Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
• stating findings of the legislature and encouraging the people of Idaho to observe a day of fasting
• community plays in providing food for our tables, not only in this state but all across the country
• of the United States.
• And that's stated in that statute or in the bill. The court has the authority to overturn.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• part of our state.
• This is not state dollars. The money,... This is state dollars. This is not state dollars.
• So if we have state staff doing work, a lot of my state staff in this bucket is OPS staff.
• That is state allocated money. 97% of that state allocated money went to Pinellas County.
• , you know, Washington State coming across the country to help us out.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s mission, outreach efforts, state veterans nursing homes, and support programs. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the state’s existing nursing homes and the planned 10th home in Collier County, and the department’s dental assistance program, which served 245 veterans in the first quarter of the fiscal year and completed 1,631 procedures while saving more than $525,000. He also discussed veteran service officers, the benefits guide, the department newsletter, efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, and mental health outreach through the Overwatch/Firewatch program. Senators asked about future nursing home locations, adult day health care, homelessness, and the dental program; Hartzell also announced that retired Colonel D.J. Reyes will become deputy executive director on November 7. The committee then heard from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and agency modernization. He described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office warehouse in Auburndale, and the new state emergency operations center in Tallahassee, which is ahead of schedule and designed to hold about 220 people and withstand 200-mph winds. Guthrie reviewed recovery efforts for recent storms, including debris removal, volunteer villages, sheltering, and FEMA reimbursement totals for Hurricanes Milton, Helene, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, and earlier storms. He also discussed the Elevate Florida home-elevation program, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation training initiative, the DEMES platform, and WebEOC, noting that 60 counties and 22 colleges and universities are using the system. Members asked Guthrie about flood-response resources for cities, training for local officials, and lessons from inland flooding after recent storms. He explained how local governments can request pumps and other assistance through county and state channels, described upcoming elected-official training, and emphasized mutual aid and EMAC as key future disaster-response tools. The committee took no formal votes or other legislative action and adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The majority of local animal regulations have no corollary in state code.
• There is no state rabies law.
• There is no state rabies law.
• And can we find a solution under state code or local ordinance? Any other questions? All right.
• , home state of choice.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• facilities in Washington State.
• Washington is an export-heavy state.
• Washington is an export heavy state. to having it in more detail.
• our facilities with the uniqueness and importance to Washington State.
• that the state is generating, and that would consistently among all energy that the state is generating

Summary: The Environment and Energy Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2537, which would change how energy-intensive, trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) are treated under the Climate Commitment Act. Committee staff and the bill sponsor explained that the measure would require Ecology to update its post-2034 report to include proposed allowance-reduction methods, leakage-risk adjustments, and consignment recommendations, and would add new reporting and decarbonization-planning requirements for EITEs to continue receiving no-cost allowances. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 2245, a separate Clean Energy Transformation Act bill, and later voted the proposed substitute out of committee on an 11-8 vote with 2 excused, after debate over exemptions for certain utilities and market customers. Supporters of HB 2537, including The Nature Conservancy, NRDC, Washington Conservation Action, Climate Solutions, Clean and Prosperous Washington, Ecology, and some utility representatives, said the bill would provide needed clarity, better data, and a path for long-term industrial decarbonization while helping prevent emissions leakage. They argued that EITEs receive substantial public value through free allowances and should be required to document emissions sources, energy needs, and feasible reduction pathways so the state can design a post-2035 policy consistent with climate goals. Ecology said it generally supports the bill, though it recommended streamlining duplicative reporting and noted the work would require significant agency resources not included in the governor’s budget. Opponents, including the Association of Washington Business, the Northwest Pulp and Paper Association, the Association of Western Pulp and Paperworkers, WISPA, the Alliance of Western Energy Consumers, Food Northwest, Simplot, Kaiser Aluminum, and Newcor Steel, warned that the bill could increase compliance burdens, expose sensitive business information, and worsen leakage risks by making Washington less competitive. They said many facilities have already made major investments and face high capital costs, limited clean electricity supply, permitting delays, and technologies that are not yet commercially viable at scale. Several speakers pointed to recent plant closures and job losses in pulp and paper, food processing, and metals as evidence that leakage is already occurring, and urged the committee to preserve flexibility, protect confidentiality, and consider targeted funding or other incentives rather than new mandates alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• their states, including Maryland, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Idaho, North Carolina, and Washington.
• other states and in Washington, D.C. and ground fighting efforts as the wildfires raised across the Los
• other states in Washington, D.C. ...assist with immigration enforcement in other states and in Washington
• Its provisions are now in state law and in effect, having added sections to the Health and Safety Code
• , the Penal Code, and the Government Code.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their states, including Maryland, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Idaho, North Carolina, and Washington.
• other states and in Washington, D.C. ...and ground fighting efforts as the wildfires raged across the
• other states and in Washington, D.C.
• Assist with immigration enforcement in other states and in Washington, D.C.
• Its provisions are now in state law and in effect, having added sections to the Health and Safety Code

