Transcript Highlights:

• Most importantly, it maintains discretionary authority to require higher equity if deemed necessary.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT MAINTAINS DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE HIGHER EQUITY IF DEEMED NECESSARY.
• Importantly, this bill does all of this without authorizing any new spending.
• IMPORTANTLY, THIS BILL DOES ALL OF THIS WITHOUT AUTHORIZING ANY NEW SPENDING.
• But it took us a long time to participate in that government, in that promise.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's just the authority language.
• Representative Murphy, the 19,066, that was carryover authority.
• Representative Murphy, the 19,06, that was carryover authority.
• It's just, are we expanding more authority to the governor?
• The administrator serves at the pleasure of the governing board.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee reconvened to work through the amended version of Senate Bill 2025, beginning with a clarification from the Department of Veterans Affairs on the source of funds used to cover the commissioner’s salary equity increase. Commissioner Lonnie Wong explained that the money came from federal highly rural transportation grant administrative/salary funds, within the allowable 10% administrative cap, and that the department had not exceeded that limit. The committee then reviewed the major House changes to the veterans budget, including funding for a veterans benefits specialist FTE, salary equity increases for veterans service officers, additional operating funds, one-time funding for homeless veteran services and the Veterans Post-War Trust Fund, carryover authority for Fisher House and veterans transportation projects, accrued leave, and a document scanning project. Members also discussed a section changing governance authority for veterans affairs and the veterans home, with questions about the ACOVA board and the governor’s appointment authority. The committee debated the appropriateness of using federal grant administrative funds for salary adjustments and the broader shift in authority over veterans affairs, with some members emphasizing legislative control over salaries and budget decisions and others supporting the reorganization as a way to improve administration. After discussion, Amendment 25.092.0203 was moved, seconded, and adopted on an 8-0 roll call. The committee then moved SB 2025 as amended, and that motion also passed 8-0. The meeting then shifted to Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation budget issues, where members reviewed FTE reductions, salary equity funding for correctional officers and parole/probation officers, and the status of federal ARPA dollars that had previously been used to backfill salaries and bonuses. DOCR officials described pay levels for correctional officers and compared them with county jail wages, arguing that the proposed equity funding was needed for retention and competitiveness. Members also discussed transitional facility costs, women’s treatment unit funding, and county jail overflow housing, including new or planned bed capacity in Grand Forks, Burleigh-Morton, Rugby, and other facilities. The committee agreed to continue refining the budget through a new long sheet and planned to request amendments for consideration in the following days before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• government.
• 05:56.560> met<00:05:57.440> and Local Government Committee has met and Local Government
• Resolution 81 is the um, authorization Resolution 81 is the um, authorization of<00:11:32.079>
• uh, Kentucky Infrastructure Authority uh, Kentucky Infrastructure Authority through<00:11:37.680
• an a government entity or something? an a government entity or something?

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there's about $9.9 million of debt on the MSABC, which is just under two-thirds of our current authorized
• She also asked whether other agencies or authorities have similar bonding authority.
• with that authority.
• was that can whatever that um Authority was that can do<00:06:55.800> this<00:06:56.800> are
• government where they have the authority government where they have the authority to<00:07:00.560

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's something that many other governments and the private sector do, and we'd like to have that
• We also, well, you'll see legislation that would give us more authority to use our underutilized water
• The commission does have final approval authority over the department's agreements.
• They have final approval authority for the department's budget.
• ...like the governance structure?

