Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things that I learned coming up through the sheriff's office ranks, and I've been at the sheriff's
• In cases where the identity of the person who supplied the drugs is learned, a prosecution for what's
• got—it becomes harder and harder because you have to show that it was that transfer of drugs that materially
• contributed<01:00:28.640> to<01:00:28.799> the<01:00:29.119> ultimate materially
• contributed to the ultimate materially contributed to the ultimate death.<01:00:30.160> So<01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services and an overview of our state's human trafficking responses were included with your committee materials
• > committee responses included with your committee responses included with your committee materials
• we currently have nine materials we currently have nine programs<00:04:59.960> and<00:05:00.120
• We have interacted with thousands of Minnesotans across the state, and people are shocked when they learn
• We have interacted with thousands of Minnesotans across the state, and people are shocked when they learn

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• on is not anticipated to materially on is not anticipated to materially affect<00:53:20.559>
• I learned a lot about the farmers.
• I learned a lot about the farmers.
• Was on environment and transportation, I learned a lot from Delegate Otto.
• I learned a lot about the farmers.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, April 13, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened on the final day of session, heard an invocation, recognized guests and pages, and outlined a tentative plan for multiple sessions and breaks through the day. The chamber then took up several messages between the Senate and House, including a refusal to concur in House amendments to Senate Bill 311 on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and the appointment of conferees, as well as a House message on House Bill 9007 establishing a conference committee on third-degree assault. The Senate also considered a series of second-reader bills. House Bill 6, requiring MHEC to collect data on pregnant and parenting students, was amended to exempt Maryland Global Campus and limit certain provisions to public senior higher education institutions and community colleges before being ordered to third reading. House Bill 182, concerning replacement of faithless electors, was amended to conform with Senate Bill 237 and then passed. House Bill 575, creating excused absences for student civic engagement, drew the most discussion; senators asked about the definition of civic engagement, county discretion, and whether students could use the bill for repeated protests. The floor leader explained that county boards would retain discretion and that the bill would not require weekly absences. The bill’s two amendments were adopted and it was sent to third reading. Additional measures passed with little or no opposition. House Bill 640 revised boards, commissions, and reporting requirements; House Bill 1335 required an independent study of IT and cybersecurity staffing and pay; House Bill 587 created a work group to review transportation procurement procedures; House Bill 854 established a nonpublic special education school renovation program; and House Bill 898 adjusted economic development provisions, including VLT proceeds and film tax credit language, after questions about the general fund impact. The Senate also advanced House Bill 1247 on Prince George’s County tax increment financing for an immersive entertainment venue, with amendments making it an emergency bill and addressing zoning and outdoor advertising issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were learning; everybody was learning on how this works with the federal government.
• One outdoor learning initiative that is very close to my heart is currently unfolding at Valle Vista
• The cooler colors indicate areas with conductive materials, which could be brackish or clay.
• Based on what we learned from that, we can go back and conduct more detailed surveys.
• We've learned a lot. We're ready to go for next year with 22 million non-recurring as our request.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, part of that is developing uh outreach materials to expand uh service awareness, uh, making it easier
• Um, part of that is developing uh outreach materials to expand uh service awareness, uh, making it easier
• Um, part of that is developing uh outreach materials to expand uh service awareness, uh, making it easier
• Um, part of that is developing uh outreach materials to expand uh service awareness, uh, making it easier
• Um, family-friendly, individual-friendly informational materials that we can provide not only to people

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And just last year, we came to learn that state statute does not allow watershed districts or watershed
• And just last year, we came to learn that state statute does not allow watershed districts or watershed
• And just last year, we came to learn that state statute does not allow watershed districts or watershed
• And just last year, we came to learn that state statute does not allow watershed districts or watershed
• And you have heard a lot of numbers, including in my own written letter and materials.

Bills: HF4319, HF3295, HF3589, HF3587, HF3588, HF4295, HF3571, HF3895

Keywords: public utilities commission, Lake City, port authority, Red Wing, terms of appointment, local government, elections, open meeting law, transparency, public engagement, social media, government accountability, voter access, polling place, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, HF4295

