Transcript Highlights:

• We're using government to punish the muffler shop owner.
• President, the codes formerly the codes that applied for this, the types of business that applied for
• The fourth year of math we're trying to allow for local flexibility as school districts build out local
• What this says is 'locally approved.' It provides a definition.
• If I'm coordinating with the local law enforcement in my community.

Bills: SR44, HCR1027, SJR50, SJR52, SJR53, HB1185, HB1937, HB2035, HB2137, HB2166, HB3148, HB3323, HB3466, HB3498, HB3661, HB3678, HB3710, HB3977, HB3986, HB4104, HB4108, HB4142, HB4191, HB4274, HB4275, HB4322, HB4336, HB4484, HB3880, HB1687, HB3673, HB1170, HB2959, HB3718, HB3021, HB3443, HB3501, HB4143, HB4326, HB2992, HB3660, SB171, SB1325, SB1980, SB2045, HB4422, HB4423

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs, provider regulations, benefits administration, rule approval

Transcript Highlights:

• > are<03:16:11.040> doing local governments can and are doing local governments can and
• , this body should be supporting the local governments and the local government should be in place to
• , this body should be supporting the local governments and the local government should be in place to
• local government? local government?
• to stand for our local governments. to stand for our local governments.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But local economic development, communities, local government, local schools, all of that for the community
• We have the authority in law right now to provide cybersecurity assessments for local government entities
• Well, we work with local government... ...services to help implement those at local government levels
• Well, we work with local governments each and every day.
• So state law requires if a local government sends a bonding fund claim to the DIRF, they hand it over

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• families here in our state our governing families here in our state our governing Authority<00:26
• c><01:51:07.800> that<01:51:08.360> uh a QR code um again finding that uh a QR code um
• payment by the federal government payment by the federal government directly<03:33:33.080> to
• already written already gives a local already written already gives a local judge<03:48:39.120><
• <03:52:54.399> fixing government fixing government fixing f-15s<03:52:56.640> without<03

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with committee process reminders from the chair, including rules for questioning witnesses, time limits for testimony, and how motions and committee reports are handled. The chair also discussed the committee’s history, emphasized a cooperative approach with agencies and the Judiciary, and noted that a special committee on the Family Division of Circuit Court had previously done useful work; he said a new subcommittee could be appointed later to continue looking at judicial-system issues. He also mentioned that the Speaker’s office was expected to name members to the DHHS oversight committee by Friday at 1. The substantive presentation was from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Child Support Services. Attorney John Williams introduced the bureau team, and Bureau Chief Lisa Dekowski described the program’s mission: encouraging responsible parenting, family self-sufficiency, and child well-being by locating parents, establishing paternity, setting or modifying support orders, and enforcing court-ordered child and medical support. She said the bureau operates statewide under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, works with courts, employers, and other partners, and serves both in-state and out-of-state cases, with some international and tribal coordination. She also cited program scale, saying the bureau dispersed about $76 million to families in New Hampshire in fiscal year 2023 and that most collections go directly to families. Members asked about enforcement tools, especially passport denial. In response to a question about a case involving a very small shortfall, the bureau said the federal passport-denial threshold is $2,500 in arrears, not a few cents, and that denial remains in place until the balance is resolved or an arrangement is made with the agency, with hardship factors potentially considered. The bureau also explained that either parent can apply for services when a child support order exists and that the bureau can help initiate income withholding orders. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Government, more than likely.
• The Ihuelas to folks within the local community.
• Initially, the legislature recognized Manzano as a local government entity, but then that recognition
• They have never hired a local to take care of that.
• As an example, I'll state that from my former days as director of the local government division with

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment is coded amendment is coded A7<01:38:14.800> I<01:38:14.960> recognize<01
• The amendment is coded A8.
• engrossment the amendment is coded engrossment the amendment is coded A8<01:49:57.719> I<
• baby bottles with change for our local baby bottles with change for our local Crisis<02:18:46.160
• overwhelmingly Texas Texas in the fiscal overwhelmingly Texas Texas in the fiscal year<02:19:24.880

