Video & Transcript : 'legislative ethics' :
Page 259 of 500
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Legislative committees also cover council service, interim expenses, preparations for next session, legislative
- Chairman and Senator Woods, the legislative.
- So, for the district's legislative aides to date.
- , Legislative Education Study Committee, and the Legislative Council Service.
- The Legislative Council Service is the administrator of the appropriations for the District Legislative
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 4, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- As legislators, we put bills together, and within the bill, we may have, As legislators, we put bills
- committee with a powerful legislative committee.
- Consulting regularly with the legislation.
- , the proposed legislation would do, where we are if we don't do the legislation.
- , the proposed legislation would do, where we are if we don't do the legislation.
Summary:
The committee received an informational presentation from the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee (JAPC/JAPSI) staff and Chair Representative Overdorf on how Florida administrative rulemaking is reviewed. Mr. Plant explained that JAPC is a joint legislative oversight committee that monitors agency rules under Chapter 120, focusing on whether rules stay within statutory authority, whether agencies are acting consistently with legislative intent, and how the rulemaking process works. He emphasized that agencies are creatures of statute, that rulemaking authority must be specific enough to support the rule, and that without a date certain in statute, agencies may delay rulemaking indefinitely. Members asked about how to ensure agencies actually adopt rules, how to identify rules that exceed legislative intent, and how JAPC handles internal policies and delayed rulemaking.
Representative Overdorf then described JAPC’s objection process and its limits. He said the committee does not approve or disapprove rules or direct agencies to adopt them, but it can object to proposed or existing rules that enlarge, modify, or contravene enabling statutes or fail to comply with Chapter 120. He noted that if an agency does not resolve an objection, a footnote is published in the Florida Administrative Code and the committee may recommend legislation to amend, suspend, or repeal the rule. He also discussed recent committee activity, including 1,355 proposed rules, 119 emergency rules, and 1,243 incorporated materials reviewed in 2024, and said the committee filed 31 objections against one agency after repeated noncompliance.
The discussion also touched on possible changes to Chapter 120, including the governor’s 2019 request that agencies include five-year sunset provisions in rules, and a proposal to instead require periodic legislative review rather than automatic expiration. Overdorf also said the committee is considering raising the current statement of estimated regulatory costs thresholds of $200,000 annually or $1 million over five years because inflation has made those limits too low. No votes were taken on legislation, and the meeting ended with adjournment.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 10, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Strong of Alabama for his work on this legislation, and I reserve.
- LEGISLATION THROUGH THE HOUSE.
- SUPPORTED THIS LEGISLATION.
- Speaker, the passage of this legislation is a key step in protecting D.H.S.'
- Speaker, to advance this legislation and bring back D.H.S.'
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, April 27, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- My legislation, along with Mr.
- </c> colleagues to support this legislation. colleagues to support this legislation.
- </c> sense legislation. And with that, Mr. sense legislation. And with that, Mr.
- This is important legislation.
- This is important legislation. effort. This is important legislation.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency Jun 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, we have a whole legislative session to work on it, I guess.
- If this is a legislative directive, we want information given to Legislative Management, it should come
- from Legislative Council and not from OMB.
- I'm John Bjornson from the Legislative Council.
- Of legislation.
Summary:
The task force approved the March 25, 2026 minutes as amended, striking language about contracting with a security vendor. Members then reviewed a draft bill on concessions procurement (LC 27.0161), which would raise the competitive solicitation threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, allow requests for proposals in addition to bids, update language for vending and merchandising machines, and clarify where concession proceeds are deposited. OMB explained the bill and said it was open to further changes, including language to address artificial fragmentation, clarify which government entities are covered, and possibly set contract-length limits. Members raised questions about whether the bill would apply to school districts, park districts, airports, and other political subdivisions, and about whether concession agreements could direct proceeds to nonprofits or other secondary recipients; OMB said the statute is intended to require proceeds to go to the government entity’s operating fund or general fund.
