Video & Transcript : 'housing permitting' :
Page 174 of 500
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- DLI is already required to investigate when work is performed without a permit.
- DLI is already required to investigate when work is performed without a permit.
- DLI is already required to investigate when work is performed without a permit.
- DLI is already required to investigate when work is performed without a permit.
- So permit is exactly 14 circuits by $3.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Mar 3rd, 2026 at 03:00 pm
Commerce & Economic Development Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, this is House Bill 2970.
- House Bill 3338 regulates the pool industry. Moved it up. You're for questions.
- This bill just increases the permit fees for oversized overweight loads.
- When I asked him how he proposes that we fund that, his proposal was this right here to increase the permit
- For oversized overweight loads, and Oklahoma had some of the lowest permit fees in this region.
Bills:
HB2929, HB2956, HB2955, HB3128, HB3880, HB4294, HB2970, HB3338, HB3443, HB3783, HB3800, HB3818
Keywords:
homeowner insurance, insurance premium, claim history, insurance regulation, at-fault claims, flood insurance, state law, consumer protection, appraisal management, Real Estate Appraiser Board, appraiser registration, background checks, ownership requirements, captive insurance, protected cell, sponsored captive, captive insurer, insurance commissioner, premium tax, dormant captive
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Feb 3rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Environment, Energy & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- or reducing loads at the request of applicable laws and directs that a diesel generator used by permitted
- the owner of a data center to the Department of Ecology must include the facility's water quality permits
- and air permits, including existing permits and new applications.
- how does this impact, you know, obviously protect cultural resources, but also how does it impact housing
- And I fundamentally believe that there's a way we can accomplish this and still meet housing goals.
Keywords:
appliance affordability, cost index, energy efficiency, consumer protection, Washington state, energy facilities, large energy consumers, regulation, environment, sustainability, artificial intelligence, data privacy, technological impacts, cultural resources, land use, environmental policy, exemptions, state laws, Washington climate policy, greenhouse gas
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I will end with a short quote from our ...housing for a family member or friend in need.
- and then other areas where we didn't allow for denser housing.
- Housing choice is directly tied to independence, health, and financial security.
- It simply removes overly restrictive barriers that limit common-sense housing options.
- Across Idaho, we are hearing the same message: We need more housing choices.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from March 25 and March 27, then took up Senate Bill 1359 as amended, which would regulate virtual currency kiosks/crypto ATMs. The sponsor and supporters from AARP, law enforcement, and the Attorney General’s office said the bill was aimed at curbing scams that disproportionately target older Idahoans by requiring operator registration, fee and exchange-rate disclosures, fraud warnings, transaction records, and access for the Department of Finance to investigate fraud. After brief discussion about tracing and recovery tools, the committee passed the bill with a due pass recommendation and sent it to the floor.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 1353 as amended, a housing bill allowing twin homes and duplexes in single-family residential zones in cities over 10,000 people, with limits on local barriers such as excessive lot-size rules, fees, and parking requirements. Supporters argued it would expand attainable housing and property rights, while city representatives and some members raised concerns about local control, density, traffic, and infrastructure. After public testimony from both supporters and opponents, the motion for a due pass recommendation failed on a 7-7 roll call, and the bill was held in committee.
Next, Senate Bill 1254 was heard, which would add the word “prescribed” to a narrow chiropractic statute so chiropractors with specialized clinical nutrition training could obtain vitamins, minerals, fluids, needles, and related products needed for certain injections. The sponsor said the change would fix a technical problem that currently forces chiropractors to get a medical doctor’s prescription to buy items they are already authorized to administer. Some members questioned scope-of-practice and pharmacy concerns, and one member noted opposition from the chiropractic association, but the committee ultimately sent the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Finally, Senate Bill 1313 was presented to extend Idaho’s dual-licensure naturopathic framework to pharmacists, allowing qualified PharmDs to obtain naturopathic dual licensure if they meet existing training and board requirements. The sponsor said the bill would let pharmacists with additional naturopathic training practice within that combined scope without risking licensure or billing problems. After questions about scope, ethics, and possible conflicts of interest, the committee approved the bill and sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Department of Public Safety Press Conference 2/13/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, one of those—if you have a permit to carry, can you still bring a gun to the Capitol, right?
- >> So, the question was about permits to carry.
- That process again, you'll alert security or staff that you have a permit.
