Transcript Highlights:

• “As a matter of fact, I have to leave very shortly to go meet with the council and discuss that this
• And I also represent DOCR and this task force on the interagency council for the homeless, with Jennifer
• Then my second question is, relative to the discussions that Legislative Council is having on a potential
• Then a floor for the Legislative Council staff.
• We talked about a presentation by legislative council staff of a bill draft regarding updates.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a presentation from the Council of College Faculties.
• The council comprises two or three elected members from each of the 11 institutions, who then elect the
• CCF also has a representative on the NDUS Academic Affairs Council and the Student Affairs Council.
• And the other piece I'll note on this page is these requests came forward from different councils that
• So some of them came from our academic student affairs councils, some came from our IT councils.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After that, we have a presentation and discussion with some representatives from the Council of College
• We have a presentation from the Council of College Faculties.
• CCF also has a representative on the NDUS Academic Affairs Council and the Student Affairs Council.
• And the other piece I'll note on this page is these requests came forward from different councils that
• So some of them came from our academic student affairs councils; some came from our IT councils.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• with community members, but none other and better than the esteemed Debbie Montgomery, our former council
• with community members, but none other and better than the esteemed Debbie Montgomery, our former council
• our former council member. our former council member.
• Paul and former city council member. I did a lot of stuff at the state capitol, too.
• to MnDOT, but doing or the Met Council to MnDOT, but doing the<00:59:36.440> utilities<00:59:

Transcript Highlights:

• What I have seen, though, is some communities are turning to their regional councils for assistance,
• And so I know Lake Agassiz Regional Council has helped a couple of communities.
• They've come to the Regional Council, and they provide economic development services for those smaller
• And to be honest with you, to some degree, the regional councils are almost underutilized from what I've
• And in the Oil and Gas Research Council, what we're trying to do is, I think we need to go into these

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees. A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale. The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Created by the California Child Welfare Council in 2023, the Mandated Reporting to Community Supporting
• the work that led to a comprehensive set of recommendations that were unanimously approved by the council
• The work of that committee will be led by tri-chairs with representation from the Child Welfare Council
• The Child Welfare Council is another entity that establishes a framework for interagency collaboration
• The council was established in 2006.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, child support, and related prevention efforts. The chair opened by emphasizing mandated reporting reform, foster care system improvements, and community-based prevention, and noted that no votes would be taken. Public testimony focused first on mandated reporting, where a lived-experience advocate and several organizations argued that the current system overreports families, especially Black, Native, and Latino families, causes trauma, and should be reformed through standardized training, clearer thresholds, and stronger community supports rather than more hotline referrals. Casey Family Programs cited data showing nearly 90% of reports are unsubstantiated, while CDSS said it is already forming a Mandated Reporting Advisory Committee, updating training, and exploring community pathways and possible changes to the list of mandated reporters. CWDA and SEIU supported training and alternative response concepts but stressed child safety, county capacity, funding, and the need for careful implementation and accountability. The committee then discussed a proposal to create a foster care multi-agency office within the California Health and Human Services Agency, led by a chief foster youth advocate with authority to coordinate across departments. Advocates said foster youth often need services from education, health, housing, and behavioral health systems that do not coordinate well, and argued that a central office with real authority could improve placement stability and access to services. CDSS responded that existing structures already provide coordination, including AB 2083 interagency teams, the Child Welfare Council, complex care steering committees, and the foster care ombudsperson, but said it was open to technical assistance. Members raised concerns about whether the new office would have enough authority and funding to avoid becoming another layer of bureaucracy, and the chair emphasized the need for real “teeth” and better interagency action. The final major topic was the continuation and expansion of Promise Neighborhoods. A community leader described strong early results from the state-funded neighborhoods, including improved kindergarten readiness, reduced chronic absenteeism, higher graduation rates, food access, housing supports, and mental health services, but warned that current funding sunsets in June 2025 and that a fiscal cliff could jeopardize staff and services. CDSS said the four funded neighborhoods have reported positive outcomes and valuable flexibility, but also noted challenges with one-time funding, student mental health, and long-term planning. Assemblymember Mia Bonta urged continued investment, saying the place-based model is difficult to rebuild once lost, and the chair asked LAO to help identify the minimum funding needed to preserve the existing infrastructure while evaluation results are still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• The California State Pipe Trades Council and the Western States Council of Sheet Metal Workers are in
• Al Austin with the Machinists Council 57 in full support. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several bills, beginning with SB 1166 by Senator Arreguín, which would allow AC Transit and its employees to use the Public Employment Relations Board to resolve unfair labor practice charges instead of the courts. The author and union supporters said PERB would provide a faster, fairer, and more specialized process, while no opposition testified. The committee members expressed support, and SB 1166 was approved on a due pass motion and re-referred to Appropriations. The committee also took up consent items SB 1024, SB 1207, and SB 1444, which were moved on consent and placed on hold for absent members. Later, SB 1083 by Senator Perez was heard; it would refine last year’s school misconduct database law by adding an administrative law judge review process for classified employees, requiring stronger employer notification and record-sharing procedures, and extending vetting requirements to certain contracted workers. Supporters, including classified employees and labor groups, argued the bill adds due process and fairness while preserving student safety. Opponents, including school administrators, school districts, and liability organizations, argued it could create gaps in misconduct records, increase liability, and weaken protections for students. After discussion, the author said he was continuing to work with opponents on amendments and emphasized the bill’s goal of balancing due process with child safety, referencing his own experience with grooming as a student. SB 1083 was passed on a due pass motion and re-referred to the Committee on Education. The chair then announced that all bills had passed and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The California State Pipe Trades Council and the Western States Council of Sheet Metal Workers are in
• Al Austin with the Labor Council 57 in full support. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and tourist industry relations, as well as the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, the Legislative Council
• While serving in this role, the governor appointed Robert Geake to the Child Support Leadership Council
• He was also appointed to the Child Support Leadership Council and the Legislative Retirement System Board

