Transcript Highlights:

• <00:33:23.159> to applicable to applicable to 65913<00:33:25.880> again<00:33:26.200>
• ballot application it requires that<02:21:20.040> the<02:21:20.160> application<02:21:
• ballot application will be rejected, subject to curing the defective application under 657:6.
• <02:26:15.399> must but what is new is the applicant must but what is new is the applicant
• <02:28:01.479> whose section um any applicant whose section um any applicant whose application

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• certificate Uh deny applications for certificate Uh deny applications for certificate based<00
• applicant would be uh on the committee. applicant would be uh on the committee.
• . application. application.
• , applicant, applicant, the<00:56:23.560> potentially<00:56:24.080> affected<00:56:24.520
• And this is basically application.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of a particular case and the applicable of a particular case and the applicable law<00:14:45.279
• Not all applicants are treated.
• Um, applicants do complete those applications.
• Um, applicants do complete<01:00:32.079> those<01:00:32.640> applications.
• complete those applications. complete those applications.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rather than the voter registration application.
• <00:30:23.159> but Standalone document to application but Standalone document to application
• <01:08:24.839> um other election judge applications um other election judge applications um
• <01:39:13.119> or get uh absentee ballot applications or get uh absentee ballot applications
• <01:39:36.480> that who receive pre-filled applications that who receive pre-filled applications

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill is relative to the five applicants bill is relative to the five applicants that<00:56:15.359
• > already<00:56:22.799> signed of those applicants have already signed of those applicants
• the application process take?
• of 23, which are five applicants of 23, which are five applicants >> and<00:59:01.599>
• <01:33:21.920> with operators uh applicants with operators uh applicants with applications

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House 3843, resolutions for an application to Congress for an amendment overturning Citizens United.
• And these applications must be consistent or harmonized.
• These applications must be consistent or harmonized across states to present a unified petition.
• I'm here in support of H. 4692 and Senate 284 that would remove the old, outdated applications for a
• Remove the old, outdated applications for a constitutional convention from the books.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs was opened by Chair Joe McGonagle and Vice Chair Senator Mike Rush, who noted that Chair John Velis was deployed with the Massachusetts National Guard. The chairs explained the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, live streaming, and filing deadlines, and said the committee would hear 11 House bills and eight Senate bills dealing with federal and overseas issues. Much of the hearing centered on competing resolutions about Article 5 constitutional conventions, along with related resolutions on D.C. statehood, child labor, Citizens United, and Cambodia. Supporters of H. 4692 and S. 284, a joint resolution to rescind all prior Massachusetts Article 5 convention applications, argued that old resolutions from the 1930s and 1970s could be used to count Massachusetts toward the 34-state threshold for calling a federal constitutional convention. Testifiers from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, the ACLU, Reproductive Equity Now, labor groups, and others warned that a convention would have no clear rules, could not be reliably limited to specific topics, and could put civil rights, reproductive rights, labor protections, and other constitutional protections at risk. Several speakers also cited a recent federal lawsuit and said the safest course was to remove outdated applications from the books. A large opposing panel testified in support of H. 3888, a resolution calling for a Convention of States to propose amendments limiting federal power, imposing fiscal restraints, and establishing term limits. Supporters argued that Article 5 provides a lawful way to address federal overreach, debt, and congressional stagnation, and said the process would be limited by state applications and ratification by 38 states. Some committee members and witnesses raised concerns about a runaway convention, broad language in the resolution, and whether Congress could or should set rules for such a convention. Representative Gentile also testified in support of several related resolutions on overturning Citizens United, D.C. statehood, and the child labor amendment, while Representative Howard and Representative Tongue supported a Cambodia resolution condemning political oppression and urging free and fair elections. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have two license applications from the Department of Transportation to approve.
• The committee has received a Memorial Bridge naming application to honor Ethan W.
• Seeing none, I now make a motion to approve the Memorial Bridge naming application.
• By your vote of 8 yes, no, you have adopted the application.
• By your vote of 8 to 0, we have approved the application.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight met with a quorum present and entered executive session to consider two Department of Transportation license applications and two memorial naming applications. The committee discussed a Memorial Bridge naming application to honor Ethan W. Amberger, with the sponsor, Representative Bryant Wolfen, explaining that the request came from the family after the young man died in a tragic car accident and was intended as a memorial to a loved one. The committee then approved the Ethan W. Amberger Memorial Bridge naming application by roll call vote. It also considered and approved a memorial highway naming application honoring Deputy Sheriff Casey Shoemate, sponsored by Representative Don Mayhew, likewise by roll call vote. Both naming applications were adopted unanimously, recorded as 8-0. After completing the executive session business, the committee voted to exit executive session and then adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have two license applications from the Department of Transportation to approve.
• The committee has received a Memorial Bridge naming application to honor Ethan W.
• Seeing none, I now make a motion to approve the Memorial Bridge naming application.
• No, you have adopted the application.
• By your vote of 8 to 0, we have approved the application.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight met with a quorum present and first entered executive session to consider two Department of Transportation license applications. The committee then took up two memorial naming requests: a Memorial Bridge naming application to honor Ethan W. Amberger, sponsored by Representative Bryant Wolfen, and a Memorial Highway naming application to honor Deputy Sheriff Casey Shoemate, sponsored by Representative Don Mayhew. Representative Wolfen briefly explained that the bridge request was intended to memorialize a young man who died in a tragic car accident and whose family had worked through the process. After discussion, the committee voted to approve both naming applications. The bridge naming application was adopted by roll call, and the highway naming application was approved 8-0. Following the approvals, the committee exited executive session and adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:17.440> Section absentee ballot application. Section absentee ballot application.
• , timelines, procedures, and the application itself.
• . application. application. um<00:25:46.720> that<00:25:47.039> was<00:25:47.440> uh
• I believe application mailer disclaimer.
• I would just say applications online. I would just say tread<00:35:01.280> carefully.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then last was nuclear for national security applications.
• Based on that, this flexibility allows many applications.
• and that allows this flexibility allows many applications.
• So these were the few big tech applications. But let's step back.
• These were the few big tech applications, but let's step back.