- Go through that permit process again with a Minnesota ID or the state ID and move— the south side and
- </c> possession of a concealed carry permit possession of a concealed carry permit and<00:15:48.240><
Summary:
Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson and State Patrol Colonel Christina Bogey announced that weapon screening will begin Tuesday at the Minnesota State Capitol at the start of the 2026 legislative session. They said the change is based on an independent security assessment and the Axtell report’s top recommendation, and framed it as an added layer of protection rather than a weapons ban or a change in state law. Both emphasized that the Capitol will remain open, accessible, and welcoming while reducing preventable risks, citing heightened threats to public officials and the recent murders and shootings involving Minnesota lawmakers and their families.
Bogey outlined the screening plan: visitors will use four public access points, with the south ground-level entrance as the primary entry, while other exterior doors will not be open for public entry. She said the process should take only seconds for most people, with bags going through separate scanners and additional screening only if needed. The Capitol will close to the general public at 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, though accommodations will be made when hearings or floor sessions run later. She also said the entrances and screening areas are ADA accessible and that staff will be available to help guide visitors.
In questions, officials said prohibited items are defined by statute and administrative rules and referred reporters to the State Patrol website for the full list. They confirmed that lawful permit-to-carry holders may still bring firearms, but must declare the permit, show government ID, and go through screening; elected officials are exempt, while staff are not. They also said the State Patrol will fund the rollout from its own budget, with costs to be evaluated over time, and that tunnel key-card access will be restricted to everyone. The briefing ended with a plan to demonstrate the screening equipment upstairs.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Feb 17th, 2026
Budget and Fiscal Review
Transcript Highlights:
- The delay is on all of the permits and all the other processing that occurs while this part is, while
- The problem is the state parks won't give them the permits that they need to be able to do the projects
- They just want the permits to be able to make their community safe.
- So I don't think this non-competitive bidding process is going to help the state parks do their permitting
- So I don't think this non-competitive bidding process is going to help the state parks do their permitting
Summary:
The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard two measures: AB 107, a budget bill junior making largely technical changes to the 2023, 2024, and 2025 budget acts, and AB 117, a trailer bill authorizing a $590 million loan structure to support four Bay Area transit agencies through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission using unallocated Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program funds. Finance explained AB 107 included technical fixes such as extending encumbrance periods, updating federal authority, correcting fiscal language, moving $20 million for California travel promotion from Visit California to GoBiz, and adding an APA exemption for implementation of already-approved climate bond programs. AB 117 was described as a cost-neutral regional solution with a 12-year loan term, two years interest-only, and repayment secured through existing state transit funding streams, with oversight by CalSTA, CTC, and MTC to limit impacts on other projects.
Members raised concerns about transparency, competitive bidding, and whether APA exemptions and no-bid or emergency processes could reduce oversight, while supporters argued the exemptions were needed to get voter-approved climate and wildfire-related funds out the door. On AB 117, senators questioned whether the loan could become a de facto bailout if a Bay Area sales tax measure fails, whether post-pandemic ridership declines and safety/fare-evasion issues are temporary or structural, and whether the loan could jeopardize TIRCP-funded capital projects such as BART Phase 2. Transit agencies and local representatives testified in support, saying ridership is recovering, the loan is critical to avoid service cuts, and the Bay Area economy depends on transit stability.
The committee first passed AB 107 on a 9-4 vote and AB 117 on a 9-4 vote, then held both bills on call. After recess, absent members returned and both measures were lifted from call and passed with 11 votes each. The committee then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Senate Emergency Management Committee and Natural Resources and Water Committee May 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a housing challenge. It's a public safety challenge.
- and that permit.
- "You're going to have to get this permit and that permit because the worst of the scenarios is that the
- The closest home that was destroyed to my house, or near my house, was my high school friend, five doors
- They're in the shadow of that house that's hardened.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- So a trustee can do that even if the trust doesn’t permit them to.
- So a trustee can do that even if the trust doesn’t permit them to.
- And that's doesn't permit them to.
- </c> practices that the IRS has permitted practices that the IRS has permitted since<00:41:03.839><c>
- And certainly when that bill was introduced in the House, it's out of the House because it's up here.
Bills:
SB309, HB192, SB178, SB179, SB237, HB10, HB107, HB189, HB37, HB226, SB309, HB192, SB178, SB179, SB237, HB10, HB107, HB189, HB37, HB226
Keywords:
automated driving systems, oversized vehicles, transportation, regulations, permits, HB192, international wire transfer, wire transfer fee, remittance fee, money transmission business, Alabama Securities Commission, Department of Revenue, Education Trust Fund, ELL instructors, English Language Learner, ESL teachers, income tax credit, remittances, international money transfer, migrant families
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 12th, 2026 at 11:34 am
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Clerk, communicate the action to the House.
