Transcript Highlights:

• But what I would love to say is what we can do in the future.
• And then with 4-H, we have implemented a program called Beyond Ready, and that's helping build the future
• Here with about what is it doing for the future.
• So this will really build our future for the water workforce.
• And our study on data North Dakota's future water.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Summary: The committee met in Fargo and approved the minutes from the March 31 meeting before hearing a series of informational presentations focused on North Dakota agriculture, water, and research. NDSU President David Cook opened with remarks about NDSU’s land-grant mission, emphasizing statewide service through research, teaching, and extension, and highlighting examples such as the Lilac Agriculture startup and the university’s role in applying research to real-world problems. He said he intends to spend time listening across the state to better understand local needs. 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 projected significant potential for expanded irrigation acreage, especially in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau, and estimated major economic gains from irrigation, including higher farm returns and support for value-added agriculture. Members discussed water permits, surface water versus aquifers, infrastructure, drought resilience, and the role of legal drains in improving productivity and generating economic activity. The presenters also noted that the full report is available online. Dr. Greg Lardy followed with NDSU’s required interim report, outlining the university’s agricultural research and extension system, including the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, seven research-extension centers, and the economic importance of agriculture to the state. He highlighted recent research impacts such as new crop varieties, potato breeding successes, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, weather-network tools, and 4-H programming. He also described NDSU’s budget priorities: restoring the governor’s proposed 10% cuts, additional operating support, and deferred maintenance funding. Committee members asked about the new agricultural field lab, storage sheds, and NDSU’s partnership with Grand Farm. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor presenting water-related research, including data center cooling, water reuse, smart irrigation, and a feasibility study on co-locating data centers with greenhouse and aquaculture production. Members asked about water use, ownership, and whether the concepts were operational or still speculative. Finally, North Dakota AgTech presented its NSF-funded innovation engine work, describing startup commercialization, on-farm trials, workforce development, and partnerships with NDSU, UND, tribal colleges, and other land-grant institutions. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the prior meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I live in Iowa and I come up thank you.
• ,</c> can take a seat and when you're ready, can take a seat and when you're ready, just<00:07:58.319
• It is foundational to workforce readiness and civic participation.
• It is foundational to workforce readiness and civic participation.
• It is foundational to workforce readiness and civic participation.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• But what I would love to say is what we can do in the future.
• Also, we as a department work with Decision Innovation Solutions out of Iowa to complete the study.
• So these are the things with a study that really highlights... ...in the future.
• And then with 4-H, we have implemented a program called Beyond Ready, and that's helping build the future
• So this will really build our future for the water workforce.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We're ready when you are. Thank you. We're ready when you are. Thank you. Thank you.
• Senator Cervantes, you're ready? Are you ready?
• Senator Cervantes, you're ready? Are you ready? Thank you.
• The Chair's ready, so whenever the Chair's ready, you can open.
• The Chair's ready, so whenever the Chair's ready, you can open.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills, with testimony focused on transportation safety, enforcement, privacy, curb management, rail service, and high-speed rail. SB 953 by Senator Nilo would require two DMV points to be applied in misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter cases even if the criminal case is dismissed through diversion; supporters, including a victim’s mother and the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, said the bill would prevent serious fatal crashes from disappearing from driving records, while no opposition was presented. SB 1292 by Senator Richardson would authorize selected cities to use stationary cameras or sensors to enforce curb and loading-zone rules, with human review of citations and a pilot-style, optional local framework; supporters argued it would improve safety, turnover, and compliance, while privacy concerns were noted but softened by amendments, and the bill drew neutral or conditional support from some groups. The committee also heard SB 1228 by Senator Rubio, which would create a permanent compliance path for a small number of existing redevelopment-era outdoor advertising displays. Supporters said the bill would preserve local revenue and avoid penalties for legally established signs, while the California State Outdoor Advertising Association opposed it over federal highway beautification compliance and fairness concerns. SB 1013 by Senator Cervantes would tighten safeguards for automated license plate reader systems by requiring DOJ audits, employee training, limits on data retention, and restrictions on hot lists and queries; privacy advocates supported the bill as a response to documented misuse, while sheriffs and narcotics officers opposed it as an unnecessary restriction on a valuable law-enforcement tool. The committee voted to move SB 1013, but the roll call was 4-1 and the bill remained on call. Other measures discussed included SB 1218 by Senator Arreguín, which would block vehicle registration renewal for owners with unpaid illegal dumping fines, using a process similar to unpaid parking citations; Oakland officials and several local government and waste-management groups supported it as an accountability tool, and the bill passed committee on an 8-0 vote and remained on call. SB 1136 by Senator Blakespear would require rail agencies to better coordinate service, fares, and trip planning for large events and intercity/regional rail connections; supporters said it could boost ridership and make rail more useful for major venues, and it also passed 8-0 and remained on call. The committee also advanced the chair’s SB 1425, which would create a permitting program for new encroachments along the high-speed rail right-of-way; supporters said it would help protect the project and manage utilities and other uses, while some utilities and the City of Burbank raised concerns, and the bill passed 8-1 and remained on call. Finally, SB 1411 by Senator Stern would expand high-speed rail authority to pursue public-private partnerships and early works, remove a project cap, and support bookend investments; it drew broad support from transit, labor, and rail groups, with some local agencies noting amended concerns, and the discussion continued as the hearing moved toward the final bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We should be bullish on the future, but it's not lost on me that one of two hospital systems is about
• So is there any look at that they won't be penalized for this in the future?
• H. 5527 because it's critical for the future economic health of the Commonwealth.
• And between 70% and 90% of all transactions, and in Iowa, you heard even 98%, are based on fraud.
• Since 1775, Massachusetts has been setting the standards for the future — that's 251 years.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Summary: The House Bonding Committee met to hear testimony on H. 5527, the Mass Wins Act, with Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley opening by describing the bill as a follow-on to Mass Leads. He said the proposal includes $305 million in bond authorizations, with $180 million for new programs and $125 million to expand existing ones, plus $140 million in deauthorizations of unused or redundant authorizations. He highlighted investments in applied AI and quantum, robotics, business expansion capital, defense innovation, global business attraction, ag tech and food science, downtowns, and the creative economy, and said the bill is intended to support geographic equity and small business growth across the Commonwealth. Committee members questioned the administration on several policy sections, including the MassCEC climate-tech certification language, housing-related provisions tied to 40B compliance and site plan review, the removal of the LCSW exam, AI transparency and federal preemption concerns, and the effect of lower LLC filing fees. Paley generally said some contested sections were added by the Economic Development Committee rather than the administration, defended the MassCEC discretion language as necessary for climate certification, and said the administration would follow up on committee-added provisions. He also said the bill’s housing provisions were meant to help address the state’s need for more homes and that the deauthorizations were housekeeping measures that did not affect current capital plan projects. Public testimony covered a wide range of topics. AARP and local advocates urged a statewide ban on cryptocurrency ATMs, arguing they are heavily used in scams, impose high fees, and drain money from seniors and local economies. Housing groups supported codifying site plan review and adding parking reform and YIGBY-style housing on faith-owned land. Building trades asked to include off-site fabrication in prevailing wage law. The Massachusetts Public Banking Campaign backed the bill and urged inclusion of a public bank concept. Several witnesses supported Section 106, the Transparency and Frontier AI Act, as a way to require safety plans, audits, incident reporting, and whistleblower protections for the largest AI companies, while an AI startup group argued the section would overregulate smaller firms and should be separated from the bond bill. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a quorum ready to do business.
• :19:04.799><c> investigation</c><00:19:05.520><c> by</c><00:19:06.480><c> the</c><00:19:06.799><c> Iowa
• </c> The 2024 investigation by the Iowa The 2024 investigation by the Iowa Attorney<00:19:07.840><c>
• /c><00:25:18.559><c> that</c><00:25:19.039><c> 96%</c><00:25:20.240><c> or</c> attorney general in Iowa
• that 96% or attorney general in Iowa that 96% or plus<00:25:20.799><c> or</c><00:25:21.039><c> more<