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session with an update from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Commissioner Dave Upthe Grove outlined DNR’s size and scope, previewed agency-request legislation, and emphasized budget priorities. He said DNR will seek authority to sell ecosystem service credits, better use underutilized water rights with tribal consultation, add a tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources, make minor timber-sales efficiencies, and include wildland firefighters in the LEOFF pension system. He also urged restoration of wildfire prevention and preparedness funding, warning that reduced funding would mean fewer firefighters, less forest health work, and less support for rural fire districts. He noted DNR’s wildfire suppression costs are rising and argued prevention spending can reduce larger, more expensive fires. State Forester George Geisler followed with a detailed wildfire season review. He said Washington now responds to fires year-round and also assists other states, including Texas. He described DNR’s use of 31 aircraft, 691 firefighters, and corrections-based crews, and said the agency’s success rate for keeping fires under 10 acres improved slightly from 93.7% to 94.1%. He highlighted increased arson activity, especially around Spokane, and described the Crescent Road Fire as an example of early detection, rapid response, and the use of bulldozers, aircraft, and hand crews to contain a fire to 182 acres with no structure losses. Senator Saldan praised the emphasis on prevention and the use of bulldozers as cost-effective tools. Assistant deputy supervisor Dwayne Emmons then reviewed the trust land transfer program, which was codified in statute in 2023 after being funded through the capital budget for decades. He said more than 130,000 acres of underperforming trust land have been transferred since the 1990s to other public or tribal entities for more appropriate use, while DNR acquires replacement lands to keep the trust whole. He described the current application and ranking process, including tribal input, and said DNR is requesting funding for remaining parcels from the last round, including portions of Tract C, Babcock Bench, and Middle Fork Snoqualmie. In questions, Senator Wagoner raised concerns about DNR’s decision to remove some acres from timber harvest rotation and its impact on local revenue and mills; the commissioner responded that current five-year harvest plans provide short-term stability and that any changes would be explored through the Board of Natural Resources process, not through immediate reductions in supply. The committee then received a history briefing from staff member Jeff Olson on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission and agency structure. He traced the evolution from early fish and game commissioners to the current commission-appointed director model adopted by voter-approved Referendum 45 in 1995. Olson explained the commission’s statutory duties, membership requirements, and how Washington compares with other states. Chair Chapman said he had no plans to hear a bill this session changing the commission’s makeup, but he expressed personal interest in exploring reforms, accountability, and possibly a future broader coalition or referendum process. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair adjourned the session with holiday and New Year’s wishes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4245, authorizing certain agencies of the Department of
• Engrossed committee substitute for House bill 4245 authorizing certain agencies of the Department of
• I request unanimous consent to withdraw the Government Organization Committee amendment.
• Engrossed House Bill 5366, relating to rules governing the practice of law.
• Engrossed House Bill 5366 relating to rules governing the practice of law.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Government. SB 1429, Board of Directors, Commerce Authority. Rules.
• Government. SB 1435, schools, libraries, explicit materials classification. Government.
• Government. Should you do assuring elections? SB 1437, public records format fees. Government.
• Government. SB 1439, municipalities, counties, recycling prohibition. Government.
• Government. SB 1443, noise pollution, environmental nuisances. Government.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . government. government.
• constitutional principles that govern constitutional principles that govern school<03:41:32.720>
• The idea is our the government.
• <04:00:29.760> and preservation of a free government and preservation of a free government
• authorized by the legislature in law. Um authorized by the legislature in law.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They've lost complete trust in our federal government and, to some extent, I think, other governments
• And the government already collects so much of this information already.
• The government already has so much of this information anyway.
• The government already has so much of this information anyway.
• forgotten the role of government is, first, do no harm to our populace.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on CalFresh enrollment, food insecurity in California, the recent federal shutdown’s disruption of SNAP benefits, and the long-term effects of H.R. 1 on eligibility, benefits, and state and county costs. Opening remarks emphasized that millions of Californians rely on CalFresh, that the shutdown briefly delayed benefits for the first time in the program’s history, and that state and local governments, including Alameda County, stepped in with emergency food aid and funding. Members also framed the issue as both a hunger and affordability problem, with several noting that California’s agricultural abundance contrasts sharply with persistent food insecurity. The first panel presented research and advocacy perspectives on food hardship. PPIC’s Tess Thorman described food insecurity rates, disparities affecting households with children and Black and Latino households, and the role of nutrition programs in reducing poverty. Nourish California’s Betzabel Estudio argued that hunger is a policy choice and highlighted campaigns to expand state-funded food assistance for immigrants, support reentry populations, and continue the CalFresh fruit-and-vegetable incentive program. The California Association of Food Banks’ Josh Wright said food banks are seeing sustained high demand, lower federal food supplies, and cannot replace CalFresh, while urging more state support for food purchasing, school meals, and SunBucks. The second panel reviewed CalFresh operations and participation. The California Department of Social Services reported that CalFresh participation has risen over the past decade, with the state closing much of the participation gap through outreach, simplified applications, and demonstration projects such as the Elderly Simplified Application Project and a minimum nutrition benefit pilot. Alameda County Social Services described local caseloads, application trends, and emergency food distributions during the shutdown, while also warning that H.R. 1’s work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and possible cost-sharing could reduce enrollment. A student CalFresh ambassador testified about the burdensome application and recertification process and urged more funding for campus basic-needs centers and outreach to reduce stigma and administrative friction. In the final panel, county, food bank, and policy witnesses described the shutdown response and the expected impact of H.R. 1. Alameda County Community Food Bank and the County Welfare Directors Association said counties, food banks, and community partners mobilized emergency funds, pop-up pantries, and food purchasing to bridge the shutdown gap, but warned that hundreds of thousands of Californians could lose benefits under the new federal rules. The California Budget and Policy Center began outlining the scale of federal cuts, noting that H.R. 1 will significantly reduce SNAP funding and shift costs to states. No votes or formal committee actions were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with discussion of possible state responses, including backfilling benefits, preserving outreach funding, and improving administrative systems to protect enrollment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then it says by resolution of authority. So, who... ...says by resolution of authority.
• What I was asking is, we have an authority right now, and I was asking if that authority...
• Okay, that's the authority is the State Industrial Development Authority.
• Because I don't know how much we can depend on the federal government. depend on the federal government
• At the authority. And then when The authority.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not expanding government. In fact, we're reducing it.
• So again, we're able to be more efficient without expanding government.
• So this is truly about efficiency in government. With that, any other discussion? Seeing none, Mr.
• In government. With that, any other discussion? Seeing none, Mr.
• Authorized by the facility. And with that, I'm available for questions.

