Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm I'm not an expert on this<02:00:44.080><c> uh</c><02:00:44.400><c> statute.
• /c><02:00:46.000><c> like</c><02:00:46.159><c> or</c> this uh statute.
• </c><02:02:08.719><c> I</c><02:02:09.040><c> I</c><02:02:09.360><c> didn't</c><02:02:09.520><c> like<
• <c> at</c><02:02:12.000><c> least</c><02:02:12.320><c> I</c><02:02:12.480><c> knew</c><02:02:12.719><
• <02:02:23.760><c> at</c><02:02:23.840><c> it,</c><02:02:24.000><c> it's</c><02:02:24.320><c> it's</c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:11.520><c> is</c><00:02:11.760><c> only</c><00:02:11.920><c> for</c><00:02:12.160><c> people</c><00
• </c><00:02:19.760><c> who</c><00:02:20.000><c> were</c><00:02:20.400><c> in</c><00:02:20.640><c> high
• </c><00:02:29.200><c> 14,</c><00:02:29.920><c> then</c><00:02:30.239><c> why</c><00:02:30.400><c> are
• ><00:02:38.480><c> youth</c><00:02:38.720><c> leader,</c><00:02:39.040><c> something</c><00:02:39.280
• And so we<00:02:42.640><c> felt</c><00:02:42.879><c> that</c><00:02:43.200><c> that</c><00:02:43.599>

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• them,<02:02:02.800><c> they're</c><02:02:03.119><c> not</c><02:02:03.360><c> there</c><02:02:03.520>
• :02:07.679><c> uh</c><02:02:07.840><c> a</c><02:02:08.000><c> lot</c><02:02:08.159><c> of</c><02:02:08.239
• Why<02:02:55.679><c> am</c><02:02:55.840><c> I</c><02:02:56.000><c> here</c><02:02:56.159><c> today?
• </c><02:30:56.000><c> or</c><02:30:56.319><c> the</c><02:30:56.399><c> the</c><02:30:56.800><c> statute
• </c> But the the the reggg or the the statute But the the the reggg or the the statute sits<02:30:57.920

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:17.480><c> statute</c><02:02:17.920><c> is</c><02:02:18.159><c> capacity</c><02:02:18.639><c> need
• </c><02:02:18.880><c> there</c><02:02:19.000><c> are</c><02:02:19.119><c> a</c> in statute is capacity
• ><c> in</c><02:15:32.360><c> the</c><02:15:32.599><c> statute</c> there have been changes in the statute
• /c><02:15:42.760><c> for</c><02:15:42.960><c> the</c> changes in statute that for the changes in statute
• uh statute there is voluminous amount of uh statute there is for<02:15:47.360><c> for</c><02:15:48.079

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Solid Waste Subcommittee met to discuss proposed amendments to HB 171 and HB 215. For HB 171, Representative Gerna outlined technical changes to a landfill moratorium bill: DES would be allowed to accept applications only to review them for completeness, a notwithstanding clause would override automatic approval timing rules, the word “fully” would be removed, and an unnecessary reference to perennial water bodies would be deleted. Members raised concern about whether applications deemed complete during the moratorium would still have to comply with later changes in law or rule. Director Mike Whap of DES said applicants would likely need to amend applications if policy changes occurred, and suggested the bill could explicitly state that later changes apply to pending applications. The subcommittee generally supported the revised language and agreed the amended bill could go directly to executive session, though one member said the underlying legislation was ill-advised but preferred the amended version over the original. The committee then turned to HB 215, which would create a two-stage landfill siting review centered on a “net public benefit” determination before full technical review. Representative Gerna explained that the amendment would define net public benefit, require an independent third-party assessment paid for by the applicant, and set up a process for selecting the contractor from a list submitted by the applicant, with DES and the host community involved and the commissioner choosing if no agreement is reached within 60 days. Members asked how “host community” would be defined; DES said it would generally mean the municipal governing body, though that body could appoint others. The amendment also broadened the factors considered in both harms and benefits, including human health, property values, tourism, recreation, wildlife, local economic benefits, and infrastructure improvements. The discussion also added a provision directing DES to consult with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources as needed when reviewing the third-party assessment. Director Whap said interdepartmental consultation is normal and that DES would likely adopt rules to guide the process. Members questioned whether the new framework would be too vague or burdensome for applicants, but Whap said it would not be designed to stack the deck against applicants and that the process should provide clearer, more balanced criteria. No votes were taken during the meeting, and the subcommittee appeared to continue refining the amendment language before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Riggs asked whether it was in statute or a rule.
• , even though they were trained at, it, in Minnesota, even though they were trained at the college in
• The 12 states this compact would include are Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee
• The 12 states this compact would include are Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee
• The 12 states this compact would include are Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee

Committee: House Economic Development

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > save</c><02:00:21.560><c> a</c><02:00:21.639><c> million</c><02:00:22.119><c> and</c><02:00:22.199>
• :00:24.880><c> I</c><02:00:24.960><c> don't</c><02:00:25.119><c> know</c><02:00:25.280><c> why</c><02
• :02:59.639><c> the</c><02:02:59.920><c> 100</c><02:03:00.320><c> people</c><02:03:01.199><c> roughly<
• <02:08:49.679><c> is</c><02:08:49.840><c> the</c><02:08:49.960><c> bulk</c><02:08:50.239><c> of</c><02
• statute was<05:02:57.360><c> revised</c><05:02:57.920><c> in</c><05:02:58.120><c> 2024</c><05:02:59.120

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs budget, with testimony from Chase Hegman and Kathy Frederickson. Early discussion focused on staffing and vacancies, including a senior planner position tied to FEMA requirements, a program assistant funded by federal ORID dollars, a program specialist being considered for reclassification, two Housing Champions positions to be funded in the next biennium, and temporary welcome center positions. Members also reviewed the commissioner’s office, indirect cost recoveries tied to federal program administration, and the structure and staffing of rest areas and welcome centers, including the Turnpike-funded locations and seasonal staffing patterns. Members then moved through economic development and federal grant-related accounts. Hegman explained that a large share of the agency’s funding is federal, with some programs requiring state match, including the Apex Accelerator, which supports government contracting assistance for businesses. He described Apex as a small team that helps businesses with DOD and other contracting opportunities through webinars, matchmaking, and one-on-one support. The Office of Workforce Opportunity was described as largely federally funded through Commerce-related workforce programs and subrecipients, with some general fund support for agency-wide needs. The Northern Borders Regional Commission dues and capacity grant were also discussed, with officials explaining the state’s required contribution and the federal funds used to administer the program. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which officials said provides one-on-one technical assistance to new and small businesses and has a strong return on investment. Members questioned the cut, the federal funding sources, and whether there was a waiting list for services; officials said they would provide more detail on matching requirements and funding. The committee also reviewed travel and tourism accounts, including the joint promotional grant program and tourism advertising funds, both of which are proposed to increase. Officials said the tourism marketing formula is based on a percentage of meals and rooms tax revenue and argued that the spending generates significant visitor spending and tax revenue, citing an outside ROI study and examples of advertising in test markets. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, in statute, the language is by April 1st. Okay.
• Like, what's Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana? Ballpark. Mr.
• State fleet provides vehicles to every agency and institution in the state via Century Code 24-02-03.3

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership and approved the December 11 minutes. The committee first received an update from the Office of Management and Budget on the state general fund and major special funds. OMB reported revenues were tracking very close to forecast, with an estimated ending general fund balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. Staff also reviewed balances in the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, along with oil tax collections and the current revenue picture. Legislative Council staff then summarized the special session budget changes and noted the updated beginning balance increased the projected ending balance for the next biennium. The Tax Department presented taxable sales and purchases data by county and industry, showing overall sales tax activity remained strong, with retail trade the largest sector and several counties posting notable gains. Commissioner Kraschis then reviewed federal tax changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and estimated their impact on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the figures were compared to the 2025 baseline and would be incorporated into future forecasts. Members asked about the overtime and tip exclusions, the senior standard deduction, and the primary residence property tax credit application count, which was running ahead of last year at more than 154,000 applications. The committee also heard from the Department of Transportation on fee schedules, with members focusing on driver’s license fees and the fact that current fees cover only about half of program costs, meaning the highway fund subsidizes the remainder. DOT also reported on specialty plate activity, including nearly 3,900 blackout plates issued, and noted increased state fleet usage. The Information Technology Department explained its internal service fund rate-setting process and discussed possible billing simplification, including annual billing and improved invoice detail. OMB also provided data on leased office space in the Bismarck-Mandan area and state workforce counts, and Legislative Council updated the committee on legislative branch space planning. Finally, subcommittee reports noted continued work on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including Burleigh-Morton’s new DOCR housing wing and ongoing overcrowding in state correctional facilities. No formal votes beyond the minutes approval were taken, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:13.360><c> emergency</c><00:02:14.360><c> uh</c><00:02:14.480><c> where</c><00:02:14.640><c> we
• <00:02:15.959><c> and</c><00:02:16.080><c> a</c><00:02:16.160><c> felony</c><00:02:16.640><c> had</c>
• been kidnapped<00:02:18.080><c> um</c><00:02:18.360><c> and</c><00:02:18.519><c> the</c><00:02:18.720
• ><c> um</c><00:02:33.760><c> you</c><00:02:33.920><c> know</c><00:02:34.120><c> we</c><00:02:34.280><
• 00:02:42.440><c> different</c><00:02:43.440><c> um</c><00:02:43.879><c> I</c><00:02:43.959><c> mean</

