Transcript Highlights:

• But the more recent states are Texas, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Follow up. Thank you, Mr.
• So, if we use Texas as an example, what were the outcomes, successes, and failures from a state like
• Texas with this?

Bills: SB1778, SB1570, SB134, SB1966, SB1636, SB1725, SB1726, SB259, SB504, SB592, SB2030, SB1572, SB843, SB1242, SB1255, SB1262, SB1264, SB1286, SB1581, SB1290, SB1316, SB1319, SB1369, SB1379, SB1381, SB1400, SB1427, SB1436, SB1461, SB1496, SB1509, SB1534, SB1553, SB904, SB1592, SB1645, SB1684, SB1767, SB1772, SB1813, SB1894, SB1928, SB1946, SB1980, SB2040, SB2060, SB2061

Keywords: reading instruction, literacy, educational equity, intervention services, third grade retention, Strong Readers Act, child welfare, child safety, administrative transition, Department of Child Safety and Well-being, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, juvenile justice, foster care, retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, memorial highways, bridge designations

Transcript Highlights:

• international building codes? international building codes?
• up to speed with that code. up to speed with that code.
• with that code. with that code.
• of international code. of international code.
• uh bills that change the criminal codes. uh bills that change the criminal codes.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and then spent much of the early portion of the meeting on recognitions and announcements. Members welcomed the Sikh community of Colorado for Baisakhi and Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month, noted a langar lunch at the Capitol, and announced a governor’s proclamation later in the day. Other tributes highlighted Jackie Robinson Day, Golf Day at the Capitol, an upcoming Colorado Religious Freedom Day event, and an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority legislative day and youth leadership program. After announcements, the chamber moved to business and adopted a motion making Senate Bill 109, Senate Bill 104, House Bill 1245, and Senate Bill 121 special orders for April 15. The House then began consideration of Senate Bill 109, concerning building code standards for accessible housing supported by public money. The committee report was adopted, and debate focused on an amendment offered by Representative Soper to exempt counties that have not adopted international building codes. Supporters argued the amendment would protect rural counties, preserve local control, and avoid higher housing costs and budget strain; opponents said it would undermine uniformity. Several members spoke in favor, and the amendment was still under discussion when the transcript ended. Committee announcements also noted that Judiciary would hear Senate Bill 1283 and Senate Bill 85, Education would hear Senate Bill 153, and Health and Human Services would hear Senate Bill 60, House Bill 1347, and House Bill 1314 for action only. The House also heard that House Bill 1250 would be pushed to the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• in our sort of during the penal code in our sort of during the penal code review<01:00:36.319>
• <01:00:48.160> review in the context of the penal code review in the context of the penal
• So I think there are a handful of states that do this DUCC process, including Texas and Nevada.
• <01:13:38.640> So<01:13:38.800> we're including uh Texas and Nevada.
• So we're including uh Texas and Nevada.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The briefing focused on the Hawaii State Hospital’s overcrowding, construction defects in the new addition, and how Act 26 and related court-ordered processes are affecting admissions and discharges. The chair said the hospital has become increasingly forensic-focused, has lost beds after the closure of Kahimohala, and may face further costs and possible litigation over the defective addition. Hospital and Department of Health officials said they are working with the attorney general and contractors on repairs, and that the hospital is currently using all 292 licensed beds, including 13 waiver beds, while average daily census last fiscal year was 376. Officials explained that the high census is driven by both increased admissions and discharge barriers. They said the loss of Kahimohala returned patients to the state hospital, and that Act 26-related petty misdemeanor cases are contributing to admissions. They also said limited lower-level placement options delay discharges. Hospital staff reported that many patients are repeat admissions, about 22% were unhoused before admission, and a significant share are in categories such as fitness-to-proceed evaluations and conditional-release violations. They said these groups could potentially be reduced if evaluations were done elsewhere and if more community or supportive housing were available. The chair and senators questioned whether some fitness-to-proceed detainees need to be held at the state hospital at all, and whether the Clark consent order requires transfer to the hospital. The attorney general’s office said the Clark injunction does not govern unfitness-to-proceed cases; instead, the requirement comes from state statute, and the statute could be changed. Director Johnson said DCR cannot keep such detainees because the court orders them into the custody of the Department of Health, and the department cannot provide the needed therapeutic level of care in a correctional setting. The discussion also emphasized co-occurring substance use and mental illness, especially among petty misdemeanor defendants, and the need for supportive housing and a decompression plan to reduce readmissions and free beds for civil commitments.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will go to his estate. So that would be $65,000 to an individual that was imprisoned wrongfully.
• will<00:02:22.640> go<00:02:22.800> to<00:02:22.959> his<00:02:23.200> estate
• It will go to his estate. care of that. It will go to his estate.