OMB also reported on other survey suggestions. It said a proposed general authority for agencies to create pre-qualified architect/engineering vendor pools would not move forward, because the existing authority is best limited to high-volume agencies. On legal notices, OMB said it had made progress with the North Dakota Newspaper Association on modernizing online notices, improving ADA compliance, and discussing rate and definition changes. On click-through agreements, OMB and the Attorney General’s office concluded no statutory change was needed after revising internal guidance; the $20,000 threshold was described as a practical cutoff for adhesive, nonnegotiable software terms. OMB also said issues raised by the Center for Distance Education on alternate procurements and food/beverage expenditures had been resolved through policy clarification.
The University System gave a brief update on its collaboration with OMB and said it was continuing to review concessions, surplus property, and capital project statutes with all institutions involved. The task force then discussed a draft bill on requirements for new or expanded spending, intended to require agencies to identify program purpose, needs, alternatives, success measures, and budget details, and to report on outcomes over time. Members and staff debated whether OMB or Legislative Council should collect and report the information, how much should be real-time versus periodic, and whether the bill should include full implementation costs for pilot programs. Legislative Council staff said the new program evaluation division is still being built out, that staffing remains limited, and that the office plans to continue working with OMB and the executive branch to refine the proposal before the next meeting. No final action was taken on the draft bills beyond directing further work and follow-up for the next meeting.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Mar 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- the amount of legislation.
- Doesn't include RSs, amendments, or trailer bills, or legislation sponsored by legislative interim committees
- Doesn't include RSs, amendments, or trailer bills, or legislation sponsored by legislative interim committees
- the amount of legislation.
- Doesn't include RSs, amendments, or trailer bills, or legislation sponsored by legislative interim committees
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee first approved a motion to print RS 33676 without taking testimony, noting it would receive a hearing in another committee. The committee then heard SCR 114 from Senator Guthrie, which would limit the number of bill drafts legislators may request in a year, with exemptions for appropriations, amendments, trailer bills, interim committee legislation, and additional drafts approved by legislative leaders. Guthrie and supportive testimony from the League of Women Voters argued the measure would reduce legislative overload and improve quality; the resolution was sent to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee next considered SB 1330, sponsored by Senator Galloway, to raise the small claims court limit from $5,000 to $15,000. Galloway and a constituent testified that the current limit is too low for common disputes and burdens small businesses and individuals. Administrative Office of the Courts counsel Jason Spillman said the courts expected additional workload and noted the bill could affect magistrate court jurisdiction; Galloway said he would take the bill to the 14th order to add an amendment removing the $25 cap on attorney fees in small-claims appeals. The committee voted to send the bill to the 14th order for possible amendment.
House Bill 556, carried by Senator Foreman, would increase state reimbursement to counties for housing state inmates in county jails from the current $55/$75 daily structure to a flat $80 per day. County officials and sheriffs testified that counties are still subsidizing the state, that actual costs are higher than reimbursement, and that overcrowding and delayed transfers create safety and operational problems. Several senators supported the bill while also raising broader concerns about Idaho’s incarceration rates and sentencing policies. The committee sent HB 556 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee also advanced HB 540, presented by Representative Bingham, which would extend public-records protections and related safety/security exemptions to the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections similar to those already available to the Department of Corrections. No opposition was offered, and the bill received a due pass recommendation. Finally, HB 688, presented by Senator Kaiser, would update Idaho’s airbag laws to define counterfeit and non-functional airbags, prohibit knowingly selling or installing them to mislead buyers, and set misdemeanor penalties. Testimony from the automotive industry supported the bill as a consumer-protection measure addressing counterfeit airbags; the committee sent HB 688 to the floor with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Rules and Administration - 04/10/26
Rules and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:03:16.360><c> that</c> provide a a group of legislators that provide a a group of legislators
- </c> by legislators by legislators to<00:10:31.000><c> kind</c><00:10:31.280><c> of</c><00:10:31.360>
- And those enable the legislation.
- <00:16:08.560><c> um</c> legislative um legislative um um um um legislative<00:16:12.079><c> um</c> legislative
- </c> legislative language. legislative language.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 16, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> draft and promote this legislation. draft and promote this legislation.
- . legislation. legislation.
- </c> made to the legislation. made to the legislation.