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes a long time to learn the job of a moderator by attending training through NHMA or the Secretary
• The memory cards need to be disposed of in the same manner as ballots and other election materials.
• Over the last few years, we've learned that many clerks already conduct a tracking of their own absentee
• <00:47:13.200> few<00:47:13.440> years,<00:47:13.760> we've<00:47:14.079> learned
• Over the last few years, we've learned Over the last few years, we've learned that<00:47:14.400>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't take the bill itself off the agenda; we don't have any materials, but we'd like to hear what
• ><00:47:15.079> don't<00:47:15.240> have<00:47:15.440> any<00:47:15.839> materials
• <00:47:16.839> but agenda we don't have any materials but agenda we don't have any materials
• I would just like to add, in addition to the materials we've already sent and shared and everything that
• assistants, which we leverage a lot and provide a lot of great opportunities for them, and all the materials

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• across<01:44:06.520> the<01:44:06.679> state<01:44:07.320> to<01:44:07.520> learn
• <01:44:07.760> about<01:44:08.040> any across the state to learn about any across the
• state to learn about any actions<01:44:08.719> they've<01:44:09.080> taken<01:44:09.560
• and that has the result of more material and that has the result of more emissions<01:55:14.880>
• , trucking those materials in to where we would need them, and that means that they're leaving those

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kids learn to read in first grade, and by third grade they are reading to learn.
• So the research—and, quite frankly, when I was—I learned this.
• They're kind of trying to learn... ...about the whole situation from scratch.
• So what lessons have we learned?
• Other industries don't have the lessons that we have to learn.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its fourth hearing, with opening remarks from Senate Chair Adam Gómez and House Chair Dan Donahue emphasizing the committee’s broad agenda, including retail modernization, labor protections, advertising rules, sustainability, and financial resources. Testimony began with public health advocates supporting H.157/S.9 to ban cannabis billboard advertising, arguing that billboards normalize use for youth and are linked to cannabis-related harms such as psychosis, addiction, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Witnesses cited research, family stories, and court decisions in Mississippi and Virginia upholding similar restrictions, while committee members questioned the scope of the state’s authority to regulate billboards on private property and the relevance of federal highway funding and federal cannabis law. The committee also heard testimony on H.175, a proposal to allow cannabis drive-through sales. A dispensary operator argued drive-throughs would improve access, especially for disabled customers and veterans, and said security and ID checks could be handled with cameras and staff screening. Committee members pressed him on how employees would assess impairment, whether drive-throughs could increase access for minors, and whether the industry should be treated like alcohol, with the witness responding that staff already refuse service to intoxicated customers and that education, not prohibition, is the better approach. Another bill, H.3982, would apply the bottle deposit law to carbonated hemp- or THC-infused beverages; the sponsor said the measure would standardize recycling requirements for products already sold in dispensaries and other markets, and members asked about container types and recycling compatibility. A major portion of the hearing focused on labor peace agreements, with UFCW representatives, cannabis workers, and Sen. Lydia Edwards supporting S.77/H.161. They said the bill would require cannabis businesses to remain neutral when workers seek to organize, arguing that unions improve safety, wages, benefits, and job stability in an industry they described as underregulated and prone to retaliation. Witnesses cited workplace hazards, wage theft, and the death of a worker at a Holyoke facility as examples of why stronger worker protections are needed. Committee members asked how the proposal differs from existing labor law, whether tying LPAs to licensing and renewal could create legal or administrative problems, and how other states handle similar requirements. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about human beings being able to learn to live together.
• It's about human beings being able to learn to live together.
• It's about human beings being able to learn to live together.
• It's about human beings being able to learn to live together.
• My reading of the materials that were part of last week's committee...

Bills: HF1051, HF16

Keywords: sacred communities, micro units, religious institutions, housing regulations, homelessness, conditional use permits, immigration enforcement, sanctuary policies, sanctuary city, noncooperation ordinance, ICE, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, federal immigration authorities, deportation, undocumented immigrant, undocumented person, immigration status data, data sharing, preemption, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll talk a lot about overrides here today and are happy to answer those questions and learn about
• The department actually tried to implement a system back in 1995; however, it never fully materialized
• The growth inside of, I would say, any correctional institution, probation, all, we've learned a lot,
• So I think we've learned a lot from then.
• And we've been learning a lot mostly just from the conversations we are able to have with, you know,