Committee: Senate Banking & Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, you know, we should be bullish on the future, but it's not lost on me that one of two hospital
• So is there any look at that, that they won't be penalized for this in the future?
• H-5527 because it's critical for the future economic health of the Commonwealth.
• Between 70% and 90% of all transactions, and in Iowa even 98%, are based on fraud.
• Since 1775, Massachusetts has been setting the standards for the future; that's 251 years.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to introduce two of my friends from the state of Iowa that are here today.
• Willie Dobs is a 27-year veteran police officer from a town in Iowa.
• </c><00:02:11.200><c> If</c> the state of Iowa that's here today.
• If the state of Iowa that's here today.
• I just want to thank them town in Iowa.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and heard a brief member introduction before taking up an overview of major tax provisions in HR1, referred to by the presenters as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Representatives from the Kentucky Society of CPAs explained new federal deductions for tips, overtime, and car loan interest; a new tax-favored “Trump account” for children; expanded bonus depreciation and Section 179 expensing for businesses; changes to R&D expensing; and a new limit on wagering loss deductions. Members asked several clarifying questions about the duration of the provisions, W-2 and 1099 reporting changes, and how overtime deductions would work. The presenters emphasized that tips and overtime remain subject to payroll taxes and that many of the business provisions are permanent, while the individual deductions are temporary through 2028 or otherwise phased in over time. The discussion then shifted to individual and nonprofit provisions, including the increase in the state and local tax itemized deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 with income-based phaseouts, the temporary senior deduction, and a new deduction for car loan interest with income limits and vehicle qualifications. On charitable giving, the presenters described a permanent nonitemizer deduction, new floors for individual and corporate charitable deductions, and a new scholarship-granting organization credit that would allow donors to receive a dollar-for-dollar federal credit up to $1,700, beginning in 2027. Members focused heavily on the SGO provision, asking about state implementation, oversight, whether churches would qualify, and whether the credit could support both public and private education. The presenters said the state would need to establish the mechanism and that additional federal guidance is still pending. After the tax presentation, the committee heard from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on workforce issues, with a focus on child care and housing as barriers to labor force participation. Chamber representatives said they were not proposing large new government programs, but rather targeted policy recommendations for the 2026 session. They described Kentucky’s long-term decline in workforce participation since 2000, attributing much of it to demographic change, an aging population, and fewer younger workers entering the labor force. The presentation continued into a broader discussion of workforce trends and the need for practical policy responses, but no votes or formal actions were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recognizing that coal must remain part of our energy future if we want to ensure future prosperity, meet
• Republicans want it to be the future.
• , because that future is coming very fast.
• , because that future is coming very fast.
• READINESS OF OUR ARMED FORCES.

