Transcript Highlights:

• Smaller cities, Class A, B, and C, did not have the authority to involuntarily annex properties.
• We have a volunteer fire department with a Class 2, with a 2 rating, an insurance rating.

Bills: HB24

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Transcript Highlights:

• Educators<00:07:25.680> and Students may learn about the Civil War in their U.S. history class
• , but they also will learn about it in their Minnesota studies class.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Kevin Jackson passed legislation to stop this, and we created defined Class A and Class

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee began with procedural reminders that the meeting would be short, that bill changes should generally be provided with 24-hour notice, that testimony would be limited at the chair’s discretion, and that no signs were permitted in the room. After roll call established a quorum, members led the pledge and prayer. The chair also recognized Marsha Robinson of Fort Knox for her service to veterans and military families and for receiving the Association of Defense Communities’ National Military Spouse Leadership Award. The sole bill considered was Senate Bill 61, relating to swimming pools. The sponsor, Senator Craig Richardson, said the bill was intended to protect private property rights by clarifying that homeowners who rent out their private swimming pools through platforms such as Swimly.com would still be treated as operating private pools rather than public recreation pools subject to additional regulation. Senators asked about parking impacts in residential neighborhoods and about liability and insurance coverage. The sponsor said the bill did not address parking or homeowners association issues, and a representative from Swimly.com testified that homeowners insurance and platform-backed insurance products can provide coverage for rentals. The committee voted to advance SB 61. The roll call showed unanimous support from members present, with Senator Wilson briefly explaining his yes vote and joking that the sponsor should ask for it in the future. The chair congratulated the sponsor on getting his first bill through committee and said it would be heard again on the floor. The meeting ended with an announcement about Military Kids Day on Tuesday, February 25, and an invitation for families to contact the Senate clerk for details.

Transcript Highlights:

• Massachusetts DOC is the defendant in multiple class action civil suits that are pending.
• the community, not only by honoring Peter Smith and his loved ones, but by cutting the taxpayers' class
• I couldn't go to class behind that type of racism. Like, it's just ridiculous.
• I couldn't go to class behind that type of racism. Like, it's just ridiculous.
• We currently have a class action lawsuit against the Parole Board.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security focused on several correction-related bills, including visitation reform, elder and medical parole, incarcerated persons’ human rights, and creation of an independent correctional oversight office. Vice Chair Christopher Worrell chaired the hearing in place of Chair Dan Cahill for much of the session and explained that the committee would first hear from incarcerated individuals remotely, then move to public testimony. The committee repeatedly enforced three-minute limits and accepted written testimony as well. Much of the testimony from incarcerated people emphasized that visitation is central to rehabilitation, family stability, and reentry, and that current DOC policies—visitor caps, pre-approval requirements, scheduling rules, dress-code enforcement, and restrictions on contact—have reduced family contact and caused harm. Several speakers argued that elderly and medically frail prisoners should be released through parole because incarceration is costly, ineffective, and inhumane for people who pose little public-safety risk. Others described poor prison conditions, limited programming, inadequate healthcare, segregation-like housing, and the impact of K2 use, suicides, and self-harm. Supporters of the oversight bill said an independent office is needed to address racial disparities, grievance failures, and lack of accountability within the DOC. A number of speakers tied their support to personal experiences, including alleged racial discrimination, denial of programs, and barriers to family visits. Some testified that rehabilitative programming, education, and restorative justice reduce violence and improve outcomes, while others said the DOC spends too little on programming and too much on punishment. Committee members asked a few follow-up questions, including about K2 contraband and how to reduce drugs in facilities, and one member asked about typical visitation lengths. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony on the bills and several witnesses urged favorable reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's a morning and an afternoon program and probably roughly 10 students in each class.
• We have five classes.
• And juniors and seniors can take these classes and get real-life experiences of being a general ed teacher
• Chairman Richter, one thing that you might want to consider is we did not make the special ed classes
• a CTE class because we didn't want people with a background in CTE teaching special education.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then received a lengthy DPI presentation from Stanley Schauer on statewide reading and math assessment data for students with and without disabilities. He explained the assessment systems used over time, the absence of 2019-20 data, and how North Dakota’s standards are set by educators. Members asked about alternate assessments, cohort trends, the apparent drop in proficiency in higher grades, and the new NDA+ assessment. Schauer emphasized that the biggest pattern in the data was the relative stability of students with disabilities, the post-pandemic drop and partial recovery, and the need to focus on reducing the novice category. He also said the state plans to revisit high school standard setting and that future data could be broken out by program, disability category, and schools using science-of-math or other initiatives. Public testimony from special education staff suggested that the flat performance of students with disabilities during COVID likely reflected continued services and intensive supports, and committee members discussed whether the current disparity goal is realistic and whether growth measures would be more useful than simple proficiency buckets. After the presentation, the committee took a short break and then moved into discussion of special education funding models. Chair Richter said members should contact Schauer directly with ideas for additional data views and noted that the committee would continue its work on funding and possible model changes. Brandon Bomback of Grand Forks Public Schools began a presentation arguing that the special education funding formula, especially the weighting factor, should be reconsidered if the committee wants a system that better reflects accountability and student needs. He said his comments were based on the perspective of a larger district and focused on the special education weighting factor rather than other parts of the formula. The remainder of his presentation was not included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• These institutions are the on-ramps to the middle class for millions of Californians, the path out of
• clean air benefits of driving electric and not allow government subsidies to be used to create second-class
• industry in a way, so we can, again, with the goal of bringing down the cost of housing for our working class
• supporting more innovative models to build housing, to bring down the cost of housing for our working-class
• to also augment and provide other alternatives, ideally ones that are cheaper so that our working-class