- I rise today to support House Bill 4008.
- House Bill 4546 permits business entities registered with the West Virginia Secretary of State to file
- Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5063, to permit the county commission to appoint a county
- Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5063, to permit the county commission to appoint a county
Summary:
The Senate met on March 11, 2026, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest and page introductions, including school groups, prayer caucus visitors, and advocates for Home Family Education Day and Women in Blue Day. The chamber then took up committee reports and a large number of House bills, most of them on third reading, along with several resolutions and referrals. Senate Resolution 62, designating March 12, 2026, as West Virginia Athletic Trainers Day, was adopted after remarks emphasizing the value of athletic trainers in preventing injuries and tragedies in school sports. Several other resolutions and concurrent resolutions were referred to the Committee on Rules or laid over under the rules.
The Senate passed a wide range of bills addressing economic development, public safety, health, licensing, and state administration. Measures approved included bills on the West Virginia Collaboratory at Marshall University, the Business Ready Sites program, volunteer fire company spending authority, the Load Forecast Accountability Act, funeral service licensure, work zone fines, biennial business reporting, correctional officer retirement law, the Right to Try Act, quick claim deed tax exemptions, an ibogaine drug-development grant program, aggravated vehicular homicide sentencing, 529 savings plan definitions, opportunity zones, barber apprenticeship, municipal and county hotel occupancy fund uses, criminal-record licensing standards, intimate image disclosure remedies, executor training materials, contempt penalties, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS information, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, capitation rate review expansions, convention and visitors bureau board membership, peer support services, cosmetology licensure compacts, natural resource police retirement, DNR fee indexing, ALS care services, the Neighborhood Investment Program, oil and gas well plugging and carbon capture-related provisions, DUI technical changes, abuse intervention program terminology, and a youth summer employment and career readiness program. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, with a few closer votes, including the Load Forecast Accountability Act and the DNR fee-indexing bill.
Several bills were amended on the floor, including title amendments and strike-and-insert changes. The Senate also debated the work zone penalty bill, with supporters citing worker safety and fatalities and opponents arguing the bill increased fines too much without requiring removal of outdated work-zone signs. On the energy-related load forecast bill, senators discussed the inclusion of provisions from Senate Bill 420 and concerns about coal plant utilization and utility impacts. After debate, the Senate adopted amendments and passed the bill. In most cases, after passage the Senate ordered the bills communicated to the House, and for a few measures it also adopted title amendments or made bills effective from passage or on a specified date.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 10th, 2026 at 11:16 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Please welcome Las Vegas to the House. Welcome to the House.
- House Bill 128 has duly passed this House.
- House Bill 128 has duly passed this House.
- House Bill 109 as amended has duly passed this House.
- House Bill 158 as amended has duly passed this House.
Bills:
HB111, HB103, HB109, HB128, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB49, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB124, HB145, HB154, HB158, HB164, HB180, HB291, HJR6, HJR7, HR1, HJM1, HM13, HM47
Keywords:
water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 5, 2026 - 08:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Today I'm here to present PCS for House Bill 1329.
- And so by doing so, you are helping to address the housing crisis, lower the cost of housing, and make
- House Bill 1211 is a military affairs bill.
- House Bill 2011, or 1211 is a military affairs bill.
- In favor of House Bill 1001, my name... In favor of House Bill 1001, my name...
Summary:
The subcommittee first took up HB 387 on ADS-B airport billing. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would stop airports and third-party vendors from using federally required automatic dependent surveillance broadcast data to calculate landing or touch-and-go fees, arguing the technology was intended for safety and collision avoidance, not invoicing. An amendment clarifying touch-and-go landings and other fee calculations was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably 15-0.
Members then heard several local and policy bills. CS/HB 803 on private-provider building permits and inspections drew broad support from industry groups and was reported favorably 14-1. HB 451 and HB 4053, local fire-district assessment bills, were presented as relief for homeowners and churches facing higher non-ad valorem assessments; both were reported favorably after amendments, with testimony emphasizing impacts on houses of worship and local communities. PCS/HB 1329 on local government spending transparency prompted extensive debate over searchable budget formats, posting requirements, and possible unfunded mandates; supporters framed it as taxpayer access and accountability, while opponents argued many local governments already provide this information and that the bill could impose costs. It was reported favorably 8-4.