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the agency projects are for the benefit of local entities.
• I am Government Affairs at the University of New Mexico.
• The bill makes sweeping changes to the children's code, the kind of code-wide revisions that have not
• been made since 1993. when the code was first drafted.
• The other issue that continues to surface, particularly, for local governments as they deal with these

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm from South Texas. I'm from South Texas.
• Uh, but this is another problem that's occurring down in South Texas. I'm from West Texas.
• Texas Pacific owns interest in more than 6800 oil and gas wells, mostly in West Texas.
• Owners, Texas chapter and Self.
• in Texas schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• is a bill for an act to create a new subsection to section 43-17-27.1 of the North Dakota Century Code
• is a bill for an act to create a new subsection to section 43-17-27.1 of the North Dakota Century Code
• Bill 1562 is a bill for an act to amend and reenact section 15.1-07-34 of the North Dakota Century Code
• To reenact section 12-47-31 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to offenders released from the
• It is required by the federal government that you have to have a storage facility for your own.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then approved journal corrections and recognized visiting students from Underwood School. The chamber also handled several conference committee appointments after failing to concur with Senate amendments on House bills 1022, 1049, 1229, and 1029, and after the Senate failed to concur on House amendments to Senate bills 2010 and 2113. The House then concurred in or passed a series of amended measures, including House Bills 1481 (dental insurance loss ratio and reporting), 1511 (physician guidance on abortion law, with an emergency clause), 1562 (mandated reporter training), 1197 (correctional facilities study), 1095 (child protective services liaison work group), 1317 (barber licensing board changes), 1549 (corrections facility grants and reentry-related provisions), 1354 (appraiser evaluations), 1374 (open meeting exemption for township supervisors during on-site inspections), 1355 (abbreviated notice for administrative rulemaking), 1025 (advanced nuclear energy study), 1470 (Game and Fish fee changes), 1592 (Lignite Research Council updates), and 1375 (alcohol service/photo ID provisions). Final passage votes were recorded on each bill, with most passing comfortably and some drawing notable opposition, especially HB 1470 and HB 1549. The House spent substantial time on Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol appropriation. Members discussed shifting one-time funding from the general fund to the Electronic Motor Carrier Permit Fund, including body armor, preliminary breath tests, an emergency vehicle course, resurfacing, fleet costs, and handgun/taser replacement, while also noting a federal grant and no new FTEs. Questions focused on salary-line increases and the new-and-vacant FTE pool, with Appropriations explaining that those dollars had been moved back into agency budgets from OMB. The bill passed 84-6. The House also passed Senate Bill 2013, the Commissioner of University and School Lands appropriation, after discussion of Trust Lands operations, unclaimed property staffing, and distributions from the Common Schools Trust Fund; one member was excused for a conflict, and the bill passed 67-22. Senate Bill 2023, the Racing Commission appropriation, passed 65-25 after a brief explanation of the agency’s responsibilities and funding. A major policy debate centered on Senate Bill 2385, which revises mobile home park regulation. Supporters said it creates receivership procedures if a license is revoked, requires clearer tenant notices, limits certain fees, and strengthens protections against eviction and utility overcharges. Two members were excused from voting due to conflicts tied to mobile home park ownership, and the bill passed 84-4. Another extended debate occurred on Senate Bill 2159, which allows the State Energy Research Center to study nuclear-related projects with approval from the Industrial Commission and consultation with the radioactive waste advisory council. Supporters said it is meant to help study advanced nuclear energy while preserving existing prohibitions on high-level radioactive waste storage; opponents raised concerns that the language could weaken prior protections and open the door to waste-related research or storage. The transcript ends during that debate, before a final vote on SB 2159 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A1.
• The amendment is coded.
• Just so you know, we did not cut local government aid at all.
• So you can go to your mayors, and you can go to your city and tell them that you did not cut local government
• governing Partners whose only governing tool is to increase lobbies.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rep, does this have an impact specifically on the ability for local governments to add, like, a half-cent
• Lastly, Lastly, we funded $15 million for the local government cybersecurity grant program, which provides
• Too often we hear of federal and local governments growing bloated on taxpayer dollars.
• This is a local bill that will change our local airport's name to St.
