Transcript Highlights:

• It's mostly through natural gas.
• I see that our director of the Department of Cultural and Natural Resources is here.
• and cultural resources are and natural and cultural resources are here<04:27:15.359> I've<04:
• The bill removes the layers of vetting through the Department of Cultural and Natural Resources, as well
• The layers of vetting through the Department of Cultural and Natural Resources, as well as the Governor's

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 610, which would fold the Office of the Consumer Advocate into the Department of Energy rather than fully eliminate consumer advocacy functions. The prime sponsor argued the current office is small, funded by a special assessment on ratepayers, and duplicative of DOE work. He said moving the function to DOE would streamline energy policy review, reduce bureaucracy, and better focus the larger agency on lowering residential energy costs. He also disputed claims that the Consumer Advocate is independent, saying the office is appointed through a political process similar to DOE leadership. Committee members and the sponsor discussed whether the bill would actually relocate existing positions or replace them, and whether the Department of Energy would absorb the cost of the transferred staff. The sponsor said the fiscal note shows roughly a million-dollar reduction in both revenue assessment and spending, and that the bill would effectively reduce the office from five positions to three. He also defended his cost estimates for energy-code-related housing impacts and said the Consumer Advocate has sometimes supported policies he считает increase costs, such as energy-efficiency measures and building code changes. He argued the office should focus more on energy supply and generation, including natural gas and nuclear, rather than efficiency alone. Representative Wendy Thomas testified in opposition, saying the Consumer Advocate is an important, fair, and impartial voice for ratepayers and warning that the bill was fiscally irresponsible because the incumbent could still be owed salary and benefits if the office were repealed. She also said the bill’s drafting was confusing and that the Consumer Advocate’s role is to push back on utilities on behalf of consumers. Other members raised questions about whether the DOE would simply inherit the same political appointment structure and whether the bill would meaningfully lower bills. No vote was taken in the excerpt; the chair indicated additional testimony would follow, and the Department of Energy was present to answer questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I see it as a resource for the officer, like backup and support. Agreed.
• Louisiana has abundant natural resources, and Louisianians more than most Americans really love to indulge
• I think with the abundance of Louisiana's natural resources, this will encourage students and Louisiana
• citizens of all ages to get out and enjoy our natural resources.
• And, of course, I have a lot of charter schools in the 504 area code.

Bills: HCR97, HR168, SCR33, SB112, SB346, SB347, SB353, SB488, SB504, SB507, SB518

Keywords: hunting education, firearm safety, outdoor recreation, curriculum, youth education, conservation, collegiate athletics, funding, name image likeness, revenue sharing, NCAA compliance, student-athlete support, financial sustainability, work-based learning, task force, internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, cooperative education, co-op