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Commerce under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 as a city of the second class
• Subdivision 1 also requires that the class 3A commercial property must contain a building that is at
• properties in the city of Brooklyn Center, and it also provides incentives for sustainable investments. class
• A uh class 3A uh commercial class A uh class 3A uh commercial property<00:18:51.160> must<00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I don't understand why we continue to penalize working class people for wanting to have a little
• why we continue to<01:12:19.720> penalize to penalize to penalize working<01:12:21.960> class
• people for wanting to have working class people for wanting to have a<01:12:23.920> little<01
• We met with the preacher committee this morning, the Farm Bureau lead class.
• We met with the preacher committee this morning, the Farm Bureau lead class.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, collusion is bad for consumers, first time home buyers, renters, working class people, and competitor
• universities and K-12 schools to make similar efforts to avoid scheduling graduation, the first day of class
• The Los Angeles wildfires destroyed over 18,000 structures, leaving working and middle class families
• AB 347 is the Compassionate Learning Advancement for Science Students Act, also known as the CLASS Act
• So the best-in-class tech companies are doing exactly what this bill asks.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Academic Search Premier is a database used by students in advanced placement biology and AP literature classes
• Last month, the boys class double-A state hockey championship game made national news because it drew
• Last month,<00:12:30.240> the<00:12:30.399> boys<00:12:30.800> class<00:12:31.040
• > doubleA<00:12:31.440> state month, the boys class doubleA state month, the boys class
• the time kids are sitting down probably eat in about 20 minutes after getting in line and leaving class

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had a lot better luck with some of our cadet classes where they used to be about, you know, 20
• cadets in a class.
• So with our projected, you know, with the two more spring cadet classes, we're projecting to be short
• I had my tonsils pulled out in that hospital and took my Lamaze classes for my first daughter there.
• We need to make working-class housing the easiest thing to build in New Mexico, and that's our goal.