Bills: SF3446, HF3247

Keywords: claims against the state, settlement, appropriations, exoneration, corrections claims, claims, state appropriation, corrections, community service, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And last year in House Bill 1, that section of the code was amended to allow use tax monies to be spent
• And then over at lines 32 through 35, this is cleanup language because the bill, the code section, still
• section still had bill um the code section still had restrictive<00:01:17.119> language<00:01
• <00:21:31.679> sections it. is bringing the code sections it. is bringing the code sections
• It only brings forward code sections with a reverse repealer. Okay.

Keywords: Finance - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 2191, which would expand the allowable uses of municipal use tax funds. The bill would add sidewalks to the list of eligible projects and remove remaining restrictive language that limited use tax spending to roads and bridges. A senator asked for confirmation that the funds would be limited to publicly owned property of the local government, and the sponsor confirmed that was the intent. The committee approved the bill and reported it out. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2257, the Mississippi Land Bank Act, which would create a local land bank tool for cities and counties to acquire, manage, and return vacant, abandoned, and tax-forfeited properties to productive use. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help address blight, especially properties held at the Secretary of State’s office, and emphasized that land banks would be locally created, subject to public accountability requirements, and barred from using eminent domain. The committee adopted the bill and reported it out. Members also discussed Senate Bill 2828, a committee substitute that would impose a fee on international wire transfers, with a credit available to Mississippi income taxpayers. The sponsor said half of the revenue would go to DPS for 287(g) programs and half to the general fund. An amendment was adopted to exempt certain transactions funded through U.S.-issued debit or credit cards or withdrawn from federally insured accounts. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill out. Later bills included SB 2863, creating a Jackson County industrial zone exempt from municipal annexation, and SB 2862, a related annexation measure brought forward with a reverse repealer; both were advanced after brief discussion. The committee also approved SB 2909, which lowers the unreduced retirement threshold in Tier 5 from 35 years to 30 years, and SB 2885, the Mississippi Work and Save program, a voluntary state-treasurer-run retirement savings option for small employers and employees. Throughout, the committee generally asked limited clarifying questions and then voted to adopt committee substitutes and report the bills out.

Transcript Highlights:

• through and through, so are my parents, uh, to advocate for our wildlife be bought by corporate real estate
• attorneys, we have to ask ourselves what is, what is a corporate real estate attorney doing.
• This is from Georgine Inks of San Pedro Creek Estates.
• I live in San Pedro Creek Estates in Sandia Park. 2 years ago there were 14 wild horses in the estates
• , and today they are, they are all healthy and free, still living in San Pedro Creek Estates.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're wanting to remove a restriction to be consistent with like Texas and Mississippi.
• We're changing up language to clarify things to go with the federal code, and we're wanting to get rid
• Yes, we were clarifying to match what the federal code now says.
• You know, I look at what other states are doing from Texas to Alabama, and there's so much more we can

