Transcript Highlights:

• Part of that contract then is typically... I'm getting there.
• to be a 40%, one-third, or 25% contract, depending on the type of case.
• And I'll give a little bit of our perspective from contracting.
• These are all real costs that our contracting industry incurs.
• was an active contract on it.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1645, which would reduce Missouri’s general personal injury statute of limitations from five years to two years for claims after August 28, 2026, while also extending the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims from 10 years to 20 years after the victim turns 21. Representative Overcast and supporters from the insurance and business communities argued the change would improve Missouri’s business climate, lower insurance costs, and align the state with most others; opponents, including trial lawyers and victim advocates, warned that shortening the filing window would harm injured adults and sexual abuse survivors who need more time to come forward. Representative Sites supported the child sexual abuse expansion but said broader retroactivity work was still ongoing. No vote was taken in the hearing itself, but the bill drew both support and opposition testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 1610 and House Bill 2182, both of which were described as similar proposals to shorten the general civil statute of limitations, with HB 1610 moving from five years to three years and HB 2182 moving from five years to two years. Supporters repeated the same business-climate and insurance-rate arguments, while opponents repeated concerns about access to justice and the time needed to investigate complex injuries. Several witnesses from the insurance, chamber, farm bureau, railroad, and business groups testified in support, and some said they preferred two years over three. The chair noted the testimony was largely repetitive across the bills, and the hearings concluded without recorded votes in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2714, which would change Missouri from a pure comparative fault system to a modified comparative fault system, barring recovery if a plaintiff is found more than 50% at fault. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would make Missouri more business-friendly and more consistent with neighboring states, while opponents from the trial bar argued it would unfairly cut off recovery for injured people and that juries already apportion fault under current law. Testimony focused on how fault percentages are determined, the effect on settlements and trials, and examples such as car crashes and product liability cases. The hearing ended with continued opposition testimony and no final committee action reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Contracting needed to reflect variability between the different types of communities.
• This bill provides freedom of contract for senior living facilities and those referral services, and
• Senate Bill 324, relating to requiring state contract directors, political subdivisions of this state
• They have bargained for and agreed to voluntary dues deduction in their contract.
• , you know, that's their contracts.