Transcript Highlights:

• support of the Hawaiian Community, um, and also my mom with Century 21 Properties, and I passed my class
• c><00:40:59.200> my Century 21 properties and I pass my Century 21 properties and I pass my class
• 00:41:01.480> also<00:41:01.760> be<00:41:01.920> a<00:41:02.040> real class
• test so I will soon also be a real class test so I will soon also be a real estate estate estate agent
• We are a group of working-class people that need our sleep, and we've been arranged and had abuse from

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 834, which would change restrictions on transfers of real property under chapter 201H, HRS, and was discussed in the context of Hawaiian homelands and HHFDC-funded projects. Supporters, including HHFDC, DHHL, and individual testifiers, said the bill would clarify that Hawaiian homelands should not be subject to the 201H buyback and appreciation restrictions, while preserving affordability requirements tied to federal mortgage and tax credit programs. HHFDC explained that the main concern was the buyback/share-appreciation provisions, especially for DHHL projects using LIHTC or similar financing, and said aligning the statute with DHHL’s program goals would not be a problem. Members questioned whether removing the restrictions could weaken affordability protections, and whether the state could still prioritize beneficiaries and workforce housing, but no vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 759, which would add the DHHL chairperson or designee to the HHFDC board of directors and adjust quorum requirements. DHHL and several supporters argued the measure would give Hawaiian Homes a seat at the table, improve access to HHFDC funding sources such as tax credits, private activity bonds, and revolving funds, and help leverage limited resources to reduce the Hawaiian Homes waitlist. One testifier supported the bill but urged safeguards to prevent favoritism or abuse of power, and another raised concerns about whether a DHHL representative would need to recuse from voting on projects involving DHHL. HHFDC testified that DHHL projects still must compete under the same criteria and set-asides as other applicants, and that the board already includes multiple public and executive representatives. Members pressed on whether DHHL could achieve the same informational goals without a voting seat, and whether the added board role would create leverage or conflicts. The DHHL witness said a nonvoting role could provide information, but a voting seat would be more useful for decision-making and advocacy. The discussion also covered DHHL’s use of LIHTC, rent-to-own models, transitional housing, and other layered financing, as well as the broader need to coordinate state housing resources. The transcript ends during continued questioning, with no final committee action or vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, I want to recognize the master class of presenting in front of the Finance Committee that you
• First, I want to recognize the master class of presenting in front of the Finance Committee that you
• You look at **Rice University**, a world-class university, research R1, and they're doing some really
• Also, we have some world-class universities that are private that really don't cost us a lot of money
• Also, again, we have some world-class universities that are private that really don't cost us a lot of

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jean was a proud graduate of Kenishas High School, class of 1948, and he lived the values instilled in
• The Eagles won the 4x400-meter relay to surge past the competition and win the Class 2 state meet at
• 2 state meet at James win the class 2 state meet at James Madison<00:20:16.400> University.
• <00:44:34.480> C fought valiantly through the Class C fought valiantly through the Class C
• , middle-class Americans.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We created two classes of voters, and that's illegal as well.
• We created two classes of voters, and that's illegal as well.
• We created two classes of voters, and that's illegal as well.
• We created two classes of voters, and that's illegal as well.
• We created two classes of voters, and that's illegal as well.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on behalf of Green Energy Consumers Alliance in support of H. 3553, an act regarding the reform of Class
• England in 2023, 11 were waste-to-energy plants, and five of those received subsidies through the Class
• H. 3553 would not end the Class II renewable programs, support for pre-1997 renewable generators, nor