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on SB 284, which would remove the requirement that wiretapping applications to a designated judge be accompanied by a written memorandum from the Department of the Attorney General. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill as drafted and instead proposed a new emergency-wiretap procedure allowing county prosecutors to seek immediate judicial authorization in exigent circumstances, followed by AG review and a follow-up application within 48 hours. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s office supported creating an emergency exception, citing a kidnapping case involving a missing material witness and the need to obtain live phone location data quickly, but asked that the AG be required to respond clearly within the follow-up period. The AG said the current wiretap process often arrives incomplete and noted a prior Honolulu application that was returned for more information and then abandoned. The committee also heard public testimony, including one speaker in support and another in opposition, and discussed whether the proposed emergency process should include imminent danger findings and what happens if the follow-up application is not approved. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript. The committee then took up SB 295, which increases penalties for violating temporary restraining orders and orders for protection and makes related changes. The Deputy Public Defender opposed the bill’s higher penalties, arguing that not all restraining-order cases involve domestic violence and that the measure could affect family disputes, property conflicts, custody battles, and other non-domestic situations. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney supported the bill, saying it would create a more uniform and efficient charging framework and that violations of court orders can be serious even when the conduct appears minor in isolation. Domestic violence advocates also supported the measure, emphasizing the need for meaningful enforcement and deterrence; one witness cited statewide data showing thousands of TRO petitions but relatively few convictions and fines. A representative from the Domestic Violence Action Center supported the bill but requested amendments to reduce unintended consequences for survivors. During discussion, the committee focused on the proposed minimum sentence, with the Domestic Violence Action Center recommending reducing it from 15 days to 5 days. The witness explained that longer minimums can create hardships such as job loss, housing instability, and child care problems, while still allowing time for survivors to access shelter and services. The committee chair indicated support for amending the bill to reflect that recommendation. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney also clarified that the bill is intended to address violations of already-issued protective orders after judicial review, not the initial issuance of restraining orders, and said the office supports eliminating the distinction between domestic and non-domestic protective-order violations because charging decisions are often made under time pressure. Multiple individuals and organizations signed up in support, and one witness testified in opposition. No vote or final committee action was announced in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:00.240><c> Uh</c><00:02:00.479><c> from</c><00:02:00.719><c> a</c><00:02:00.799><c> high</
• <00:02:02.240><c> few</c><00:02:02.479><c> things</c><00:02:02.640><c> that</c><00:02:02.960><c> were
• uh in<00:02:08.319><c> the</c><00:02:08.479><c> 2024</c><00:02:09.200><c> election</c><00:02:09.599>
• </c><00:02:30.319><c> an</c><00:02:30.560><c> election</c><00:02:31.120><c> and</c><00:02:31.840><c>
• ><c> Wyoming</c><00:02:54.160><c> statute</c> section one, 22, Wyoming statute section one, 22, Wyoming