Summary: The committee met with four members present and approved the May 7, 2026 minutes. It then considered a series of transportation, motor vehicle, aviation, port, and memorial designation bills. Several measures were reported favorably, including HB 1086 on electronic titling and digital title transfers, HB 745 extending special tandem load permits, HB 1175 updating the definition of aerospace, HB 1108 creating a Homeschool Proud license plate, HB 722 changing reinstatement procedures so certain suspended licenses are restored once fees are paid, HB 1024 creating a Louisiana Democratic Party license plate, HB 1173 giving drivers on reinstatement payment plans a three-month grace period before late fees apply, and HB 98 imposing a $25 annual royalty fee on a retired legislators’ plate to help restore the Pentagon Barracks. HB 487, dealing with red-light overtaking and an added fine, and HB 1032, a technical cleanup bill aligning DWI/drug-impairment language, were also reported favorably. HB 1050, a CDL cleanup bill that adjusts age and testing provisions and removes outdated vision-waiver language, and HB 1192, creating a Louisiana Dental Hygienist Association plate, were approved as well. HB 989, which would have raised public license tag agent convenience fees, was supported by private tag agents but drew questions about fee parity and business impacts; it was reported favorably. A separate bill on driving school pricing and refunds was deferred and turned into a study resolution after the sponsor said more stakeholder discussion was needed. The committee also advanced several memorial and infrastructure measures. HB 401 designated the Lance Corporal Justin McLeese Memorial Bridge, with members speaking about his military service and sacrifice. HB 1081 moved the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission under the Office of Multimodal Commerce for administrative support while leaving port boards independent. HCR 63 created a task force to study whether certain active-duty military personnel could operate federally owned vehicles on state highways without a civilian license. HCR 69 urged priority improvements to the Interstate 12 corridor, especially the bottleneck and interchange areas near I-55, citing safety and evacuation concerns. SCR 58 asked DOTD to review public-private partnership practices, using the Belle Chasse Toll Bridge as a case study and focusing on lessons learned for future projects. HB 1001 designated a portion of U.S. 190 as the Jesse Jackson Memorial Highway. HB 1218 named Highway 1090 the Lewis Pett Miramon Memorial Highway, with family members and supporters describing Miramon’s wartime service and role in building Slidell. HB 1172 designated a highway segment in memory of a 14-year-old hit-and-run victim, Kulin Carrier. One major policy bill, SB 514, was amended and reported favorably. It updates Louisiana’s aeronautics statutes, transfers responsibility for aeronautics activities and facilities from the DOTD secretary to the Office of Multimodal Commerce commissioner, and modernizes the law to align with federal aviation rules and new technologies, including advanced aviation and electric vertical takeoff and landing programs. Members asked about the lengthy amendments, fuel tax language, airport development reporting, and the Transportation Trust Fund, and the sponsor and DOTD explained that the changes were largely technical and intended to keep Louisiana eligible for federal aviation funding and compliant with current standards. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 1244, which would add a brain-injury designation to driver’s licenses and require law-enforcement training. The sponsor and advocates described how the designation could help de-escalate encounters and improve safety for people with brain injuries; the bill was reported favorably, with members noting it could also cover broader brain-injury conditions if medically certified. After that testimony, the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the fall of 1968, I was a sophomore in high school, growing up in a little West Texas town.
• A tall, slender young man from Dalhart, Texas, named Lowell Catlett, showed up to speak to our chapter
• Authority to enforce provisions of the Criminal Code, the Motor Vehicle Code, and the Boat Act.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we have DCCA's Hawaii Real Estate Commission with comments.
• Next up, we have DCCA's Hawaii Real Estate Commission with comments. >> Okay.
• guys are good, and then if you go back... >> Neil Fujitani in for Derek Ymani with the Hawaii Real Estate
• <00:11:06.720> Commission Hawaii uh Hawaii Real Estate Commission Hawaii uh Hawaii Real Estate
• on behalf of Derek Himen and the Hawaii Real Estate Commission.

Bills: HB1849, HB2000, HB1753, HB1511, HB276, HB1513, HB2188, HB1876

Keywords: licensing, professional license, individual taxpayer identification number, immigration, state residency, right to repair, wheelchairs, consumer protection, repair providers, device documentation, HB1753, Hawaii Social Media Data Deletion Act, social media, account deletion, data deletion, privacy, consumer privacy, personal information, sensitive personal information, data retention