Summary: The meeting was a presentation and Q&A at Idaho National Laboratory focused on the state of nuclear energy, advanced reactors, and the lab’s role in testing, regulation, and commercialization. Speakers described INL’s broader mission beyond nuclear, including cybersecurity and critical infrastructure, but emphasized its major nuclear capabilities: the Advanced Test Reactor, TREAT, the Materials and Fuels Complex, and other test beds used to accelerate fuel and materials testing. They also highlighted the lab’s size, workforce, internship pipeline, and partnerships with DOE, DHS, DOD, and private companies. A major topic was the federal push to speed up nuclear deployment through executive orders and regulatory reform. Speakers said DOE and the NRC are reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, streamlining environmental reviews, and working toward a goal of having three new nuclear systems achieve criticality by July 4, 2026. They discussed the difference between microreactors, small modular reactors, and traditional gigawatt-scale plants, arguing that advanced reactors can be factory-built, safer, and better suited for data centers, military bases, remote communities, industrial heat, and other nontraditional uses. They also said the U.S. is rebuilding its nuclear supply chain, including enrichment and fuel fabrication, and that states willing to host parts of the fuel cycle could see major economic benefits. The speakers addressed questions about cost, safety, waste, and international competition. They said advanced reactors rely on passive safety features, TRISO fuel, and natural circulation, and that the industry’s challenge is often cost uncertainty rather than a precise fuel or materials limit. They argued used nuclear fuel should be viewed as a resource rather than waste if recycling becomes policy, and said microreactors should produce relatively small amounts of spent fuel. They also noted that China and Russia continue to build aggressively, with China on pace to surpass the U.S. in total nuclear generation, while U.S. projects such as Palisades, Crane Clean Energy Center, Duane Arnold, Oklo, Aalo, MARVEL, and Project Pele are moving forward under DOE and private-sector partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead of letting counties do it piece by piece for the applicants, uh, for the official application
• , the person has to read the application and then fill it out.
• CGS and their marketing materials promoted sending out these applications.
• at us of why are we sending them a voter registration application?
• Applications and things like that, so.

Bills: HB304

Keywords: franchise tax credit, food desert, grocery store, healthy corner store, nutrition assistance, economic development, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• And our application volume is average is about 5,000 applications a year.
• Uh we I've testified applications.
• right, as part of the application.
• Riverton reviewing an application. Riverton reviewing an application.
• they initiated their application. they initiated their application.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, there was a formal application process, and that closed August 15th. August 15th. August 25th.
• We are currently reviewing and rating the applicants based on the résumés that we've looked at.
• So, there was a formal application process, and that closed August 15th. August 15th. August 25th.
• So, there was a formal application process, and that closed August 15th. August 15th. August 25th.
• Well, there was a formal application process, and that closed August 15th. August 15th.