- </c> supporting this legislation. supporting this legislation.
- c> legislation extends the foundation's legislation extends the foundation's legislative<05:35:38.880
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Signed, John Treadwell, clerk. local legislation signed. John local legislation signed.
- </c> the Committee on Local Legislation. the Committee on Local Legislation.
- House Bill from local legislation.
- House Bill from local legislation.
- House Bill from local legislation.
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 29 senators present. The chamber adopted the previous day’s journal, allowed bill introductions throughout the day, and received multiple House messages referring local bills and proposed constitutional amendments to the Committee on Local Legislation, along with a lieutenant governor’s confirmation referral to the Committee on Confirmations.
Committee reports were then received from several standing committees. The Senate confirmed a series of gubernatorial and other appointments, including Michael Kulovitz and Barbara Maul to the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Board of Trustees, Logan Glass to the Educational Television Commission, Ed Croll and James Harris to the Alabama Committee on Monument Protection, Matt Barnes to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, Scott Moes and Jeffrey Wilson to the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure, and Jeffrey L. Cameman to the Tuscaloosa County Civil Service Board. The Senate also received favorable committee reports on numerous bills from Judiciary, State Governmental Affairs, Education Policy, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Health Care, Veterans and Military Affairs, and Local Legislation, with several bills amended or substituted and placed on the next day’s calendar.
On the floor, the Senate adopted a special order calendar from the Rules Committee and passed several bills. Senate Bill 101 extended the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors to October 1, 2028. Senate Bill 93, as amended, allowed certain municipalities with populations of 12,000 or more and even-numbered councils to authorize a mayoral tie-breaking vote by council resolution. Senate Bill 115 created a competitive-bidding exemption for certain expenditures of $15,000 or less involving rolling stock, with quote and approval requirements. Senate Bill 131 on county subdivisions was amended and passed. Senate Bill 30, known as “Trey’s Law,” would make certain nondisclosure provisions unenforceable in cases involving sexual abuse victims; the sponsor described it as protecting survivors from being silenced, while Senator Albritton cautioned about the broader effects on settlements and institutions.
The Senate also adopted two resolutions: Senate Joint Resolution 19 honoring the life and legacy of Anna Smith Bedsole Holmes, and Senate Joint Resolution 20 commending the Alabama Birth Equity Initiative. The Rules Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the listed bills were taken up and passed or advanced by unanimous or near-unanimous votes.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:02:46.080><c> budget</c> that we created the legislated budget that we created the legislated
- Leading up to the 2024 legislative session, or early in the legislative session, the Legislative Budget
- Leading up to the 2024 legislative session, or early in the legislative session, the Legislative Budget
- Leading up to the 2024 legislative session, or early in the legislative session, the Legislative Budget
- completed prior to the 2024 legislation completed prior to the 2024 legisl<00:13:02.440><c> session<
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> corrections for the 2026 legislative corrections for the 2026 legislative session.<00:07:29.560>
- <00:07:46.760><c> Council</c><00:07:47.280><c> and</c> Legislative Council and Legislative Council and
- 00:07:59.480><c> undertakes</c> that our Legislative Council undertakes that our Legislative Council
- ><c> its</c> Legislative Council found in its Legislative Council found in its statutory<00:11:00.400
- </c> Updates for green books, one Legislative Updates for green books, one Legislative Council<00:13:
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JLARC – Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee Dec 3rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Respectful of what the legislation says.
- We also review legislative records to see what has happened.
- By way of background, in 2017 the legislative...
- The legislative auditor has two recommendations.
- This leads us to legislative auditors two recommendations.
Summary:
The committee met on December 3, 2025, with a quorum present and approved the September 17 minutes. Members first voted to suspend the 2026 JLARC lodging tax expenditure report for one year, based on staff’s explanation that the report is self-reported, not verified, and less useful than State Auditor accountability audits; the motion passed. The committee also approved renaming the JLARC I-900 subcommittee to the “Committee to Hear SAO Performance Audits,” while keeping the opening script noting that the performance audit process exists under Initiative 900.