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 10, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills. HB 1849 relating to licensing drew comments from DCCA’s Professional and Vocational Licensing Division and the Hawaii Real Estate Commission, both of which stood on written testimony. The Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights testified in strong support, emphasizing that some immigrants, including DACA recipients, are already contributing in Hawaii and that the state should help create pathways for them to remain and advance professionally. No vote or final action was taken on HB 1849 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2000, the wheelchair right-to-repair bill. Encart opposed the measure, arguing that repair delays are largely driven by insurance prior authorization and that wheelchair repairs involve FDA-regulated medical devices where improper repairs could create health risks. Peter Fritz testified in support, saying the bill was modeled on similar laws in other states and that he had personal experience through his sister’s use of a wheelchair. Members questioned whether repairs done outside insurer networks might not be reimbursed, and Fritz said that was a concern but that the need for timely repair outweighed it. The committee also discussed HB 1753 on social media, where DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill but suggested an amendment to the definition of personal information. On HB 1511 relating to consumer protection, DCCA’s Insurance Division supported the bill, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association offered comments seeking to preserve legitimate manufacturer and dealer communications about vehicles, warranties, recalls, and related services. The committee also took up HB 276 HD1 and HB 1513 on condominiums. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission offered comments on HB 276 HD1. For HB 1513, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority supported the bill, but DCCA’s Insurance Division opposed it, warning that diverting HHRF funds could weaken reinsurance arrangements and raise premiums for consumers who rely on the fund. Members questioned whether the proposed condo loan program would need HHRF money and whether the amounts in the bill were necessary, and the division said it opposed using HHRF for that purpose. The committee also heard HB 2188 on housing, where OCP supported the measure and the Hawaii Association of Realtors raised concerns about conflicts with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the use of tenant screening reports, noting that a working group is already addressing landlord-tenant issues. Members asked OCP to research how other states handle similar laws and whether additional language is needed to avoid federal conflict. Finally, on HB 1876 relating to mental health, the Department of Health’s Adult Mental Health Division supported the bill but said it remains opposed to harmful, non-evidence-based treatment modalities; Pride at Work Hawaii also testified in strong support. No final votes or committee decisions were reported in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• > the the the measure is to change the the the the measure is to change the penal<00:09:12.720> code
• penal code. penal code.
• University to bring up the Texas University Intercolastic<00:42:59.680> League,<00:43:00.079>
• But according to the federal law, so 42 United States Code, Section 11432, this is the U.S.
• 42 United States Code, Section 11432 is the U.S.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2185, which would add protections for sports officials. The Department of Education, the State Public Charter School Commission, the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, HSTA, HGA, school administrators, the Hawaii High School Athletic Association, the Hawaii State Basketball Officials Association, and several individuals testified in support. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments and recommended amendments, especially on the bill’s civil-action provisions and criminal language, saying the measure should be made more consistent and narrowed to clarify who is covered. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the increased criminal penalties but said its concerns were limited to that portion of the bill. The chair repeatedly noted the committee’s education-policy focus and limited discussion of legal issues. The committee then took up HB 2621 on student misconduct. The Department of Education testified and answered questions about its student discipline data, explaining that much of the information is kept in the department’s internal Infinite Campus system and is not public, but that some additional information could be added to the annual report while still protecting student privacy. Members discussed whether the department tracks incidents consistently across schools and whether more public reporting would help identify where violence or discipline issues are occurring. The department said it was not seeing an increase in suspensions in the data it had, though it acknowledged internal data showed more detail than the annual report. HB 2179, concerning DOE and e-pipes, drew comments from the Department of Education, support from the Department of Health, the Hawaii Bicycling League, and other individuals. The committee then heard HB 2534, which would recognize robotics in schools as an interscholastic sport. The Department of Education offered comments, the State Public Charter School Commission supported the bill, and multiple students and robotics participants testified in strong support, arguing that robotics provides STEM opportunities, competition, and career pathways, and that formal recognition and funding would help sustain teams and compensate mentors. No votes or final actions were taken on the bills in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Senate Bill 300 by Senator Mizell, providing relative to the Louisiana Procurement Code.
• We had started, I would say, refining the procurement code last year.
• We had started, I would say, refining the procurement code last year.
• And then there's various changes to the procurement IT code, and they're all technical.
• Texas and on the East Coast.

Bills: HB513, HB581, HB596, HB660, HB719, HB766, HB802, HB940, HB950, HB1028, HB1183, HB1201, SB233, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB411

Keywords: name image likeness, NIL, student-athlete, college athletics, high school athletics, intercollegiate athletics, interscholastic athletics, athlete compensation, athlete endorsements, sports marketing, athlete agent, marketing representative, sports attorney, publicity rights, right of publicity, Louisiana high school sports, NCAA, school policy, athletic association, athletic conference