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on offshore wind, battery storage, solar, nuclear study proposals, and a bill to redefine clean energy. Several Barnstable-area legislators and witnesses raised concerns about offshore wind transmission infrastructure near neighborhoods, beaches, and drinking water supplies, and supported bills to create a special commission and increase local input and oversight. In contrast, environmental, consumer, labor, and clean energy groups strongly backed offshore wind expansion bills, arguing that offshore wind lowers long-term costs, improves winter reliability, reduces fossil fuel dependence, supports jobs and local supply chains, and should include wildlife protections, labor standards, and community benefits. Some witnesses and committee members noted that parts of the offshore wind legislation overlap with the Governor’s energy affordability bill, and asked for clarification on which provisions were new versus duplicative. The committee also heard testimony on battery storage and solar legislation. Two student witnesses and several industry representatives supported a bill to study grid battery storage, saying storage can reduce outages, lower peak prices, and improve grid resilience during extreme weather. Witnesses from solar and storage companies supported a broader clean energy transition bill that would expand storage procurement, create a retail-style storage program for distributed batteries, set a 10-gigawatt solar target by 2035, and streamline siting and interconnection. Committee members pressed witnesses on whether these provisions were already included in the Governor’s affordability bill and asked for a section-by-section breakdown of what was new. One witness also urged allowing developers to bond interconnection payments to reduce financing costs. Another major topic was a bill defining clean energy, especially whether existing pumped-storage hydropower should qualify for subsidies or be excluded. Supporters of the bill argued that existing pumped storage should not receive additional ratepayer subsidies because it is already built, can have environmental impacts on rivers and ecosystems, and could cost ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Opponents said pumped storage is an important reliability resource and should remain eligible. The committee also heard testimony on nuclear-energy study bills: some witnesses supported creating a commission to examine nuclear power as a reliable, carbon-free option, while others opposed nuclear study bills and argued that nuclear is costly, unsafe, and inconsistent with the state’s clean energy goals. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, I still sit with students whose perspectives are dismissed in class, not on man.
• I still sit with students whose perspectives are dismissed in class, not on merit, but because they are
• They compel me to oppose Zionism for its apartheid state in the West Bank and second-class citizenship

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission held a public comment hearing as it continued work toward a November 30 statutory deadline for its final report. The co-chairs reviewed logistics for the hybrid format, two-minute testimony limit, respectful conduct, and the plan to alternate between in-person and virtual speakers. The commission approved the minutes from its previous September 8 meeting by motion and vote, with no nays. Much of the testimony focused on how the commission should define antisemitism, especially whether to adopt the IHRA definition and whether it improperly conflates antisemitism with criticism of Israel or Zionism. Many speakers, including Jewish educators, rabbis, academics, students, and legislators, described personal experiences with antisemitism and urged the commission to address hate while protecting free speech, academic freedom, and the ability to criticize Israeli government policy. Several called for the commission to reject or narrow the IHRA definition and instead consider the Jerusalem Declaration or other frameworks that distinguish antisemitism from anti-Zionism. Others emphasized that antisemitism should be addressed alongside racism, Islamophobia, white nationalism, and other forms of bias, and some urged broader anti-bias training in schools. A smaller number of speakers supported stronger action against antisemitism in schools and public institutions, including concerns about antisemitic materials in education and about organizations or events they viewed as promoting hate. A recurring theme was the conflict in Gaza and its impact on the debate: some speakers condemned Israel’s military actions as genocide, apartheid, or colonialism and said criticism of those actions should not be treated as antisemitic, while others defended Israel, rejected genocide claims, and argued that anti-Israel activism can fuel antisemitism. Several speakers also raised concerns about campus discipline, union materials, and state facility rentals, and one speaker asked that state resources not be used by groups they viewed as inciting hate. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the prior minutes and hearing public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents picking up their children from schools, students walking home from class, mothers going to the
• hospital to give birth, individuals showing up to our... ...home from class, mothers going to the hospital
• majority leaders, and the members of floor leadership, thank you for paving the way for our freshman class