Summary: The Senate convened with 30 members present, heard the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, and approved several temporary excusals. The chamber received gubernatorial appointments to multiple boards and commissions, then recessed and later took up resolutions and legislation. It adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 13, a tribute memorializing former Senator and Representative Robert Geake, after remarks honoring his long legislative career and public service; the resolution was adopted and all members and the Lieutenant Governor were added as co-sponsors. The Senate also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 14, which approved an extension of a state of emergency related to gasoline prices through Labor Day. Senator Camilleri argued the extension would help lower fuel costs for residents, while Senator McBroom later criticized the resolution as political theater and urged action on substantive energy legislation, including a pending Upper Peninsula-related bill. The resolution passed by roll call, 36-1. In floor action, the Senate introduced and referred several bills, including measures on the Income Tax Act, Michigan Trust Fund Act, road classification, the Food Law, Motor Fuels Quality Act, and automated decision tools in employment. The chamber then passed three bills on third reading: Senate Bill 480 on child care organization licensing and regulation, Senate Bill 517 amending the Revised School Code, and Senate Bill 278 amending the State Housing Development Authority Act of 1966. The Senate adjourned after statements and a final motion to adjourn until June 25 at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's statutory cleanup for the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Council.
• It adds an additional caregiver council slot and requires the council to develop and distribute an early

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 510, which passed with a favorable expression by unanimous roll call vote and then received consent without opposition. The bill’s specific subject was not discussed in the excerpt, but the chair congratulated the sponsor after the vote. House Bill 176, sponsored by Rep. Kim Moser with testimony from Corey Meadows of the Kentucky Medical Association, would create a framework for insurers to offer waiver programs that reduce prior authorization requirements for health care providers. The sponsor said the bill was intended to cut red tape and improve transparency, and noted that the language had been worked out with insurers. The committee voted unanimously to pass the bill with favorable expression and then approved consent. House Bill 266, sponsored by Rep. Peyton Griffee with testimony from Dr. Kelly Ellis of Eastern Kentucky University, would add audiology and speech-language pathology to the credentials eligible for the Kentucky Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund. Supporters said these professions are critical to care across the lifespan and that their education and licensure requirements fit the fund’s purpose of retaining health professionals in Kentucky. The bill passed unanimously with favorable expression and consent, with Sen. Nemes briefly explaining his support based on workforce development experience. House Bill 393, sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Raymer with testimony from McKenzie Wallace of the Alzheimer’s Association, made cleanup changes to the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Council, added a caregiver council slot, and required the council to develop and distribute an early detection and diagnosis toolkit for health care providers. The committee passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression and consent. Sen. Mills explained his yes vote in memory of his father, who had Alzheimer’s disease.

Transcript Highlights:

• also want to thank McQuaid County, the representatives from there, county commissioners, and city council
• Our next presenters are Cybersecurity Needs at Institutions of Higher Learning, New Mexico Council for
• The NM Independent Community College Executive Director is also here: Mark Saavedra, the Council of University

Transcript Highlights:

• Colleagues, please join me in welcoming the League of Women Voters of San Francisco Youth Council.
• The council is youth-led with mentorship from the League's board.
• He worked along with the Natural Resources Defense Council and the International Fund for Animal Welfare

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We show you're registered as Dave Hower testifying on behalf of National Rental Home Council that you
• David Howard, chief executive officer of the National Rental Home Council headquartered in Washington
• DC, also representing our state affiliate here in Texas, the Texas Rental Home Council.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hauer, testifying on behalf of the National Rental Home Council, that you are for the bill.
• Council, headquartered in Washington, D.C., also representing our state affiliate here in Texas, the
• Texas Rental Home Council.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1970, he was elected his first term on the Thousand Oaks City Council.
• And if that wasn't enough, Ed was once again elected to the Thousand Oaks City Council in 2018 and served
• Gang Task Force and Simi Valley Crime Task Force, as well as the Executive Board of Neighborhood Council