The committee then heard follow-up updates on two prior performance audits. The Department of Health presented a draft strategic management plan in response to findings on hospital inspections, complaints, adverse event review, and hospital data access. JLARC staff reiterated that 72% of hospital inspections were late, that DOH did not verify third-party inspection standards or review adverse event reports, and that complaint data suggested possible language-access barriers. DOH said it concurred with the recommendations, had improved on-time inspection compliance to about 49%, planned annual updates starting in July 2026, and would work on accreditation oversight, complaint-language access, and data accessibility, though members pressed for firmer deadlines and questioned the three-year timeline for language access improvements.
The Liquor and Cannabis Board also reported on its cannabis market study recommendation. JLARC staff said the agency’s data were incomplete and unreliable, limiting oversight of production, recalls, tax collection, and diversion. LCB said it had improved its current CCRS system but still relied on self-reported data, and it presented a decision package for a new traceability system estimated at about $9 million over three fiscal years. LCB described a plant-tagging and serialization approach tied to production, processing, testing, and retail, but acknowledged it did not currently have sufficient staff to fully implement the system without additional funding.
The committee also received briefings on JLARC’s recommendation-tracking tools and the 2024 public records reporting summary, including a high-level review of agency response rates, request volumes, costs, and litigation. Finally, JLARC presented the proposed final report on the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, concluding that OPDP meets its statutory responsibilities and has high user satisfaction, but that its mandate should be updated to better match its current capacity and focus; the committee adopted the report for distribution. The meeting then moved into the 2025 tax preference performance reviews, where JLARC staff summarized nine reviews and noted that the Citizens Commission on Tax Preference and Performance Measurement endorsed all 17 legislative auditor recommendations, with comments on seven. Early reviews discussed included natural gas transportation fuel preferences, travel agent and tour operator B&O rates, nonprofit low-income housing development, multipurpose senior centers, disabled veteran adaptive housing, and trade convention attendance, with staff and commissioners generally recommending continuation of some preferences, modification of others, and improved objectives or performance measures where needed.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 02/11/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- LEGISLATIVE INTENT IS EXACTLY WE HAD, 200 FEET AND 500 FEET.
- DEFINED IN THAT LEGISLATION OR IN CANNABIS LAW.
- PERMISSIVE UNDER THE ORIGINAL MRTA LEGISLATION.
- WITH INTERVENING DAYS BEING LEGISLATIVE DAYS.
- WITH INTERVENING DAYS BEING LEGISLATIVE DAYS.
Summary:
The Senate first handled routine business, approving the prior journal and taking up several messages and motions. A Rules Committee report was accepted on Senate Print 915, a Cannabis Law bill, and the chamber then moved to debate that measure on the controversial calendar. The bill was described by supporters as clarifying how distances are measured for adult-use cannabis dispensaries near schools and houses of worship, with the sponsor saying it would create statewide consistency and provide clearer direction to the Office of Cannabis Management. Opponents argued it would weaken protections for children and churches, reward agency mistakes, and allow dispensaries to be sited closer to school property than intended. After extended debate, the Senate passed the bill 36-23.
The cannabis debate centered on whether the bill merely clarifies legislative intent or substantively changes the law. Supporters said the current language left measurement methods undefined and that the bill would help legal dispensaries, reduce confusion, and push back illicit stores. Opponents said the original law already protected school grounds and houses of worship, and that the new language would allow dispensaries to abut school playgrounds, fields, or church-related property in some cases. Several senators also raised concerns about youth exposure, public consumption, local zoning, and the performance of the Office of Cannabis Management. After the vote, the Senate returned to the calendar and passed additional measures, including Calendar 121 (Public Authorities Law), Calendar 170 (Public Health Law), and Calendar 190 (Labor Law), each by comfortable margins.
The chamber also adopted a resolution package honoring Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School’s boys cross country team and girls field hockey team for state championships, with Senator Tedisco introducing the guests. Later, the Senate passed Senate Print 6990A, the Civil Voice Law, which requires state agencies to conduct exit interviews for employees who resign or retire. Supporters said the bill would improve accountability, morale, and retention by standardizing a way to hear from departing workers. The bill received affirmative explanations of vote from Senator Jackson and others, and the Senate continued through the calendar after its passage.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, July 13, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation Safeguards Act.