The committee also advanced PCS/HB 927 on local land planning and development, which would allow qualified professionals to assist with pre-application reviews; local government representatives raised concerns about preemption and environmental restrictions, but the bill was reported favorably 13-2. HB 929 on chickee huts, PCS/HB 4081 on expanding a local water and sewer district by referendum, and HB 489 conveying the Trenton Train Depot to the city and county all passed unanimously or near-unanimously. HB 1211, a Department of Military Affairs bill updating leave and assistance-program provisions, was amended and reported favorably. HB 1041, creating business incentives for veteran- and military spouse-owned businesses, also passed 13-0 after amendment and supportive testimony from members and veterans. The final item shown was HB 1001, a bill restricting county and municipal DEI-related actions and contracting; the sponsor described it as a response to division and waste, and members began questioning its definitions, scope, and potential effects on training and civil actions, but the transcript cuts off before any vote or final action on that bill.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill does reasonably permits it.
- </c> nature of the work reasonably permits nature of the work reasonably permits seating.<00:02:28.560
- Uh permits, it defines suitable seating.
- </c> legislature or the old statute permit legislature or the old statute permit the<00:09:35.839><c>
- </c> nature of the work reasonably permits. nature of the work reasonably permits.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Agriculture Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- facilitate the goal of hearing as much from the public within the limits of our time, we will not... ...permit
- With all of that said, onto the bill: AB 1156 updates California's solar use easement statute, permitting
- This past fall, I learned through hearings of the Select Committee on Permitting Reform just how long
- and hard it is to permit a solar energy project in our state and was left with the inescapable conclusion
- State data shows that only three projects have been permitted since 2011.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Agriculture met as a subcommittee and heard several bills, with extensive discussion focused on balancing agricultural land preservation, water scarcity, renewable energy, and farm equity. AB 1156 by Assembly Member Wicks would update the solar use easement program to allow certain Williamson Act lands facing water constraints to be used for solar projects through a suspension rather than cancellation of contracts. Supporters said the bill could help landowners and local governments adapt to falling water supplies and meet clean energy goals, while opponents, including the Farm Bureau, warned it could weaken Williamson Act protections, expand solar development onto prime farmland, and eliminate cancellation fees that help preserve agricultural land. RCRC said its concerns had largely been addressed through amendments and moved from opposition to support once changes are in print, though committee members continued to raise concerns about prime farmland, community benefits, and definitions of commercial viability and water constraints. The bill passed the committee on a due-pass-as-amended motion, with a later roll call recording six votes in favor and one absent member voting aye.
AB 524 by Assembly Member Wilson would create a new state land access program for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, using Proposition 4 funding to provide financial and technical assistance for land acquisition, protection, and long-term leases. Testimony emphasized the lack of secure land tenure for small and underserved farmers, the loss of farmland statewide, and the difficulty of investing in sustainable practices without stable access to land. Committee members strongly supported the measure, with several noting the importance of land access for family farms and equity in agriculture. The bill passed unanimously on an 8-0 vote.
The committee also approved AB 675 by Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, which would codify California’s Farm to School program in statute. Supporters said the program connects students to healthy local food, creates stable markets for farmers, and supports agricultural and nutrition education, while helping direct school meal dollars to California producers. Witnesses from the Center for Ecoliteracy and CAFF described the program’s statewide reach and benefits for small farms and high-need schools. The bill passed on an 8-0 vote. The committee also adopted the consent calendar, approving AB 1322 and AB 1505 on an 8-0 vote.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Administrative Procedures Committee Mar 31st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- No, we are doing that in-house.
- The first is the lack of statutory authority to issue permits for a cigar wholesale dealer.
- It does appear that the cigar wholesale dealer's permit is not legally required.
- Accordingly, we're in the process of removing the link to this permit that's contained online from our
- So I believe as far as these are concerned, as I said, that the wholesale dealer permit is not required
Summary:
The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee reviewed several agency rules and objections under Chapter 120. First, the committee revisited prior objections to Agency for Health Care Administration rules containing sunset provisions. AHCA’s general counsel said the agency amended 26 of the objected rules but declined to amend five others, arguing sunset provisions are lawful, are not themselves rules, and were consistent with a 2019 gubernatorial directive. Committee members questioned that position, especially for licensing and certificate-of-need rules, and urged the agency to consider legislative changes; no formal action was taken on that item during the discussion.