Bills: SF0028 , SF0030 , SF0031 , SF0032

Committee: Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: voting, elections, electronic voting systems, transparency, public testing, voter registration, qualified elector, residency requirements, voting rights, mortgage modification, priority, electronic signatures, real property, financial covenants, 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• statute<01:02:37.079><c> does</c><01:02:37.279><c> not</c><01:02:37.599><c> give</c><01:02:37.839><c
• > us</c><01:02:38.160><c> any</c><01:02:38.440><c> legal</c> statute does not give us any legal statute
• </c><02:01:19.480><c> statute</c><02:01:20.480><c> um</c><02:01:20.920><c> and</c><02:01:21.079><c> say
• </c> specifically into the statute um and say specifically into the statute um and say you<02:01:21.520
• :02:58.560><c> think</c><02:02:58.920><c> we</c><02:02:59.199><c> we</c><02:02:59.400><c> we</c><02:02

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , food resiliency<00:02:17.720><c> and</c><00:02:17.880><c> forestry</c><00:02:19.080><c> be</c><00:02
• And<00:02:26.640><c> then</c><00:02:26.840><c> carrying</c><00:02:27.120><c> an</c><00:02:27.200><c>
• ><c> ought</c><00:02:34.400><c> to</c><00:02:34.480><c> pass</c><00:02:34.920><c> in</c><00:02:35.080
• ,<00:02:43.440><c> and</c><00:02:43.840><c> when</c><00:02:44.280><c> amended</c><00:02:44.880><c> as
• 00:02:45.840><c> the</c><00:02:46.000><c> committee</c><00:02:46.920><c> ways</c><00:02:47.240><c> and

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in this statute. in this statute.
• <02:01:06.320><c> of</c><02:01:06.400><c> 2027,</c><02:01:07.880><c> the</c><02:01:08.080><c> Office<
• :03:20.120><c> So</c><02:03:20.240><c> we</c><02:03:20.360><c> don't</c><02:03:20.600><c> want</c><02
• Then<02:03:26.280><c> there's</c><02:03:26.680><c> a</c><02:03:26.880><c> payment</c><02:03:27.440><c
• 02:39:11.600><c> it</c><02:39:11.840><c> does</c><02:39:12.200><c> it</c><02:39:12.440><c> by</c><02:

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> that</c><00:02:15.200><c> is</c><00:02:15.840><c> handed</c><00:02:16.239><c> down</c><00:02:16.560
• ><c> was</c><00:02:21.840><c> that</c><00:02:22.800><c> 80%</c><00:02:23.840><c> of</c><00:02:24.319>
• Therefore,<00:02:28.800><c> it</c><00:02:29.120><c> is</c><00:02:29.599><c> basically</c><00:02:30.000
• > mission</c><00:02:31.280><c> for</c><00:02:31.520><c> a</c><00:02:31.680><c> person</c><00:02:31.840
• 36.319><c> that</c><00:02:36.480><c> it</c><00:02:36.640><c> takes</c><00:02:36.800><c> to</c><00:02:

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• not</c><02:02:02.000><c> to</c><02:02:02.320><c> allow</c><02:02:03.440><c> um</c><02:02:04.000><c>
• 18:40.960><c> the</c><02:18:41.200><c> existing</c><02:18:41.679><c> statute.
• 46.640><c> of</c><02:21:46.880><c> these</c><02:21:47.200><c> statutes</c><02:21:47.680><c> in</c> revision
• of these statutes in revision of these statutes in 2018.<02:21:49.600><c> And</c><02:21:49.760><c> at
• of the pretty well, but uh the removal of the from<02:24:39.439><c> current</c><02:24:39.760><c> statute

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• whose<02:02:30.719><c> cases</c><02:02:31.480><c> so</c><02:02:31.760><c> they</c><02:02:31.880><c> are
• </c><02:02:38.520><c> so</c><02:02:38.760><c> they</c><02:02:38.920><c> have</c><02:02:39.119><c> already
• > through</c><02:02:39.960><c> the</c><02:02:40.199><c> process</c><02:02:41.000><c> and</c><02:02:41.199
• at</c><02:02:47.040><c> the</c><02:02:47.199><c> end</c><02:02:47.440><c> of</c><02:02:47.599><c> the
• of the process now<02:02:49.599><c> we</c><02:02:49.719><c> are</c><02:02:50.000><c> looking</c><02:02