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first handled several routine matters, including adoption of a birthday resolution honoring Caroline San Martino Moran and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition involving the City of Waltham and the Veterans Memorial Rink. It also advanced two local bills: one authorizing DCAMM to release a sewer line easement in West Roxbury, and another relative to the town administrator of Carlisle. Both bills were amended by Ways and Means and ordered to third reading or engrossed as amended. The chamber also passed a memorial-marker bill for fallen law enforcement officers in Milton and Canton. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 5305, the “Protect Act,” which was presented as a measure to limit state and local involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement, restrict ICE access in courthouses and other sensitive locations, strengthen notice and language-access protections for detainees and workers, and expedite U and T visa certifications. Supporters, including members of the Black and Latino Caucus and other legislators, argued the bill would protect due process, encourage victims and witnesses to come forward, preserve public trust, and keep local police focused on criminal matters. They cited courthouse arrests, fear in immigrant communities, and the need for clearer boundaries between state and federal authority. Several amendments were offered and voted on during consideration of H.5305. An amendment to strike Section 4 was rejected, as were amendments seeking to alter the courthouse enforcement provisions and to recognize immigration judge warrants. Other amendments were adopted, including one clarifying sheriff-related provisions, one expanding language around release dates, one adding protections related to school settings, and one expediting U visa certification for family members aging out. A roll call was taken on the bill and on multiple amendments, with the House ultimately adopting the amendments described and continuing consideration of the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• additional lights in their yard, so that's a deterrent for security threats, or personal safety defense classes
• have now been term-limited out could be an opportunity to help pass on that wisdom to an incoming class
• Help pass on that wisdom to an incoming class also. Mr. Chair, was that him volunteering?

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• additional lights in their yard, so that's a deterrent for security threats; or personal safety defense classes
• have now been term-limited out could be an opportunity to help pass on that wisdom to an incoming class
• Help pass on that wisdom to an incoming class also. Mr. Chair, was that him volunteering?

Summary: The committee met to organize upcoming legislative session arrangements and staffing, and to review several rule and security-related items. It first approved a Joint Rule 211 change, recommended by the Employee Benefits Committee, that clarifies the deadline and statutory references for introducing health insurance mandate bills so required cost-benefit materials can be completed in time. Members noted the change would streamline the process, though it would not solve all timing and mandate-determination issues. The committee then discussed a draft bill on confidentiality protections for certain public officials and candidates, but members raised concerns about the statute’s complexity, the practical difficulty of administering it, and whether it would meaningfully improve safety; no action was taken and the topic was set aside for further discussion. The committee received an update on the new NCSL Legislator Security Fund. Staff explained that North Dakota is in process to apply for grant funding that could reimburse up to about $200 per legislator for personal security-related expenses such as home cameras, locks, lighting, or monitoring services, with reimbursement handled through Legislative Council and subject to Emergency Commission approval. Members asked about eligible expenses, timing, and whether new legislators would be included, and staff said the program would likely cover current legislators only for this round. The committee also approved the 2027 joint session schedule for the State of the State, tribal-state message, and State of the Judiciary on January 5, with the tribal and judiciary addresses in the morning and the governor’s address later in the day. The committee next approved the statutory reporting schedule for the Commerce Commissioner and agricultural commodity groups, setting the Commerce report for January 13, 2027, and the agriculture reports and pesticide container disposal update for January 14, 2027. Members questioned the usefulness of some of these recurring reports, but agreed to follow the existing statutory requirements. The largest discussion centered on Legislative Council staffing for the 2027 session: the committee approved reducing session staff to 36 Senate and 41 House employees, eliminating procedural clerk positions in standing committees in favor of permanent policy analysts, while retaining quality assurance clerks and adding a House parking lot attendant. It also approved a 3% salary increase for those staff positions, matching the increase given to state employees. Finally, the committee reviewed a revised organizational session and new legislator training agenda. Staff proposed moving some orientation content into a separate pre-session training day for new legislators on November 30, including laptop setup, mock committee and floor sessions, parliamentary procedure, and HR/benefits training, while adding more security and budgeting instruction. Members strongly supported earlier and more practical training, including follow-up reinforcement during the first week of session, and suggested using experienced or term-limited former legislators as mentors. Staff also described efforts to expand training materials into podcasts, flowcharts, and other formats, and Legislative Council leadership outlined the office’s remaining vacancies and a proposed expansion of policy analysts, program evaluators, legal staff, and training support to better serve the legislature and improve oversight of state programs.