The committee then considered an objection to Department of Management Services Rule 60G-1.001 defining the Governor’s Mansion grounds. Committee staff argued the rule is vague and improperly refers to future land acquisitions without updating the rule since 1998. DMS defended the rule as a general definition tied to publicly recorded property and a master lease, but said it would not object if the Legislature chose to codify the definition in statute. After discussion, the committee voted to file the objection.
Members also received informational updates from the Department of Environmental Protection on the Solaris state lands inventory system, and from the Florida Gaming Control Commission on its response to the Tampa Bay Downs unadopted-rule litigation, in which the commission said it has stopped relying on the prior tax interpretation and will not promulgate a rule on that issue. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation said it would remove an unsupported cigar wholesale dealer permit reference, repeal an obsolete excise-tax deduction rule, and amend penalty guidelines and an affirmation in its alcohol, beverage, and tobacco rules. Finally, the Division of Administrative Hearings’ interim director discussed case-processing times, possible changes to ALJ status, and whether the Florida Rules of Evidence should apply in administrative proceedings, emphasizing the need to weigh costs, independence, and impacts on pro se litigants. The chair noted this was likely the committee’s final meeting of the year.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/30/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Anybody want to go to my house?
- House in the<03:18:58.239><c> in</c><03:18:58.479><c> the</c><03:18:58.640><c> past.
- Just like your public schools when they do a renovation, they don't pay permit fees. >> Permit fees.
- </c> Oh, Oh, Oh, >> permit<03:31:51.040><c> fees.</c><03:31:51.439><c> Sorry.
- This is about paying all those permit fees that we had to pay last year.
Summary:
The committee first heard HB 1334, which would remove the Education Freedom Account scholarship organization’s authority to approve “any other educational expense” under the EFA statute. The prime sponsor, Representative Porchelli, said the bill would narrow the law to the specifically listed qualifying expenses, avoid broad interpretation, and shift any questions to the Department of Education or the legislative oversight committee. In response to questions, she said she did not think the open-ended category had been needed and that the statute already clearly lists allowable expenses. A representative of the Children’s Scholarship Fund testified in opposition, saying the category is used rarely but is important for unusual cases, especially students with special needs, and that removing it could create unintended consequences. After testimony, the chair closed the hearing on HB 1334.
The committee then heard HB 1513, which would move several EFA reporting and oversight requirements from administrative rules and the contract with the Children’s Scholarship Fund into statute. Representative Porchelli said the bill would consolidate existing requirements on timely responses to oversight requests, publication of expense reports by category and provider, and transmission of eligibility and enrollment data to the Department of Education. She described the bill as mostly a clarification and transparency measure rather than a substantive policy change. Members asked about the meaning of “timely access,” the 45-day deadline, whether the contract already covered these duties, and whether the scholarship organization had ever failed to comply. The Children’s Scholarship Fund said it had generally met the 45-day deadline, had not knowingly refused information requests, and that the quarterly reporting requirement could add cost; the sponsor said the DOE had provided guidance and was neutral. The hearing on HB 1513 was then closed.
Finally, the committee heard HB 1256, which would repeal the state librarian’s authority to award scholarships for graduate library school attendance at American Library Association-accredited schools. Representative Drago said the law was unnecessary because the state does not currently have a state librarian, scholarships are not typically granted by statute, and he objected to the ALA accreditation requirement and what he described as the association’s political advocacy. In questions, he clarified that the bill targets the accreditation requirement rather than a specific school and said he did not think the state should direct taxpayer-funded scholarships toward ALA-accredited programs. A member raised First Amendment concerns, but the sponsor said the issue was not speech itself, only the use of taxpayer dollars and state law to support that direction. The transcript cuts off before any vote or final action on HB 1256.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Fish and Game and Marine Resources (01/28/2026)
Fish and Game and Marine Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- So House Bill 7 or House Bill 1074 I thought would be a simple solution by extending the period in which
- </c> agreed on their own so that permits agreed on their own so that permits didn't<01:55:58.639><c>
- How would this permit thing apply?
- So, as the permit thing apply?
- It passed both houses. voted it through. It passed both houses.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture and Water Management Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We do have two operations that are looking to permit in the eastern part.
- The permits have been held, and if you look at the... ...I don't know which page this is; they don't
- The permits have been held, and if you look at the... ...I don't know which page this is; they don't
- But that building houses a lot of the front end work in agronomy, plant breeding, horticulture, plant
- I know the permits and stuff are supposedly only good for a year, but once they get started, it seems
Summary:
The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and opening remarks from NDSU President David Stewart, who emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission of statewide service through teaching, research, and extension. He highlighted the university’s role in agriculture, water, soil health, and community outreach, and pointed to examples of research commercialization such as Lilac Agriculture’s work on nitrogen-fixing microbes for crops. He also said he is still early in his tenure and intends to spend time listening and learning across the state.
