Transcript Highlights:

• I think you know the drill. State your name for the record, and then you'll have two minutes.
• Same drill, you can adjust the table for your height. Thank you. Good morning.
• All right, Carly, you know the drill. Go ahead, ma'am. All right, Carly, you know the drill.
• I think you know the drill. I've seen you testify before. Thank you. Go ahead.
• Permits fell by 20% in 2024. The average house remains 53.6% more expensive than it did in 2019.

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2308, which would prohibit a dental insurer or its holding company from owning interests in dental practices regulated by the Arizona Board of Dental Examiners. The sponsor and Arizona Dental Association argued the bill is meant to prevent vertical integration and insurer control over provider care, while Delta Dental opposed it, saying the measure would block nonprofit insurers from investing in clinics for indigent care and create divestment burdens. After discussion of possible exemptions and market-share caps, the committee passed HB 2308 on a 7-0 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 4001, as amended, which creates a licensing and enforcement framework for alternative nicotine products beginning in 2028, increases penalties for sales to minors, restricts youth-oriented marketing, and licenses manufacturers and distributors. Supporters, including the sponsor, Border Security Alliance, Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, and Vapor Technology Association, said the bill would improve supply-chain transparency and help curb illegal products and youth vaping. Opponents, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, argued it should instead use a full tobacco retail licensing model and that the bill’s enforcement structure lacks sufficient resources. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 6-1. House Bill 2873, as amended, was also approved unanimously. The strike-everything amendment allows a person or organization that filed a city or town referendum petition to withdraw it before ballot qualification, applies the rule retroactively to withdrawals filed on or after January 1, 2026, and bars tallying or canvassing votes for referenda with a withdrawal notice. The sponsor described it as a common-sense governance fix, and the committee gave it a 7-0 do-pass recommendation. The committee next heard House Bill 2408, which revises Arizona Board of Nursing complaint procedures, confidentiality, investigation timelines, expungement authority, and related disciplinary processes. Nursing board officials opposed parts of the bill, warning that changes to nursing education oversight and tighter deadlines could weaken patient safety and increase costs and liability, while the Arizona Nurses Association and several nurses supported the bill as a way to prioritize serious complaints, improve timeliness, and allow expungement in appropriate cases. After adopting the amendment, the committee passed HB 2408 on a 5-2 vote. The committee also passed House Bill 2342, which limits HOA restrictions on backyard shade structures, and House Bill 2323, which extends Arizona’s motor vehicle lemon law protections to lessees, both by unanimous votes. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 4010 on creating a Board of Genetic Counselors, with the sponsor and supporters describing it as a licensure and patient-safety measure; the transcript ends during testimony on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• A defendant or the attorney is permitted to access and use the portal.
• Criminal organizations frequently target petroleum products, drilling equipment, and machinery, causing
• ownership, engage in unauthorized sales, or operate a disposal well without a Railroad Commission permit
• It's for a person who begins drilling or converts a well without a permit.
• . or converts a well without a permit on the saltwater disposal side.

Bills: SB552 , SB1099 , SB1124 , SB1208 , SB1372 , SB1506 , SB1667 , SB1804 , SB1806 , SB1870 , SB1936 , SB1937 , SB2180 , SB2405 , SB2569 , SB2570 , SB1646

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Renewal fees for things like concealed carry permits. That's another $50 to $100 hit.
• </c><00:54:52.960><c> That's</c> like concealed carry permits. That's like concealed carry permits.
• My four-year-old in preschool does drills.
• A four-year-old doing drills to protect themselves from an armed shooter.
• . drills. drills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please, you know the drill: state your name for the record and then tell us about Senate Bill 1232.
• Senator Foreman, you also are very familiar with the drill.
• The Constitution does not permit a parallel legal system that overrides state or federal law.
• Lair, you also know the drill.
• One of the very simple things, in my opinion, is that permitting any religious or cultural laws is in

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• The one in Reno kind of hits the high notes, and while that's very important, we're able to drill down
• To create with you to have more questions as they arise and maybe drill down onto some of these to get
• They are permitted to continue to work. Many programs like Firstep in Oklahoma City.
• One of the DMH issues is it's difficult to sustain communication that then permits cooperation.
• Al passed Senate Bill 251 that permits multidisciplinary grant applications to be made.

Committee: House A&B Judiciary Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• Same drill, you can adjust the table for your height. Thank you. Good morning.
• All right, Carly, you know the drill. Go ahead, ma'am.
• I think you know the drill. I've seen you testify before. Thank you. Go ahead.
• The permits fell by 20% in 2024.
• The permits fell by 20% in 2024.

