Transcript Highlights:

• They have ignored common-sense reports and recommendations from the Office of the Legislative Auditor
• ><00:02:09.039><c> of</c> recommendations from the office of recommendations from the office of legislative
• design and the legislative design and the legislative auditor<00:04:06.959><c> section</c><00:04:07.400
• </c> making and Grant oversight legislation making and Grant oversight legislation members<00:04:43.759
• </c><00:08:36.519><c> auditor</c> because of the uh legislative auditor because of the uh legislative

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 2, a bill on mandatory fraud reporting and grant oversight. Representative Davis described the bill as a response to recent fraud scandals and said it would require state agencies to report suspected fraud immediately to law enforcement and legislative leaders, post organizational charts and staff contacts online, require unannounced site visits to verify grant recipients and financial stability, mandate reporting of grant-process violations to supervisors, the commissioner or designee, and the legislative auditor, and suspend or terminate grant agreements when recipients are charged with or convicted of related criminal offenses. He also said the bill’s concepts would apply to nonprofits through grant-making and oversight provisions. Members asked several clarifying questions about whether reporting obligations were either/or or cumulative, whether whistleblower protections would cover those making reports, and whether contract employees should be included. One member suggested adding language for inspectors general or other appropriate law-enforcement contacts for clarity, and another raised the idea of halting funding immediately when fraud is reported; the author responded that section 10 already provides for immediate suspension upon criminal charges. Representative Joy supported the bill but suggested funding should stop during investigations, and Representative Anderson noted surprise that the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits was listed as an opponent. The author said he was open to considering contract employees and additional wording. The chair announced the bill would be laid over because a fiscal note was not yet available, stating a commitment not to move bills out of committee without one. He said members could continue refining the bill and that the committee administrator could help contact the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits to seek more detailed concerns. The author closed by emphasizing the bill as a nonpartisan effort to address waste, fraud, and abuse in state spending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please find your seats as we call the last meeting of this legislative session to order.
• The legislative auditor's existing audits don't really give us any meaningful insight into policy impact
• , resolutions... ...position statements, rule revisions, legislation, resolutions, technical assistance
• So this is a very important piece of legislation.
• It's not to do more legislation or to look into expanding transgender care in the state of Louisiana

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 26 for what was described as the last meeting of the legislative session. H.R. 318 was voluntarily deferred without discussion. The committee first took up H.R. 298, which would have directed the Louisiana Department of Health, with the legislative auditor, to study LDH’s relationships with certain nonprofits, foundations, professional associations, and other nongovernmental entities. The author presented amendments narrowing the definitions, but LDH testified the language was still too broad, would still require substantial review of contracts, memberships, conferences, and related interactions, and would still carry a significant fiscal note. Members raised concerns that hospitals, provider associations, nonprofit care facilities, and other stakeholders could be swept in. The author then voluntarily deferred the resolution, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee then heard Senate Bill 405, which establishes a statewide quality oversight initiative for nursing facilities, directs LDH to work with facilities on care standards and remediation for lower-rated homes, and requires reporting and transparency for families. The bill drew broad support from members and stakeholders, including nursing home and senior advocacy groups, and was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 290, which asked LDH to study a possible correlation between gender-affirming hormone therapy medications and psychosis or related psychiatric conditions in people 26 and younger, prompted questions about the purpose of the study and concerns that it could affect broader policy debates. The author, a licensed clinical social worker, said the request was intended to examine whether medications were being used too quickly and what effects they might have on adolescent mental health; after discussion, the author voluntarily deferred the resolution, and the committee agreed. Finally, the committee considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 61, urging LDH and commercial insurers to increase reimbursement rates for behavioral health crisis centers operating under a crisis receiving center license. Testimony focused on the Bridge Center for Hope, described as the state’s only Level 3 crisis receiving center, and the need to revisit Medicaid reimbursement for the first 23 hours of crisis care. With no questions or objections, the resolution was adopted. The meeting ended with members thanking the chair and staff, and the committee adjourned for the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• When this was passed and created, they used a levy rate, but I don't believe that the legislators at
• And so The fire district is primarily where the changes are for this legislation.
• This is challenging because really, you know, the last 20 years there's been urban renewal legislation
• This legislation isn't specifically geared towards fixing a defective... ...legislation every year.
• This legislation isn't specifically geared towards fixing a deficiency with the statute itself.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee heard and advanced three bills. House Bill 734, sponsored by Rep. Furman, was described as a narrow fix to wind and geothermal revenue distribution so school districts without supplemental levies would use the county levy rate for calculations; the committee approved it unanimously with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 670, sponsored by Rep. Monks, would clarify last year’s urban renewal changes affecting fire protection and ambulance districts, including when they may withdraw from revenue allocation districts and defining “contractual obligation” as a written agreement signed by both parties. Testimony from the Association of Idaho Cities, the Redevelopment Association of Idaho, and others opposed the bill, citing pending litigation and concerns about ambiguity, while the sponsor argued it simply restated legislative intent. The committee sent the bill to the 14th Order for possible amendment, with Sen. Anthon agreeing to work on amendments. House Bill 658, sponsored by Rep. Birch, would let county commissioners fill vacancies on cemetery maintenance district boards when a quorum is lost due to resignation, death, or similar causes, instead of relying on gubernatorial appointments, and would allow counties to handle temporary district functions until a board is reconstituted. The sponsor said the bill had support from county and city associations and framed it as a practical local-government fix. After a brief question about residency requirements, the committee passed HB 658 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we had some clarifying language in there that the rates are subject to legislative appropriation,
• Rates are subject to legislative appropriation, and only appropriated funding is required to go where
• So all this is doing is giving the legislative body oversight of those funds.
• We've been anxiously engaged with the daycare legislation, and there were two things that the Health
• We've been anxiously engaged with the daycare legislation, and there were two things that the Health