Summary: The committee first handled House Bill 513 by Rep. Young, which would regulate name, image, and likeness issues for intercollegiate and interscholastic athletes, especially high school athletes. Young said the bill reflects recommendations from a statewide NIL task force and sets parental-consent and prohibited-category guardrails while preserving flexibility for colleges. The committee adopted a technical amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. Members then advanced several procurement and administrative measures. Senate Bill 233 by Sen. Mizell would create a statewide data exchange compact for state agencies; testimony from the Department of Health said it would improve eligibility and program administration by allowing agencies to share data more efficiently, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 300, also by Mizell, would make various changes to the Procurement Code, including auction techniques in negotiated procurement, sole sourcing for consulting services in limited cases, and other technical and legal remedy revisions; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 303 by Sen. Cloud would let executive branch agencies directly contract with other states for information technology systems and use the federal GSA schedule, and it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 411 by Sen. DePlessis, removing a 20-year lease cap for certain state property in Orleans Parish, was also reported favorably. The committee then took up several bills affecting criminal justice funding. House Bill 660 by Rep. Egan would raise the state warrant amount used to fund assistant district attorney salaries from $50,000 to $60,000; Egan and district attorneys argued the increase is needed to recruit and retain prosecutors, while an opponent said the state should fund prosecutors and public defenders more equitably. The committee adopted an amendment making the bill effective only upon appropriation and reported it favorably as amended. House Bill 719, also by Egan, would increase the number of assistant district attorney warrants statewide, with most of the new warrants directed to Baton Rouge, St. Tammany, and Caddo; supporters cited workload studies and local needs, while an opponent raised concerns about New Orleans court consolidation and broader funding balance. It too was amended to be subject to appropriation and reported favorably as amended. Other measures included House Bill 76 by Rep. Freeman, which addresses coverage for orally administered anti-cancer medications and was reported favorably as amended after changes to cost-sharing and high-deductible plan language; House Bill 802 by Rep. Sawyer, which redirects existing revenue to watershed and flood-control restoration in the Amite River Basin, was reported favorably as amended; House Bill 940 by Rep. Barrow, creating a law-enforcement task force and rules framework for counter-drone operations, was reported favorably as amended; and House Bill 950 by Rep. Boyd, aimed at consumer protection education for seniors, was reported favorably. House Bill 596 by Rep. McCormick, which would have created an inactive-well fee assessment credit tied to plugging wells, drew concerns that it would reduce funds for orphan-well restoration, and the bill was voluntarily deferred after discussion. House Bill 581 and House Bill 1183 were also voluntarily deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• So SB 6 that year may change the tax code intended to raise revenue by reducing a distribution to the
• We do all of these things with our tax code without really being able to measure whether or not they
• And he wrote the first American tax code for Santa Fe. It was interesting.
• And Colonel Kearney had a tax code written. It's 21 sentences long.
• If Ernst & Young, the largest CPA firm on the planet, can't figure out our tax code.

Summary: The committee’s final day focused first on a historical overview of New Mexico tax packages by Pam Stokes of Legislative Council Services. She described how tax packages have alternated over the decades between tax relief, revenue raising, and tax reform, with examples ranging from the creation of the gross receipts tax in 1966 to major packages in 1981, 1986, 1991, 1994, 2005, 2019, 2022, 2024, and the vetoed 2025 package. Members discussed how tax policy often tracks revenue conditions, how packages can combine increases and decreases, and how local government gross receipts taxes and hold-harmless distributions have affected communities differently. Several members reflected on past packages, especially the 2004 food tax repeal and the 2013 film tax and manufacturing changes, and noted that tax policy can have major economic and political effects even when it is not “sexy” legislation. The committee then heard a proposal to expand the health care practitioner gross receipts tax deduction to include co-insurance, and to extend the sunset date. Sponsor Senator Figueroa said the bill was intended to help recruit and retain medical providers and build on prior deductions for co-pays and deductibles. Testimony explained that co-insurance is the patient’s share after the deductible, that providers currently absorb the gross receipts tax on those payments, and that the proposal would cost about $30 million to the state plus about $20 million to municipalities and counties, with the exact fiscal impact likely to be updated. Members raised concerns about the effect on local governments, whether insurers could be required to reimburse providers, whether the bill would actually attract doctors, and whether better evaluation measures and sunsets should be added. The sponsor said the bill was part of a broader set of efforts to address provider shortages and that the discussion would continue. Representative McQueen then presented a bill to update the Land Conservation Incentives Act. He and conservation partners said the program has protected more than 500,000 acres but has not kept pace with rising land values, especially for irrigated agricultural land in the Middle Rio Grande. The proposal would increase the percentage of conservation value eligible for the credit, raise the per-transaction cap from $250,000 to $2 million, and make the credit refundable rather than only transferable. Testimony emphasized that the program is voluntary, keeps land in private ownership and production, and helps land-rich, cash-poor landowners preserve farmland and water rights. Members asked about average credit amounts, how easements work, whether landowners could effectively buy land and then use the credit, and whether there should be inflation indexing or a statewide cap. The discussion also touched on water rights, fencing, and the role of conservation easements in protecting agricultural land and compact water deliveries. Finally, Senator Sharer previewed his 2% tax proposal with a historical presentation on New Mexico tax law, using props to illustrate the evolution from early territorial tax codes to the modern tax system. He argued that the state’s current tax structure is overly complex and that recent federal changes have disrupted the personal income tax base. The committee did not take any votes on the day’s presentations; the meeting was primarily informational, with members offering feedback and raising policy concerns for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, and under 101, the creation of department—it's the department of the struck real estate appraisal
• 40.640> now<00:24:40.799> it's<00:24:40.960> called<00:24:41.039> the estate
• appraisal and now it's called the estate appraisal and now it's called the department<00:24:41.600><
• <00:24:53.679> a<00:24:53.840> qualified<00:24:54.320> real<00:24:54.480> estate
• appointment of a qualified real estate appointment of a qualified real estate appraiser<00:24:55.840