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on January 12 to continue its review of DOC classification practices, with Senator Brownsberger and Representative Hunt co-chairing. After brief discussion of the prior hearing, members said there would likely be another opportunity for additional testimony, including possible video testimony from people inside facilities. The main presentation for the day was DOC’s classification system and a UMass Chan study of whether the system predicts institutional misconduct and whether overrides affect its accuracy or create racial/ethnic bias. DOC officials described the objective point-based classification system, its history, and the role of discretionary and non-discretionary overrides. They said the system is designed to balance public safety and reintegration, with initial classification emphasizing offense history and reclassification emphasizing institutional adjustment. DOC reported that, in the current population, about 16% are classified to maximum security, 74% to medium, and 10% to lower security. They also reviewed the non-discretionary restrictions that keep people out of minimum or medium security, and said discretionary overrides are used less often than the National Institute of Corrections’ suggested ceiling and are reviewed within six months. UMass Chan researchers said their analysis used historical DOC data from 2019 to 2022, focused mainly on about 7,600 male reclassification cases, and found that the scored custody level accurately predicted institutional misconduct. They said the tool performed well on standard statistical measures, but predictive accuracy declined after overrides were applied, with overlap appearing between minimum and medium groups. In a supplementary analysis, they said the loss of accuracy was driven primarily by non-discretionary restrictions rather than discretionary overrides. They also said the study did not find evidence of racial or ethnic bias in the tool itself, and that DOC’s current system is comparatively more lenient than many other states. Members and guests raised concerns about overclassification to medium security, the low share of people in minimum, the role of civil commitment restrictions, and whether the data captured historical bias or individual cases where overrides felt subjective. DOC and UMass Chan responded that the study was group-based, not case-specific, and that minimum-security rates are hard to compare across states because Massachusetts’ prison and county systems differ structurally. The commission did not take a vote or formal action, but asked members to send follow-up data questions by the end of the week for referral to DOC and the researchers.

Transcript Highlights:

• lives for us, not just in responding to calls, but in simply putting on their gear and using the materials
• You have to start learning your language.
• When they’re up in the years, you have to start learning your language.
• It is challenging for our students to learn and be taught the language at that age.
• They are some of the toughest languages to learn anywhere in the world.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, guest introductions, and routine communications from the governor and Senate. Members then moved into multiple Committee of the Whole sessions to consider a large number of Senate bills and later House bills on final reading. Several measures were retained on the calendar, while many others advanced with or without amendments. The House also adopted a group concurrence motion on numerous Senate amendments to House bills and later took up third-reading votes on a series of House bills. Among the main committee actions, SB 1049, SB 1315, SB 1401, SB 1418, and SB 1540 were amended and recommended do pass; SB 1332 and SB 1538 also advanced, while SB 1016, SB 1519, SB 1624, SB 1627, SB 1723, and SB 1725 were retained. Debate centered on school safety and interoperability equipment in SB 1315, housing and zoning issues in SB 1118, and school discipline/bullying transparency in SB 1684. Members also discussed SB 1074 on student discipline notifications, SB 1275 on diversion program wording, and SB 1684 on bullying reporting and school liability, with supporters emphasizing safety, accountability, and clarity and opponents warning about unfunded mandates, litigation, and impacts on public schools. On final reading, the House passed a long list of bills, including HB 2032, HB 2035, HB 2109, HB 2120, HB 2176, HB 2189, HB 2195, HB 2203, HB 2342, HB 2383, HB 2423, HB 2428, HB 2439, HB 2440, HB 2573, HB 2594, HB 2621, HB 2641, HB 2673, HB 2693, HB 2752, HB 2756, HB 2875, HB 2895, HB 2916, HB 2923, HB 2946, and HB 2999, with recorded votes ranging from narrow to unanimous. HB 1118, dealing with municipal zoning and historic properties, failed on the floor after debate over housing policy and charter/public school issues, though a motion to reconsider was later made. The session ended with personal announcements, including recognition of Child Help, a memorial reading for Major General W. Bill Van Dyke, caucus meeting notices, a retirement reception reminder, an anniversary acknowledgment, and a Pride Month statement.

Transcript Highlights:

• significantly during 2020 and 2021, as there were travel restrictions and remote work and remote learning
• reduced demand for transportation. 2021, as there were travel restrictions and remote work and remote learning
• information, all necessary monthly operating and financial reports, distributing service information materials
• infrastructure, everything you need to go along with that, the additional maintenance that you need to learn
• infrastructure, everything you need to go along with that, the additional maintenance that you need to learn