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee approved the minutes from February 26 and March 2, then considered RS 33677, a revised version of a prior bill dealing with Medicaid/provider rate-setting and cost surveys. Representative John Vanderrata said the new draft clarified the intended spending reduction, identified the affected line items and state match, narrowed the services to be cost-surveyed, pushed the implementation date to December of the following year, and added language stating rates are subject to legislative appropriation. Department of Health and Welfare Medicaid administrator Sasha O’Connell explained the department would conduct annual cost surveys similar to current practice, audit a random 15% of responses, and likely continue using its existing auditor, Myers and Stauffer. The committee voted to introduce RS 33677 and send it to the second reading calendar. The committee then introduced RS 33626, which would create a legislative oversight committee for Idaho’s rural health transformation funds, awarded through a federal rural health program. Representative Jordan Redmond said the bill was intended to provide legislative oversight of the nearly $1 billion in funds over five years. Members asked about minority-party representation and rural membership on the committee, and Redmond said leadership had discussed those issues and he expected minority-party participation, while noting the House and Senate versions differed on committee size and rurality requirements. The motion to introduce RS 33626 passed. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 758, a cleanup bill for child care licensing rules. Representative Barbara Ehardt said the bill clarified that providers may use monitors rather than remain physically in the nap room so long as they are within reasonable hearing distance, and it also clarified how providers’ own school-age children are counted in group size. A member of the public, Elizabeth Nune, testified in opposition, arguing the changes would weaken supervision and professionalism in child care. Ehardt responded that without the clarifications, many home daycare providers could be forced out of business. The committee voted to send HB 758 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I worked with now Congressman Burleson on that legislation and State Representative Jared Taylor.
• I worked with now Congressman Burleson on that legislation and state representative Jared Taylor.
• I think that all happened without this legislation and before this was even thought of.
• So I am going to be a yes on the legislation. Representative Seitz: Thank you, Mr.
• So I am going to be a yes on the legislation. Right on. Love it. Outstanding.

Summary: The House Committee on Crime and Public Safety met in executive session and first took up House Bill 3105, which drew the most discussion. The committee adopted a House committee substitute and two amendments: one replacing references to the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission with the Director of Public Safety, and another changing venue language to Cole County. Members debated the bill’s effect on cooperation with federal law enforcement, Second Amendment rights, and local control, with supporters saying it would protect law-abiding citizens and allow public safety agencies to work with federal partners, while opponents argued it was unnecessary, politically motivated, or could weaken local authority. The committee then voted the substitute do pass by 11 ayes to 6 noes. The committee also voted House Bill 1740 do pass without discussion. House Bill 3186, relating to sex offenders, received one present vote from Representative Anderson, who cited possible constitutional concerns, but it still passed 15-0-1. House Joint Resolution 124 also passed, 12-4-1. The committee then combined House Bills 3068 and 3049 into a single committee substitute on sex offender registry matters and approved it unanimously, 17-0. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 2868, which would expand DNA swabbing requirements for certain felony offenses. An amendment added several felony categories, including controlled substance offenses, forgery, fraud, auto theft, felony DWI, and felony evading arrest, while removing check forgery language after member concerns. Representative Seitz said the change addressed his concerns and referenced a recent local officer shooting as a reason for support. The committee adopted the substitute and voted the bill do pass unanimously, 17-0, then adjourned the executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• This year, the legislation simply adds the same requirement to seed dealers for the same invasive six
• We are in support of this legislation.
• We just want to go on record in support of the legislation, particularly the Perilla mint species, which
• The Sierra Club would like to go on record in support of this legislation.
• The Sierra Club would like to go on record in support of this legislation.