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we could just simplify and just erase the zip codes. zip codes do.
• I always want to say ZIP codes, but on the SIP codes, the good, bad, and whatever of the SIP codes, and
• She said, using the SIP codes for the...
• objective way of using those SIP codes.
• It’s more based on CIP codes, and that’s not all the CIP codes—those are the ones that mapped closer

Summary: The committee met to discuss higher education funding and capital building policy. Members first heard an update from NDUS Deputy Commissioner Lisa Johnson on low-producing academic programs. She described a proposed board policy using a five-year rolling window and thresholds of fewer than 10 undergraduate graduates or fewer than 5 graduate graduates, with programs flagged for three consecutive review periods going to the board. Possible outcomes would include continuation, continuation with modifications, inactivation, or termination. Members asked about how the review would account for program costs, service to other students, workforce demand, and the difference between inactivation and termination. Johnson said the board would consider broader factors and that campuses already do detailed program analysis. Several members also asked about cost savings and staffing impacts from program terminations, and Johnson said the board would try to provide more information later. The committee then received a report on the Capital Building Fund from Jamie Wilkie. He reviewed the program’s history, matching requirements, and recent uses, noting that about $334 million in state and matching dollars has been invested overall, with most going to deferred maintenance and extraordinary repairs. Members discussed whether the program is reducing deferred maintenance and requested updated systemwide data on deferred maintenance and campus space utilization. Wilkie said the board is considering a new study to update deferred maintenance figures, which are based on information more than 12 years old. He also reported that several institutions have used current biennium funds for projects such as residence hall renovations, health sciences housing, generators, and building repairs. Later, the committee began a detailed walkthrough of a draft bill that would replace the current higher education funding formula with an FTE-based model and also revise the capital building fund structure. The draft would use fall enrollment FTEs, add completion incentives for degrees in in-demand fields, and create a separate research funding component for UND and NDSU tied to doctoral completions and external research expenditures. Members raised concerns about the use of older data in the formula, the treatment of waivers, the weighting of professional and health sciences programs, and the use of CIP codes to define CTE and education incentives. The bill draft would also combine capital building fund tiers, broaden eligible uses for deferred maintenance and legislatively authorized projects, change matching requirements, repeal the old formula chapter and the capital pool, and transfer funds from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund into the capital building fund. No final votes were taken during the portion provided; the meeting was primarily discussion and review.

Transcript Highlights:

• full stop on a separate matter, the legislation that I'm carrying for you related to the procurement code
• So we're just trying to modernize the procurement code with the rising costs.
• move forward, I just want to suggest to the colleagues here that as we move forward, you know, in Texas
• under the Department of Transportation, they have a very effective campaign called "Don't Mess with Texas
• It's kind of a Texas thing that we need as a state to take a more serious, almost like a big ad campaign