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Government Finance Transportation Study Subcommittee met to review fixed-route transit systems and related funding needs. After approving the prior meeting minutes, the committee heard presentations from Cities Area Transit in Grand Forks/East Grand Forks, Bisman Transit in Bismarck-Mandan, and MATBUS/Fargo, along with comments from North Dakota Protection & Advocacy. The transit agencies described their routes, paratransit services, ridership trends, fare structures, fleet replacement needs, and rising operating costs, emphasizing that transit supports access to work, school, medical care, and other essential services. Testimony also noted that ridership fell during the pandemic and has been recovering, while vehicle and maintenance costs have risen sharply. Grand Forks transit reported 17 routes, a recent fare increase, and operating costs that exceed fare revenue, with paratransit service extending beyond the federal minimum service area. Bisman Transit outlined its fixed-route and paratransit operations, recent service expansions, local mill levies, sales tax support, and federal grant structure, and said it is seeking more stable funding and flexibility beyond paratransit-only support. Minot’s transit superintendent explained the state’s existing transit aid formula, the use of refurbished buses, and the challenges of driver recruitment and electric bus infrastructure. Fargo asked for additional state support for fixed-route urban transit. Committee members discussed whether ride-share services could replace transit, the cost per trip, local match requirements, and whether a separate state funding source should be recommended for the four urban fixed-route systems. The subcommittee ultimately approved a motion to have Legislative Council prepare a summary of its activities for inclusion in the full Government Finance Committee report, and members indicated they would seek more detailed funding figures from the transit agencies before making any specific recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We learned this through unwinding. Communication is going to be key.
• Number one is we will be able to get you all sort of some consumer-facing materials so that you'll have
• And so, you know, we've learned a lot through the expansion rollout, through the public health emergency
• can still say four days, and now I have to say 45, but 45 days in, a couple of things that we've learned
• So we'll use that week to talk a lot about what we've learned and how we want to use that to launch the

Keywords: House Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So everyone here today in this room that will be testifying, we all have materials for consumer tips
• We have learned since then that that was going to be a ride-sharing service hired by the scammer.
• instructed to leave the caller on the phone the entire time that she was in the bank in an attempt to learn
• They learn something from it.
• real-life opportunities for them to exchange ideas, express concerns, communicate about trends, and then learn

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In my previous life, we built things for a living, and one thing I learned about engineers is if I didn't
• President, because I mean that we're dealing with something in this case, it clearly is a hazardous material
• They were also, you know, learning things like woodshop and really trying to get their life together.
• I learned about some information regarding strip searches being done on children. And, Mr.
• Children that should be playing with their friends, that should be at school learning and having fun.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kids and their parents shouldn't bear the burden of learning how to change privacy settings.
• At least I hope it was a learning experience for you. I just want to check with the committee.
• “Was a learning experience for you.
• But hope you will learn something, and thank you for coming out. We’ll be in touch.”
• “As well, but hope you learn something, and thank you for coming out. We’ll be in touch.”

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a package of Massachusetts privacy and technology bills, especially measures to ban the sale of location data, establish a comprehensive consumer data privacy law, and regulate biometric recognition and surveillance pricing. Chairs and sponsors argued that self-regulation has failed, that data brokers and large tech companies routinely collect and monetize sensitive information, and that state action is needed because federal protections are weak or absent. Several speakers tied the bills to reproductive health, gender-affirming care, domestic violence, children’s data, and other sensitive uses of location and biometric information. Supporters included legislators and advocates who backed H. 86/S. 197 (Location Shield), H. 78/S. 45/H. 104/S. 29 (comprehensive privacy bills), H. 99/S. 47 (surveillance pricing in grocery stores), and H. 36/S. 36 (biometric recognition accountability). They emphasized data minimization, bans on selling sensitive data, consumer rights to access, delete, and opt out, and in some cases a private right of action. Several witnesses said Massachusetts should lead or align with other states, while others argued that stronger protections are needed because data can be weaponized by stalkers, anti-abortion actors, abusive partners, insurers, or law enforcement. Industry and coalition witnesses urged the committee to favor a more standardized, interoperable framework modeled on laws already adopted in other states, warning that novel definitions, data-minimization rules, and private rights of action could create compliance burdens, confusion, and costs for businesses, including small businesses. They argued that entity-level exemptions for sectors already covered by federal laws like HIPAA or GLBA promote consistency, and that Attorney General enforcement is preferable to private lawsuits. Committee members questioned witnesses on patchwork concerns, the scope of exemptions, and whether the proposed bills would harm or help consumers and small businesses. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; written testimony was noted as due later, and the committee continued taking testimony from multiple panels and virtual witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Remote learning will have to be a solution as we move forward. It has to be.
• As far as the NDFA, they're moving more towards remote learning, having a proctor to test out people,
• So if we can continue doing things like remote learning, I think we're moving in the right direction.
• But I think we could augment that with some computer-style learning, right?
• if you've got Amidon people coming to help fight fire and they're not exposed to that, they need to learn