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing several bills, with members repeatedly noting that votes would be taken later once a quorum was established. Early in the meeting, the committee heard SB 1446 on parole en banc review and SB 1278 on elderly parole eligibility for certain sex offenses. SB 1446’s author said the bill would give commissioners more discretion in en banc review, make votes public, and allow referral for sexually violent predator evaluation in certain cases; supporters included the California District Attorneys Association, while opponents from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and public defender groups argued it would add confusion, create constitutional and litigation concerns, and duplicate existing safeguards. SB 1278 would exclude certain rape, child sexual abuse, and habitual/serial sex offense convictions from elderly parole eligibility; district attorneys and police chiefs supported it as a victim-safety measure, while civil rights and defense organizations opposed it as unnecessary, costly, and inconsistent with evidence on aging and recidivism. Both bills were discussed but not voted on due to the lack of quorum. The committee then heard SB 1354, which would bar out-of-state military or law enforcement personnel from entering California to perform such functions without the Governor’s permission. The author and supporters framed it as protecting state sovereignty and limiting unauthorized armed incursions; the committee accepted an amendment removing a criminal penalty and leaving enforcement to the Attorney General. No opposition testimony was offered, and members expressed support, but no vote was taken because quorum was still lacking. The committee also heard SB 926, a bill to fund implementation of Proposition 36. Supporters, including sheriffs, district attorneys, probation officials, and the League of California Cities, said local agencies need funding for treatment, supervision, and administration; opponents argued the proposal was fiscally reckless, lacked accountability, and overemphasized incarceration. Amendments removed a specific appropriation and shifted funding decisions to the budget process, but the bill was also held pending quorum. Later, the committee heard SB 874, which would require background checks for unlicensed providers of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, create a stakeholder workgroup, and direct DHCS to issue guidance and report on program integrity. Support came from local health plans and behavior analysis providers, who said the bill would improve safety and consistency; there was no opposition testimony. The committee then heard SB 1210, which would extend CalGang oversight and due process protections to local gang databases as well as shared ones. Supporters described privacy abuses, racial disparities, and personal harm from inaccurate gang labels; law enforcement opposition argued the bill would impose CalGang standards on informal investigative files and would significantly change the gang definition. The author said the bill closes a loophole and preserves prior reforms, but no vote was taken. The committee also began hearing SB 1019 on creating a California Cargo Thief Task Force, with strong support from BNSF, trucking, shipping, port, and supply-chain representatives who described organized, multi-jurisdictional cargo theft and rail sabotage; no opposition was heard, and members indicated support, but action was deferred pending quorum. The meeting then moved to SB 1217 on a non-consensual intimate image clearinghouse, with the chair and author describing privacy-related amendments and the bill’s focus on helping survivors remove exploitative images; the transcript cuts off as that presentation began.

Transcript Highlights:

• State-based businesses which have closed or left Washington State.
• The number of Washington State-based businesses which have closed or left Washington State in the previous
• And they brought us to this moment here in Washington State, not in D.C., here in Washington State.
• State. and is not the way that we should be doing things in Washington State.
• When the state of Washington potentially, Mr.