Bills: SB1023, SB1145, SB1242, SB1247

Keywords: optometrists, eye exams, eyeglass prescriptions, healthcare, vision care, behavior analysis, licensing, psychologist examiners, state regulations, committee authority, mental health, court-ordered treatment, outpatient treatment, audiovisual technology, secure facilities, evaluations, guardian powers, patient rights, assisted living, occupants

Transcript Highlights:

• , which in Medicaid terms is a service authorization, but what it really is is a prior authorization.
• <00:36:33.359> but go through a a prior authorization but go through a a prior authorization
• really is is a prior authorization really is is a prior authorization and<00:36:46.720> so
• we are separate branches of government we are separate branches of government and<01:26:50.320><
• accordance with the Minnesota Government accordance with the Minnesota Government Data<01:37:14.960><

Bills: HF3378

Keywords: human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I pushed prior authorization through, and I was available to her 24/7.
• That the federal government intends to fix this program. Well, guess what?
• Revised the prior authorization to get it authorized, then proceeded to call that patient every day for
• In fact, that's what the federal government wanted us to do.
• They're still providing all that to the federal government.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's also involving the local road authority.
• It went back to the federal government.
• That is as far as our authority goes.
• authority related to large-scale data centers.
• The bill also preserves local government authority over zoning, permitting, and land use decisions by