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• table properly here, we'll ask council table properly here, we'll ask council to<00:51:30.319>
• implications, we do have uh Council implications, we do have uh Council Primo<01:20:54.560> here
• <02:03:39.599> M Council has suggested amendment. M Council has suggested amendment.
• differently if you sat on a city council differently if you sat on a city council and<03:22:04.319
• my first year on the city council in St. my first year on the city council in St.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, that would be great, Madam Chair, and I will ... we could ask council to comment on why the cost
• to comment on Yeah I council to comment on Yeah I why<00:43:34.640> the<00:43:34.760> cost
• And Madam Chair and Senator Dibble, I think perhaps maybe we could work together with Senate Council
• And Madam Chair and Senator Dibble, I think perhaps maybe we could work together with Senate Council
• We won't do it right now but if you would work with Council um and um and uh show it to Senator Dibble

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At our first meeting, we heard from Legislative Council on a background memorandum regarding the purpose
• Department, WSI, NODAQ, Farmers Union, as well as the North Dakota Extension Service and the Safety Council
• legislation, if you're thinking about bringing some legislation, then we will work with Legislative Council
• So this committee, this is the way I understand it from visiting with Legislative Council.
• ..by the Legislative Council staff can be introduced and approved at one meeting.

Summary: The committee opened its third interim meeting with roll call, approved the November 13, 2025 minutes, and the chair reviewed prior committee work, including a denied request for a fertilizer-capacity study and a planned later discussion of the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger issue. Commissioner Doug Goring then presented Department of Agriculture updates on uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, the state’s irrigation potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and supply in North Dakota. Members asked about funding sources, fertilizer storage and availability, natural gas and water needs for future fertilizer plants, and how the model zoning website would help counties and townships apply setback and odor tools. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the department is proposing changes to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and updated hydrologic data, while still limiting the model to direct, demonstrable costs and benefits. He said the goal is to make the analysis more realistic and consistent without changing statute, and he provided examples of how project benefits could change as drains age or as rainfall and flood data evolve. Committee members and water-user representatives generally supported continued work on the proposal, while raising concerns about downstream impacts, closed-basin projects, and whether the changes would meaningfully affect project approvals. The committee then heard from John Paskowski, state engineer, on Devil’s Lake, the West End and East End outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. He reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow limits, and explained that the control structure is intended to prevent a catastrophic uncontrolled release by slowing erosion and head cutting. Members asked about water quality trends, the length of the downstream flow constraint, and whether the Tolna Coulee area had been studied for possible natural overflow or silt buildup. The discussion emphasized ongoing flooding concerns, mitigation for affected landowners, and the need to balance outlet operations with downstream water quality and infrastructure protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, when I was on tribal council, we were self-insured.
• Um, when I was on tribal council, we were self-insured.
• When I was on tribal council, we were self-insured.
• When I was on tribal council, we were self-insured.
• Chair, members of the committee, Dan Andre with the Minnesota Council of Health Plans.

Bills: HF3388, HF400

Keywords: HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance, health insurance, group health carriers, MCHA, MNsure, individual market, premium stabilization, carrier assessment, health insurance assessment, premium security plan account, state innovation waiver, high-risk pool, reinsurance payments, healthcare premiums, insurance carriers, deferral of assessment, financially impaired condition, HF400

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from the prior day and then heard House File 400, a bill described as a defrayal measure for health insurance mandates. Representative Perryman said the bill would not block future mandates, but would require the state to pay the added costs of any new mandated benefits so those costs would not be shifted to premium payers. She and supporters framed the bill as a way to protect affordability for Minnesota employers, workers, and families, especially in the fully insured market. Testimony in support came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Council of Health Plans. They argued that Minnesota has a high number of mandated benefits, that each new mandate adds cost to premiums, and that businesses—especially small and midsize employers—are already struggling with rising health insurance costs. The health plans representative said the bill would use the existing Commerce defrayal process to reimburse plans for eligible mandate-related claims, allowing those costs to be removed from premium rates. Several members echoed support, saying the bill would improve transparency by showing the fiscal impact of proposed mandates and help prevent people from being priced out of coverage. Members also explored how mandates apply in the market and how premiums are set. Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer explained that, unless otherwise specified, mandates generally apply to the individual, small group, and fully insured large group markets, while self-insured ERISA plans and other markets are generally outside that scope. Representative Elkins noted that the affected market is relatively small and said small businesses are increasingly moving to self-insured plans because of cost. He and others raised concerns about affordability, while Representative Smith argued that mandates often ensure needed care and that the bill shifts costs to taxpayers rather than insurers. Representative Bacham added a personal example from tribal self-insurance, saying preventive physicals had saved lives and asking whether other factors besides mandates are driving insurer costs. No amendments were offered, and the bill was laid over for possible future consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• largely a lot of content that we previously shared with uh the 2025 unemployment insurance advisory council
• Deputy Commissioner Row mentioned, this is largely a presentation that we do for the UI advisory council
• Uh, so this is an overview that we do for the UI advisory council.
• <00:02:23.040> in the advisory UI advisory council in the advisory UI advisory council in
• Um, it's a quick walkthrough of council.

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