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this would include property law issues, real estate and sales, torts, anything dealing with liability
• sales<00:09:57.880> uh<00:09:58.040> torts<00:09:59.040> so issues real estate
• and sales uh torts so issues real estate and sales uh torts so anything<00:09:59.839> dealing
• to primarily um also real estate to primarily um also real estate um<00:21:29.600> real<00
• um real estate issues are primarily um real estate issues are primarily Mary's<00:21:33.039>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee met for an introductory session focused on committee organization, staff roles, and an overview of the committee’s jurisdiction. Members and staff introduced themselves, and the chair explained that one member was absent due to a meeting with the governor. House fiscal staff member John Walls reviewed the committee’s budget spreadsheet and explained the agencies under the committee’s jurisdiction, including the Supreme Court, Board of Civil Legal Aid, Court of Appeals, district courts, Guardian ad Litem Board, Tax Court, Uniform Laws Commission, Board of Judicial Standards, Board of Public Defense, Human Rights Commission, Office of Appellate Counsel and Training, and the Competency Restoration Board. He also explained how fiscal notes work and how costs or revenue impacts are tracked for bills. Nathan Hopkins then described the committee’s broad civil law jurisdiction, covering areas such as property, torts, contracts, civil rights, consumer protection, employment, family law, remedies, statutes of limitations, damages, burdens of proof, due process, and attorney general enforcement. He also outlined the committee’s role in government data practices under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, emphasizing the distinction between transparency and privacy and noting that bills affecting Chapter 13 are often re-referred to this committee. Ben Johnson added that he handles appropriations and court-related policy provisions, with most budget drafting expected later in the session. A member asked about the Competency Restoration Board, and Johnson explained that it was created to address cases involving criminal defendants found incompetent to proceed, with the goal of coordinating placements and services to restore competency rather than serving as long-term civil commitment. The chair also noted the importance of privacy and technology issues, mentioning past bipartisan work on body cameras, license plate readers, and drones. The meeting ended with a brief announcement about a law school for legislators program and an invitation to attend upcoming Zoom sessions, after which the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vehicle Code sections 22660 through 22672 provide a comprehensive framework for addressing abandoned
• To me, it seems like the code section becomes important.
• To me, it seems like the code section becomes important.
• To me, it seems like the code section becomes important.
• Restitution in California is governed by Penal Code section 1202.4.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard AB 647, a cleanup bill to AB 630 that would clarify that local agencies in Los Angeles and Alameda counties can use a pilot program to remove and dismantle certain abandoned, inoperable RVs valued at $4,000 or less. Supporters, including the author and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s representative, said the measure would help address public health and safety hazards tied to dilapidated RVs and homelessness. Opponents argued existing abandoned-vehicle laws already provide tools, and warned the bill could be used to remove vehicles occupied by unhoused residents without offering services. AB 647 was later approved on a due pass to Appropriations vote. The committee then considered AB 1656, which would give courts discretion to consider a prosecutor’s scheduling conflict when deciding whether to continue a human trafficking case, with amendments making the continuance discretionary and limited. Supporters said the bill would help preserve vertical prosecution and continuity for traumatized survivors; opponents raised speedy-trial and due process concerns. After discussion about balancing victim support and constitutional rights, the committee voted AB 1656 out on a due pass as amended to the floor. Members also heard AB 917, which would require prosecutors to file a motion to reinstate charges dismissed at a preliminary hearing rather than simply adding them back, with amendments clarifying procedures and violent felony refiling. Supporters said it would protect due process and respect judicial decisions; district attorneys opposed the bill as procedurally unnecessary and burdensome. The committee approved AB 917 on a due pass as amended to Appropriations. AB 2636, which would require courts to consider loaded-firearm possession when deciding whether a juvenile is eligible for deferred entry of judgment, also passed on a due pass to the floor after supporters emphasized public safety and opponents argued it would reduce rehabilitative opportunities for youth. Finally, the committee heard AB 1632, which would replace the notarization requirement for 602 trespass authorization letters with a statement under penalty of perjury. Supporters said the change would reduce administrative burden and help property owners and police address trespassing more efficiently; opponents warned it could weaken safeguards and be misused against tenants or unhoused people. The bill passed on a due pass as amended to the floor. The hearing also began consideration of AB 1974, a voluntary firearm safe-storage bill inspired by Pierce’s Pledge, with the author and a survivor advocate presenting the measure, but the transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• building process works is that there are a couple levels at which we have to do things like checks, uh, code
• Luckily, her husband is a real estate attorney, so that didn't make it very far.
• husband<00:36:35.960> is<00:36:36.120> a<00:36:36.160> real<00:36:36.360> estate
• Luckily, her husband is a real estate Luckily, her husband is a real estate attorney,<00:36:37.000

Bills: HF2614, HF3587, HF3589, HF3588

Keywords: homeowners associations, local government, building permits, housing policy, residential development, voter access, polling place, elections, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, transparency, 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 2614, a bill aimed at preventing local governments from requiring or effectively mandating homeowners associations (HOAs) as a condition of residential development approval. The committee first approved the February 25 minutes, then adopted the DE1 amendment to HF 2614 before hearing the bill. The authors said the measure is a bipartisan piece of a larger HOA reform effort and that the language was negotiated with the League of Minnesota Cities and other stakeholders; they emphasized that developers could still choose to create HOAs, but cities and counties could not require them. Testimony in support came from Housing First Minnesota and the Minnesota Homeownership Center. Supporters argued that unnecessary HOAs raise housing costs, reduce affordability, and are often used to shift public infrastructure costs onto homeowners. They said HOAs remain appropriate for shared-wall housing, shared amenities, and other situations where common property is truly needed, but should not be imposed for single-family developments or minor features. Several members shared examples of HOA overreach and asked for clarification on how the bill would work, including whether developers could still request neighborhood signs or other features; staff and the authors said that would still be possible if the developer requested it rather than the local government requiring it. A significant portion of the discussion focused on stormwater ponds and other infrastructure. One member said the bill should not prevent cities from requiring stormwater facilities because maintenance costs and water-quality responsibilities can be substantial and should not be shifted to all taxpayers. The authors responded that the amendment language was intended to balance concerns about unnecessary HOA mandates with the need to address maintenance, noting that some maintenance responsibilities could remain with cities or be handled through developer agreements. A member requested a roll call on the bill, but the transcript does not include a final vote or disposition beyond the discussion and amendment adoption.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have a bunch of states who have already set up offices: Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri,
• And we have a bunch of states who have already, you know, set up offices, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky,
• And then 10, Delaware should amend the Delaware Code to allow open bids for nuclear power.
• last one, I don't know that it should go under this entity because it is recommending amending the code
• Any call for holding on to this recommendation regarding the Delaware Code?

