review near disadvantaged communities and labor standards such as prevailing wage and skilled-and-trained workforce requirements. Labor, environmental, and community groups supported the bill as a cleanup of an overly broad exemption, while business and manufacturing groups opposed it, warning it would discourage investment and worsen California’s competitiveness. The bill passed 3-1 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1299, a fire sprinkler fitter certification bill, was heard and passed 3-0 to Appropriations with support from the sprinkler fitters and building trades and no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:17.360> an what components we can bring forward an what components we can bring forward
• <02:22:06.399> We'll we decided not to go forward. We'll we decided not to go forward.
• forward. Thank you. forward. Thank you.
• Um the does deserve to move forward.
• going to be brought forward. going to be brought forward.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this as it moves forward.
• <00:15:12.079> to for hearing this and we look forward to for hearing this and we look forward
• supporting this as it moves forward. supporting this as it moves forward.
• We're going to be passing this measure forward as is.
• We're going to be moving this measure forward as is.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions focused on culture, heritage, and community partnerships. HR 90/HCR 94 would request a proclamation designating Hawaiʻi as a Purple Heart state on August 7, 2025. HR 123/HCR 127 urged the state to acquire the Hawaiʻi Theater to preserve its historic and cultural significance and keep it publicly accessible; testimony from Hawaiʻi Theater Center leadership emphasized rising insurance costs and the theater’s long-term viability. HR 135/HCR 141 sought a working group to study a Hawaiʻi Cultural Trust, with support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, and the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission; the LGBTQ+ Commission asked for a seat at the table to ensure queer history is included. HR 156/HCR 161 urged counties to establish sister-city relationships with Pacific Island municipalities, and HR 158/HCR 163 urged SFCA to create an annual Pacific Island culture and arts festival, which SFCA said it was already exploring. During decision-making, the committee adopted all measures. HR 90/HCR 94 and HR 123/HCR 127 were passed as is. HR 135/HCR 141 was adopted with amendments adding the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and a member of the LGBTQIA+ commission to the working group. HR 156/HCR 161 was adopted as is. HR 158/HCR 163 was adopted with a technical amendment clarifying that copies did not need to be provided to the President of the Senate or Speaker of the House. No opposition or reservations were recorded on the votes, and the meeting adjourned after the final adoption.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:26.400> to lastly, I will look very forward to lastly, I will look very forward to
• Um, Senator Karan said this has no chance of moving forward.
• <00:37:03.119> Well,<00:37:03.440> of chance of moving forward.
• Well, of chance of moving forward.
• course it has a chance of moving forward course it has a chance of moving forward if<00:37:06.079

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we needed to bring forward. we needed to bring forward.
• Um they are constantly getting forward.
• And if we already have a forward.
• <00:37:59.040> and to modify or couldn't go forward and to modify or couldn't go forward and
• Senator Rasmusen that runs forward.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:46.079> it to work as we kind of move forward it to work as we kind of move forward
• We are going to be bringing forward options, and when that comes forward, we'll be able to talk about
• We are going to be bringing forward options, and when that comes forward, we'll be able to talk about
• We are going to be bringing forward options, and when that comes forward, we'll be able to talk about
• and our budget as we move forward and our budget as we move forward<00:36:40.760> sounds<00:36

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee received an informational overview from Direct Care and Treatment (DCT) staff on the agency’s role and current operations as it transitions from DHS. DCT described itself as Minnesota’s unique state behavioral health system, serving about 12,000 people annually through treatment facilities, residential group homes, and vocational sites, with about 5,000 staff and five major service lines including forensic services and the Minnesota Sex Offender Program. The presentation also reviewed the new executive board required by statute and the 47 work groups created to support DCT’s move to separate-agency status, with staff saying the board is in place, has met, and the work groups are on track for the July 1 deadline. Committee discussion focused heavily on system capacity, staffing shortages, and discharge bottlenecks. DCT said recruiting and retaining staff remains its top pressure, with many vacancies and overtime contributing to burnout. Members also raised concerns about long waits for admission, lack of step-down and community-based placements, and the effect on county jails and hospitals. DCT said it has expanded some capacity, including increasing beds in Willmar, reopening the Ironwood unit in St. Peter, and repurposing the CARE program site to add 16 forensic beds, but emphasized that the broader problem is the lack of community-based options rather than just DCT beds. Members also discussed priority admissions and a prior task force process for handling jail referrals. DCT said the priority admissions framework began July 1 of the previous year, uses factors such as medical acuity and impact on referring facilities, and is intended to help with backflow, though it does not solve the underlying bed shortage. Staff said the priority admissions review panel’s report is due February 15. In response to questions about a high-cost one-to-one care placement, DCT said it had found a less costly alternative and that each case has unique needs. DCT also reported progress on an electronic health record rollout and said a substance use disorder report requested by the Legislature is nearing completion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate you bringing this forward.
• I appreciate you bringing this forward.
• We're moving forward. Congratulations. We're moving forward. Congratulations.
• Appreciate you bringing it forward.
• Appreciate you bringing it forward.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up a series of health-related measures. House Bill 178, on the psychiatric collaborative care model, was presented by Rep. Kim Mosher and psychiatrist Arthur Oliva. They said the bill would let primary care providers address mental health needs more quickly with psychiatrist consultation, reduce long wait times, and save money. Members voiced support, and the bill passed 7-0 with favorable expression and consent. House Bill 387, presented by Speaker Pro Tem David Meade, would keep veterinarians excluded from KASPER reporting requirements and instead add two veterinarians to the Controlled Substance Council. Meade argued that veterinary prescribing is difficult to track by animal, that prior efforts created complications, and that rural Kentucky needs the flexibility. A senator asked about possible diversion of veterinary opioids to humans; Meade said there was no substantial evidence of widespread abuse. The bill passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. House Bill 676, by Rep. Rebecca Raymer, was amended from creating a health data utility to directing LRC to study best practices for one during the interim, with a report due December 1, 2026. Members said the state needs a coordinated way to use health data. The amended bill passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. House Bill 689, presented by Rep. Amy Neighbors and Dr. Heidi Marley, would authorize a Medicaid state-directed payment program for qualifying hospital-affiliated physician and non-physician services, pending federal approval, with supporters saying it would improve access in underserved areas, support provider retention, and bring in about $29 million annually in federal funds without using state dollars. It also passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. Finally, House Joint Resolution 24, presented by Rep. Kim Fleming, would direct the administration to withdraw a previously required community engagement waiver request because it is no longer needed. The resolution passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. The chair noted the next meeting might be April 1, though no bills were currently scheduled, and the committee adjourned.