Summary: The committee met at the Coteau Freedom Mine in Mercer County, approved the June 2 minutes, and heard an overview of the mine from Coteau Properties president Andrew Hawbaker. He described the Freedom Mine as the largest lignite mine in the United States, supplying coal to Dakota Gasification, Antelope Valley Station, and Leland Olds Station. He emphasized the mine’s scale, safety record, reclamation work, workforce needs, community involvement, and economic impact, including payroll, taxes, royalties, scholarships, and local hiring. Members asked about how long land stays in production, how quickly it returns to agriculture after reclamation, labor shortages, and how mining affects groundwater and water wells. Hawbaker said most tracts are mined for about three to five years, reclamation is coordinated with landowners, and the company continues to struggle to find electricians, welders, mechanics, operators, and engineers. The committee then heard from Public Service Commission Chairman Randy Christman on coal mining reclamation and permitting. He reviewed North Dakota’s coal mining history, the state’s reclamation laws, federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act primacy, bonding, permit renewals and revisions, prohibited mining areas, inspection and enforcement, and contemporaneous reclamation requirements. Christman stressed that North Dakota’s program is professional and thorough, with frequent inspections, financial assurance, and a 10-year revegetation monitoring period before bond release. He also discussed federal coal ownership issues that can delay mine plans, the treatment of prime farmland, and how reclamation differs for wind and pipelines. In response to questions, he said one challenge is sometimes releasing land too soon before long-term compaction issues are fully understood, and he noted that data centers do not currently have a comparable reclamation model because they typically own the land. In the afternoon, the committee received an update from Lignite Energy Council president Jonathan Fortner on the lignite industry. He said North Dakota’s lignite sector supports five commercial power plants, four mines, about 12,000 direct and indirect jobs, and more than $5.5 billion in economic activity, while helping keep the state’s electricity rates among the lowest in the nation. Fortner reviewed coal severance and conversion tax revenues, the lignite research fund, federal regulatory rollbacks, carbon capture policy, and the industry’s legal costs fighting federal rules. He also highlighted a study on large-load development, saying new data centers and critical mineral processing facilities could create major local tax revenue and help justify new baseload generation. Members asked whether new gas pipelines would crowd out coal plant development and whether the economic study included jobs and broader local impacts; Fortner said the industry sees room for both and that the study did include construction, operations, jobs, and tax effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• This also supports local governments.
• I recognize the author, Representative Hansen J.
• c> Representative I recognize the author, Representative I recognize the author, Representative Hansen
• A an act relating to state government.
• the session, last state government bill. the session, last state government bill.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first took up Senate File 334, a bill to modernize county human services technology used to administer programs such as Medicaid and SNAP. The author and several members described the current systems as outdated “green screen” platforms that are slow, duplicative, and difficult for workers and applicants, and argued modernization would improve service, retention, and fraud prevention. The bill would create a technology modernization fund with about $90 million over time, capped at $50 million, route funds through Minute, establish an interagency group with county representation, create a legislative working group, and provide $15 million for Office of Inspector General technology. Members from several counties spoke in strong support, citing local system failures, cyberattacks, and the need for better tools; one member noted the bill was about 20 years overdue. The bill passed third reading by a vote of 134-0, and a title was agreed to. The House then considered Senate File 4401, the cannabis bill. The author described it as a maintenance and cleanup package developed with more than 80 stakeholders over months of meetings, including business owners, labor, tribal representatives, and medical cannabis interests. The bill was presented as making noncontroversial adjustments to support small businesses, clarify statutes, improve privacy protections, adjust event and transporter rules, address good-faith errors, strengthen enforcement against unlicensed operators, and support local governments and municipal cannabis dispensaries. It also included a first step toward a medical psilocybin program and changes intended to make the medical cannabis market more sustainable, including easing the grow-and-sale ratio issue. The transcript cuts off before final action on this bill, but members speaking in support emphasized collaboration and the need for practical regulatory fixes.

Transcript Highlights:

• government, in this building.
• government, in this building.
• government, in this building.
• government, in this building.
• government, in this building.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This measure and Oversight Authority.
• <00:14:13.839> so Stewardship and Oversight Authority so Stewardship and Oversight Authority
• Stewardship and Oversight Authority. Stewardship and Oversight Authority.
• the authority the authority Monarch<00:28:51.279> Authority<00:28:51.760> would<00
• <00:28:55.039> This authority to extend the leases. This authority to extend the leases.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2592, which would clarify the powers of the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority regarding land use on Mauna Akea and related property transfers. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the rural property transfer but objected to language transferring conservation district use permits, saying CDUPs normally run with the land rather than being assigned to specific telescopes or observatories. The University of Hawaiʻi and the observatories generally supported the bill but urged clearer language, especially on the transfer of real property assets, related obligations and liabilities, and the inclusion of milestones for the transition. Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill’s overall intent but warned that some language could be overbroad and might improperly waive future beneficiary claims. Several testifiers opposed the measure, arguing it ignored DHHL lands and beneficiary rights, while others supported it as a way to clarify the authority’s role. Members questioned DLNR about the practical effects of transferring CDUP responsibility, and the committee emphasized that the bill was narrowly focused on specific land. The committee then took up House Bill 2593, which would authorize the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to 10 years. The authority explained that the bill does not itself extend any lease, but instead gives the authority discretion to initiate a transparent public process if extensions are needed. The University of Hawaiʻi supported the concept but said the timing of any extension matters and noted possible legal requirements under state law. The observatories also supported the bill, describing it as a flexible tool during a broader transition process and noting that the authority has held many public planning workshops. Opponents, including Native Hawaiian and community testifiers, argued that the conservation lands should receive the highest protection, that the community had not consented, and that the observatories have had decades to plan ahead. One testifier urged the bill be deferred or killed for lack of clarity. In response to questions, the committee clarified that the bill only authorizes a process and does not itself extend leases, and that any extension would require public participation. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was House Bill 2047, relating to the AHAPU advisory committee. The discussion focused on the committee’s administrative relationship to the Department of Land and Natural Resources and whether DLNR should oversee basic legal compliance issues such as Sunshine Law and legislative reporting. DLNR explained that the committee is administratively attached to the department, which provides support on human resources, procurement, and legal questions, but that the committee itself generally handles its own operations. The department said it would route compliance questions to its attorneys and implement their advice. The hearing then moved on to House Bill 2231, which would transfer appointment authority for island burial council members from the governor and Senate to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees. OHA said it generally supported the change for geographic moku representatives, since it already nominates candidates for those seats, but expressed concern about taking on appointment authority for the large landowner seats because that role is less directly tied to its statutory duties.

Transcript Highlights:

• I call the ninth meeting of the House State Government Committee to order.
• So, in that process, we made sure that we said adversary foreign governments in a lot of places in this
• We also added in a section for 22 CFR 126.1, which actually lists the adversarial foreign governments
• So, in that adversarial governments.
• that this bill's foreign governments that this bill's going<00:03:01.000> to<00:03:01.120>

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we have authority from the federal<00:07:34.440> government<00:07:34.720> to<00:07:34.879
• <00:15:44.519> spending<00:15:45.399> now to grow government spending now to grow government
• <00:51:28.640> this cger and duckor for co-authoring this cger and duckor for co-authoring
• Govern proposed by Governor walson Govern proposed by Governor walson explained<01:07:34.920> by
• <01:08:30.120> amendments are aware uh we honor authors amendments are aware uh we honor authors

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a reinsurance overview from Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer of the Minnesota Department of Commerce on the Minnesota Premium Security Plan. She explained that reinsurance helps stabilize premiums in the individual market by reimbursing insurers for high-cost claims, and said Minnesota’s program has lowered premiums, preserved carrier participation, and helped maintain consumer choice. She warned that without continued funding, the program would be depleted and individual-market premiums could rise by about 25%, with potential losses in coverage and access to care. She also described the program’s structure under a federal 1332 waiver, the role of MCHA in administering the program, and the state’s receipt of more than $650 million in federal pass-through funds to date. Dryer said the current program is funded through the end of 2025, though the federal waiver authority runs through 2027. The governor’s proposal would create a new assessment on insurers, estimated at roughly 2% to 3%, to fund the state share of the program and avoid another full waiver submission. She noted that the proposal assumes MinnesotaCare funding would be held harmless and that the program would be reduced if federal basic health plan funding were negatively affected. She also said projected costs changed because individual-market enrollment has grown and enhanced federal subsidies were removed from the estimate. Members raised concerns about the proposal’s impact on premiums and the history of the fund. Senator Rasmusson argued the new assessment amounts to a large tax increase on health insurance and questioned who would be assessed and whether the surcharge would be capped. Dryer responded that the assessment would be based on annual claims experience and market conditions, with final amounts determined at the end of each year, not monthly. Senator Duckworth and Senator Frentz supported reinsurance as a way to keep premiums lower, while also questioning how the program should be financed. Senator Green asked about the mechanics of the assessment and the role of the department in setting it, and Senator H questioned why the fiscal note assumed 12% annual growth for program costs when general premium growth was lower. No vote or formal action was taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, if the federal government says...
• I guess my concern is if we find the state government and the federal government at odds with regards
• Authority to the Chief Immigration Officer.
• They don't know if it is the federal government.
• We are not the federal government. I ran for State Representative.