Summary: The Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources heard House Bill 1624, sponsored by Rep. Sassmann, which updates Missouri’s invasive plant law. The bill makes clerical corrections to Latin plant names and extends the existing affidavit requirement, previously applied to nurseries and nursery dealers, to seed dealers so they cannot knowingly sell seeds of listed invasive species. Support came from the Missouri Municipal League, Sierra Club, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, an individual landowner, and the Conservation Federation of Missouri, all describing the bill as a needed cleanup and expansion of last year’s law. One witness from Armourvine opposed the bill, arguing the plants have medicinal uses and warning against broader restrictions on landowner choice. No vote was taken in the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 1736, sponsored by Rep. Wellenkamp, a disaster resilience measure focused on parks and flood mitigation. The bill would allow cities and counties to use existing sales tax revenue tied to parks to buy repetitive-loss properties, remove structures, and convert those areas into natural floodways, greenways, or other stormwater management spaces that still function as parks. The sponsor and several members discussed repeated flood damage in St. Charles, St. Louis County, and other river communities, emphasizing that the proposal would help with voluntary buyouts, reduce long-term losses, and avoid expensive concrete infrastructure. Members asked about eminent domain, funding limits, and how the land would be kept from future development; the sponsor said the bill is limited to voluntary sales and local discretion. Support for HB 1736 came from St. Charles County and the Sierra Club, which said the bill would clarify eligible park fund uses, support natural stormwater infrastructure, and protect environmental and economic resilience. Committee members from affected districts described local examples where buyouts and park conversions had worked or where flooded homes remain a burden. There was no opposition testimony, and the hearing concluded without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would move that we introduce RS 33076, and I like the scope of this legislation amendment.
• So I think this legislation is a good step, and I do support the introduction.
• So I think this legislation is a good step, and I do support the introduction.
• This legislation, RS 33014, is a consolidation bill dealing with solid waste.
• This particular piece of legislation has something like a thousand pages.

Summary: The committee met on January 28, 2006, approved prior minutes, and then considered several RS introductions. RS 33076, dealing with mosquito abatement districts, would allow property owners to opt out of spraying by request to county commissioners and add penalties for noncompliance; members raised questions about notice, whether the opt-out affected taxes or only spraying, and whether the bill could hinder abatement, but the motion to introduce passed. RS 33014 would consolidate solid waste regulation under DEQ rather than health districts, with the sponsor saying it would improve consistency and could save money; members asked about fiscal effects, DEQ authority, EPA involvement, and whether the bill affected haulers, and it was introduced. The committee also heard RS 32909-C-2, which would raise the state reimbursement rate for housing state inmates in county jails from the current $55/$75 structure to a flat $80, citing a gap between county costs and state payments; members requested county-by-county impact data and the motion to introduce passed. Finally, RS 32985 would preempt local anti-discrimination ordinances that go beyond state law, with the sponsor arguing it would protect religious freedom and reduce regulatory burdens on businesses; opponents argued it would override local control and asked for data on economic impacts. The bill was introduced on a 14-2 roll call vote, and the committee noted it would be heard later in the Juden Rules Room.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other piece that I would have is, uh, you do know that as a legislative body, we don't get to legislate
• . get to legislate morality.
• And my suspicion is what happens when we get this kind of legislation, which I basically have placed
• But I am not leaning on as a legislator myself the legislative body to do that work.
• Because if we lean back on some of what this legislation grows out of, it grows out legislation grows

Bills: HB332, HB166, SB336, HB447, HB244

Keywords: computer science, K-12 education, public schools, graduation requirement, digital literacy, coding, programming, STEM, artificial intelligence, AI, computational thinking, technology education, computer literacy, high school credit, middle school, elementary school, teacher training, professional development, distance learning, virtual school

Transcript Highlights:

• We hold the Texas legislative drive-in in each legislative session. 89th session. to continue sharing
• the findings we will learn about today legislators.
• And we all benefit when strategic investments from the legislator are put into this sector.
• Do you guys agree that that's the one that, before anything else, legislation? Do something on it.
• can't legislate. can do to improve the grade?