• This is a local bill that will change our local airport's name to St.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then adopted the special order report and moved into a series of budget-related bills. The chamber first took up HB 5011/SB 2506 on environmental resource management and natural resources funding, where Democrats argued the bill would reduce recurring support for the Resilient Florida program, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, invasive species removal, and other conservation efforts. Supporters said the change would shift money from recurring to nonrecurring funding so the Legislature could reassess priorities each year and rely more on private-sector stewardship. After a strike-all amendment and conference posture change, SB 2506 passed 97-12. HB 5013, reducing state-funded property reinsurance reserves, passed 108-0, and HB 5501, redirecting documentary stamp tax distributions from housing and transportation trust funds into general revenue, passed 82-26 after extended debate over its impact on affordable housing and transportation funding. The House also passed HB 5015 on state group insurance, which requires DMS to develop a formulary management system and was described as producing significant savings; members raised concerns about prescription access and implementation, but the bill passed 109-0. HB 5201 on state financial accounting and HB 5203 on the Capitol Center both passed unanimously, as did HB 5009, which creates a Florida Accountability Office and reorganizes audit functions. The chamber then passed HB 7031, a major sales tax reduction bill lowering the state sales tax rate and several related rates; supporters framed it as permanent relief for all Floridians, while opponents said property tax relief would be more meaningful and that the sales tax cut would also benefit tourists and out-of-state visitors. HB 7031 passed 112-0. The House then began consideration of HB 501, the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget, totaling $112.9 billion and emphasizing reduced recurring spending and large reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined their budget silos: K-12 education at $20.6 billion with teacher raises, school hardening, literacy, transportation stipends, and security funding for Jewish day schools; health care at $47 billion with full Medicaid and KidCare funding, opioid settlement spending, mental health beds, and senior services; transportation/economic development at $18.5 billion; agriculture and natural resources at $5.8 billion with reduced Everglades spending but continued water, resiliency, and land management funding; higher education at $8.7 billion; state administration at $2.9 billion; justice at $7.3 billion; and IT at $529 million for Florida PALM, FX, and other systems. Members then began questioning the K-12 budget, focusing on FEFP funding, proration, voucher growth, stabilization dollars, mental health and school safety funding, and whether districts would be held harmless under the proposed allocations.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:28.400> the nice to be back and see the local the nice to be back and see the local
• It happened in Texas as well.
• It happened in Texas as well.
• strange case in Texas way back in 2005. strange case in Texas way back in 2005.
• It would be a local cost. that. It would be a local cost. Thank<00:41:10.240> you.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's other areas that just aren't covered by a local newspaper, and it's more online focused.
• I can't physically go there to my little local paper. So I love that there's both alternatives.
• Before I let my prime code close for us, I just want to talk about something personally.
• He's a football coach at Texas A&M. Everything is fine.
• He's a football coach at Texas A&M. Everything is fine.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee heard and voted on four bills. HB 587 on self-storage spaces would let rental agreements include an alternate contact person and allow default notices to be published online instead of only in newspapers, while keeping existing notice timelines and servicemember protections. Newspaper and press witnesses opposed the online-notice change, arguing it could reduce public reach and transparency, especially in rural areas; the sponsor said newspapers could still be used and the bill was only adding another option. The committee adopted an amendment changing the effective date to October 1, 2025, and then reported the bill favorably 12-2. HB 6033 would repeal the Florida Labor Pool Act. The sponsor argued the act duplicates other state and federal protections, while opponents said it contains unique safeguards for day laborers, including limits on fees, transportation charges, and deductions, and a private right of action. Testimony from labor advocates and workers warned repeal would reduce protections for vulnerable workers; the sponsor and supporters said other laws already cover the issues. The committee reported the bill favorably 11-3. HB 897, dealing with timeshare plan management, was presented as a clarification of conflicts created by recent condominium legislation and would require faster records responses, more disclosure of contracts, and clearer remedies for mismanagement. Support came from industry groups, and the bill passed unanimously, 14-0. The final measure, PCS for HB 1385, created a civil remedy for parental abduction or unlawful withholding of a child in violation of a timesharing order. Family law attorneys opposed it over concerns about added litigation, child involvement, and overlap with existing remedies, while the sponsors and supporters said it would provide needed deterrence and compensation in serious cases. The committee adopted the PCS and reported it favorably 13-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I think that that's maybe a space that... ...a space that local governments or the state can look
• But understanding what the local codes were going to be is part of helping people structure their plans
• And early on, you know, we consider the local government our partner for the road... of coordinating
• And early on, you know, we consider the local government our partner for the road, you know, And early
• on, you know, we considered the local government our partner for the road to recovery because, again