- </c> piece of legislation. Uh with that, Mr. piece of legislation. Uh with that, Mr.
- I want to thank the legislation.
- My bill strengthens legislation.
- It's a great piece of legislation.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Child Custody Review Task Force Apr 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- legislation?
- , non-legislators.
- to the Legislative Management.
- This is very, very good legislation, or proposition. Hopefully it will become legislation.
- This is very, very good legislation, or proposition. Hopefully it will become legislation.
Summary:
The Child Custody Review Task Force met to approve prior minutes and then worked through draft legislation related to a possible family court study committee. The group discussed the proposed 15-member committee’s makeup in detail, including whether to add parent representation, judges, family law section members, child support, clerks of court, domestic violence advocates, and other stakeholders. The task force ultimately agreed to keep the committee at 15 members, reduce the legislative membership from eight to six, add two judges from different districts, add two family law section members with rural and urban representation, include one parent subject to a custody order, and replace the mental health professional with a clerk of court representative appointed through the trial court administrator’s office. The draft was also revised to keep domestic violence advocacy representation and to clarify that the study could consider juvenile court issues as part of the family court umbrella. The committee voted to approve the revised draft and recommend it to Legislative Management, with one recorded “no” vote from Judge Hovey after the meeting resumed.
The task force then turned to a second draft dealing with requiring participation in a family transition program, which was renamed in discussion to a parenting education course. Members debated whether the bill should simply refer to an existing program like Parents Forever or instead specify broader education about the court process, parental rights, co-parenting, and related issues. Some members supported the requirement as a way to reduce conflict and improve understanding of the system, while others raised concerns about vague language, cost to parents, lack of exemptions, and whether the bill was too open-ended or potentially duplicative of other legislation. The discussion became lengthy and unresolved, with the drafter noting that more specific direction would be needed to revise the bill. The transcript cuts off before a final vote or action on this second draft is shown.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency Jun 30th, 2026
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- If this is a legislative directive, we want information given to Legislative Management; it should come
- from Legislative Council and not from OMB.
- If this is a legislative directive, we want information given to Legislative Management; it should come
- from Legislative Council and not from OMB.
- So that ties the hands of legislative management right away.
Summary:
The task force first approved the March 25, 2026 minutes as amended, including a correction removing language that suggested the auditor’s office would contract with a security vendor. Members then moved to a bill draft on concessions (LC 27.0161.00000), which would raise the competitive solicitation threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, allow requests for proposals in addition to bids, clarify that proceeds go to the entity’s operating fund or general fund, and make other technical updates. OMB explained the draft and answered questions about scope, fragmentation, vendor restrictions, school districts, and whether concession proceeds could be directed to nonprofits; OMB said the draft could be refined further, including clarifying covered entities and contract length. No vote was taken on the draft during the discussion.
OMB also reported on other survey items. It said a proposal to broadly allow agencies to create pre-qualified architect/engineering/land surveying vendor pools would not move forward, because the existing authority is working well for the agencies that already have it. On legal notices, OMB said it has been working with the North Dakota Newspaper Association on modernization, including an ADA-compliant online notice system and possible statutory updates to reflect changing technology and notice definitions. On click-through agreements for routine IT purchases, OMB and the Attorney General’s office said policy clarification—not statutory change—was enough, and the $20,000 threshold was intended to distinguish low-dollar adhesive contracts from purchases where terms can be negotiated.