Summary: The House Education Committee met on May 12, 2026, and first approved SB 518, which gives LSU a two-year pilot authority to buy and sell certain real estate within one mile of campus to support redevelopment and student needs. Senator Foyle and LSU representatives said the bill is intended to help the university act more quickly on deteriorating nearby properties and some Greek housing transactions, with safeguards such as appraisal and fair-market-value requirements. Members asked about whether the authority would affect mostly commercial property and whether the pilot could later be expanded to other universities; the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then reported SCR 33, creating a one-year Work-Based Learning Coordination Task Force to study and better coordinate internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, and related programs across state agencies and employers. Support testimony emphasized that Louisiana’s education and workforce systems are too siloed and that the task force would map existing efforts, identify gaps, and recommend a statewide structure. HR 168 also passed, directing the Board of Regents to study collegiate athletic program funding after concerns raised by athletic directors about deficits and accounting practices. Members next approved SB 488, a school safety drone response pilot program, after testimony described drones as a supplemental security tool that could respond faster than police and work with law enforcement; an amendment required coordination with the Department of Education, State Police, and the Sheriffs’ Association. HCR 97 was reported favorably to ask BESE and Wildlife and Fisheries to study age- and grade-appropriate hunting, conservation, and shooting sports education for grades 5-12. The committee also approved SB 112, allowing local school boards to adopt parental-consent release-time policies for religious instruction, with amendments on instructor qualifications, grade reporting, and constitutional safeguards; SB 504, expanding individual graduation plans to include vocational options and charter schools; SB 346 and SB 347, addressing harmful deepfakes involving K-12 and college students; and SB 353, authorizing postsecondary systems to digitize student IDs for LA Wallet, though members raised concerns about naming a specific vendor. The meeting adjourned after SB 353 was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're under-resourced to be able to do that.
• With a training like this, I could have been connected to resources and help sooner.
• With this, I could have been connected to resources and help sooner.
• I think even in this code section, we've added, you know, one every other year.
• I think even in this code section, we've added, we've added, you know, one every other year.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of us making sure we can actually execute and do the work with fidelity is that we have focused resources
• So you have my commitment that we are looking at adding additional resources, at a minimum one additional
• Section 106 requires DESE to make available certain resources related to anti-Semitism and societal bias
• for people to help direct conversations that will be a resource for people to hopefully get it right
• They should be learning diverse opinions about things based on diverse resources and sources.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting opened with approval of the July 9, 2025 minutes and a roll call confirming quorum. DESE Commissioner Pedro Martinez gave his first official testimony, affirming the department’s commitment to preventing antisemitism and societal bias in schools, saying DESE supports the commission’s recommendations and will add staff resources to help develop and disseminate guidance and instructional materials. He said DESE’s rubric and guidance for identifying effective curricula and resources should be finalized in late fall, and commissioners welcomed the partnership and asked about the ongoing Section 98A work. The commission then heard from Professor Eitan Hirsch of Tufts, who presented research on antisemitism and campus climate. He described survey findings showing sharply different Jewish and non-Jewish views on Israel, increasing social pressure on Jewish students, and a growing tendency for Jewish students to hide their identity or feel penalized for participating in Jewish life. He argued that colleges need to do more to teach students how to handle dissent and build cultures of viewpoint diversity, and commissioners asked about best practices, regional differences, and the role of campus climate surveys. Rabbi Fine of UMass Amherst Hillel and student Sky Landau testified about antisemitism at UMass, especially since October 7. Fine described both a thriving Jewish student community and serious incidents including harassment, vandalism, classroom issues, protests, and students hiding Jewish identity; he said the university is working with Hillel and DEI leadership on goals and strategy for Jewish inclusion, and he urged more training and structured dialogue. Landau described antisemitic incidents she experienced or witnessed, including hostile BDS meetings, exclusion of Zionist students, Holocaust denial, threats, and social ostracism, and said Hillel was the only consistently safe space for her. Commissioners discussed reporting pathways, affinity groups, mental health supports, and ways to distinguish criticism of Israel from antisemitism. Later, the commission moved to its recommendations and made several edits before voting, including deleting offensive wording in a footnote, adding a citation to recent FBI hate crime data, and restoring language tied to an existing DESE regulation, 603 CMR 26.05, on classroom neutrality and fact-based instruction. Commissioners also reiterated that criticism of Israel’s government is not inherently antisemitic. The meeting included a brief interruption by a protester, after which the commission recessed and then resumed its work on the draft recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:49.639> resource<00:06:50.319> sciences agricultural natural resource sciences
• <00:08:17.919> resource food agriculture and natural resource food agriculture and natural
• <00:09:34.680> resources<00:09:35.680> and nutrition programs natural resources and
• the areas of agriculture and natural the areas of agriculture and natural resources<00:20:42.640
• <01:19:44.199> resources<01:19:44.880> but of with using our natural resources but

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It could be natural gas with some type of clean fuel or carbon capture.
• We need to have other resources available that can meet these needs under all conditions.
• We need to have other resources available that can meet these needs under all conditions.
• I think that's a limited resource, and there's large-scale nuclear that exists today.
• but it's a lot solar is a great resource but it's a lot better<01:42:33.800> resource<01:42:34.239

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We just have now put an abundance of those resources... Upon the AOC.
• That's just a natural part of it, and that's okay, right?
• They are asking for resources consistent with their workload.
• The populist nature of the government listens to people. just off the street.
• And that's not working well either, and again, that's natural.