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you didn't really talk about interactions with local governments.
• Did you have local governments with townships and counties? We sure did.
• We try to do the best job we can in working with people, landowners, and local governments and other
• And engaging with people that might have questions or concerns, whether they're local government officials
• With people that might have questions or concerns, whether they're local government officials or the

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• true because it is Texas. true because it is Texas.
• And the Texas governing body decided that since we can't have all-white primaries, we will have all-white
• And the Texas governing body decided that since we can't have all-white primaries, we will have all-white
• And the Texas governing body decided that since we can't have all-white primaries, we will have all-white
• Texas. Texas.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, September 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:48.560> interference, um from government interference, um from government interference
• agencies<00:07:12.240> that Are there any government agencies that Are there any government
• The bill prohibits state and local governments from forcing centers to provide or refer abortions, promote
• The bill prohibits state and local The bill prohibits state and local governments<00:30:58.320><
• government overreach before it occurs. government overreach before it occurs.

Bills: HB0003, HB0004

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, medical assistance, birthing centers, Medicaid, Wyoming, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, this is required by Century Code Section 54-27-27.
• This is on fiscal irregularities required by Century Code Section 54-14-03.1.
• It is both state funding, local property taxes, and in lieu of property taxes.
• The local share for that $11,000 per kid is 60 mills.
• The House E&E and the Senate Government Operations will meet in 327E, and House Government Ops and Senate

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, this is required by Century Code Section 54-27-27.
• This is on fiscal irregularities required by Century Code Section 54-14-03.1.
• It is both state funding, local property taxes, and in lieu of property taxes.
• The local share for that $11,000 per kid is 60 mills.
• The House E&E and the Senate Government Operations will meet in 327E, and House Government Ops and Senate

Summary: The Budget Section met to approve prior minutes and receive a series of budget, revenue, and program updates from OMB, the Tax Department, DOT, DMR, and DPI. OMB reported that general fund revenues through May were about $76 million below the legislative forecast, driven mainly by individual income tax and sales tax shortfalls, though the biennium is still projected to end with a positive balance. OMB also reviewed oil price and production assumptions, the budget stabilization fund transfer above its cap, Legacy Fund performance, federal grant applications, fiscal irregularities, tobacco settlement proceeds, budget guidelines for agencies, vacancy savings, and the DAPL settlement, noting that most of the settlement funds had been deposited but a small amount of accrued interest would require a future deficiency request. The committee then considered Emergency Commission requests. It approved requests for Public Service Commission abandoned mine lands federal authority, an Attorney General FTE and related funding for criminal investigator work tied to the Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, and a DPI transfer for bridge software costs. After discussion, the committee also approved DPI’s request for a $500,000 transfer for the food vendor program, despite questions about the program’s savings and cash-flow structure. Later, the Tax Commissioner presented the primary residence credit program, reporting that current biennium costs are expected to exceed the appropriation by about $22 million and explaining how the credit interacts with homestead and disabled veteran credits and the 3% property tax levy cap. The Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board reported strong returns for both funds, and DOT sought and received approval for two flexible fund highway projects on ND 49 and ND 31. DOT also updated members on Highway 85 construction and said remaining flex fund dollars were essentially fully allocated. DMR reported on the abandoned well plugging and site reclamation fund, noting North Dakota’s relatively small orphan well inventory, current and projected fund balances, rising remediation costs, and a possible need to adjust the fund cap in future sessions. Finally, DPI outlined the new integrated formula gap funding program, explaining that it compensates school districts that cannot reach the assumed 60-mill local contribution because of the 3% levy cap; the first year’s gap funding totaled about $1.8 million, with future costs expected to grow.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we are a non-profit here locally that supports dads.
• We have created a local resource center here in town.
• Is that a conversation that you intend to have with the federal government?
• Just the other day, I was talking to Texas and a few other states.
• We have been in talks with the federal government about those waivers.