Summary: The House debated a series of amendments to a major income tax bill, with repeated arguments over tax fairness, affordability, administrative feasibility, and the role of the Department of Revenue. Early motions to reconsider a failed child care amendment were rejected, and Amendment 2561, which would have restricted data sharing with the IRS, was also defeated after debate over privacy, federal relationships, and whether the proposal was administrable. Amendment 2579, which would have required annual reporting on the tax’s effects on filers, businesses, and charitable donations, likewise failed, with supporters emphasizing transparency and opponents arguing DOR was not the right agency and the report was too speculative. Amendment 2598, proposing to use half of new revenue for a broad sales tax cut, was rejected despite arguments that it would reduce regressivity and provide immediate relief; Amendment 2556, expanding sales tax exemptions for diapers and other child-care essentials to include adult diapers and earlier implementation, also failed after debate over scope and timing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Green Energy Consumers Alliance hat to also state our opposition to four bills: H. 3535, H. 3572, H.
• is a carbon state.
• A couple of those states, Washington State, Oregon, have always done reasonably well, sort of like California
• The growing uncertainty, especially at the federal level, around renewable energy policy makes state
• The growing uncertainty, especially at the federal level, around renewable energy policy makes state

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy heard testimony on several transportation and clean-fuel bills. Supporters of H. 3535 argued for delaying or pausing enforcement of Massachusetts’ zero-emission vehicle sales mandate, saying the current ACC2 timeline is unrealistic given low ZEV sales, limited charging infrastructure, dealer inventory concerns, and potential economic impacts on dealerships, consumers, and tax revenue. Opponents of that approach, including automakers and clean transportation advocates, said the state should stay on course with electrification and that the mandate is necessary to meet climate goals. The committee also heard support for H. 3570/S. 2326 to update vehicle emission standards for municipal and utility fleets, with municipal utility representatives saying current electric truck technology, charging access, and costs make the rules impractical for critical public services. A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 2246, the Freedom to Move Act, which would require MassDOT and regional planning agencies to set vehicle miles traveled reduction goals and align transportation spending with climate targets. Supporters said the bill would better coordinate transportation planning, encourage transit, biking, and walking, and help Massachusetts meet emissions goals while saving money and improving public health. Some committee members raised concerns that the bill could duplicate existing transportation climate mandates and could disadvantage rural residents who must drive long distances; witnesses responded that the bill is meant to add coordination and flexibility, not impose a one-size-fits-all solution. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3448, which would set deadlines to electrify school buses and public fleets and create programs for private fleet electrification. Advocates said fleet electrification is a practical way to cut emissions, improve air quality, and save money over time, especially for schoolchildren exposed to diesel exhaust. Several witnesses also supported low-carbon fuel standard bills H. 3576 and S. 2251, arguing they would reduce fuel carbon intensity and generate revenue for charging and clean-fuel investments. Others, including a coalition opposed to private jet expansion, objected to the bills’ treatment of sustainable aviation fuel, saying it is not scalable, is expensive, and could create land-use and food-supply tradeoffs. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the hearing excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were the first state in the nation to pass policy focused on district energy...
• We were the first state in the nation to pass policy focused on district energy system decarbonization
• We're finding that over half of the buildings in the state are already meeting their energy targets,
• Chris Mulek with Washington State University here today, signed in pro on House Bill 2330.
• Thanks for the considerable work to decarbonize state-owned campus district energy systems.

Summary: The committee first received a Commerce overview of capital budget grant programs, including behavioral health facilities, Building for the Arts, Building Communities Fund, early learning facilities, library capital improvements, and youth recreational facilities. Commerce described program eligibility, match requirements, funding cycles, and project examples such as an early learning center in Spokane, a rural library in Stevens County, and a youth clubhouse in Prosser. Members asked about behavioral health capital projects, including how many facilities have been opened and how capital planning aligns with operating funding; Commerce said it could provide more data later and noted it focuses on capital while HCA, DSHS, and DOH handle operating requests. Members also raised concerns about nonprofit financial stability, project licensure, siting, and the burden of non-state match, while Commerce emphasized shovel-ready projects, community match, and efforts to reduce application burden. The committee then heard an update on the Clean Buildings Performance Standard from Commerce. Staff reviewed Washington’s building emissions laws, compliance tiers, exemptions, incentives, and district energy system decarbonization planning under House Bills 1543, 1976, and 1390. Commerce reported nearly 5,000 inquiries in 2025, a fellowship program that has helped more than 250 buildings in 16 counties, and review of nearly 30 district energy plans. The presentation highlighted that over half of Tier 1 buildings are already meeting targets, that Tier 2 incentive applications suggest the 30-cent-per-square-foot incentive often covers compliance costs, and that district decarbonization plans face common challenges such as aging infrastructure, grid readiness, workforce, and inconsistent cost reporting. Members asked what additional legislative action might help, and Commerce said it was still learning from the new rulemaking and implementation changes. Western Washington University and Corex then presented on WWU’s campus heating conversion project and a possible off-campus thermal energy partnership with the Port of Bellingham. WWU described its aging steam system, high emissions, maintenance costs, and the $51 million in Climate Commitment Account funding it has received to transition toward an electric hot-water system using technologies such as geo-exchange, heat recovery chillers, and air-source heat pumps. Corex explained its existing district energy system at the Port of Bellingham, which uses industrial waste heat and is operating at very high efficiency, and said it is exploring a heat transmission line to WWU and possibly sewer-heat recovery. Testimony from WSU and UW supported the broader decarbonization effort but raised concerns about the scale of costs, deferred maintenance, and the need for predictable state funding. A contractor witness urged the state to think bigger about public-private partnerships and other financing tools rather than forcing campuses to compete for limited funds. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2330, which would create a prioritization process for capital funding for state campus district energy system decarbonization projects. Staff said the bill would establish a Commerce committee to score and rank projects, issue a preliminary framework report by December 30 of this year, and provide biennial recommended project lists beginning in 2028, while also studying barriers to energy-as-a-service contracts and public-private partnerships. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to create a thoughtful, predictable process for deciding which projects to fund, emphasizing energy savings, emissions reductions, operating cost reductions, shovel-readiness, and the value of public-private partnerships. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive: WSU and UW backed the bill as a way to advance compliance and predictability, though WSU warned that compliance costs could be very large and that the university would likely seek state help if fines were imposed. A contractor witness supported the concept but argued the bill should help build a larger funding “pie” through partnerships and financing tools rather than simply dividing scarce resources. The committee then opened and heard testimony on House Bill 2338, which would authorize community-scaled weatherization projects. Commerce staff said the bill would allow weatherization funds and matching funds to be used for neighborhood-scale projects affecting multiple dwelling units, while still prioritizing low-income households; the fiscal note estimated about $273,000 in FY 2027 and about $237,000 per biennium ongoing for administration. Supporters from community action agencies and Spark Northwest said the bill would improve health, safety, affordability, and contractor participation by allowing weatherization to be done at a community scale, especially in mobile home parks and low-income neighborhoods. No votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• You may not know this, but I'm from and represent Washington Parish, and Washington Parish is a very
• But across our state, we can diversify that. ...on any particular industry, but across our state, we
• So this puts it in state law.
• Banks have used this strategy throughout the United States, and most of the southern states have that
• Other states have done this. We're not doing the state. Like I said, Florida's tied up right now.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee first deferred House Bill 1102 without hearing it. It then took up House Concurrent Resolution 66, which urges Louisiana Economic Development and other state agencies to continue studying rural parishes’ economic assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities. Representative Weible and Secretary Bougoir described the resolution as part of a broader effort to align state rural programs and create a strategic framework for rural development. Members emphasized infrastructure, workforce training, local coordination, and retaining young people in rural communities. An amendment requiring LED to report to the legislature by January 1, 2027 was adopted, and HCR 66 was reported favorably as amended. The committee next considered Senate Bill 102, which would allow qualified trade associations for motor vehicle dealers to bring declaratory and injunctive actions against manufacturers on behalf of dealers. Senator Presley and the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association said the bill would consolidate similar disputes into one action, reduce costs, and help smaller dealers avoid retaliation or uneven litigation. Questions focused on standing, the limited remedies, and whether the bill would affect nontraditional sales models. Technical amendments were adopted, and SB 102 was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 521, concerning banks’ continued use of a non-surviving bank’s name after mergers or consolidations, drew the most debate. Senator Boudreau and former Senator Fred Mills said the bill would preserve community-bank identity while following FDIC guidance on clear disclosure and consumer notice. Several members raised concerns about codifying federal guidance, future changes to federal rules, and whether the bill should instead set a fixed transition period; an amendment to limit use of the old name to 24 months was adopted after discussion. Another proposed amendment tying the bill to 1998 FDIC branch-name guidance failed on a roll call vote. The bill, as amended, was then reported favorably. The committee also advanced House Bill 387, which narrows the scope of incidental engineering work by architects and clarifies the state fire marshal’s authority to review plans under both architecture and engineering laws, and House Bill 1228, which updates hearing-aid dealer licensing and consumer-protection rules, including testing periods, cooling-off rights, and refund/cancellation procedures. Both bills were reported favorably with technical amendments. The transcript then shifted to additional measures, including House Bill 975 on Public Service Commission reconstitution and several Senate bills by Senator Abraham on self-storage facilities and contractor licensing, but the provided text cuts off before those items are fully concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> stated increase. stated increase.
• </c> state general fund. state general fund.
• </c> on accessing state property. on accessing state property.
• Senator from Washington.
• Senator from Washington.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee is now in session.
• That takes care of 39-50. of the code.
• I thought you were talking about the Payette section of code.
• And they market those and sell them to different states.
• We didn't know about it as a state.

Summary: The House Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee approved the minutes from February 10 and February 16, then heard a rule docket from the Drinking Water and Wastewater Professionals Board. The agency said the rule changes clarified licensure categories, exam score validity, experience and continuing education requirements, and auditing of exam providers, while also increasing fees to rebuild the board’s cash balance. After questions about the board’s finances and the Senate’s objection to the fee increase, the committee approved the docket with Section 400, the fee section, struck. The committee then took up House Bill 593, a code cleanup bill from Representative Scott that would repeal obsolete hazardous waste planning committee provisions and the Big Payette Lake Water Quality chapter. Members raised concerns about overlap with another bill and whether the repeal would conflict with other hazardous waste provisions. After discussion and a brief recess, the motion to advance the bill was withdrawn and the committee voted to hold House Bill 593 in committee to the call of the chair. House Bill 714 was also held in committee without hearing. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 687 from Representative Schurz, which would restrict state agencies from procuring, deploying, or using large language models unless they are developed and implemented without DEI principles and with truth-seeking, ideologically neutral standards. Schurz cited concerns about the Recidiviz vendor used by IDOC and said the bill would require contract language, agency procedures, and vendor accountability. Members questioned how agencies could verify compliance and whether the bill would affect other uses of AI, but the bill was advanced on a due pass motion and sent to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then after that point, we would use a Washington State grid average fuel mix.
• It's important to note that under the Clean Energy Transformation Act, the Washington State grid should
• large-scale SAF production to Washington State.
• We are the only small refinery in the state of Washington and are located in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington
• I ask myself, how does this impact the affordability of living in Washington State?

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2436, a technical fix to Washington’s oil tanker escort tug requirements in Puget Sound waters. The bill would require escort tugs to have either horsepower equal to 5% of the tanker’s deadweight tonnage or 3,000 horsepower, whichever is greater. Rep. Lekanoff and the Washington State Board of Pilotage Commissioners said the change aligns statute with existing rules and industry practice and supports protection of the Salish Sea and southern resident killer whales. No opposition was raised, and the hearing was closed without action at that point. The committee then heard House Bill 2322, which changes Clean Fuels Program rules and tax incentives for alternative jet fuel. Supporters, including Rep. Dent, Sky Energy, 12, and the City of Moses Lake, said the bill would provide certainty for large-scale sustainable aviation fuel investment by changing the trigger for tax incentives and clarifying that certain renewable electricity, including hydro, can count as zero carbon. Ecology opposed the bill’s treatment of electricity accounting, saying it would weaken incentives for new renewable generation and could reduce the clean fuels program’s emissions benefits. U.S. Oil asked for additional clarification or changes to allow Pierce County participation or define “blender.” No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. In executive session, the committee passed several bills. Substitute House Bill 2343, dealing with discharge permits for publicly owned animal facilities, passed 21-0. Proposed second substitute House Bill 1420, creating a textile and apparel coordinating organization for a needs assessment, passed 12-9. House Bill 2426, allowing Pollution Control Hearings Board appeals to be heard by a single member or alternative panel by agreement, passed 19-2. Substitute House Bill 2271, expanding post-consumer recycled content requirements for certain plastic products, passed 12-9. Substitute House Bill 2215, adjusting Climate Commitment Act fuel supplier thresholds, passed 12-9. Substitute House Bill 2421, restricting 6PPD and certain substitutes in tires, passed 11-9 with one excused after an amendment to exempt rural eastern Washington was rejected. Action on House Bill 2301 and House Bill 2296 was deferred to a later meeting due to time constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• Other states like Washington State require, in statute, that all contracts provide for a grievance procedure
• State employees have the State Personnel Board to ensure fairness in disciplinary actions.
• Response: "Other states like Washington State, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio—at least a dozen states—require
• Response: "Other states like Washington State, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio—at least a dozen states—require
• It protects our employees here in the state of California.

Summary: The committee heard several labor and employment measures. AB 465 would require local public employers, at a union’s request, to negotiate minimum disciplinary and grievance procedures in MOUs, including progressive discipline, just-cause protections, grievance appeal rights, and paid release time for representatives. Supporters, including AFSCME and SEIU, said it would create fairer and more consistent due process protections for local government workers; opponents from county and city groups argued it would impose binding arbitration and rigid discipline rules that could undermine local flexibility and accountability. The bill passed on a 5-0 vote and was re-referred to Appropriations. AB 792 would allow court interpreter bargaining to be consolidated when multiple regions are negotiating at the same time. The author and the California Federation of Interpreters said the change would reduce repeated bargaining, improve efficiency, and help address interpreter recruitment and retention. There was no opposition, but some members questioned whether the proposal would really solve wage and staffing problems; the bill passed 5-0 and was placed on hold. AB 1309, which would improve Cal Fire firefighter compensation by tying salaries more closely to comparable local fire departments, drew strong support from firefighters and no opposition. Members praised Cal Fire’s work and the bill passed 7-0 and was held for add-ons. The committee also approved AJR 8, a resolution urging protection of Social Security and opposing federal cuts or office closures. Supporters said Social Security is essential to seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and children, and warned that reductions would increase poverty and homelessness. One member objected to naming political figures in the resolution, but the measure still passed 7-0 and was held. AB 1247, which would require contracted-out school classified workers to meet the same training and qualification standards as direct hires and address related retirement contributions, passed 5-2 despite opposition from county superintendents and school administrators who said it would add costs and limit contracting flexibility. Finally, AB 288, which would authorize PERB to act when the NLRB fails to remedy labor claims by a deadline, passed 6-0 with strong union support and no opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded as A.
• The amendment is coded A22.
• Minnesota is one of the largest states impacted in the United States by climate change, and transportation
• The amendment is coded A38.
• The amendment is coded A.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Minot State.
• Welcome to Minot State.
• states.
• If you're operating within the bounds of century code and our state standards and your goal is to continuously
• I am a professor at Minot State.

Summary: The committee met at Minot State to continue its study of artificial intelligence, with a focus on child safety, sexual exploitation, chatbot risks, and education policy. Members first approved the minutes and then received a Legislative Council overview of AI-related harms to children, including AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, extortion, and chatbot companion risks. The memo reviewed North Dakota and federal law, recent state enactments, First Amendment limits, and examples from other states, including Connecticut’s AI companion safeguards and federal efforts such as the Take It Down Act. Members discussed whether North Dakota’s existing 2025 laws on minors and harmful material are strong enough in light of recent court decisions, and Legislative Council indicated it would provide additional comparison material before the next meeting. Superintendent Levi Bachmeier then presented on AI in education, arguing that schools need guardrails but should not ban AI outright. He said AI should be treated as a tool that can support instruction, teacher efficiency, and digital literacy, while warning against passive use, academic integrity problems, and overreliance on machines. He suggested embedding AI and digital literacy across subjects rather than creating a standalone class, and said schools should provide basic instruction when students receive one-to-one devices. Members asked about parent concerns, local control, higher education partnerships, and how to balance access with safety; Bachmeier emphasized a “threading the needle” approach and said the department would likely seek more guidance on digital literacy and cybersecurity. Special Agent Hellseth of BCI followed with testimony on AI and child exploitation. He said AI is already being used in North Dakota to create explicit images from innocent photos, impersonate children and adults, and facilitate grooming, harassment, and extortion. He described several cases involving AI-generated sexual images and said victims often suffer lasting trauma even when the images are fake. Hellseth explained that investigators use AI tools themselves to process large volumes of data and identify synthetic images, but that the workload is growing and victim services need expansion. He urged stronger accountability for companies, more resources for law enforcement and victim support, and continued training and public education. Members asked about cyber tip volume, staffing, false accusations, and corporate reporting obligations; Hellseth said every tip is reviewed, the unit is small but expanding, and current federal reporting laws are not proactive enough. Representative Porter suggested combining the Legislative Council memo and Bachmeier’s recommendations into a comprehensive bill draft for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• All in, we have lost $400 million directly to the state.
• , and allowing the state to procure more energy to keep prices down, all while saving the ratepayers
• , and allowing the state to procure more energy to keep prices down, all while saving the ratepayers
• We are also tasking the Department of Energy Resources with leading clean energy procurement going forward
• The cost of energy is through the roof.

Summary: The House opened with routine formalities and then adopted a resolution recognizing the work of Ukraine Forward after suspending the rules. Members also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to proceed, including proposals related to a poverty-reduction grant program, an unemployment insurance study commission, and a local police-exam age waiver. The House then took up a major energy bill, House No. 4744/5151, reported by Ways and Means and scheduled by Steering, Policy and Scheduling, and advanced it through second reading and to third reading after adopting the committee amendment. The main floor debate centered on the energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness bill. Supporters argued it would lower rates through reforms to Mass Save, changes to procurement and interconnection, returning a share of alternative compliance payments to ratepayers, and other consumer protections, while preserving long-term clean energy goals. Opponents said the bill’s relief was too delayed and that it added costs and bureaucracy without immediate help for households facing high bills. Several amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to suspend public benefit charges for a year, change utility rate-filing disclosure rules, and alter propane delivery protections; one amendment on solar siting in forested areas was also defeated. The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the energy bill by a roll call vote of 127-27, and earlier adopted the Ways and Means substitute version of the bill. The chamber also passed several other bills to be engrossed or enacted, including measures on unemployment insurance for fluctuating schedules, the Medical Society mission statement, a youth training wage, bridge and intersection designations, handicapped parking fines, public way safety, excavation restoration, and a Newton police age requirement. The House observed multiple moments of silence honoring deceased veterans, public servants, and community figures, including Navy Petty Officer Joden Booker, coach Thomas Skip Karam, former Police Chief Carlton Abbott, and former legislator William Q. Biff McLean, Jr.