Bills: HCR35 , SJR59 , SJR84 , SCR30 , SB127 , SB317 , SB324 , SB457 , SB506 , SB511 , SB529 , SB547 , SB584 , SB619 , SB636 , SB646 , SB659 , SB715 , SB732 , SB735 , SB771 , SB784 , SB800 , SB801 , SB904 , SB1026 , SB1049 , SB1065 , SB1181 , SB1224 , SB1250 , SB1383 , SB1467 , SB1524 , SB1528 , SB1531 , SB1568 , SB1585 , SB1640 , SB1681 , SB1754 , SB1757 , SB1777 , SB1972 , SB1980 , SB2007 , SB2041 , SB2046 , SB2050 , SB2055 , SB2069 , SB2080 , SB2119 , SB2138 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB2201 , SB2225 , SB2268 , SB2306 , SB2308 , SB2310 , SB2330 , SB2366 , SB2375 , SB2392 , SB2401 , SB2422 , SB2480 , SB2514 , SB2530 , SB2533 , SB2543 , SB2544 , SB2589 , SB2610 , SB2615 , SB2623 , SB2660 , SB2662 , SB2693 , SB2695 , SB2707 , SB2722 , SB2742 , SB2753 , SB2807 , SB2843 , SB2844 , SB2858 , SB2880 , SB2885 , SB2891 , SB2925 , SB2938 , SB2986 , SJR3 , SJR18 , SB5 , SB914 , SB963 , SB1197 , SB1415 , SB1437 , SB1786 , SB326 , SB767 , SB769 , SB783 , SB1035 , SB1271 , SB1619 , SB1637 , SB1806 , SB1 , SB260 , HB135 , HB1109 , HCR35 , HCR64 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR84 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SCR30 , SCR3 , SB2023 , SB619 , SB2742 , SB646 , SB1026 , SB2880 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB529 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB584 , SB1085 , SB2046 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB1524 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2681 , SB2200 , SB2199 , SB1757 , SB2050 , SB2458 , SB2201 , SB2660 , SB2662 , SB1065 , SB801 , SB2533 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB1721 , SB2366 , SB1013 , SB2797 , SB2383 , SB1754 , SB2119 , SB2448 , SB1777 , SB1283 , SB2392 , SB2076 , SB2786 , SB2876 , SB2284 , SB2225 , SB1540 , SB2929 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB2595 , SB2217 , SB715 , SB2330 , SB1383 , SB500 , SB1640 , SB2001 , SB2080 , SB506 , SB2514 , SB2753 , SB2398 , SB1241 , SB2927 , SB2173 , SB2538 , SB898 , SB1449 , SB2529 , SB1531 , SB2846 , SB2476 , SB986 , SB1181 , SB2075 , SB2154 , SB2864 , SB1359 , SB2386 , SB771 , SB2844 , SB2550 , SB1351 , SB1423 , SB1931 , SB2245 , SB2589 , SB2707 , SB2807 , SB410 , SB659 , SB2776 , SB2693 , SB2580 , SB1980 , SB1886 , SB1234 , SB739 , SB456 , SB127 , SB1666 , SB2843 , SB2801 , SB800 , SB2055 , SB784 , SB2986 , SB735 , SB1012 , SB324 , SB2926 , SB2938 , SB2007 , SB2138 , SB1242 , SB2615 , SB1049 , SB2310 , SB1224 , SB2972 , SB1568 , SB2841 , SB2885 , SB3016 , SB2858 , SB2610 , SB2139 , SB1856 , SB2035 , SB2308 , SB2306 , SB2041 , SB1528 , SB1681 , SB1141 , SB2401 , SB2530 , SB2375 , SB547 , SB1266 , SB1373 , SB1467 , SB2069 , SB2269 , SB2480 , SB2544 , SB672 , SB904 , SB2695 , SB2891 , SB2422 , SB2543 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2539 , SB2532 , SB2925 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB457 , SB2357 , SB2721 , SB243 , SB1285 , SB2568 , SB1959 , SB1442 , SB1454 , SB2520 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB1237 , SB1844 , SB1586 , HB1392 , HB22 , SB1551 , SB3039 , SB2819 , SB66 , SB629 , SB1015 , SB2342 , SB2903 , SB2933 , SB1965 , SB2477 , SB3029 , SB2605 , SB2419 , SB1957 , SB375 , SB250 , SB777 , SB628 , SB2523 , SB2367 , SB2703 , SB2608 , SB2778 , SB3044 , SB2965 , SB2521 , SB865

Keywords: spaceports, tax-exempt bonds, aerospace investment, Texas space economy, Federal legislation, education funding, Texas State Technical College System, capital projects, infrastructure, higher education, tax exemption, property tax, homestead, fire damage, constitutional amendment, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• And so when we're negotiating contracts, we're seeing some significant increases in our contracts than
• And so when we're negotiating contracts, we're seeing some significant increases in our contracts than
• And so when we're negotiating contracts, we're seeing some significant increases in our contracts than
• And so when we're negotiating contracts, we're seeing some significant increases in our contracts than
• Is in alignment with locally negotiated contracts for duty outside of the staff's contracted time.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There were no bid emergency procurement contracts triggered by emergency declarations, so they skipped
• These were not posted publicly as well, the contracts as required by Florida law, and there is still
• Those are GSA, ICE, CBP, DHS, mothership, lead contracts that have zero—meaning not managed by DEM.
• We did, and there are times that we may have to do a sole source contract.
• 10% of all of our contracts, maybe even less than 5%.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Contracts for ecosystem service projects may last up to 125 years.
• The Board of Natural Resources has specific oversight responsibilities, such as approving contract terms
• These are long-term contracts, and the department recognizes that.
• These are long-term contracts, and the department recognizes that.
• First, the bill authorizes ecosystem service contracts for up to 125 years.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2170, which would authorize DNR to enter ecosystem service and carbon contracts on state trust lands, and House Bill 2578, which would add tribal members and alternates to the Fish and Wildlife Commission. For HB 2170, the Department of Natural Resources and supporters said the bill would diversify revenue, help meet climate goals, and allow DNR to participate in emerging carbon and ecosystem markets without necessarily eliminating timber harvest. Opponents, including counties, school districts, timber companies, loggers, and forest industry groups, argued the bill could reduce harvest levels, harm rural jobs and mill supply, and lower revenues for schools and other trust beneficiaries; several said any new authority should be limited to additive projects with stronger safeguards. Supporters included environmental groups and some local officials who said the bill would provide a more stable revenue stream and better align land management with climate and watershed benefits. The chair noted there are two related vehicles in committee, HB 1508 as the negotiated version and HB 2170 as the department version, and the public hearing on HB 2170 was closed after extensive testimony. For HB 2578, staff explained that the bill would add four tribal commissioner positions and four alternates to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, with representation from federally recognized tribes on both sides of the Cascades and staggered terms. Prime sponsor Rep. Deborah Lekanoff said the measure would strengthen co-management and the state’s government-to-government relationship with tribes, while acknowledging there are other related bills and ongoing legal issues involving WDFW. The chair asked whether the bill would affect existing tribal consultation obligations, and Lekanoff said it would not replace government-to-government consultation; she also said she would follow up on how the governor would make appointments. The hearing on HB 2578 was then suspended so the committee could return to HB 2170 testimony. The committee also heard staff briefing and sponsor testimony on House Bill 2544, which would create a pilot process for the Upper Columbia River water rights adjudication. Staff said the bill would require Ecology to run the adjudication in two phases, starting with tribal and federal claimants and allowing time for settlement before bringing in other claims, with a report due by June 2035. Rep. Larry Springer said the bill is intended to establish a baseline of water use more efficiently in a process that can otherwise take decades. After the briefing and sponsor remarks, the committee began public testimony on the bill, with tribal representatives and other stakeholders queued to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• To follow up on some of that, the Health Care Authority is the manager of the contracts for the MCOs.
• The Health Care Authority is the manager of the contracts for the MCOs.
• Their contract is actually stated that it's supposed to be a hundred, Claims are paid within 14 days.
• Their contract is actually stated that it's supposed to be 100% in 14 days.
• , they're operating at a 98% or 99% clip in 14 days, which is not in exact compliance with their contract

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met to consider a series of gubernatorial nominations, first for several boards and commissions and then for key health-related executive positions. Early confirmations included Michael Vaughn to the Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Tina Frazier to the State Board of Licensed Social Workers, Dr. Kanya Martin and Dr. Edgar Boyd to the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dr. Christopher Thurman to the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Samuel Haubrick and Robert Wipp Jr. to the Committee of Home Inspector Examiners, and Dr. Gabriel Pittman to the State Board of Health. Each nominee briefly described their background and qualifications, and committee members generally emphasized professional experience, public service, and rural health needs. All of these nominations advanced on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then considered Clayton Bullard for two roles: Cabinet Secretary of Health and Mental Health and Administrator of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Senators focused heavily on Medicaid managed care, provider payment delays, MCO oversight, and the short timeline before a new administration. Bullard said his priority would be stabilizing the agency, building a balanced budget, monitoring contractors and managed care organizations, and ensuring claims are paid promptly; he reported high rates of clean-claim payment within 14 days and said the agency would continue fining MCOs for noncompliance. Members also pressed him on legislative oversight and the need to keep lawmakers informed about policy changes. Both nominations were approved and sent to the full Senate. Sharon Schell Millington was then nominated to lead the Office of Juvenile Affairs. Senators asked about security concerns, staff safety, de-escalation training, pay for direct care staff, and coordination with local law enforcement. Millington said the agency had increased staff pay, adopted nationally recognized restraint/de-escalation training, and was working to improve communication with law enforcement. Her nomination also passed and moved to the Senate floor. At the end of the meeting, the chair answered a question about board membership requirements, clarified that the statute limits how many members may reside in one congressional district but does not require every district to be represented, and thanked committee staff for their work as the committee’s final HHS meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't have a contract with Blue Cross of Idaho.
• Chairman, committee, there are a little over 40 emergency rooms in the state of Idaho, and we contract
• Chairman and Senator Guthrie, if I understand your question correctly, these entities refuse to contract
• They will not contract. And so they submit a bill to us for an inflated amount.
• because of that contract.

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee first approved the minutes from February 12, 2026, and then voted to send the gubernatorial reappointment of Trent Nate to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board to the full Senate with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then heard several code-cleanup bills from Senator Todd Lakey. Senate Bill 1274 would remove obsolete references in state law related to the transfer of county public defender employees, comp time, and an employee problem-solving procedure; Senate Bill 1275 would delete outdated provisions concerning veterans’ assets and the North Idaho Veterans Home; and Senate Bill 1273 would repeal several obsolete PERSI-related provisions tied to old retirement and contribution arrangements. Each of those bills drew no testimony or opposition and was sent to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee spent most of the meeting on Senate Bill 1319, the Emergency Care Affordability Act, sponsored by Senator Burt. The bill would create a new chapter in Title 41 governing billing and reimbursement for out-of-network freestanding emergency rooms, requiring them to accept the local in-network allowed amount for emergency services from state-regulated health plans, disclose that they do not accept Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE, and allow self-funded plans to opt in. Supporters, including Blue Cross of Idaho and the Association of Health Plans, argued that freestanding ERs are exploiting the federal No Surprises Act and its independent dispute resolution process by sending nearly all claims to arbitration at inflated rates, which they said raises premiums for Idaho consumers and state employee health plans. They said the bill is intended to address a loophole and does not affect hospital ERs or other emergency billing disputes. Committee members raised questions about EMTALA, federal preemption, whether the bill targets one business model, and whether patients are actually being balance-billed. Supporters said EMTALA still requires treatment, but the bill is aimed at billing practices and transparency, not access to emergency care. Some senators expressed concern about singling out one provider type and possible legal issues, while others said the bill was justified because insurers are required to cover emergency care and the current federal dispute process is driving up costs. After discussion, the committee approved Senate Bill 1319 on a 6-3 roll call vote and sent it to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two, this chapter shall not apply to a contract entered into prior to the effective date when
• Then it talks about the choice of law in cases where there are contracts, where a private party gets
• into a contract, and the contract specifically decides, calls out and says, look, if there's going to
• Under the section called jurisdiction, it says that if a contract selects that a specific court would
• ... ...into, and back then it would not be touched by this, because this only affects contracts going

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And what we did was we imposed financial consequences on that vendor per the contract.
• So we also contract with general contractors to do the projects.
• The total contract value was—so it was amended many times.
• When it ended, the total contract value, I believe, was upwards of $200 million.
• That's what that contract allowed us to do. And again, that was signed in 2018. Mr.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum and heard two bills, a confirmation, and two agency presentations. SB 48 by Senator Gates would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead exemption for the owner-occupied portion, limit parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum leases, extend density bonuses for military-family housing, and allow reusable tenant screening reports. The bill drew strong support from the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals and several others, and it was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call. SB 34 by Senator Sharief would expand the Historic Cemetery Program, particularly to help historic African-American cemeteries preserve and maintain themselves by allowing sale of excess vacant land only if proceeds are used for long-term upkeep; it also passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors by unanimous vote. In addition, the Department of Commerce presented on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida, describing more than $4.3 billion in HUD disaster recovery funds since 2017, housing repair and replacement efforts that have completed more than 5,200 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects across the state. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and clawbacks from a prior vendor; Commerce said it had ended the earlier vendor relationship, imposed about $3.6 million in financial consequences, and now uses stronger oversight and competitive procurement for contractors. The Division of Emergency Management then presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds used. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is intended to reduce repetitive flood losses, keep homeowners in their communities, and serve as a national model; he reported more than 12,000 applications, about 1,500 prioritized for review, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about assistance for seniors who cannot meet the 25% match, the wait-list process, contractor selection, and the mix of project types, and Guthrie said contractors were selected through competitive procurement and that most projects are elevations, though some may become reconstructions or acquisitions depending on inspection results. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So Section 6 of the bill has to deal with the $1 million, and that hires one FTE and then contracts with
• The contract dollars would be for third-party providers to actually monitor the individuals.
• So, so, um, Yes, so the people that are going to conduct a study, you're going to contract a consulting
• Chairman, members of the committee, that's the way the bill reads, is that the DOCR would contract with
• So I'm not sure how they'll do it, but the DOCR would contract with these consultants to do the study

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to review fiscal aspects of House Bills 1417 and 1425, both part of a broader criminal justice reentry package. HB 1417 would eliminate the $35 public defender application fee and end court-ordered reimbursement of indigent defense costs, while also removing the $55 monthly community supervision fee. Testimony from the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents and the Department of Corrections said the bill would replace lost revenue with general fund appropriations of about $310,000 for indigent defense and $1.5 million for supervision fees, and that the fees are rarely collected and can hinder reentry. Representative Clemene said the bill is intended to reduce barriers to successful community reintegration and improve data and supervision practices. HB 1425 would create and fund front-end diversion, deflection, and pretrial services programs. Supporters described it as allowing prosecutors and local jurisdictions to divert appropriate low-level offenders from prosecution, establish deflection programs for people with behavioral health needs, and expand pretrial services. The bill includes a pilot program in three counties, a $1 million appropriation to DOCR for one FTE and contracts with local providers, $750,000 to DHS for treatment services, and $55,000 for a study of pretrial services cost savings. Committee members asked several questions about how the pilot counties would be chosen, how the consultant study would be procured, and what services the DHS funds would cover. The committee also heard House Bill 1603, which would provide a $500,000 matching grant for Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act compliance, with $100,000 available to each of North Dakota’s five tribes if matched. Sponsor testimony said the funds would support a Historical Society NAGPRA compliance committee and help catalog and repatriate human remains and cultural items in coordination with tribes. After questions about the federal mandate and the difficulty of identifying artifacts, the committee voted 4-0 to give HB 1603 a do-pass recommendation, with Senator Meyer assigned to carry it forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, many small brewers face a tough choice: sign long-term contracts with distributors and commit
• So for a brewery and a restaurant business as small as we are, to sign a lifetime contract when we're
• So for a brewery and a restaurant of business, as small as we are, to sign a lifetime contract, when
• Once they have the contract, they go, you know what, Bobby, I don't like your brother. We're done.
• We're letting you out of the contract, which we have no obligation to do.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up one bill, House Bill 499, which would allow malt beverage manufacturers producing less than 31,000 gallons annually to sell and deliver directly to vendors. The sponsor and several craft brewery owners and industry advocates testified in support, arguing the measure would help small breweries reach local restaurants, improve quality control, create jobs, and serve as a bridge into the three-tier system for businesses too small to attract distributors. Opponents, including the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association, argued the bill would undermine the three-tier system, weaken accountability and tax collection, and create risks for consumer protection and market fairness. During debate, several members said they supported the bill as a small-business measure while noting they remained protective of the three-tier system. Some members raised concerns about tax tracking and long-term distributor contracts, but others said the bill appeared limited enough to preserve the existing system while giving small breweries a chance to grow. The committee then voted on the bill and it passed, with one recorded no vote. After the bill vote, the subcommittee revisited prior questions about Department of Lottery Secretary Davis’s travel reimbursements. Members reviewed updated documents showing more than $50,000 in travel reimbursements from January 2021 through November 2024, including about $27,840 tied to Orlando destinations, and expressed concern that some reimbursements may have covered commuting between Tallahassee and Orlando. The chair said the information would be sent to Secretary Davis for an explanation, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• The following guidelines: a 911 center may enter into a contract with another for a time frame not to
• way that contracts were sent in.
• Contracts were sent in and there was legislative change.
• We were sunset on these excessive contract amounts that come through the contract review.
• Contract review has been flooded with these high percent amounts.

Bills: SB174 , SB180 , HB196 , HB25 , SB193 , HB25

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, media monitoring, government contracts, state agencies, local agencies, media regulations, transparency, juvenile detention, county management, legal procedures, juvenile justice, county commission, supervision, administration, emergency services, 911

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1171 would make any private entity that contracts with the U.S.
• SB 1171 would make any private entity that contracts with the U.S.
• are the kind of problematic contracts that everyone is focused on, but they do work with ICE.
• Specifically, a state agency may award an advertising or marketing contract of a specified amount to
• Specifically, a state agency may award an advertising or marketing contract of a specified amount to

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization

Summary: The Senate Government Organization Committee met without a quorum at first, then later established one and took up a series of bills, many focused on regulatory oversight, state symbols, food insecurity, immigration enforcement, and ethnic media funding. SB 885 by Senator Strickland proposed requiring legislative approval for major regulations with an estimated economic impact over $50 million; supporters argued it would restore accountability and help address affordability, while labor and environmental opponents warned it would delay important health and safety rules. After discussion of committee amendments and concerns about timing, the bill was moved out on a due-pass motion, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee also heard SB 986, a similar regulatory oversight bill by Senator Saryato, which accepted committee amendments and advanced after supporters emphasized separation of powers and opponents raised delay concerns. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado created an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food programs across departments; members generally supported the goal but urged stronger reporting and oversight guardrails, and the bill was moved forward with the roll held open. The committee then heard several symbolic designation bills. SB 1214 by Senator Ochoa Bogh would designate the Western monarch as California’s state butterfly; supporters highlighted the species’ ecological importance and conservation value, and the bill advanced as amended. SB 1178 by Senator Reyes would designate the California yellow jacket as the state wasp; testimony emphasized its role in pest control and agriculture, and it also moved forward as amended. SB 1286 by Senator Richardson would designate the California sea lion as the official state pinniped; the author and Marine Mammal Care Center described sea lions as a conservation success story and a sentinel species, and the bill passed out of committee as amended. The committee also considered SB 1171 by Senator Caballero, which would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded loans or grants. Supporters framed it as a response to harmful ICE enforcement practices, while opponents warned it could sweep in providers of essential services such as food, medical care, and legal research for detainees and could invite retaliation against California funding. The bill was approved on a 7-3 vote, with the roll held open. Finally, SB 1358 by Senator Rubio, the Ethnic and Community Media Equity Act, would create a database and contracting framework to direct more state advertising and outreach funds to ethnic and community media; supporters said it would improve reach, trust, and effectiveness in underserved communities, and the bill advanced on a strong vote with the roll held open. The committee also took up the consent calendar after quorum was established, and several items were held open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• More importantly, the children are usually also contracted as well. Thank you.
• More importantly, the children are usually also contracted as well.
• referred to independent contracting situations or payments or royalties?
• We have contracts with the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
• So each contract is good for 10 years.

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The Commerce Committee heard and acted on multiple bills. HB 2192, a child influencer bill, would require compensation for minors featured in monetized content to be placed in trust, create a process for minors or adults to request takedown of content, and add restrictions on sexualized depictions of minors. The sponsor and Google supported it as model legislation; members raised questions about compliance, age 13 access to earnings, and removal rights at 18. It passed 9-0 with 2 present. HB 2501, an agency bill conforming Arizona’s appraisal management company definition to federal law, also passed unanimously 11-0. HB 2693, which revises bona fide association rules to allow self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements through statewide chambers or business leagues, passed 8-1 after an amendment; one member cited possible federal preemption in opposing it. HB 2010, the digital goods disclosure bill requiring clearer “buy/purchase” language and prorated refunds when access changes, passed unanimously after amendment, with supporters calling it a consumer protection measure and retailers warning about compliance burdens and possible preemption. The committee then considered HB 2279, which would exempt commercial river outfitters in Grand Canyon National Park from liability for injuries or deaths arising from inherent risks of river trips, while preserving liability for gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Supporters said it aligns Arizona with other western states and reflects existing federal oversight; opponents argued it could violate Arizona’s anti-abrogation clause and improperly define inherent risk. The bill passed 7-4. HB 2690, which would tighten unemployment insurance eligibility by requiring more work-search actions, weekly reporting, and pre-claim data cross-checks, drew strong opposition from advocates who said it would add red tape and harm eligible claimants; supporters said it would reduce fraud and encourage work. It passed 7-4. HB 2310, clarifying that qualified marketplace contractor agreements may be terminated unilaterally by the contractor, passed 10-0. The committee also approved HB 2555, requiring retail businesses with physical locations to accept cash for purchases of $100 or less and prohibiting cash fees, after an amendment exempting rentals and mobile home vendors; supporters emphasized access for unbanked consumers and small purchases, while one member objected that businesses should self-govern. It passed 10-0. HB 2199, which requires RV park managers to complete education on landlord-tenant laws similar to mobile home park managers, passed 7-0 with 3 present after testimony from homeowner advocates and park groups in support. Finally, HB 2459 was introduced at the end of the meeting; it would allow landlords to pass through utility charges actually imposed by providers and add an administrative fee for submetering, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The audit was conducted by an independent firm, Walker and Armstrong, under contract with our office.
• Our office has contracted with Walker and Armstrong to follow up with the board later this spring to
• Chair so the office the contract with Walker and Armstrong was under contract with our office so the
• This audit was conducted by an independent CPA firm, Walker and Armstrong, under contract.
• The authority contracts with a private facility management vendor to manage day-to-day operations of

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And second, the requirement for an agency to have a contract with L&I is removed.
• House Bill 2472 relates to fire sprinkler system contracting and fitting.
• union contracts, benefit both the farmers and the farms.
• the difference between having a contract and not having a contract.
• firsthand what it means to have a contract and not to have it.

Summary: The House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee heard public testimony on several bills. HB 2151 would update factory-built housing and commercial structure rules by directing L&I to consider newer national standards and allowing inspections by qualified third-party agencies without requiring a contract; the sponsor and L&I said it would save time and money and help lower costs for manufactured housing. HB 2372 would change workers’ compensation time-loss calculations so injured workers receive 100% of the employer’s monthly health care contribution unless the employer keeps paying it; supporters said this would better protect injured workers and their families, while a small-business representative opposed the bill and suggested direct payment to insurers instead, and L&I noted implementation costs and timing concerns. HB 2355, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, would create standalone protections for domestic workers covering wages, written agreements, notice before termination or severance, anti-harassment and anti-retaliation rules, and discrimination protections, while also extending minimum wage/overtime/sick leave coverage to some domestic workers; testimony from workers, advocates, Seattle officials, and the sponsor emphasized wage theft, insecurity, and the need for statewide standards, while L&I said technical clarifications and funding would be needed. HB 2409 would establish a collective bargaining framework for agricultural workers under PERC, with procedures for representation elections, mediation, and interest arbitration; supporters framed it as a long-overdue extension of bargaining rights and dignity to farmworkers, while growers and farm bureau representatives warned it could disrupt harvests, harm farms, and affect the food supply. HB 2472 would strengthen enforcement of fire sprinkler licensing and certification by allowing local fire code officials to request proof of credentials and issue stop-work orders; labor, fire marshals, and industry groups supported it as a public safety measure, while the building industry raised a drafting concern about the term “residential sprinkler.” No votes or final committee actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is better tracking of their contracts, and by tracking their contracts better, it may allow
• Contracts may be a way to improve that.
• What are those projected contract services?
• They go through DFA contracts with the Seven COGs.
• They complain a lot about turnover at the level of the contract.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So if this passed and it was contracted with a private firm, they could start much more quickly than
• Chairman Clemine, was this money to pay salaries for attorneys or contract attorneys?
• So we figured out how many contract hours we needed, and that's what that total is.
• Because we're not currently providing that service, this is providing those additional contract hours
• And so what we have to do is we have to contract for that availability.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2271, which would formally place adult residential facilities in code and rebase their Medicaid reimbursement rates. Sponsor Chairman Ruby and HHS staff explained that these facilities, often serving people with dementia or acquired brain injury, are reimbursed at a much lower rate than skilled nursing care and help reduce bottlenecks in higher-level facilities. Members questioned how the program differs from basic care and nursing facility memory care, and the bill was referred to the HR section for deeper review before possible action on Monday. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2396, as amended, which would authorize an independent third-party performance audit of the Department of Commerce and the North Dakota Development Fund, with findings shared with the state auditor. Sponsors said the proposal was prompted by concerns raised in testimony and that a private audit could begin faster than a state audit. The committee adopted an amendment adding an emergency clause and directing the report to the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, then passed the bill 20-0 with 3 absent. Next, Representative Clemine presented Senate Bills 2226, 2036, and 2037. SB 2226 would presume an incarcerated person indigent at initial appearance so counsel can be provided at that critical stage; the commission said the appropriation would fund contract attorney hours, and the bill was sent to HR for further review. SB 2036 would create procedures for determining juvenile fitness to proceed in delinquency cases, with a $500,000 appropriation for mental health evaluations, and SB 2037 would begin a juvenile criminal code framework and include a $300,000 appropriation for fitness-to-proceed evaluations; both were also referred to HR, with some concern raised about staffing and overlapping functions. After a short break, the committee heard education-related appropriations bills. SB 2234 would replace expired ESSER funding for Choice Ready grants, but members noted the program was not included in the K-12 budget and sent it to E&E for comparison with existing appropriations. SB 2286, a University of North Dakota request for a new nursing school facility, drew extensive discussion about the age and condition of the current building and the size and scope of the project; the committee ultimately adopted a do-not-pass motion 22-0. SB 2213, the “science of mathematics” bill modeled on the science of reading initiative, would fund math professional development and implementation; it was also referred to E&E for further review. The committee then briefly passed the Racing Commission budget, SB 2023, and began discussion of the Trust Lands budget, SB 2013, including a proposed retention increase for investment-related positions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fleming Network and Security Services was awarded the contract and successfully completed the project
• Fleming Network and Security Services was awarded the contract and successfully completed the project
• In the request, I asked for approval of the contracted amount of $123,640,000.
• In the request, I asked for approval of the contracted amount of $123,640.
• Finally, timing is critical for approval and execution of the contract to occur soon in order to allow

Committee: All ALC-EXECUTIVE SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Executive Subcommittee met to consider a waiver request from the Stuttgart School District. Superintendent Jeff McKinney explained that the high school’s camera system is outdated, difficult to maintain, and leaves some areas of campus unmonitored. He said the district had previously used Fleming Network and Security Services for security work at new athletic facilities and wanted to continue with that vendor for a camera system replacement project, citing reliability, integration, and the need to complete installation during summer and within FY26 funding. McKinney requested approval of the contract amount and asked to increase the authorization to $150,000 to cover possible unforeseen additions. Members asked no substantive questions, and the committee approved the motion without opposition. After the vote, Senator Hester raised a broader concern about whether other school districts are facing similar security-camera issues and suggested the department may need to take a comprehensive look at the matter. No further business was discussed, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the treasurer oversight to local government investment pools and the ability to have a third-party contract
• the treasurer oversight to local government investment pools and the ability to have a third-party contract
• Madam Chair, members, HB 2445, Task Order Contracts Website Posting, requires that if a city, town, county
• , the state, or a school district enters into a task order contract with a contractor, they post the
• contract on their website.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a caucus review of a large slate of House and Senate bills, with staff giving short descriptions and members flagging a few concerns. Topics included veterans’ services and courts, child care grants, midwife medication authority, home- and community-based services funding, EMS reciprocity, prescription monitoring, electronic monitoring in care facilities, pregnancy resource center funding, mental health transportation, Access coverage for mild obstructive sleep apnea, school spending requirements, mobile home park training, local government investment pools, task order contract posting, tourism improvement areas, child welfare and kinship placement, neglect standards, family court evidence, prostate cancer cost sharing, assisted living hearings, manufactured home installer licensing, supervised parenting time, vulnerable adult trespass penalties, uranium contamination monitoring, a gas and petroleum refinery study committee, and state park fee exemptions for veterans. Several bills were described as unanimous or on consent, while others drew objections or were noted as controversial. Members raised privacy concerns about electronic monitoring in nursing homes, due process and rural capacity concerns about restricting police transport for mental health patients, opposition to pregnancy resource center appropriations, concerns about environmental review for power plant replacement, and questions about the Access sleep apnea mandate as potentially favoring vendors. Some bills were noted as having committee amendments, including changes to appropriations, eligibility criteria, reporting requirements, and definitions. No floor votes were taken in the transcript itself; instead, the chair repeatedly noted whether bills were unanimous, on consent, or had split votes in committee. The caucus also heard brief announcements about an upcoming breakfast with the CAP director, a Latino Caucus meeting, and an Affordability Award presented to Representative Volk, after which the caucus adjourned.