Keywords: Texas, Infrastructure Report Card, ASCE, population growth, climate change, investment, public safety, engineering standards

Summary: The meeting focused on the release of the 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card, highlighting key findings and recommendations for improving infrastructure across various sectors in the state. Julie Jones, Vice President of ASCE Texas, opened the session by introducing key speakers, including Dr. Art Wood and committee co-chairs Griselda Gonzalez and Austin Mazzarelli. Throughout the discussion, the report's grades were revealed, showing the state's infrastructure received an overall grade of 'C'—adequate but requiring significant attention and investment. Emphasis was placed on the rising challenges posed by climate change and increased population growth, underscoring the need for strategic investments in infrastructure to support Texas' economic growth and public safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the second one you have legislation.
• legislatively legislatively that<01:07:12.000><c> you</c><01:07:12.160><c> can</c><01:07:12.319><c>
• </c><01:21:21.760><c> are</c> you even know other legislators that are you even know other legislators
• </c> come January when we file legislation. come January when we file legislation.
• </c> correlate um in terms of legislation. correlate um in terms of legislation.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes unanimously and then heard extended testimony from Senator Jimmy Higdon, who reflected on Kentucky’s 2011 childhood obesity task force and said the state’s childhood obesity problem has worsened since then. He described prior recommendations from that task force, including more physical education, nutrition education, classroom-based physical activity, complete streets, bike lanes, sidewalks, and safe routes to school. Higdon also argued that government programs have contributed to obesity and drug abuse, focusing especially on SNAP and Medicaid, and said he has long advocated for a waiver to distribute SNAP benefits twice a month rather than once a month. Higdon said SNAP fraud and abuse are significant, claiming some recipients sell benefits and some retailers bend the rules on eligible purchases. He also said spreading benefits through the month could help families keep fresh food in the home and stabilize grocery store business, especially in food deserts and rural areas. In response to questions, he said he would not support allowing hot prepared foods under SNAP, though he said a grocery-store produce incentive similar to the farmers market match could be beneficial if structured separately. He also said the WIC program is a model for how SNAP could be better administered. Members thanked Higdon for his service and discussed whether the issue is food insecurity or poor nutrition. Senator Douglas emphasized adding stronger guardrails to nutrition-related programs, and Representative Proctor asked about the challenges of operating grocery stores in rural areas and food deserts. Higdon said independent grocers face thin margins, competition, and cyclical market pressures, and that SNAP distribution patterns can worsen those challenges. After Higdon’s testimony, the committee heard from Ann Cressilious, a registered dietitian with the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, who began a presentation on the profession and on efforts to improve nutrition and access to nutrition information in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm very pleased that this is the first, I believe, hearing of any joint committee for the legislative
• Then, over two successive legislative sessions, the constitutional amendment proposal must receive more
• Only the public and legislators who are not members of the committee may participate remotely.
• There's never been a more important time for us to advance this piece of legislation.
• I would not have proposed this piece of legislation with Rep.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held its first hearing of the session, led by House Chair Adrian Madaro and Senate Chair James Eldridge. The committee explained the constitutional amendment process and the hearing procedures, then took testimony on four bills concerning proposed amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, with the main focus on S. 11 and H. 71, which would amend Article 99 relating to agricultural and horticultural land taxation. Senator Jo Comerford, Rebecca Miller of the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, and Representative Natalie Blay all testified in support of the bills. They argued that the current five-acre minimum for farmland tax treatment is outdated and harms farmers, especially new, urban, and smaller-scale farmers, by forcing some land to be taxed at higher commercial rates. Supporters said the change would help preserve farmland, strengthen the local food system, and address economic pressures on farms, including high land values, climate impacts, and an aging farm workforce. In response to a question about abuse or false claims, Comerford and Miller said existing certification processes under Chapter 61A and municipal review help verify active farming, and Miller noted the bill requires land to be in production for two years before receiving the rate. Committee members asked about the status of the 21st Century Farm Commission, and Comerford said a report was expected in the spring. After testimony concluded, the chairs asked whether anyone else wished to testify and then entertained a motion to adjourn, which was made and accepted.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with the Shoshones, no legislation was required for that component because it was storage.
• That's why the legislation is necessary.
• I'm the legislative director for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.
• I'm the legislative director for the Coralane tribe.
• , and I met with a lot of legislators.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Resources and Conservation Committee heard testimony on House Bill 789, which would ratify and implement the Coeur d’Alene Tribe water rights settlement arising from the Coeur d’Alene-Spokane-Spokane River Basin adjudication. The bill would confirm the agreement, direct state agencies to carry it out, and authorize a local water bank/rental pool mechanism so the tribe can lease certain natural flow rights under state law. Testifiers explained that the settlement recognizes the tribe’s reserved water rights while subordinating them to existing state-law water rights and protecting future development, including municipal needs in North Idaho. Norm Samanko described the long-running adjudication and said the settlement resolves claims that had been litigated for more than a decade. Tyrell Stevenson and Chairman Chief Allen emphasized that all parties support the agreement and that it provides certainty, reduces fear and conflict, and allows both tribal and nontribal users to move forward. Joy Vega of the Attorney General’s office said the settlement avoids another 6 to 10 years of litigation, protects state-law water rights with priority dates of September 6, 2023, or earlier, and secures finality for the tribe’s rights. Candace McHugh, representing the City of Coeur d’Alene, said the settlement was important because it also resolved issues involving the governor’s and Avista’s water rights and provided certainty for lake operations. After testimony, Vice Chairman Shepherd moved to send HB 789 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee approved the motion by voice vote, and the bill was sent to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Start by telling us your name and your legislative district.
• And we have legislation that takes care of that in disturbing the peace, but this makes very clear that
• Hopefully this is one of the easier pieces of legislation you get to review for the year.
• I'll ask any questions if I can, if they're relevant to the legislation. Representative Ehardt.
• House Bill 580 came out of our legislative review of Title 18 that we did this summer.

Summary: The House Judiciary and Rules Committee met to approve prior minutes and hear two introduction requests plus four bills. The committee introduced RS 33067, which would give prosecutors up to 180 days to find a more stable placement for defendants with neurocognitive disabilities or mental illness, and RS 33197, which would clarify that maliciously and willfully disturbing a religious worship service is disturbing the peace while removing language that raised First Amendment concerns. Members asked about the scope of the language and possible overlap with other statutes, but both RS measures were introduced. The committee then heard House Bill 520, which updates notice requirements for contested case hearings under the Administrative Procedures Act so agencies clearly inform parties of their hearing rights. The Office of Administrative Hearings said the bill standardizes notices across agencies and is not retroactive. HB 520 received a due pass recommendation to the floor. House Bill 579 was a narrow change to the justifiable homicide statute, replacing a list of specific family or household relationships with the broader term “another person” to avoid omissions; it also received a due pass recommendation. House Bill 580 repeals several outdated criminal code provisions related to anti-camcorder piracy and motion picture fair bidding, with the sponsor saying the conduct is already covered by federal law and the statutes are no longer used. House Bill 581 would create a process for the Legislature to formally notify the Idaho Supreme Court by resolution when it believes a court rule may conflict with statute or substantive rights, while preserving judicial rulemaking authority. Both bills were sent to the floor with due pass recommendations, and the meeting adjourned after unanimous or near-unanimous votes on the measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> The resolution is adopted. 2025 legislative session is adjourned. >> The Senate will come to order
• Illuminate their minds and hearts as they deliberate and legislate, that they may enact policies which
• ILLUMINATE THEIR MINDS AND HEARTS AS THEY DELIBERATE AND LEGISLATE, THAT THEY MAY ENACT POLICIES WHICH
• [Applause] As President of the Senate, it is my distinct honor to welcome you all to the 2026 legislative
• My hope is for a productive, thoughtful, and meaningful legislative session.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and briefly closed out the 2025 legislative session by adopting a concurrent resolution on adjournment. The chamber then reopened for the 2026 session with a quorum present, a prayer by Bishop Mark O’Connell, and opening remarks from the Lieutenant Governor, Minority Leader Rob Ortt, and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. The remarks focused on the responsibilities of the new session, the need to listen to constituents, and broad priorities such as affordability, public safety, rights protections, and working across party lines. Governor Kathy Hochul’s message requesting the Senate’s presence for the 2026 State of the State address was read and filed. In their remarks, Ortt emphasized affordability, keeping more money in New Yorkers’ pockets, energy choices, and public safety, while Stewart-Cousins highlighted rising costs for housing, groceries, utilities, health care, and child care, along with defending voting rights, equal rights, and immigrant communities. Both leaders said their conferences were prepared to work with each other and with the Governor. The Senate then adopted two organizational resolutions: one appointing Senators Bynoe and Chan to inform the Governor that the Senate was organized and ready to proceed, and another appointing Senators Ryan and Wildcat to inform the Assembly that the Senate was assembled and ready to proceed. No substantive legislation was debated, and the Senate adjourned until Monday, January 12, at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days designated as legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation employs a similar model as approved legislation for the Austin Police Retirement Fund
• I believe that, Senator Flores, you had legislation as well, but we discussed this.
• We respectfully ask for your support in passing this legislation.
• Senator Hall, they're looking at, they're reading your legislation here. I can slow down.
• Senator Hall, they're looking at, they're reading your legislation here. I can slow down.