Transcript Highlights:

• Comply with all applicable building codes. D.
• And I think that's due to our abundant natural gas and coal and fossil-fuel-powered energy resources
• So that, of course, that's the nature of socialism.
• Strengthening federal resources for investments across Colorado.
• .. of natural gas in the state of Colorado.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Davids, would you like to move the amendment coded A25-0075? So moved, Chair Norris.
• Next, we will move the author's amendment coded A25-0075, A1.
• Chair Davids, would you like to move the amendment coded A1?
• Thank you for including additional resources for taxpayer assistance and tax credit outreach grants.
• So my name is Stephanie Pinkala, and I'm the Government Relations Director at the Nature Conservancy,

Bills: HF2730, HF2257, HF2768, HF1932, HF2437

Keywords: local government debt, municipal bonds, county bonds, capital improvements, public financing, bond issuance, public hearing, notice period, bond guarantee, Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, volume cap, private activity bonds, housing finance, residential rental bonds, LIHTC, low-income housing tax credits, redevelopment, courthouse financing, jail financing, law enforcement center

Transcript Highlights:

• They often lack the voice, resources, or confidence to report abuse.
• They often lack the voice, resources, or confidence to report abuse.
• And also, it does not have to be actually a natural person.
• I am going to say the two DOC prisoners that were listed both died of natural causes.
• Actually, that board deals with child abuse and families and things of that nature.

Summary: The committee first deferred HB 374 without objection. It then heard SB 46, which creates the crime of unlawful operation of a group home aimed at protecting vulnerable adults living in unsafe, unlicensed residences where operators control residents’ assets. The Attorney General’s office described severe neglect and exploitation in some homes, while the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center opposed the bill over concerns it could create confusion, criminalize legitimate recovery or disability housing, and chill protected housing arrangements. After discussion, including assurances that the bill was narrowly targeted at bad actors, the committee reported SB 46 favorably. The committee next took up HB 276, which sets a statewide minimum bail amount for certain sexual offenses against minors. Testimony from a victim’s mother and an anti-trafficking expert supported the bill as a way to keep dangerous offenders detained and protect children, while members debated whether the original $50,000 minimum was too low and could be treated as a benchmark. The committee amended the bill in committee to raise the minimum to $1 million and to add human trafficking involving a victim under 18 to the covered offenses, then reported HB 276 favorably as amended. Members then heard SB 42 and SB 110, both addressing AI-generated child sexual abuse material. SB 42 expands the definition of child sexual abuse material to include digital and AI-generated depictions, while SB 110 prohibits using a child’s image to train AI to produce such material. The Attorney General’s office and survivor advocates supported the measures as necessary updates to keep pace with technology and protect children; the committee reported both bills favorably. HB 998, dealing with forensic medical exams and reimbursement for domestic violence victims, especially strangulation cases, was also heard and amended to remove human trafficking references and set implementation steps; advocates said the bill would improve evidence collection and reimbursement, and it was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee heard SB 51 on fraudulent representation of military service or awards, which was supported as a tool to address stolen valor and was reported favorably, and HB 323 on notification and reporting of inmate deaths, which was presented as a transparency measure after a family testified about learning of a relative’s death from the news rather than the facility.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be not impossible, but without adding resources, just incredibly burdensome.
• It would be not impossible, but without adding resources, just incredibly burdensome.
• And in case of Bakken wells, natural gas, which have their own associated costs.
• and 30 days in prison in Century Code already.
• allows, they have a $1,000 fine and 30 days in prison in Century Code already.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are written in North Dakota Century Code.
• The larger cities have more resources, obviously.
• The larger cities have more resources, obviously.
• I have approximately 187 community resources.
• of Federal Regulations, Century Code, Administrative Code, billing and policy manuals, the Medicaid