Bills: HB1670 , HR493 , HR492 , HR491 , HB5140 , HB4922 , HR713 , HR721 , HB2721 , HR707

Keywords: fertility, health benefits, family planning, assisted reproductive technology, employees, fertility treatment, ART, in vitro fertilization, IVF, infertility, family building, reproductive health, oocyte preservation, sperm preservation, embryo preservation, artificial insemination, gamete donation, embryo genetic testing, federal employee health benefits, FEHB

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:44.560><c> said,</c> situation with feeding our future said, situation with feeding our future
• ,</c><00:48:31.520><c> Kansas,</c> and south, the Dakotas, Iowa, Kansas, and south, the Dakotas, Iowa
• </c> extent you come back at some future extent you come back at some future point,<01:07:15.280><c>
• So, renewable like Texas and Iowa.
• </c><01:24:34.080><c> problem</c> might be or could be a future problem might be or could be a future

Bills: HF3298

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> up Minnesota's current and future up Minnesota's current and future workforce<00:01:13.200><c> across
• There are no future spending tales.
• with a single 95,000-square-foot heart of the campus that integrates student services, dining, and a future-ready
• </c> emergencies and then future care needs. emergencies and then future care needs.
• </c> trade-offs for future year capacity. trade-offs for future year capacity.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• When you're ready. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• The possible inclusion in a future bill.
• </c> for possible inclusion in a future bill. for possible inclusion in a future bill.
• And when you're ready, please record.
• Larson, when you're ready.

Bills: HF2784 , HF2785 , HF2778 , HF2281 , HF2576 , HF2280 , HF2579

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: beginning farmers, agriculture, loans, economic opportunity, farmers' equity, agriculture appropriations, farm to school, early care, child care food program, school lunch program, local food, Minnesota agriculture, food access, farm-to-institution, limited market access, county fairs, biofuels, E25, ethanol, meat processing

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we ready to go? Chair Kaggel, uh, would you like to move your bill?
• In fact, attorneys general in both Iowa and the District of Columbia found that more than 90% of kiosk
• </c> In fact, attorneys general in both Iowa In fact, attorneys general in both Iowa and<00:20:58.640
• I mean, this really just—these machines just aren't ready to be out in the wild.
• just aren't ready to be out<00:56:27.280><c> in</c><00:56:27.440><c> the</c><00:56:27.520><c> wild.