Transcript Highlights:

• State Supreme Courts deal with issues involving state law and the state constitution.
• Constitution to be interwoven in a case before the state supreme court, it's also possible for a state
• </c><00:15:04.000><c> law</c><00:15:04.320><c> and</c><00:15:04.560><c> state</c> will interpret state
• law and state will interpret state law and state constitutional<00:15:05.519><c> questions.
• /c> it's also possible for a state supreme it's also possible for a state supreme court<00:15:24.399>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state energy research center and the ERC are working on that business case analysis.
• solutions that provide lower-cost energy access... ...to develop energy solutions that provide lower-cost
• Funding for the development of a salt cavern was originally appropriated to the State Energy Research
• So the State Energy Research Center Fund is number 490.
• What we will not do is what we call out-of-state, out-of-state.

Summary: The committee received a compliance and budget update on Industrial Commission agencies and programs, including the Industrial Commission administrative office, the Oil and Gas Research Program, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the State Energy Research Center, the Research Technology Park grant program, and related funds. Staff reviewed spending and balances for items such as electric grid resiliency grants, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the salt cavern business case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members also discussed timing, carryover balances, matching requirements, and how some programs are structured to reimburse projects over several years rather than spend funds immediately. Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described the agency’s administrative budget, the grant management system nearing completion, and the transition to standalone audits and staffing after separating from other agencies. She also outlined the status of active grant rounds across lignite, oil and gas, renewable energy, outdoor heritage, and clean sustainable energy programs. Members asked about the length of active grants, demand for clean energy funding, and the possibility of future grant rounds. Tyler and members also discussed the salt cavern study, the need to better define its commercial value, and the research technology park grant’s cash-match requirement. Ron Ness then testified on enhanced oil recovery and broader oil and gas market conditions. He said North Dakota production remained steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, longer laterals, and better use of natural gas and carbon dioxide for EOR. He described the state’s EOR grant round, the use of federal DOE funding to replace part of a state-funded project, and the expectation of additional grant rounds. Members asked about CO2 supply, storage, and the economics of using legacy fields and pipelines to extend oil production and support agriculture and industrial uses. The committee also heard from Bank of North Dakota President Don Morgan, who reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, lending verticals, disaster programs, and new initiatives. He said the bank is seeing deposit growth flatten and is responding to fintech competition by focusing on liquidity, risk management, and a new payment infrastructure initiative called Rough Rider Coin, which he emphasized is not crypto and not a public coin, but a banking payment rail for North Dakota institutions. Members asked about student loan rates, disaster lending, and how the bank’s lines of credit and balance sheet capacity are affected by deposit trends. Morgan said the bank remains profitable and continues to support agriculture, commerce, and industry through participation loans, student lending, and state-directed programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• tax code to the federal tax code and adopt additional provisions that will lead to additional lowered
• revenues in this state.
• Tax code should not pick winners and losers.
• State Senate, LD 14. ...and the U.S. safe.
• State Senate, LD 14.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the prior journal, and made temporary committee appointments. It then resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider SB 1106, a tax conformity bill tied to federal tax changes. Senators debated the measure at length, with supporters arguing it would provide tax relief, certainty for taxpayers and businesses, and conformity with federal filing rules, while opponents said it would reduce state revenue, favor wealthier taxpayers and corporations, and should be handled in budget negotiations or a special session. The bill advanced from Committee of the Whole and, on third reading, passed the Senate 17-12 with one not voting, then was transmitted to the House and later to the governor. During the floor debate, senators focused on the bill’s effects on child care deductions, senior deductions, overtime and tip income, business expensing, and a provision related to federal school voucher tax credits. Democrats argued the bill would worsen budget pressures, undermine funding for education, roads, public safety, and human services, and do little for families on child care waitlists or seniors still working. Republicans countered that the bill would keep more money in taxpayers’ pockets, support working families and small businesses, and align Arizona’s tax code with federal changes to avoid confusion for filers. After the tax vote, Senator Bolick read a proclamation honoring Arizona and U.S. law enforcement, citing fallen officers, officer assaults, and the need for training, equipment, mental health support, and tougher penalties for attacks on officers. The Senate then received and referred a large number of new bills to committees, announced upcoming committee meetings, and adjourned until Tuesday, January 20, 2026.