The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study estimated that North Dakota could develop about 1.3 million additional irrigated acres, with major potential in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau. Testimony stressed the economic benefits of irrigation for crop yields, value-added processing, dairy, and potato production, while members also discussed water availability, aquifers, downstream water use, and the need for more flexible permitting. The drainage portion of the study found significant economic benefits from legal drains, and staff explained that the impacts were calculated through increased productivity and related input purchases.
Greg Lardy then gave NDSU’s required agriculture update, saying agriculture accounts for more than $41 billion in annual economic activity, one in five jobs, and about 25 percent of state GDP. He reviewed the role of SBAR, the statewide research-extension network, new crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI and weather-network tools, and Extension’s county partnerships and youth programs. He also outlined NDSU’s priorities for the next session: restoring proposed budget cuts, increasing operating support, and addressing deferred maintenance. Members asked about storage shed construction, NDSU’s relationship with Grand Farm, and whether NDSU could help with water-related research tied to drainage and aquifers.
The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor on water and data centers, who described graduate fellowships, a water workforce certificate program, and research on data center cooling, water use, and “Legendary Harvest” concepts that would reuse waste heat for greenhouse or aquaculture production. Questions focused on whether the cooling systems were closed-loop, who would own any related production facilities, and whether the project was still only a feasibility study. Finally, North Dakota AgTech described its NSF-funded “engine” project, saying it has brought millions in federal investment to the state, supported startups and on-farm trials, and is focused on commercialization, workforce development, and helping producers lower input costs and improve profitability.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> governor's budget and the house budget. governor's budget and the house budget.
- It is for transitional housing. Every single bit of housing... account.
- c> bit</c><00:25:49.200><c> of</c><00:25:49.440><c> housing</c> Housing.
- It is for transitional housing. Every single bit of housing...
- </c> house. This is what this summarizes. house.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House workforce panel considers HF1216 3/18/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As you make your way up, Representative Berg moves House File 1216 to bring that before the committee
- I'm pleased to present House File 1216 to support an excellent apprenticeship readiness program called
- people who've been waiting a couple people who've been waiting a couple years<00:08:43.120><c> permitting
- so for me it felt like years permitting so for me it felt like there<00:08:45.920><c> was</c><00:08:
- And with that, the Chair lays over House File 1216 for possible inclusion in a future budget bill.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (04/01/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, but currently similar legislation has passed the Oklahoma House, the Texas House, the Texas Senate
- ,<00:35:27.920><c> the</c><00:35:28.160><c> Texas</c> House, the Texas House, the Texas Senate,<00:35
- </c><00:56:42.000><c> My</c> prohibited um it is permitted. My prohibited um it is permitted.
- There's no... except for, again, the permitted investments, and that's a very long list of permitted
- </c><01:02:06.880><c> Um</c> list of permitted investments. Um list of permitted investments.
Summary:
The committee held a work session on HB 302, which would add precious metals and digital assets as potential investment options. State Treasurer Monica Misipelli said she took no position on the bill and did not see an immediate fiscal impact or operational problem, but explained that the state’s operating funds and rainy day fund require liquidity and stability, so they would not be suitable for volatile assets like precious metals or digital assets. She said the only funds that might potentially use such investments would be certain trust funds held in perpetuity, which are managed by an outside investment advisor under a contract and investment policy.
Members asked about the treasurer’s current investment practices, including the types of funds managed, the role and discretion of the investment advisor, the state’s risk profile, and whether the bill would affect existing authority. Misipelli said the office follows RSA 11 and related statutes, with different objectives ranging from conservative to aggressive depending on the fund, and that the advisor meets with the office regularly, with formal performance reviews on a quarterly basis. She also said the office recently centralized management of about 40 trust accounts totaling roughly $60 million into five combined portfolios under a five-year contract with an RFP-selected vendor. When asked whether precious metals or digital assets are already indirectly available through mutual funds, she said that was possible for some mutual funds, but she was not certain about digital assets.
Representative Ammon, the bill’s sponsor, said similar legislation had passed the Oklahoma House, the Texas House and Senate, and had advanced in Arizona. He argued the bill was intended to give the treasurer more tools to help balance portfolios and hedge inflation, noting concerns about federal debt and inflation. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair ended the questioning after thanking the treasurer and asking her to remain available in case further questions arose.