Bills: HB2072 , HB2251 , HB2279 , HB2308 , HB2323 , HB2342 , HB2400 , HB2408 , HB2456 , HB2660 , HB2697 , HB2868 , HB2873 , HB2877 , HB2910 , HB2946 , HB2955 , HB2991 , HB4001 , HB4010

Committee: Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Keywords: Cesar Chavez, public holiday, state law, holiday repeal, Arizona Revised Statutes, dental practice, business registration, registration fees, ownership interests, dental insurers, dental record management, motor vehicle warranty, warranty law, leased vehicles, lease-end buyout, lessee, lessor, used motor vehicle dealer, consumer protection, A.R.S. 44-1261

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> I'd be happy to get with the department and get with you and try to drill down on that.
• If maybe utility relocation wasn't allowed or permitted under that source for that specific...
• If maybe utility relocation wasn't allowed or permitted under that source for that specific... >> Yes
• </c> try to try to drill down on that. try to try to drill down on that.
• under that source for that or permitted under that source for that specific specific specific &gt;&gt

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• We had to drive all the way to Keene to find a drilling rig from Bismarck.
• We had to drive all the way to Keene to find a drilling rig from Bismarck.
• What they did is they did not have a drilling rig running.
• They just put a pause on their drilling and completion activity.
• So adding a few more drilling rigs out there is going to be beneficial.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes before hearing a series of informational updates. The Petroleum Council reported that North Dakota oil production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with activity shifting northward in the Bakken as technology improves and three- and four-mile laterals boost well performance. The presentation also discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, the importance of pipelines and other linear infrastructure, and enhanced oil recovery pilot projects supported by state and federal funding. Members asked questions about gas production taxes, natural gas liquids, and the outlook for drilling rigs and future production. The Office of State Tax Commissioner then reviewed the federal “big beautiful bill” and its estimated effect on North Dakota individual and business income tax collections. Staff explained that most of the individual income tax impact comes from the permanent increase in the standard deduction, while temporary provisions such as senior deductions, tip and overtime exclusions, and auto loan interest deductions have smaller or limited-term effects. They also noted that business tax changes, especially depreciation and expensing provisions, create a larger near-term cash impact, and that some FY25 collections likely reflected one-time oil field transactions that may have inflated the baseline used in earlier estimates. OMB provided updates on major capital projects and facility funding. For Capitol grounds improvements, officials described plans for 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding upgrades, public seating, lighting, tree management, and possible restroom and lobby reconfiguration, while also noting the governor’s residence security project and the discovery of human remains on the Capitol grounds. OMB and its consultants also reported on the state facility maintenance fund, including window replacement, boiler work, roof and foundation repairs, and a new facility conditions assessment covering more state buildings. Updates were also given on the new state hospital in Jamestown, the Minot state office building, and the use of federal state fiscal recovery funds, including possible future reallocations to the Department of Corrections. Finally, Legislative Council staff summarized the interim compliance report on legislative intent and trust fund activity, highlighting the status of lines of credit, Bank of North Dakota profit transfers, the statewide litigation pool, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, corrections planning, HHS program updates, and a likely future general fund request for the unemployment insurance modernization project. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational, with members asking clarifying questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think you know the drill on that.
• We've seen nine years of permitting. We've invested $20 million in early of permitting.
• We have had very complex state permitting requirements in addition to the federal permitting We have
• had very complex state permitting requirements in addition to the federal permitting requirements that
• We are just starting the permitting process.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Air permit and, okay, that is the permit that's binding; it's their permit. Okay. Thank you.
• And that's for the aggregate permit or the air permit or both? That's for the air permit.
• So we don't permit the mine; we don't permit the quarry.
• Permit. Mine without an air permit.
• this permit.