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• And naturally, Resources Environmental Protection, the budget includes a shift of $1 billion from the
• It also makes various other changes to the Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control
• , and California Air Resources Board statutes.
• It probably would have been the resources.
• 1st and the future Title 24 Part 6 energy code.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Senate Democratic leader, and I love being on the Natural Resources Committee.
• Natural resources are very important to our state. Excellent. And I am T.J.
• I'm the legislative research analyst for the Committee on Natural Resources.
• He's the best research analyst... oh well, then, in Natural Resources.
• I'm the research assistant analyst for Natural Resources and RAGE.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• municipalities do have the resources municipalities do have the resources that<04:24:56.560>
• resources that they have to do that. resources that they have to do that.
• And it's not about crime prevention as much as it is about natural resource degradation.
• <04:40:09.840> towns natural resources and um allowing towns natural resources and um allowing
• <05:15:15.600> or built against local zoning codes or built against local zoning codes or

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So wouldn't you agree with me that we just don't have the resources here for most agencies?
• Yeah, I think we have a resource, but that's what I thought. But maybe they didn't sign up.
• This is already law right now, of the education code.
• So there has to be a way to corral the overburdensome nature of it. I'm not sure there does.
• And if there's any resource, this area is somewhat in my lane.

Bills: HB867, HB1347, HB1801, HB1820, HB2197, HB2617, HB3110, HB3166, HB3330, HB4237, HB4342, HB4629, HB4933, HJR148

Keywords: criminal case dismissal, attorney discretion, law enforcement misconduct, judicial approval, evidence, judicial consent, transparency, healthcare, Medicare, insurance, elderly, retired, benefits, access, cost, criminal justice, case dismissal, prosecutorial discretion, law enforcement oversight, criminal procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• offenses that currently exist in the Penal Code.
• This is an unnecessary addition to our penal code.
• While Penal Code Section 459 does not require sex offender registration, Penal Code Section 290.006 gives
• I went to court whenever I had the resources to do so.
• I went to court whenever I had the resources to do so.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• coded The amendment is coded uh<00:19:16.960> A2.
• The amendment is coded A1.
• amendment is coded A10. amendment is coded A10.
• The amendment is coded A13.
• The amendment is coded A22.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Senate File 4612, a state government bill affecting the Department of Health, Human Services, and Children, Youth, and Families, was taken up with a House language amendment adopted at the outset. The bill’s authors gave sharply different perspectives: one described it as a limited, reactive measure tied to federal Medicaid changes and said it fell short of needed health care improvements, while the other argued it would avoid large federal penalties, add Medicaid work requirements, save taxpayer money, and help certain rural and disability-related services. Members then debated several amendments. A technical House research amendment was offered, followed by a contested amendment on the all-payer claims database. Supporters of that change argued the bill expanded data access and could allow sensitive health data to be sold or used outside the United States, raising privacy and jurisdiction concerns; opponents said the data would remain deidentified, access would be limited to researchers, and the fee structure was a cost-recovery mechanism rather than a sale. The amendment to the amendment failed on a 67-67 tie, and the underlying amendment was not adopted. The committee also adopted an amendment updating mortuary science rules for natural organic reduction and another that would automatically enroll certain people into medical assistance if they did not choose a program themselves. A later amendment creating a therapeutic psilocybin pilot program for mental health and PTSD treatment drew strong bipartisan support, especially from members citing veteran suicide, trauma, and promising research; it was adopted after discussion. The transcript ended while discussion continued on how the program would be administered, including questions about using the Office of Cannabis Management rather than the Department of Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• If it is criminal in nature, um, the federal government does have certain right of first refusal is the
• Failing in her job responsibilities and there's no other way to read a code neutrals report uh or the
• Um, the challenges that they do have is staffing and resources, and that's clear to us with the delays
• I mean, it does deal with courts, punitive damages, things of that nature, um, and dealing with that,
• That actually deals with the two acts, the, the Mental Health Development Disabilities Code, but also

Transcript Highlights:

• The next two bills are honestly very similar in nature.
• at the state level and provide resources at the state level and provide resources to<00:53:09.040
• <00:57:12.520> when<00:57:12.799> students resources when students resources when students
• Districts on how to code attendance.
• I have to change all of these codes.

Keywords: 1183, house