Keywords: This video was pulled from back ups and loaded into YouTube after the fact., 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a procedural motion to have the record reflect that the Government Contracts Review Committee had met earlier that morning, that the chairman had attended in person, and that the committee approved a retroactive contract for enforcement counsel in the case under consideration. The motion was seconded, clarified to include any future ratification or approval if needed, and then approved unanimously. The commission then took up a motion to deny a motion to dismiss in matters 24 LEC3 and 24 LEC6; after clarifying that it was denying the motion made on August 18 and not considering a new filing, the motion passed unanimously. Staff then reported that the commission office was busy with required forms and that the budget remained in good standing and within parameters. The commission approved the financial report by motion. It was also noted that informal advisory opinions issued since the last meeting were included in the materials for review, with any questions to be handled in closed session if needed. The chairman updated members on the search for a new executive director, saying Denita would serve as acting executive director in the interim. He reported that several strong applications had been received, that a committee was reviewing and ranking candidates, and that the formal application period had closed on August 15. Members were told they could forward recommendations to the personnel committee, but that the full commission would make the final hiring decision. In new business, a member offered a remembrance of Representative Jeff Greer, and the commission observed a moment of silence in his honor before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• No applications submitted? I mean, how does that happen?
• So that goes as an incomplete application.
• We understand sometimes the application isn't.
• We understand sometimes the application isn't.
• We're not supposed to be processing an application or helping go down and help John process applications

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It better protects our applicants' private data. It improves procedures for event coordinators.
• It better protects our applicants about.
• We've got thousands of applications in from a variety of applicants, but only a tiny smidgen of them
• <00:08:49.720> in We've got thousands of applications in We've got thousands of applications
• crucial for the many, many applications crucial for the many, many applications you<00:10:19.080

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Senate File 4401, a cannabis bill, was presented as a broad maintenance package developed through months of work with more than 80 stakeholders, including small businesses, labor, tribal representatives, medical licensees, and the Office of Cannabis Management. The author said it makes a series of technical and policy adjustments, including support for small businesses, hemp QR codes, privacy protections, event coordinator changes, clearer product definitions, investor and timeline changes, and a bridge for hemp businesses to enter cannabis. It also addresses medical cannabis access by renaming medical combination licenses as macro licenses, eliminating the grow-and-sale ratio, correcting canopy estimates, requiring key products to be stocked, and creating a first step toward a medical psilocybin program with a report and federal funding directive. Representative West supported the bill overall but criticized the canopy reduction for medical combination licenses, arguing it changes the rules midstream and could lead to litigation and taxpayer costs. He said the bill helps social equity applicants by allowing more outside investment and described the hemp provisions as a way to save that industry. The author responded that the bill right-sizes a temporary system and reflects stakeholder agreement on needed changes. After discussion, the author again urged a green vote and thanked staff and prior cannabis workers for their help. There were no amendments at the desk, the bill was given a third reading, and the House passed Senate File 4401 by a vote of 92 ayes to 42 nays, with the title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• processing specifically for our real estate applications.
• processing specifically for our real estate applications. have automated application processing specifically
• You have a supplement; in addition to the state application, you have a supplemental application.
• application for the lottery that you fill out as well.
• I would hope for more than two applicants.

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency vacancy reports and agency-requested budget reductions, with Chair Lopez framing the discussion around stewardship of taxpayer dollars, agency efficiency, and whether long-vacant positions should be cut or repurposed. Members were given vacancy summaries and asked to focus on how agencies are functioning with current staffing, which positions are mission critical, and whether some vacancies reflect market pay issues, re-engineering of work, or true excess capacity. The chair also noted that agency heads had been asked to provide follow-up information on current openings, average vacancy duration, mission-critical roles, and reasons for vacancies. The Department of Revenue was the first major agency reviewed because it had the largest number of vacancies. Its leadership said vacancies had improved from pandemic-era highs due to market pay adjustments, but that some areas—especially general tax and audit—still had long-term openings. The department explained that some positions are intentionally frozen while work is restructured, that it hires above minimum salary in some cases to stay competitive, and that it is using automation and process changes to reduce backlogs. Members raised concerns about vacancies outside Leon County, out-of-state auditor positions, salary compression, and whether the department should provide a list of frozen positions and the salaries actually needed to recruit. The Department of Financial Services said its long vacancies were concentrated in risk management, law enforcement, and the general counsel’s office, where salaries and competition from private employers and other agencies make hiring difficult. DFS said it was using outside vendors in some areas, had reduced vacancies in its general counsel office significantly, and was willing to identify positions that could be cut, including some from treasury and OAT. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation reported progress in lowering vacancies through statewide recruiting, centralized legal hiring, automation in service operations, and leadership changes in alcoholic beverages and tobacco; it said one recommended cut could be achieved by combining two half-time positions. The Florida Lottery reported a low vacancy rate, said all positions were critical, and explained its longer onboarding time due to extensive background checks; members discussed sales reps, incentives, and the agency’s field-office structure. The Office of Financial Regulation said many of its vacancies were already in the hiring pipeline, with recent vacancies tied to promotions, a death, and internal moves, and noted that it often serves as a training ground for federal agencies. The Office of Insurance Regulation, which had a high vacancy rate concentrated in Leon County, said it had been reducing vacancies from a much higher level and was still working through hiring and administrative constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• In this last round, the two applications we received were both funded.
• this last round um the two applications this last round um the two applications we<00:13:19.320>
• And you're correct, we did see a low number of applicants for this program.
• In this last round of applications, we received nearly, you know, over 1,350 applications, and even with
• <00:47:53.960> we in this last um round of applications we in this last um round of applications