Bills: HF3642 , HF2700 , HF3615

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there was also an understanding a provision that if in the future storm restoration costs exceeded
• Our future infrastructure held up extremely well.
• on those areas that we wanted to make sure we were improving and make sure those processes are are ready
• over to Todd Fountain, general manager emerging preparedness to talk a little bit about how we are ready
• We're pointing out the fact that We're pointing out the fact that that the subset of Iowa new customers

Transcript Highlights:

• My district borders Iowa and Wisconsin.
• My district borders Iowa and Wisconsin.
• My district borders Iowa and Wisconsin.
• </c> Close to the point at which we're ready Close to the point at which we're ready to<00:31:26.159>
• </c> those people that are the most ready those people that are the most ready will<00:47:06.760><c>

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as we forecast our future activity, it's pretty easy.
• </c><00:09:00.640><c> so</c> conversations again in the future so conversations again in the future so
• </c> brings, uh the training for future brings, uh the training for future mechanics<00:12:47.839><c>
• Again enabling uh future growth airport.
• </c> at OXD airport just laying out uh future at OXD airport just laying out uh future advanced<00:34

Summary: The committee heard an update from Kentucky’s three major commercial airports: Lexington Blue Grass Airport, Louisville Regional Airport Authority (SDF and Bowman Field), and CVG. Lexington’s Eric Franco described post-COVID growth that has already exceeded pre-pandemic activity, along with a master plan focused on the whole airport, expanded surface parking, relocation of the air traffic control tower, and a major terminal project estimated at $500 million to $700 million. He emphasized the airport’s role in serving both passenger and corporate aviation across central Kentucky and thanked the legislature for prior funding, including $5 million for parking. Louisville’s Dan Mann reported record passenger growth, expanded nonstop service, and especially strong cargo activity driven by UPS, noting SDF is now among the busiest cargo airports in North America and Bowman Field remains the state’s busiest general aviation airport. He highlighted major infrastructure needs, including airfield and terminal work, parking expansion, and a planned federal inspection service facility to support international flights around events like the Kentucky Derby.

Transcript Highlights:

• when those aren't there, you're much more likely to see these overturned, particularly if in the future
• are at least 10 states that already do this, and then there are more states including Wisconsin and Iowa
• are at least 10 states that already do this, and then there are more states including Wisconsin and Iowa
• are at least 10 states that already do this, and then there are more states including Wisconsin and Iowa
• are at least 10 states that already do this, and then there are more states including Wisconsin and Iowa

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:09.599><c> to</c><00:04:09.840><c> career</c> ready talent with exposure to career ready talent
• That's about a 120-mile stretch. uh and northern Iowa. Um and I've been uh and northern Iowa.
• And whenever you're ready, Mr. bill. And whenever you're ready, Mr.
• </c> pre-employment and job readiness pre-employment and job readiness programming.<00:26:27.600><c>
• ><c> workforce</c> Finally, we prepare future workforce Finally, we prepare future workforce programs

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that Iowa has county rule, and they set their setbacks.
• I am a fourth-generation farmer, former Iowa State legislator, and I am currently the regional policy
• We've worked on it in Iowa. We're working on it in Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota.
• And then I would say future builds are focused on balancing our portfolio of generation for affordability
• So, for the foreseeable future, we will meet that.

Summary: The House Utilities Committee resumed hearing on House Bills 2402 and 2816, which address utility-scale solar development. The chair asked witnesses to keep comments to informational purposes, and testimony focused on setbacks, taxation, land conversion caps, county authority, decommissioning, and impacts on neighboring landowners and rural communities. Several witnesses said they supported solar in limited settings such as rooftops or industrial sites, but opposed or wanted changes to the bills’ treatment of agricultural land, especially the proposed 4% cap on cropland conversion and the 500-foot setback from homes. Testimony from landowners and farm groups emphasized concerns about property rights, viewshed impacts, fire risk, drainage and floodplain issues, and the loss of agricultural tax base and local economic activity. They argued the proposed $2,500 per megawatt tax was too low and suggested higher rates, with some recommending $6,000 per megawatt or more, along with decommissioning requirements and stronger county-level protections. A Renew Missouri representative supported much of the bill but preferred a smaller setback and raised constitutional concerns about changing solar land from agricultural to commercial assessment. Other witnesses, including a county commissioner, described local regulations already in place in some counties and asked for clearer statewide standards. Industry and utility representatives said the legislation was generally workable but needed further discussion on setbacks and property tax treatment. Clean Grid Alliance and related witnesses argued that tax comparisons with other states should account for total tax burden, not just nameplate taxes, and said higher taxes would raise electricity costs for consumers. Ameren Missouri said it was acceptable with most provisions, but cautioned against overly aggressive real-property assessments and noted its current and planned solar buildout. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee adjourned after taking testimony on both bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our secretary will do a silent roll call, but it appears that we do have a quorum, and so we are ready
• further ado, just want to mention we're neutral, but we also want to work with our partners in the future
• further ado, just want to mention we're neutral, but we also want to work with our partners in the future
• I do have a list of them here: Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan
• Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs