Transcript Highlights:

• This effort should include report developers that can efficiently extract data into useful and reliable
• that should include report developers that can<00:24:44.799> efficiently<00:24:45.360> extract
• ><00:24:45.840> data<00:24:46.159> into<00:24:46.480> useful can efficiently extract
• data into useful can efficiently extract data into useful and<00:24:47.039> reliable<00:24:47.679

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Joint Fiscal Committee met on March 20, 2026, approved the minutes, and adopted the consent calendar after removing two items for separate discussion: FIS 26048 from the Department of Safety and FIS 26053 from the Department of Environmental Services. The committee then adopted both of those items after brief questioning. Safety explained that a $2 million transfer would reduce its lapse, though it still expected a lapse of just under $4 million. Members, especially Senator Gray, emphasized concern about lapses and the need to track them closely given prior-year shortfalls. On the Environmental Services item, members discussed the Heavy Falls dam removal. The commissioner said the dam is old, not grounded in bedrock, and does not meet current safety standards, so removal was the practical option because replacement funding was unavailable. He said the aquatic resource mitigation fund and Army Corps of Engineers support made the removal feasible, and that the town had been involved in discussions for years. The committee adopted the item. The committee also adopted a Department of Transportation item, with staff noting high snowfall and a roughly 25% vacancy rate but saying contractors and bonus incentives had allowed plowing operations to continue. A Judicial Council item was then adopted, with the director saying it would likely be his last appearance this fiscal year. The committee next reviewed information materials on YDC claims administration, where DOJ staff said current spending would leave about a $10 million buffer into the next fiscal year and described reduced staffing and ongoing claims work; no action was taken. The committee then heard audit presentations for the Liquor Commission and Lottery Commission. The Liquor Commission audit reported seven findings, including a material weakness on reconciliations, issues with NextGen data/reporting, gift and promotional card controls, procurement and leasing practices, and one nonconcurrence on whether certain purchases were exempt from bidding requirements; members discussed whether attorney general review or legislation might be needed. The commission said it had completed a year-end reconciliation and was about 70% reconciled through February. The Lottery Commission audit reported three internal control comments, all concurred with by the lottery, focused on written procedures, filling the controller position, annual risk assessments, disaster recovery testing, user access controls, and training compliance; the lottery said it was hiring to reduce reliance on one employee and had no unresolved findings. The committee took no vote on the audit materials and adjourned after setting the next meeting for April 17 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, it's become the coin of this realm that we're going to extract things from people in order
• the coin of this realm that we're going the coin of this realm that we're going to<00:14:26.240> extract
• 26.880> from<00:14:27.199> people<00:14:27.519> in<00:14:27.760> order to extract
• things from people in order to extract things from people in order to<00:14:28.079> get<00:14

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota, well, in the United States, natural gas is a waste product instead of some of our energy extraction
• 00:22:51.679> energy instead of our some of our energy instead of our some of our energy extraction
• 54.480> tenth<00:22:55.120> of<00:22:55.360> the<00:22:55.600> cost extraction
• We have a tenth of the cost extraction.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hchild, is this currently being extracted, or where are we on the process?
• Senator Hchild, is this currently being extracted, or where are we on the process?
• taconite or, in this case maybe extracts helium, will sort of exist as a subsidiary of a subsidiary
• And so I need to understand if it's the same kind of situation with extraction of gas in terms of the
• extracts extracts um<01:32:14.080> tachinite<01:32:14.639> or<01:32:14.880> in<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One being, uh, you know, the lithium-ion battery part of these vapes, and in some units you can separate
• One being, uh, you know, the lithium-ion battery part of these vapes, and in some units you can separate
• Uh, you know, the lithium-ion battery part of these vapes, and in some units you can separate them out
• number one, the hazardous waste aspect, and number two, how to figure out or how to deal with the lithium-ion
• The hazardous waste aspect, and number two, how to figure out or how to deal with the lithium-ion batteries

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By Moody ruling the appointment of the attendees in the Lithium and the compensation of the certain attorneys

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's a lithium battery, it'll say L.I. on the actual package so that it would also be considered to

Summary: The committee first took up a committee substitute for SB 752, which would require newspapers and television stations to remove online reports later found to be false or defamatory in certain circumstances, and would change when the statute of limitations begins to run. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address lasting harm from false accusations that remain searchable online. Several speakers opposed the measure, arguing it would chill reporting, punish accurate historical coverage, and create vague legal risks for the press. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then approved CS/SB 846, a bill aimed at preventing immigration service fraud by non-attorneys and misuse of the term "notario." Supporters, including an immigration attorney, said the bill would protect vulnerable immigrants from bad advice and fake legal services. The committee also approved CS/SB 800, which updates battery labeling and recycling requirements to reduce fires caused by discarded batteries; waste and recycling representatives supported it, while a battery industry group warned the bill could effectively ban battery-embedded products. CS/SB 578, dealing with wine container rules and allowing recyclable inserts and boxes up to 5.16 gallons, was also reported favorably. The committee next approved CS/SB 1734, the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which sets product standards, labeling rules, age limits, testing, and enforcement provisions. Supporters said it reflects current science and consumer safety needs, while opponents warned it could burden small businesses and overregulate the market. SB 918, which would loosen state child labor restrictions for certain minors and align Florida law more closely with federal standards, drew extensive opposition from advocates, students, and labor groups who said it would increase exploitation and harm education; several senators also raised concerns, but the bill was still reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 854 on unlicensed contractors and deposit fraud, and confirmed several appointments to state boards and commissions. A separate bill on online encryption and child safety, SB 868, was taken up with an amendment and public testimony, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nevada, of course my home state, we mine lithium, magnesium, and other critical minerals.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we surprisingly do not have any framework um for gas extraction in Minnesota.
• In addition to that, it created an expedited rulemaking process for gas extraction that is currently
• In addition to that, it created an expedited rulemaking process for gas extraction that is currently
• > possibly<00:04:57.840> process<00:04:58.240> and<00:04:58.639> utilize extract
• but possibly process and utilize extract but possibly process and utilize right<00:04:59.360> here

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They tend to be extractive with our personal data, but proprietary with data they perceive as their own
• They tend to be extractive with our personal data, but proprietary with data they perceive as their own
• They tend to be extractive with our personal data, but proprietary with data they perceive as their own
• They tend to be extractive with our personal data, but proprietary with data they perceive as their own
• They tend to be extractive with our personal data, but proprietary with data they perceive as their own

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other issue is that restricting hemp extract or hemp product to just CBD and CBG makes it very very
• By simply adding a few other cannabinoids that normally are in hemp extracts to the bill to the list
• And then we extract those plants ourselves and we manufacture our own products.
• THC would have to be removed and extracted.
• I can buy cannabinoid isolates and I can buy cannabinoid extracts from out-of-state suppliers, I can

Bills: SB3, SB810, SB965, SB1073, SB1119, SB1505, SB 3

Keywords: Texas Education Code, public schools, school district, open-enrollment charter school, teacher speech, employee speech, biological sex, pronouns, gender identity, retaliation, discipline, workplace protections, school personnel, education policy, LGBTQ, transgender, charter schools, SB 965, religious speech, prayer

Transcript Highlights:

• where private equity firms<00:52:34.000> are firms are firms are profit<00:52:35.360> extracting
• from our nursing homes profit extracting from our nursing homes and<00:52:37.200> everything<
• The reserve extract, it's a balance sheet discussion, and that's where that comes from, Senator Marty
• The reserve extract,<01:26:17.000> it's<01:26:17.280> a<01:26:17.720> balance<01
• :26:18.320> sheet<01:26:18.640> discussion extract, it's a balance sheet discussion extract

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to promote some of the most ludicrous wellness grifting that I've heard about to date—green coffee extract
• supplements for for weight loss on your television show, including a substance called green coffee extract
• that green coffee extract is a miracle weight-loss drug.
• Green coffee extract is not a miracle weight loss drug. Yes or no? Yes.
• Many of them are still being researched like the green coffee bean extract you just mentioned. promote

Keywords: Michael Falkender, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, IRS, taxpayer privacy, nomination process, committee hearing

Summary: The committee convened to discuss critical issues surrounding the nomination of Michael Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. This meeting included a series of remarks from committee members who expressed divergent views on Falkender's qualifications and the implications of his appointment. Senator Wyden voiced strong opposition, arguing that Falkender represents harmful policies expected to be perpetuated under the current administration, especially concerning taxpayer privacy and IRS tactics. Meanwhile, other members defended Falkender, noting his extensive experience, including a commitment to transparency in government operations if confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The patient had 12 decayed teeth, requiring crowns, nerve treatments, and extractions—treatments that
• consideration during procedures. more than 10 teeth in their mouth that need treatment, including extracting
• Of the 20 teeth in his mouth, 16 of them required treatment, including the extraction of 10 teeth. and

Bills: HB813, HB1680, HB3569, HB4074, HB4635, HB5178, SB527, SB1307, SB1822

Keywords: autism, health insurance, coverage, medical treatment, health benefit plan, HIV prevention, prescription drug, prior authorization, health benefits, insurance coverage, insurance, contract termination, property and casualty, insurance agents, discrimination, appraiser, umpire, licensing requirements, continuing education, admin penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• SENATE BILL 438 PROPOSES REGULATION FOR FLORIDA'S HEMP EXTRACT INDUSTRY FOCUSING ON TESTING DISTRIBUTION
• IT REQUIRES THAT HEMP EXTRACT PRODUCTS BE TESTED.
• YOU CAN TAKE A MANY HEMP PLANTS AND IN A SENSE YOU CAN CONDENSE THOSE HEMP PLANTS, WITH JUST THE EXTRACT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ...which would have come from the extraction tax, right?
• A percentage of the extraction tax, and it would have come from the Resources Trust Fund, right?

Bills: HB1015

Keywords: Office of Management and Budget, OMB appropriation, state budget, biennial appropriation, North Dakota Century Code, state facility maintenance fund, capital improvements, Capitol building fund, governor's residence, state hospital, mental health hospital, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, strategic investment and improvements fund, SIIF, new and vacant FTE pool, state employee pay raise, performance-based compensation, guardianship grants, community corrections

Summary: The Government Operations Division met to review proposed amendments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) budget, with the chair noting the bill would not be voted out that day and would likely be held until the following week for any technical corrections. Members discussed a series of amendments, generally without objection: a $1.5 million appropriation for a pro-life education committee; a $40,000–$45,000 deficiency appropriation for Uniform Laws travel costs; creation of a state deferred maintenance fund with $40 million for deferred maintenance projects; adding the state hospital project to the OMB budget with $200 million from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund (SIF) and $85 million from a line of credit, plus construction management oversight; $110,114 for custodial equity increases; $1 million for a retirement incentive pool; $3 million to cover a shortfall in the new and vacant FTE funding pool; and $4 million for space reconfiguration and rent/moving costs. Prairie Public Broadcasting was also discussed, with a suggestion to change the purpose from local programming to infrastructure and set the amount at $850,000, likely as one-time SIF funding. The committee also heard a heads-up about a possible $180,000 federal reimbursement issue tied to an education grant, but no action was taken on that item. The committee further discussed a broader amendment to reduce the transfer from the social services fund to the human services fund from $250 million to $232 million, based on DHS needs and available carryover funding. Members also agreed to add emergency clauses to the capital assets, deferred maintenance, and moving/space reconfiguration items. The chair indicated Brady could begin incorporating the discussed changes into a consolidated amendment, while noting there could still be additional items next week. Staff also reported the SIF balance was about $280 million positive, though some removed agency items, including airport grants, would need to be considered. The committee then reconsidered its earlier action on House Bill 1581 and restored it to its original form at $100,000 after hearing that the funding would support tribal tourism-related events tied to upcoming 2026 celebrations and the Theodore Roosevelt Library opening. A motion for do pass on the bill as originally introduced passed unanimously by roll call. Finally, the committee postponed action on another bill until later that day, directing that revised materials be distributed and that the item be taken up in the afternoon session.

Transcript Highlights:

• China, drawing a salary and working for the Chinese Communist Party's talent program strategy to extract
• They have all kinds of schemes like this to extract know-how out of universities.
• They have all kinds of schemes like this to extract know-how out of universities.
• Owen's question is actually a Chinese military phrase describing the strategy of going abroad to extract

Bills: HR171, HCR49, HB632, HB1084, SB310, SB351, SB399

Keywords: HR171, House Resolution 171, M.J. Foster Promise Program, TOPS-Tech, TOPS Tech Award, Board of Regents, Louisiana Works, Louisiana Community and Technical College System, LCATCS, financial aid, scholarship, workforce development, career training, technical education, vocational education, postsecondary credential, associate degree, industry-based credential, high-demand jobs, high-wage occupations

Transcript Highlights:

• The specific project that Grantor Power is looking to advance from a storage perspective is lithium-ion
• :13:57.040> is advance from a storage perspective is advance from a storage perspective is lithium
• batteries<00:13:59.519> uh<00:14:00.040> currently<00:14:00.839> two lithium
• ion batteries uh currently two lithium ion batteries uh currently two hours<00:14:02.440> uh<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• had discussions with and about dentists who were perhaps overprescribing opioids when they were extracting
• Dental procedures, wisdom teeth extraction, root canals, et cetera, are a big You know, procedures, wisdom
• teeth extraction, root canals, et cetera, are a big door opener to opioids as well.
• So you're talking about probably $1,000 for the tooth extraction, and you're talking about probably tens
• So you're talking about probably $1,000 for the tooth extraction, and you're talking about probably tens

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard a detailed annual presentation from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and review findings. He explained the committee’s structure, the de-identified review process, and the distinction between pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths. He said national maternal mortality has declined from its 2021 peak, but mental health conditions, substance use, overdose, suicide, cardiovascular disease, hemorrhage, infection, and embolism remain major causes. He emphasized that many deaths are preventable, with especially high rates among non-Hispanic Black women and in the American Indian/Alaska Native population, and noted that a large share of deaths occur after 42 days postpartum. Committee members asked about suicide, domestic abuse, pregnancy testing in unexplained deaths, and the role of home births and midwife training. Dr. Arnold said the committee is adding a caseworker, exploring post-mortem pregnancy testing in suspicious cases, and working with coroners and forensic officials; he also said home births and untrained midwifery pose safety concerns and that better public education and facility-based care are important. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matt Clark on cigarette ignition propensity standards and fire prevention. He recommended updating North Dakota’s cigarette ignition legislation to the current national standard and also considering legislation requiring fast-breakaway oxygen tubing, citing fatal fires involving smoking around home oxygen. He explained that his office verifies manufacturer testing and maintains certification for cigarettes sold in the state, but does not itself conduct the testing. Members asked about implementation, cost, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Clark said he would follow up with cost information and additional details, and that he had not seen evidence of a major issue on tribal lands but would look further. Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services presented the North Dakota Stroke System of Care report. She described the statewide network of two comprehensive stroke centers, four primary stroke centers, and 30 acute stroke-ready hospitals, along with the stroke registry and quality-improvement efforts. She reported that most strokes are ischemic, that the median stroke patient age is 71.5, and that common risk factors include hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and diabetes. She highlighted improvements in door-to-CT, thrombolytic treatment times, dysphagia screening, EMS pre-notification, and interfacility transfer performance, and said new priorities include hemorrhagic stroke quality measures and standardized EMS stroke screening tools. Members asked about the VA hospital’s participation, and Greff said she would pursue outreach. After a break, the committee heard testimony from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals as part of the prior authorization study, focused on non-opioid pain treatment. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to acute pain treatment and may push patients toward opioids, especially in the critical 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window. He cited data showing that even short opioid exposure can increase the risk of long-term use and said prior authorization is often a barrier for physicians and patients. Khan recommended open access with a quantity limit rather than prior authorization, suggesting a 14-day limit supported by the product’s data and an episode-of-care approach. Members asked about dental use, payer discussions, and cost; he said the product’s wholesale acquisition cost is about $16.10 per tablet, with patient assistance available, and that he would follow up on payer and comparison-cost questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The responsible parties will be oil and gas extracting companies that are responsible for over a billion
• the companies, as you've heard, for the effects today and in the future of fossil fuels that they extracted
• And for this bill, that would be extracting, refining, and selling fossil fuel products.
• And now for this bill, that would be extracting, refining, and selling fossil fuel products.
• places of harm to specific emissions, and they do not allow the responsible parties from whom they extract

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of climate, energy, and environmental justice proposals. Early testimony strongly supported the Climate Change Superfund or “Polluter Pays” bill (H.1014/S.58), which would assess the largest fossil fuel emitters for a one-time fee based on historic emissions to fund climate adaptation. Sponsors argued the bill is modeled on Superfund cleanup principles, would target only the largest multinational polluters, would not be passed on to consumers, and would direct a significant share of funds to environmental justice communities. Committee members asked about the number of companies covered, consumer impacts, and whether the bill would address other forms of environmental destruction; sponsors said it was limited to major fossil fuel companies with a Massachusetts footprint and did not cover other pollution sources. The committee also heard testimony on a fusion energy compact proposal (S.673) that would direct the administration to develop a framework for a New England regional compact to accelerate fusion research, workforce development, and supply-chain growth. Supporters from MIT and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities said fusion could become a major clean-energy and economic opportunity, but acknowledged the technology is not yet commercially viable and still has unresolved technical, cost, and waste-management questions. Members pressed on environmental impacts, siting, waste, costs, and whether the bill would create a compact or only a framework; sponsors said it would only create the framework and that the administration would need to negotiate with other states. Another major topic was a pilot program for nature-based climate solutions (H.971/S.??), backed by legislators, Boston Harbor Now, and UMass Boston’s Stone Living Lab. Witnesses said the bill would help speed permits for research and demonstration projects such as living shorelines, marsh restoration, and hybrid “green-to-gray” flood protections, while maintaining safeguards and protecting Indigenous and historic resources. Committee members asked how the proposal would interact with other permitting reforms and whether it could conflict with housing or wetland-related streamlining; supporters said it was complementary and aimed at making projects faster, more affordable, and more data-driven. The hearing also covered climate-safe buildings and climate adaptation funding bills. Supporters of H.1004/S.583 said current building codes do not adequately account for future flooding, heat, and wind, and the bill would add climate expertise to the building board, allow stretch resilience codes, expand floodplain standards, and create a retrofit program. Related testimony backed H.938/S.572, which would create a dedicated climate and community resilience fund financed by a small fee on property insurance premiums; advocates said it would provide stable long-term revenue for adaptation, especially in environmental justice communities, and help replace unreliable federal funding. One witness from CLF supported the climate-safe buildings and funding bills but opposed S.560/H.939 as too broad. The committee also heard testimony on airport air-quality legislation (H.997) calling for more monitoring and mitigation of ultra-fine particulate pollution around Logan Airport and Massport communities. No votes were taken during the hearing.