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, and how often is an application typically denied?
• <00:30:51.159> to application to application to do<00:30:52.880> okay<00:30:53.120>
• do okay and how often is an application do okay and how often is an application typically<00:30:
• <00:30:57.039> are<00:30:57.200> denied applications are denied applications are denied
• allowing purchase prior to application allowing purchase prior to application approval<00:55:38.760

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 205 HD1 and HB 480 HD1 on workers’ compensation. Testifiers from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Department of Human Resources Development supported the bills, with DLIR saying HB 205 would codify and regulate nonprescription over-the-counter drugs at a reasonable rate, and DHRD saying HB 480 would encourage timely and accurate assessments of injured workers’ physical abilities. No opposition was raised on those measures, and the committee moved on without votes or amendments noted. On HB 331 HD1 relating to permits, the University of Hawaiʻi, the Department of Education, and the Hawaii School Facilities Authority supported the bill, while the Board of Water Supply and Greg Mikan opposed it. Supporters did not elaborate much beyond standing on written testimony, but the School Facilities Authority asked that renovations be added to the definition of repeatable projects. Opponents argued the Department of Planning and Permitting is understaffed and that bypassing or speeding the permitting review process could create problems, especially for projects requiring proper engineering review. No action was taken beyond hearing testimony. The committee also heard HB 72 HD1 on pharmacy technician regulation, with the Board of Pharmacy offering comments and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association, Walgreens, and Mōʻiliʻili Drugs supporting the measure. Supporters said pharmacy technicians already perform essential duties such as vaccinations, compounding, inventory, and dispensing, and argued Hawaiʻi is the only state without an active managed list of practicing pharmacy technicians. On HB 139 HD1 regarding insurance, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and the Hawaii Society for Clinical Oncologists supported the bill, arguing fertility preservation coverage should not conflict with federal law or the prepaid health care system. On HB 32 HD1 relating to cannabis, the Attorney General and Department of Health raised concerns about allowing purchase before certification is approved, while the Hawaii Cannabis Industry Association supported the bill and suggested lowering the purchase limit from 2 ounces to 1 ounce; the Department of Health said its average turnaround is two to three business days, with about 20% of applications returned for incompleteness and an internal expedited process for certain cases. Later, the committee heard HB 470 HD1 on noise, with the Department of Health supporting the goal of reducing noise pollution but cautioning that regulating intermittent noise like string trimmers is complicated, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi opposed the bill as a hardship for small businesses and questioned the practicality of battery-powered equipment. Ted Bolan supported the measure, saying it would not ban gas leaf blowers but would require quieter models over time. The committee then heard HB 534 HD1 on labeling requirements, where DLNR and the Department of Agriculture offered comments and several fishing and consumer groups supported the bill. Testimony focused on seafood origin labeling, especially raw tuna used in poke and sushi, with DLNR explaining the bill was being narrowed to avoid federal preemption and to avoid unintentionally covering canned tuna or other processed products. Finally, the committee heard H47 HD1 on aquaculture, with the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation supporting the measure; no votes were taken on any bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then last was nuclear for national security applications.
• That’s July 4th, revised regulations, multiple applicants for fuel manufacturing.
• Based on that, this flexibility allows many applications.
• So these were the few big tech applications. But let's step back.
• These were the few big tech applications, but let's step back.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No applications submitted? I mean, how does that happen?
• So that goes as an incomplete application.
• We understand sometimes the application isn't perfect.
• To get a complete application completed.
• applications.

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.