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :12.080><c> two</c><02:02:12.239><c> FTEES</c><02:02:12.960><c> went</c><02:02:13.119><c> to</c><02:02
• </c> Also<02:02:22.719><c> with</c><02:02:22.960><c> that</c><02:02:23.840><c> um</c><02:02:24.080><c
• Moving on to uh<02:02:31.119><c> agency</c><02:02:31.679><c> number</c><02:02:32.000><c> 11,</c><02:02
• as provided by the Wyoming<02:32:53.760><c> statute</c><02:32:54.640><c> constitution</c><02:32:55.439
• ><c> or</c><02:32:55.760><c> session</c> Wyoming statute constitution or session Wyoming statute constitution

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:34:42.240><c> DOE</c><02:34:42.720><c> and</c><02:34:42.960><c> or</c><02:34:43.120><c> the</c><02
• </c><02:34:45.120><c> I</c><02:34:45.280><c> had</c><02:34:45.439><c> it</c><02:34:45.600><c> I</c><02
• c><02:34:47.600><c> took</c><02:34:47.760><c> a</c><02:34:48.000><c> took</c><02:34:48.240><c> us.
• > statute</c><02:53:04.640><c> which</c><02:53:04.880><c> is</c><02:53:04.960><c> under</c> in charter
• school statute which is under in charter school statute which is under 302D.<02:53:05.920><c> So</c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Education heard testimony on HB 1895, which would add education-worker protections by expanding harassment-related offenses. The Department of Education, HSTA, HGA, and several school employees and principals testified in support, describing increased harassment and threats toward teachers and staff, especially since COVID, and saying the bill would help deter bad actors. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, saying the language was vague and overbroad, could criminalize ordinary parental advocacy or speech, and might not survive constitutional scrutiny. In response to questions, the public defender said existing statutes already cover threatening or assaultive conduct against educational workers, while DOE representatives said the bill was aimed at excessive and repetitive disruptive behavior. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up HB 1592, concerning protections for educational workers and sports officials. DOE, the Charter School Commission, HGA, HSTA, school principals, athletic programs, and many individual testifiers supported the bill, with several describing threats, harassment, and aggressive behavior at schools and athletic events. One principal said he had repeatedly involved law enforcement after threats and incidents on campus, and a teacher testified about the need to keep school environments safe and orderly. The Office of the Public Defender again opposed the bill, arguing that current law already enhances penalties for assaults and terroristic threatening against educational workers and sports officials, and that new offenses would have little deterrent effect. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be a separate statute and how to distinguish passionate advocacy from harassment; DOE said the line was crossed when conduct became excessive and repetitive, while the public defender urged clearer drafting and more emphasis on prevention, education, security, and de-escalation. No vote or final action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Throughout the state of Minnesota. It doesn't have any of those problems.
• What other states, again, I'm listening mostly in Minnesota, looking mostly in Minnesota, it's a requirement
• The same program is used by the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
• The same program is used by the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
• Marhula, Bemidji, Minnesota, formerly from Grand Forks. Thank you. All right. Thank you.

Committee: Joint Child Custody Review Task Force

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as</c><00:02:13.440><c> I</c><00:02:13.680><c> reported</c><00:02:14.080><c> in</c><00:02:14.400><c>
• ,</c><00:02:17.200><c> we</c><00:02:17.440><c> have</c><00:02:17.840><c> hundreds</c><00:02:18.319><c
• for which<00:02:48.160><c> they</c><00:02:48.400><c> serve</c><00:02:48.640><c> as</c><00:02:49.040>
• Um,<00:02:51.040><c> and</c><00:02:51.360><c> that's</c><00:02:52.160><c> that's</c><00:02:52.640><c>
• Um, and and<00:02:57.120><c> and</c><00:02:57.599><c> that's</c><00:02:57.840><c> on</c><00:02:58.160

Bills: SF0082

Committee: Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: registered agents, corporate governance, entity ownership, business regulations, transparency, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:16.720><c> knocks</c><01:02:16.960><c> them</c><01:02:17.079><c> out</c><01:02:17.200><c>
• of the equation<01:02:18.200><c> off</c><01:02:18.400><c> for</c><01:02:18.559><c> lowering</c><01:02
• <c> best</c><01:02:24.079><c> Advocate</c><01:02:24.640><c> they</c><01:02:24.960><c> they</c><01:02:
• 01:02:27.200><c> shop</c><01:02:27.559><c> at</c><01:02:27.680><c> the</c><01:02:27.839><c> most</c>
• <01:02:34.599><c> Community</c><01:02:35.039><c> Pharmacy</c><01:02:35.440><c> or</c><01:02:35.599><c

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all