Bills: SB771, SB2345, HB135, HB135

Keywords: diesel fuel tax, tax credit, auxiliary power units, power take-off equipment, refund, energy efficiency, firefighter retirement, municipal contributions, pension system, retirement benefits, funding ratios, sales tax exemption, exotic animals, game animals, agriculture, livestock, civil liability, motor vehicle, legal protection, removal

Transcript Highlights:

• We seek to protect the rights of all who participate in the legislative process so that we can have effective
• Protesters have appeared at some of our legislative hearings.
• These actions actually disrupt the legislative hearing, and the persons who caused the disruption were
• we will not permit conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of legislative
• It's really one of the few parts of legislation that specifically authorize the taking of property by

Summary: The Local Government Committee met on March 26 and heard four bills, beginning as a subcommittee until quorum was established. The chair opened with housekeeping rules, including that testimony would be in person only and that disruptive conduct would not be tolerated. AB 59 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry was heard first; it would remove the sunset on Reclamation District 108’s authority to participate in hydropower projects. The author, Colusa County representatives, and water district officials said the change would support long-term financing, lower energy costs, and help the district continue water stewardship. No opposition was presented, and the bill was later reported out 7-0. AB 417 by Assembly Member Carrillo was then presented as a measure to streamline and clarify laws governing enhanced infrastructure financing districts (EIFDs) and community revitalization and investment authorities (CRIAs). Supporters, including the sponsor and planning, city, and flood control representatives, said the bill would improve local governments’ ability to fund affordable housing, climate adaptation, transit, fire mitigation, and other infrastructure without raising taxes. One opponent objected to the CRIA provisions, arguing that CRIAs retain eminent domain authority and asked for an amendment to remove that authority. The bill was passed after quorum was established, with the chair noting it would improve functionality while preserving transparency and public participation. AB 533 by Assembly Member Flora reauthorized health care districts that own or operate hospitals or clinics to use the design-build process for construction projects after the prior authority sunset on January 1, 2025. The author and supporters from the Association of California Health Care Districts, the Design-Build Institute of America, and engineering and hospital groups said the measure would restore a useful financing and construction tool without changing public contracting requirements. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0. The committee also approved AB 1030 on the consent calendar, and after roll calls on the remaining items, all measures were reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> reason to bring this legislation reason to bring this legislation forward.<00:21:59.360><c> So</
• ><c> language</c> support enabling legislation language support enabling legislation language allowing
• </c><00:54:00.640><c> um</c> here in support of this legislation um here in support of this legislation
• We support this legislation as well.
• </c> those at legislation those at legislation um<02:14:17.599><c> works,</c><02:14:18.000><c> what</

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's July 14, 2026, at 9:33 a.m., and this meeting is streaming live on the non-legislative video page
• on the Oregon legislative website.
• My name is Beverly Anderson, a legislative analyst for the Legislative Policy and Research Office, also
• Legislative Analyst for the Legislative Policy and Research Office, also known as LPRO.
• LPRO provides professional, nonpartisan staffing, analysis, and research for the Legislative Assembly