Summary: The meeting focused on finalizing recommendations from the Delaware Nuclear Energy Task Force, with most of the discussion centered on how the state should organize itself to evaluate and potentially pursue nuclear power. Public commenters strongly supported nuclear energy, emphasizing energy reliability, economic competitiveness, data center demand, and the need for Delaware to act quickly. Several speakers argued that Delaware is falling behind neighboring states and should not delay if it wants to attract developers and preserve access to federal tax incentives. Members then worked through revisions to the recommendations, especially the section on state actions moving forward. There was broad agreement that Delaware needs a clearly empowered leadership structure, but disagreement over the best form: a cabinet-level energy agency, an expanded existing agency such as DENREC, a dedicated coordinator, an expanded Sustainable Energy Utility, or a separate quasi-independent authority. Some members favored a nimble, one-off entity with bonding and financing authority; others cautioned against creating a new body outside state government and stressed the need for coordination with existing agencies, public oversight, and cost discipline. The group also discussed adding responsibilities such as site identification, public engagement, coordination with PJM and federal agencies, and financing tools, while removing or folding in items that seemed duplicative or too broad. The committee also revised earlier modules to broaden the focus from small modular reactors to nuclear power more generally, while keeping the task force’s original SMR work in view. Members agreed to keep recommendations on state and local regulatory readiness, financial mechanisms, permitting coordination, and public engagement, and to add a recommendation for Delaware to participate as an observer in the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative through NASEO and NARUC. The committee approved the revised Module Four recommendations by vote, with one abstention from Tom Noyes. Minutes from the prior meeting were also approved with minor corrections.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rest of the U.S. typically is benchmarked to WTI, which is a Texas index, and the California one
• Because if we just use the example of Texas, Texas is long on refining, Texas is long on crude oil, but
• Because if we just use the example of Texas, Texas is long on refining, Texas is long on crude oil, but
• The map I'm showing you is a map of tankers heading from the Middle East to Texas, where over the last
• Prices in Texas are up about $1.40 per gallon, which is very close to the price increase in the rest

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on California’s petroleum supply and price volatility amid the Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Committee members and administration witnesses focused first on short-term supply conditions: the California Energy Commission said crude and refined-product imports were still arriving at healthy levels, West Coast inventories were generally adequate, and there was no expected near-term supply shortfall, though diesel inventories were tighter than gasoline or jet fuel. Officials said California’s reliance on imports has grown as in-state refining capacity has declined, and they described ongoing work to track import flows, inventories, refinery outages, and pricing. The Division of Petroleum Market Oversight said the conflict was driving real price increases, but also highlighted California’s persistent branded-gasoline premium and unusually wide station-to-station price dispersion. DPMO reported that some major-brand stations were charging far above the statewide average, that several outlier stations reduced prices after contact from the division, and that investigations and subpoenas were ongoing. Professor Severin Borenstein argued that while crude oil is a global price driver, much of California’s higher retail price gap is a downstream “mystery gasoline surcharge,” not explained by crude costs alone, and he said the state should focus on imports, port and storage capacity, and competition rather than expecting refinery subsidies or an E15 blend to solve the problem. Industry and labor witnesses took different positions on the causes and solutions. The Western States Petroleum Association said state policy had weakened California’s refining system, making it more dependent on long, fragile supply chains and vulnerable to global shocks, and urged the state to protect remaining refining capacity and reduce regulatory burdens. United Steelworkers Local 675 emphasized that refinery reliability and staffing matter for market stability. Members pressed witnesses on whether California should set fuel-supply targets, how to prepare beyond the next six weeks, whether more import dependence increases risk, and what additional data or authority the state needs. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.