Bills: SB2037 , SB1757 , SB1758 , SB1759 , HB29

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• We had to drive all the way to Keene to find a drilling rig from Bismarck.
• What they did is they did not have a drilling rig running.
• They just put a pause on their drilling and completion activity.
• There's no big upside for you to increase your drilling activity because we know...
• So adding a few more drilling rigs out there is going to be beneficial.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity in North Dakota. Ron Ness said production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with efficiency gains and longer laterals helping offset lower rig counts. He discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, northward movement of drilling activity, and the importance of new infrastructure and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) pilots. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, pipeline impacts, and the outlook for Continental and other operators. Ness said the industry is likely to remain steady rather than see a major ramp-up or decline. Matt Pearl of the State Tax Department then explained the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. He said the law extends or makes permanent several federal provisions and creates temporary deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest, with the biggest state impact coming from the standard deduction increase and business tax changes. He revised earlier estimates downward, saying the net cash impact on state collections is likely in the $30 million to $35 million range after accounting for business prepayments and one-time FY25 oilfield transaction effects. Committee members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns. OMB staff gave a detailed update on major capital projects and facility funding. Topics included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, seating, lighting, tree management, and restroom and lobby upgrades; security work at the governor’s residence, which has been delayed by the discovery of human remains; and space reconfiguration efforts in Bismarck-Mandan to reduce leases and create shared offices and conference rooms. They also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, including roof, window, boiler, and kitchen projects at state facilities, and on the state hospital project in Jamestown, which remains on budget and on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028. OMB also updated the committee on the Minot North Central State Office Building, the use of federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds, and the status of legislative intent and trust fund reports, including school aid turnback, the school construction loan program, the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund, the Legacy Fund, and the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. The committee ended by discussing future agenda items, including government efficiency, cash management, Bank of North Dakota lines of credit, and the rural health transformation program, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is it, and why aren't we having more drilling rigs?
• We had to drive all the way to Keene to find a drilling rig from Bismarck.
• What they did is they did not have a drilling rig running.
• They just put a pause on their drilling and completion activity.
• So adding a few more drilling rigs out there is going to be beneficial.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum present and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity, which described North Dakota production as holding steady around 1.1 to 1.2 million barrels per day despite lower prices and market volatility. The presentation emphasized that efficiency gains, longer laterals, and improved completion technology are allowing operators to sustain output while activity shifts north in the Bakken. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, flaring, and enhanced oil recovery; the witness said gas is taxed by volume, most liquids are handled through oil lines or gas processing, and the state’s EOR pilot projects and new gas infrastructure are intended to help hold production flat and expand future recovery. The committee then received a presentation from the Tax Department on the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. The department explained that most of the federal changes were extensions of existing Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, but several items — including the larger standard deduction, senior deduction, tip and overtime exclusions, auto loan interest deduction, and business expensing changes — affect state collections. Revised estimates showed a smaller-than-expected impact on individual income tax, with the department suggesting a net cash effect in the range of roughly $30 million to $35 million when business and individual effects are combined, plus a possible one-time distortion from large oil-field transactions in fiscal year 2025. Members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns, and the department clarified that most of the individual provisions apply broadly, while the SALT-related item is itemizer-specific. OMB then reported on major capital projects and facility funding. Updates included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, augmented reality displays for the Rough Rider Hall of Fame, tree management and lighting studies, and restroom and parking reconfiguration in the tower. OMB also described security upgrades at the governor’s residence, where human remains were discovered on site and are being handled with historical and legal review. The state hospital project in Jamestown remains on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028, with costs currently estimated a little over $292 million and a line of credit expected to be drawn in April 2027. The North Central State Office Building in Minot is under construction, with a $5.6 million line of credit already accessed. OMB also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, noting about $1.1 million spent so far on projects such as the Liberty Memorial Building roof and foundation work, Capitol window replacement, boiler replacement, and kitchen remodeling. Finally, Legislative Council staff reviewed the interim compliance report on legislative intent and state trust funds. The report highlighted the status of multiple lines of credit, including those for the state hospital and Minot office building, and noted that the executive budget will likely need to include repayment planning for about $350 million of expected outstanding balances. Other updates included the Bank of North Dakota profit transfer schedule, litigation pool spending, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, the Missouri River Correctional Center planning effort, HHS items such as FMAP and child care assistance, Job Service’s unemployment insurance modernization project, and DPI school aid turnback estimates. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The about things like drilling, right?
• The perpetrators move in and out drills.
• </c> the work that we've done around drills the work that we've done around drills has<00:10:48.560><
• ><c> to</c><00:10:51.040><c> there's</c> has found that drills tend to there's has found that drills
• </c><01:26:40.320><c> carrying</c> gun taken from a permit carrying gun taken from a permit carrying