Summary: The Explanatory Statement Committee for Initiative Petition 28 met on July 14, 2026, to select a fifth member needed to complete the committee. LPRO staff explained the committee’s role in preparing an impartial, plain-language ballot measure statement, reviewed the statutory deadlines, and noted that if the committee could not agree on a fifth member, the Secretary of State would appoint one. Committee members introduced themselves as the two chief petitioners and representatives for sportsmen’s and agricultural interests. The discussion focused on possible fifth members. The Secretary of State had already confirmed the availability of Bob Herman and former Representative Lane Shetterly. One member also suggested Jake Hammons, an Oregon prosecutor with animal cruelty law experience, but the group did not pursue that option immediately. Members discussed the relative neutrality and experience of the candidates, with several expressing comfort with either Herman or Shetterly and a preference to move quickly. The committee voted unanimously to use Bob Herman as the first choice and Lane Shetterly as the alternate fifth member, with the understanding that if both were unavailable the committee would reconvene. LPRO said it would confirm the fifth member, distribute the draft explanatory statement prepared by Legislative Counsel, and schedule the drafting meeting for July 22, 2026. Members were invited to submit alternative draft language by July 21.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at the legislation there, you've got essentially agencies have a year after their normal
• Bybee answer those, but that is all this legislation does at this point.
• Things have changed since this legislation was originally placed in with our ability to call ourselves
• You'll notice there in the legislation it says cumulative expenditures shall not exceed $10 million,
• When we were working on some of the legislation drafting, there were some changes that we thought...

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee considered and introduced several RSs related to state budgeting and legislative oversight. RS 33238 would shorten the time agencies have to liquidate encumbrances that carry over across fiscal years from one year to one quarter. RS 33241 C1 would limit non-cognizable spending of money received while the legislature is out of session to a cumulative $10 million, with exceptions for declared emergencies, certain National Guard construction projects, and tuition-related funds. Both were introduced without opposition. Members then heard RS 33247, which would require agencies to report long-vacant full-time positions, remove positions vacant for a year or more from budget requests, adjust requests for positions vacant 180 to 364 days, shift some eliminated positions to the legislative branch, and add more detailed reporting on state travel. Questions focused on whether the proposal would affect JFAC’s budget authority and how it might apply to agencies that keep positions open for cyclical needs, such as the Department of Labor. Budget staff said implementation would require working through the budget analysts to determine whether savings could be applied. The RS was introduced. The committee also introduced RS 33352, which would cap requested increases for CEC and benefits for organizations with 50 or more full-time employees by applying a five-year average of actual personnel spending to the requested increase. Finally, RS 33494 would require the governor, when submitting a budget item that needs statutory changes, to include draft legislation and identify House and Senate sponsors willing to carry it. Supporters said this would prevent policy proposals from being included in the budget without a clear legislative path. The committee approved introduction of that RS as well, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then you have legislators here who work on funding.
• Well, you were a lawyer and you were a legislator.
• Some proposed legislation regarding the sex dolls, right? Mr.
• And then I also just want to thank all of you, all the legislators, last legislative session.
• And we have a copy of that model legislation.

Summary: The committee first approved the December 16 minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their economic and public-system impacts. She explained that ACEs are population-level risk indicators, not individual diagnostic tools, and said higher ACE exposure is associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare and justice involvement, and lower workforce participation. She cautioned that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across the life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based interventions and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, trends in ACEs, and home visiting; she emphasized supportive relationships, protective factors, and the importance of positive childhood experiences. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco, along with a recorded family story from Abby, about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota. Abby described how Healthy Families North Dakota supported her family after a premature birth and NICU stay by providing weekly in-home coaching, developmental screenings, postpartum mental health check-ins, referrals, and parenting support. The presenters explained that home visiting is voluntary, relationship-based, and usually begins prenatally or shortly after birth, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, pregnancy navigators, human service zones, self-referrals, and other community partners. They said North Dakota currently has four main evidence-based models operating through 12 organizations, with Healthy Families available in all 53 counties, though only a fraction of eligible families are served. Funding was described as a patchwork of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E, Medicaid, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and other grants; members discussed whether the Legislature or agencies should expand support and how to improve outreach and sustainability. Finally, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, focusing on AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and chatbot-related risks. The report summarized federal and state law, including North Dakota’s existing computer-generated image provisions, the federal PROTECT Act, the Take It Down Act, and recent federal executive orders on AI policy. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI’s effect on critical thinking and misinformation. The committee then heard from BCI Special Agent Cassidy Halsef, who said AI is already driving a sharp rise in child exploitation cases in North Dakota, including AI-generated explicit images of real minors and school-based incidents involving mass-shared manipulated images. She said investigators are seeing more cyber tips, more difficult forensic work, and lasting harm to victims and families, and urged stronger legal penalties, specialized training, victim services, and prevention education in schools and communities.