Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:06.560><c> And</c><00:09:06.720><c> so</c> And so I think that we've kind of struck a balance
• here, but I will say struck a balance here, but I will say that<00:09:30.320><c> um</c><00:09:31.279
• Therein lies the intended checks and balances between co-equal branches."
• Therein lies the intended checks and balances between co-equal branches."
• </c><01:40:22.080><c> between</c> intended checks and balances between intended checks and balances between

Bills: HB0117, HB0126

Keywords: informed consent, abortion, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, fetal heartbeat, termination of pregnancy, medical emergency, Wyoming legislation, rights of minors, healthcare regulations, parental consent, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just want to say that balance is important. So we have our salads and we have our donuts.
• That it is done equitably, fairly, and with checks and balances. Mr. Speaker, gentlelady. So, Mr.
• possible in the approach and broad as possible in the approach to ensure that there's checks and balances
• And so you have to have a balance sheet, Mr. Speaker, kind gentleman. And so...
• You have to have a balance sheet, Mr. Speaker, kind gentleman.

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM25, HB9, SB2, SB19

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• But when we look at the dollars that are in the risk pool, and these are all balance sheets that y'all
• Fund balance right why I was doing that.
• Fund balance right now<01:36:25.840><c> is</c><01:36:26.000><c> at</c><01:36:26.159><c> 1.6</c><01:36
• Balance would be about 160 something. >> 163. far. There'll probably be more than far.
• &gt;&gt; Yeah.<01:45:44.960><c> balance</c><01:45:45.280><c> would</c><01:45:45.360><c> be</c><01:45:

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 22 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to balance that, though, with our strategic infrastructure and the operations.
• Next up, we have to balance that with the rest of the organizational needs that we have.
• Balancing life as a child of God, a wife, a mother, and a student-athlete has taught me that success
• I balance coursework, my relationship with Jesus, my family, basketball, and my job, which is working
• And as Dave just Balancing work, family, and other responsibilities.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed the 2024-25 tuition waiver report for the North Dakota University System. Staff explained that waivers were reported for degree-seeking students and broken out by residency, institution, and waiver type. Members asked about partial versus full waivers, institutional discretion, athletic waivers, and whether campuses have published guardrails or transparency requirements. Staff said most waivers are set by institutions, with some statutory and board-required categories, and that athletic waivers are a small share of total waiver dollars. The report showed total gross tuition of $354.5 million, tuition waived of $38.9 million, and 11,193 of 42,040 students receiving some waiver. Members also discussed how waivers affect net tuition revenue, housing and food collections, and whether campuses are using waivers strategically compared with scholarships and other funding sources. The committee then heard a presentation on tuition rates by campus and State Board policy. Staff explained the board’s tuition factors for resident, Minnesota reciprocity, contiguous-state/U.S. nonresident, and international students, and noted that campuses often seek exceptions based on program-specific competition and enrollment goals. Members asked whether rates are based on cost or competition, and staff said campuses typically bring forward estimates and market comparisons when requesting special rates. The presentation also reviewed general fund appropriations versus net tuition revenue by campus, and members discussed how local tuition decisions and waivers do not directly affect the state funding formula, though they do affect institutional revenue and reserves. Questions were also raised about the Higher Learning Commission’s financial composite indicator and how it differs from the more intuitive reserve and revenue figures. The committee next received a broad overview of non-higher-education entities affiliated with the State Board of Higher Education, beginning with NDSU agriculture-related units. Dr. Greg Lardy described the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, the NDSU Extension Service, the Agricultural Experiment Station, and the branch research centers, emphasizing their statewide role in crop and livestock research, extension education, and county-based outreach. He outlined funding mixes for extension, the experiment station, and branch stations, noting that grants and contracts support both research and education, while the agronomy seed farm is self-funded through seed sales. Members asked about the new and vacant FTE pool, R1 research status, matching requirements for grants, and whether state appropriations count toward research expenditures. Dr. Lardy also highlighted major research impacts, including crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, and NDAWN weather data. The Northern Crops Institute and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute also presented. NCI described its role in market development, technical services, and education for regional agriculture, its governance through the Northern Crops Council, and its funding from state appropriations, other states, and earned revenue. Members asked about the source of out-of-state funding, intellectual property, and the institute’s international reach. UGPTI then outlined its transportation research, federal and state funding structure, and work on road and bridge condition assessments, travel demand modeling, and workforce training. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll just add, we know there's a very daunting task ahead of the Legislature, and, you know, in balancing
• I'll just add, we know there's a very daunting task ahead of the Legislature, and, you know, in balancing
• I'll just add, we know there's a very daunting task ahead of the Legislature, and, you know, in balancing
• I'll just add, we know there's a very daunting task ahead of the Legislature, and, you know, in balancing
• The current administration is trying to work to balance the budget, and due to the fiscal constraints

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:35:32.480><c> a</c><01:35:32.600><c> checks</c><01:35:32.840><c> and</c><01:35:33.080><c> balance
• </c><01:35:33.719><c> on</c> addressing is a a checks and balance on addressing is a a checks and balance
• <01:39:08.719><c> we're</c> But we also have food goals that we're trying to get to, so there's a balance
• It is a very delicate balance, and, um, I don't know that there's an easy answer.
• </c> dog treats it is a very delicate balance dog treats it is a very delicate balance and and and um

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said his belief is that this bill is far too general, and therefore the balance of good and harm shifts
• The way people get to yes, the way they reach a compromise, the way they balance competing demands, has
• </c> compromise the way they balance compromise the way they balance competing competing competing demands
• On balance, I will support the ITL motion. Anyone else have anything they wish to say?
• I I I will support the itl balance I I I will support the itl motion<01:17:05.480><c> anyone</c><01:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 313, and Representative Perez moved to retain the bill, saying it needed work and was not ready as written. Representative Smith supported that approach, and the motion to retain passed 18-0. The committee then considered House Bill 391, an anti-SLAPP measure. Representative Smith and others argued the bill was too broad, could create litigation and discovery disputes, and might even be read to affect criminal cases. The committee voted 18-0 to retain HB 391 as well, and the chair agreed to place it on consent with a report to be prepared. The committee next heard House Bill 462, establishing a cause of action for unwarranted video imaging of residential properties. Representative McFarland moved to retain, saying the bill raised First Amendment and property-rights concerns. The motion passed 18-0. The committee then took up House Bill 509, a fiscal note bill requiring reporting related to forfeitures. Members on both sides discussed the bill’s cost, the burden of collecting and collating the data, possible duplication across fiscal years, and whether the information was already being collected. The OTP motion passed 11-7, and Chairman Lynn asked Representative McFarland to prepare the report; a minority report was anticipated. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 520, which would authorize Department of Education hearing officers to issue subpoenas. Representative Kuttab supported the bill, saying similar authority exists in other agencies and states. Opponents argued the DOE already can obtain information through the attorney general, that the bill would create an unbalanced internal enforcement process, and that the subpoena authority was not tied to the curriculum-related concerns raised in testimony. Representative Ter offered Amendment 0842H to shift subpoena authority from DOE hearing officers to the attorney general; the amendment failed 7-11. The committee then voted on the bill as amended, and the OTP motion passed 10-8, with a minority report also requested.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, there is the balance that not all homes really can benefit, depending on where you
• of not all homes there is the balance of not all homes really<01:00:59.520><c> can</c><01:01:00.079>
• So all of this has to be really kind of balanced against each other, right?
• So all of this has to be really kind of balanced against each other, right?
• So all of this has to be really kind of balanced against each other, right?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 252 on invasive species, which would broaden the Department of Agriculture’s authority to inspect items moved into or within Hawaii, prohibit the sale of pest-infested merchandise, and allow quarantine, treatment, or destruction of affected materials with clarified penalties. Testifiers from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, the Farmers Union, and many others strongly supported the bill, emphasizing gaps in current inspection authority and the need to address high-risk non-agricultural commodities such as outdoor furniture and other cargo that can carry pests like red imported fire ants. Members raised concerns about staffing, inspection capacity, commerce impacts, and whether better manifest descriptions or scanners could help target higher-risk shipments. The chairs recommended passage with Department of Agriculture and technical amendments, and the committees adopted the recommendation. The joint CPN/EDT hearing then took up SB 148 on combat sports, which would create a Hawaii Combat Sports Commission and regulate combat sports while prohibiting no-rules contests. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments on effective dates and later said other jurisdictions generally use a single commission for boxing and MMA. Supporters, including a professional fighter and a longtime advocate, argued the bill would help revive the sport in Hawaii, improve local opportunities, and reduce costs associated with separate commissions; one testifier initially appeared opposed but clarified he was actually in support. Committee members asked about safety, medical coverage, staffing, vacancies, and whether separate commissions could share staff. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including an Attorney General effective-date amendment, amendments from the Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses to increase health-care coverage at fights, and DCCA’s recommendation to unify boxing and MMA under one commission; the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050, and the recommendation was adopted. A later joint CPN/Housing agenda began with SB 69 on deposits of public funds, which would require the Director of Finance to consider the benefits of using in-state depositories, including favorable lending terms for affordable housing. The Department of Budget and Finance and the Hawaii Bankers Association offered comments, and no other testimony or questions were noted before the discussion moved on. The next measure introduced was SB 24 on limited profit housing associations, which would create a regulatory framework and a limited profit housing council; the transcript cuts off as testimony on that bill was beginning.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh the U has to make about balancing uh the U calls<00:10:47.040><c> on</c><00:10:47.160><c> the</c>
• That is up to his judgment, balancing the other needs of the state for capital funds.
• That is up to his judgment, balancing the other needs of the state for capital funds.
• Given DNR's size and scope of custodial responsibilities, it is necessary to strike a balance between
• There will never be an absence of deferred maintenance balance for DCT.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and also creating a work life balance and also creating a work life balance and<00:19:25.159><c>
• it's important to expand mental health resources, reduce mandatory overtime, and promote work-life balance
• we did is we did a cost-benefit analysis to look at how many ACL recruits it would take for us to balance
• </c><00:52:27.119><c> out</c><00:52:27.799><c> by</c> would it take for us to balance out by would it
• take for us to balance out by taking<00:52:28.240><c> the</c><00:52:28.400><c> academy</c><00:52:28.760

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I reserve the balance of my time. The gentleman from Maryland is recognized.
• this bill will stop them I<00:28:52.840><c> reserve</c><00:28:53.200><c> the</c><00:28:53.320><c> balance
• of my time the I reserve the balance of my time the gentleman<00:28:55.679><c> from</c><00:28:55.919
• I urge all colleagues to oppose this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. bills uh so I
• I yield back the balance of my time. The gentleman from California is now recognized. Mr.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> balances innovation and responsibility. balances innovation and responsibility.
• </c><02:07:23.360><c> the</c> and clarity while also balancing the and clarity while also balancing the
• </c><03:56:16.960><c> And</c><03:56:17.199><c> the</c><03:56:17.439><c> balance</c> The balance being
• It balances flexibility and it balances the duties of homeowner boards and property managers and homeowners
• It balances flexibility and<04:00:38.640><c> it</c><04:00:38.880><c> balances</c><04:00:39.680><c> the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This strikes a balance between transparency for legislative decision-making and protection of confidential
• This strikes a balance between transparency for legislative decision-making and protection of confidential
• instead of at FID, giving the RCA the most accurate basis for evaluating project costs and striking a balance
• talk about one of Alaska's most valuable assets, an asset that I don't think can be measured on a balance

Keywords: 905, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is my continued commitment, is to find a balanced approach, and that will continue to be where I
• It's just always been a balance of embracing innovation and, at the same time, making sure that we have
• It's just always been a balance of embracing innovation.
• It will be critical to strike the right balance between what we establish in statute and what is done

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My office stepped in and helped secure total forgiveness of her account balance.
• Okay, I beg... ...secure total forgiveness of her account balance.
• Well, I have no balance of time. Thank you, Andrew. Any comments or questions from the committee?
• It wasn't like an abstract thing for me to experience, having to balance my budget.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of late-file energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on battery storage siting, gas system expansion, propane consumer protections, gas workforce safety, and a Taunton home-rule petition on water rates for manufactured housing communities. Representative Sweeney urged support for H. 4689 and H. 4690, which would impose a moratorium and setback requirements for lithium battery storage facilities, citing fire risk, proximity to homes, and environmental concerns. Several local officials and residents from Oakham, Tewksbury, and other communities described proposed battery projects near homes, schools, wetlands, and conservation land, while industry and clean-energy advocates argued the bills would effectively block storage development and conflict with state energy goals and existing fire-safety standards. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2290/H. 3547, a bill to prevent gas expansion near environmental justice communities, from environmental justice advocates, municipal officials, and clean-energy groups. Testimony emphasized rising gas bills, the cost of new pipelines, methane and health impacts, and the need to avoid locking in long-term gas infrastructure costs. Witnesses also discussed related bills on gas workforce safety, gas shut-off valves, and gas meter replacement plans, with labor representatives supporting safety-focused measures and opposing changes they said would weaken inspections, while consumer and environmental advocates argued that some utility replacement practices are unnecessarily expensive and should be reined in to reduce ratepayer costs. Other testimony included support for H. 3518 on propane gas ratepayer protections, with the witness arguing for clearer contract terms and website price disclosure, and support for S. 2652, which would authorize Taunton to create a separate water billing rate for manufactured housing communities because residents there are effectively paying higher water costs through rent due to a single master meter. No committee votes or final actions were taken during the hearing, and members mostly asked brief clarifying questions or made no comment after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, that's the balance, right? Well, it's going to be addressed partly by our master plan.
• That doesn't work because that's not the balance that we want.
• So that's the difficulty in coming to a financial plan that balances all these different kinds of concerns
• And then it comes back using the balance that you're talking about. How are we going to get there?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts held a confirmation hearing on GM 742 for John Komeiji, the gubernatorial nominee to serve as chairperson of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority through 6/30/2029. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. The executive director of the authority, representatives of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Corporation and the Mauna Kea observatories, and authority member Noenoe Wong-Wilson all praised Komeiji’s leadership, describing him as fair, transparent, steady, and effective at building trust and relationships among stakeholders. Chris Matsuda also supported the nomination, citing Komeiji’s presence at community workshops, his neutral facilitation of public discussion, and his careful handling of the authority’s work on observatory leases and the comprehensive EIS. In his remarks, Komeiji described the authority’s work as implementing Act 255 by building a new state agency, developing a master plan, drafting rules and regulations, and beginning the process for a comprehensive environmental impact statement related to observatory leases. He said the authority is trying to balance community voice, cultural and spiritual concerns, and the state’s policy supporting astronomy. He also discussed staffing and recruitment challenges, saying the authority is repurposing positions, using special project positions, and looking for creative ways to recruit qualified staff despite the controversy surrounding Mauna Kea. He noted that the authority is working through asset transfers from UH, managing operational needs, and addressing a projected $4 million federal funding gap affecting CMS. Members asked about timelines, contingency planning, staffing capacity, and financial sustainability. Komeiji said the authority is on track for the master plan and EIS, but would return to the legislature if delays require more time. He acknowledged that no detailed contingency plans have been developed yet for possible IT or other implementation problems, but said the board is continuing to monitor progress. He also said the authority is accelerating contracts to encumber funds while available and expects to cover planned EIS and master plan consultant costs if funding remains at current levels. After discussion, the committee voted to advise and consent; the chair and acting vice chair voted aye, with excused absences noted for Senators Inouye, Chang, and Lamosao. The measure was adopted and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill balances a lot of things.
• This bill balances<00:05:19.840><c> a</c><00:05:20.160><c> lot</c><00:05:20.320><c> of</c><00:05:20.400
• 00:05:21.600><c> It</c><00:05:21.919><c> does</c><00:05:22.400><c> a</c><00:05:22.639><c> lot</c> balances
• It does a lot balances a lot of things.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The market will find balance unless the thumb of government is weighing heavy on political friends.
• The market will find balance unless the thumb of government is weighing heavy on political friends.
• The market will find balance unless the thumb of government is weighing heavy on political friends.
• The market will find balance unless the thumb of government is weighing heavy on political friends.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that actually... ...addresses that issue and kind of strikes the right balance that we're trying
• And so they said, hey, let's try to find a little more balance.
• of HOA bills and this one, maybe the pendulum went a little far and we have to kind of bring that balance
• of HOA bills and this one, maybe the pendulum went a little far and we have to kind of bring that balance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On balance, they'll be paying more. How do I know that?
• On balance, they'll be paying more. How do I know that?
• This is really a framework that provides a tested and balanced process that protects consumers while
• We believe the bill is a balance between preserving access to services and protecting consumers from

Keywords: 988, house, all