Bills: HF3653 , HF2717 , HF3451 , HF3857

Committee: House Education Finance

Summary: The committee first adopted the March 3rd minutes by voice vote after Representative Lee moved them and there was no discussion. Members then reviewed hearing rules on decorum, safety, and participation before taking testimony from Dr. James Densley and Dr. Jillian Peterson of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University. The presenters summarized research on mass shootings and K-12 school shootings, drawing on a database of homicides in school settings from 2000 to 2025 and a smaller set of 15 K-12 mass shooting cases. They said school shooters are usually insiders, most often current or former students, and typically young males. They described common patterns including a noticeable crisis before attacks, perpetrators viewing the shooting as a final act, studying prior shooters online, and “leakage” in which most tell someone in advance. They also emphasized that many perpetrators use unsecured firearms from family members and argued that prevention should combine reporting systems, behavioral threat assessment, counseling, mentoring, secure storage, and other layered interventions rather than rely on a single solution. The presenters also discussed broader violence trends in the Twin Cities, saying much school violence is spillover from community violence and that pandemic-era disruptions and weakened trust in institutions contributed to serious violence. They cited a national survey finding that exposure to gun violence is associated with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear of public spaces, especially among young people. During member questions, Representative Wam asked for clarification on the data set and the rural/small-town share of the survey sample.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 916 relates to concealed handgun permit demonstrated competence.
• House Bill 916 relates to concealed handgun permit, demonstrated competence.
• process guidance memo to consider how to assess the cumulative impacts of certain permits.
• process guidance memo to consider how to assess the cumulative impacts of certain permits.
• process guidance memo to consider how to assess the cumulative impacts of certain permits.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> groundwater permit? groundwater permit?
• permit.
• for a large withdrawal permit permit for a large withdrawal permit issued<04:50:03.200><c> every</c>
• new permits a permit, there will be new permits every<04:50:16.320><c> 10</c><04:50:16.480><c> years
• permit.

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Summary: The committee first took up HB 163FN, dealing with requiring current, verifiable evidence of a species’ presence before land-use restrictions are imposed for habitat protection. Members discussed an amendment that had been worked on with agencies and stakeholder groups. Fish and Game testified that, while the amendment improved the bill, the agency still opposed it because of concerns about citizen science, how the proposal would apply to public versus private property, and how the transition to DES would work. Representative Darby argued the amendment was ambiguous, lacked a full hearing, and did not clearly address record verification or private-property access issues. The amendment passed 8-7, and the committee then voted OTPA 8-7, with a minority report noted. The committee then moved to HB 1752FN, which would create a chain of custody for timber and carbon credits. Representative Davis presented an amendment saying it would help law enforcement investigate timber theft and add transparency to New Hampshire’s carbon registry by identifying buyers of carbon credits. Supporters said the change would impose little burden and align with practices in other states. Opponents, including Representative Darby, Representative Vale, and the state forester from DNCR, said the carbon market is complex, the amendment was not fully vetted, and a hearing with all stakeholders was needed; they also raised fiscal-note concerns. The amendment passed 8-7, and the committee then voted OTPA 8-7, again with a minority report. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on HB 1019, which would add an active water treatment professional to the state water well board. Representative Peter Petrino and Representative Wendy Thomas said the board should include expertise on contamination risks and treatment technologies, citing concerns about arsenic, radon, and PFAS in private wells. The chairman of the Water Well Board testified in opposition to the bill as drafted, saying the board supports the general idea of licensing water filtration work but does not currently have authority or rules to oversee that field and believes the proposal would put “the cart before the horse.” Members questioned whether the board’s current mandate even covers filtration systems, and the discussion ended with those concerns unresolved.

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

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:

• A k through 12 lockdown drills didn't have to wasn't a thing.
• How many of you did drills when you were a U.S. student, right?
• How many did fire drills when your kids and you did fire drills? Okay, just a few fire drills.
• How many of you did drills when you are U.S. student for right?
• How maybe did fire drills when your kids and you did fire drills. Okay. Just a few fire drills.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:24.160><c> a</c> there's not eight or nine been had a there's not eight or nine been had a permit
• . my opinion that permit to do nationwide. my opinion that they<00:10:27.440><c> have</c><00:10:27.600
• They're going to drill down so many feet below our water line.
• down um so many they're going to drill down um so many feets<00:38:21.760><c> down</c><00:38:22.000>
• </c><00:42:58.079><c> with</c><00:42:58.319><c> EPA</c><00:42:58.960><c> and</c> their class 6 permit

Bills: HB61 , HB176 , SB12

Committee: House Economic Development and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• It exempts the first $5,000 of drill pay earned by members of the Alabama National Guard from Alabama
• </c><00:26:21.919><c> pay</c> It exempts the first $5,000 of drill pay It exempts the first $5,000 of
• drill pay earned<00:26:22.480><c> by</c><00:26:22.640><c> members</c><00:26:22.960><c> of</c><00:26:
• </c><01:10:53.760><c> He</c><01:10:53.920><c> heard</c><01:10:54.080><c> the</c> the lifetime permit.
• He heard the the lifetime permit.