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, a quorum was established, and the minutes from the prior meeting were approved. The first major presentation came from Montana Public Employees Retirement System executive director William Hollahan, who gave an overview of Montana’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Compensation Act plan. He explained that the plan covers volunteer firefighters in unincorporated areas, is funded by 5% of state fire insurance premium taxes, and currently serves 228 departments with about 2,936 active members and 1,242 retirees. He described eligibility rules, annual training and reporting requirements, benefit levels for partial and full pensions, disability, death, medical, and funeral benefits, and said the plan is actuarially sound with roughly $60 million in assets and a funded ratio slightly above 100%. Committee members asked about prior-service credit, whether EMS personnel are included, the effect on recruitment and retention, and whether expanding coverage would require a funding analysis; Hollahan said prior service is not credited, EMS is not currently included, and any expansion would need financial review. Tim Walleen of Workforce Safety and Insurance then presented a draft North Dakota workers’ compensation solution for volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMS personnel. He explained that volunteer responders are already covered by workers’ comp for medical and wage-loss benefits, but the proposal would set a minimum annual wage of $30,000 for calculating wage-loss benefits for qualifying volunteers, with the benefit paid at two-thirds of that amount. Representative Porter suggested tying the volunteer definition to existing code rather than a fixed dollar amount, and Walleen agreed. Questions focused on whether search and rescue or other volunteer emergency services could be included, whether departments would face new paperwork, and whether volunteer organizations can already elect coverage; Walleen said there would be no additional paperwork and that volunteer coverage is already available. The committee also heard from volunteer fire service representatives and the state fire marshal. An Oakes-area firefighter, Mr. Olson, testified that small departments are struggling with retention, communication, and administrative burdens, especially around separate bookkeeping and funding rules for donated or fundraising money, and he said departments need clearer guidance from the state. State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark introduced himself and outlined a broader effort to improve education, support, and coordination for fire departments, including a planned 10% audit of certificates of existence beginning in 2027, more outreach through his office, and better assistance with training, reporting, and grant access. He said his office is authorized under current law to provide these services, but the role has been vague and underused. Finally, Arnagard Rural Fire District Chief Rick Schreiber testified in favor of new recruitment and retention ideas, including retirement-style benefits, health insurance, tax incentives, scholarships, grants, and more remote or regional training. He said volunteer departments are losing members, that local tax and donation funds are already stretched, and that any new retirement or incentive program should be sustainable and likely involve a mix of state and local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill includes a training component requiring officers to learn how to recognize common ASD-related
• And it not only stuck with me because of the life lesson that I learned, but what I'm able to give back
• And you'll learn here in a little bit just how little they have made as coaches.
• And you'll learn here in a little bit just how little they have made as coaches.
• The bill also updates interagency sharing of exempt materials. That is the bill, Mr. President.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and a series of gallery introductions recognizing visitors, local officials, students, and public safety personnel. The chamber first took up a report from the Ethics and Elections Committee on 42 executive appointments; after Senator Gaetz explained that the committee had reviewed the appointees’ qualifications and suitability, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a 36-0 vote. The Senate then moved through a long special-order calendar focused largely on open-government sunset reviews and other policy bills. It passed measures to continue or consolidate public records and meeting exemptions for aquaculture records, agency-held trade secrets, and cybersecurity information, with one technical amendment adopted on the cybersecurity bill. The chamber also approved bills extending the statute of limitations for failure to report child abuse, strengthening regulation of commercial driving schools, requiring human trafficking education for nursing graduates, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person, and making the related public-records exemption. Additional bills passed included a nature-based coastal resiliency measure with an amendment restricting dredge-and-fill in Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, a chiropractic trust-funds bill, specialty license plates, a one-time waiver of late financial disclosure fines, public school personnel compensation changes, the annual Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services “Farm Bill,” homestead exemption clarification for long-term leaseholders, disability-presumption clarifications for first responders, reinsurance intermediary manager changes, patriotic displays in public schools, ADS-B fee restrictions, autism-related law enforcement training and a Blue Envelope program, campus safety policy transparency at public colleges and universities, and veterinary prescription disclosure. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary certificates for practice, and domestic animals. The Senate also debated and passed a bill allowing licensed insurance agents to market health care sharing ministries, despite concerns raised by Senator Polsky about consumer confusion, commissions, and the sale of non-insurance products; supporters argued it restored free speech, religious liberty, and consumer choice. The chamber approved the bill 32-5 after debate. Most other measures passed with strong bipartisan support, often by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, and several companion House bills were substituted in place of Senate bills before final passage.