The committee also heard that OMB and the Center for Distance Education had resolved questions about alternate procurements and food/beverage expenditures through existing policy, so no statutory changes were needed there. North Dakota University System representatives gave a brief update on ongoing collaboration with OMB on statutory efficiency ideas, including concessions and surplus property. Finally, the task force discussed a draft on requirements for new or expanded spending programs, which would require agencies to identify purpose, expected benefits, alternatives, success measures, and full implementation costs, and would require reporting on outcomes over time. Members debated whether OMB or Legislative Council should collect and report the information, how to use the new program evaluators, whether real-time dashboards should be used, and how to choose which programs to evaluate; staff from Legislative Council said they would work with OMB and the auditor’s office to revise the draft and process.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (03/03/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- and if they are would legislation and if they are would legislation<00:11:54.760><c> have</c><00:11:
- </c><00:18:26.440><c> proposed</c> proposed legislation proposed proposed legislation proposed legislation
- </c><00:27:14.760><c> is</c> same goal of what this legislation is same goal of what this legislation
- Lastly, the legislation, so-called enabling legislation, is enabling legislation that can't be rescinded
- </c> legislation and um as legislators legislation and um as legislators whenever<05:17:54.000><c> that
Summary:
The Municipal and County Government Committee held public hearings on House Bill 471 and House Bill 373. HB 471 would create a temporary commission to study growth, traffic, planning, and land use issues in a group of southern New Hampshire towns, with possible recommendations on regional planning commission boundaries or coordination. Representative Perez said the bill was requested by Londonderry residents and local officials, and Eric Power of Brookline testified in support, saying the towns share corridor and development issues that cross regional planning commission lines. Several members questioned whether existing law already allows towns to form regional planning commissions under RSA 364:6, whether the bill should be broader, and whether the town list should include additional communities. The hearing closed with testimony counts reported as two in support and three opposed on remote sign-in, plus one opposed and one in support on the blue sheet.
HB 373, sponsored by Representative Diane Powers, would revise RSA 41:11-a on town property leases. Powers said current law is too restrictive because leases over five years require repeated town votes, which she argued is impractical for long-term arrangements. She cited examples from Hampton and Brookline, including long-term road and property leases, and said she had found multiple similar cases. The bill would keep select board authority for leases under one year, allow a legislative body to authorize a specific longer lease by a three-fifths ballot vote, and preserve the existing five-year blanket leasing authority with a three-fifths vote, while keeping existing leases valid if authority is later rescinded. Eric Power testified in support, describing recurring lease renewals in Brookline and saying longer terms are needed for projects such as housing, cell towers, and solar arrays. Members asked about the change from a simple town vote to a three-fifths threshold and whether the bill duplicates existing mechanisms; Powers said the higher threshold was intended because the leases involve long-term commitments. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations - Government Operations Division Apr 8th, 2025 at 02:30 pm
Appropriations - Government Operations Division
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm John Bjornson, Legislative Council. This is in response to the...
- On legislative assembly, the first items are the base payroll changes.
- Then the increase in the health insurance for legislators.
- There's only one one-time funding change, and that is funding for some legislative chamber and legislative
- And that is funding for some legislative chamber and legislative chamber upgrades and some systems upgrades
Summary:
The House Appropriations Government Operations Division met to consider House amendments to Senate Bill 2001, the budget for the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly. Representative Meyer and Legislative Council staff reviewed the House changes, which included higher lodging funding tied to a prior bill, an increase for North Dakota legislators’ forum dues, a transfer of $290,000 for public printing from the Secretary of State to Legislative Council, a $650,000 reduction tied to the nuclear energy study because that funding was already provided elsewhere, and a new section allowing legislative space on the 15th floor of the Capitol to be used for additional Legislative Council employees. John Bjornson explained the 15th-floor space proposal and said staff would work with Facility Management and CTE to address relocation needs and timing, with CTE’s move potentially delayed until after its busy school-year period if necessary.
The committee then reviewed the Senate version of the bill in more detail. Staff walked through the Legislative Assembly budget items, including per diem and compensation adjustments, lodging and mileage estimates, IT and audio/video funding, and dues increases for national and state legislative organizations. Members asked about mileage assumptions and the emergency clause, and staff said the emergency language is standard and allows flexibility for transfers, carryovers, and other budget actions. The committee also reviewed the Legislative Council budget, including funding for 25 new FTEs, interim travel, IT costs, professional services, public printing, and one-time items such as equipment and term limits consulting, while the advanced nuclear energy consulting item was removed in the House version.
After discussion, the committee adopted the House amendment to Senate Bill 2001 and then voted to do pass the bill as amended. Both motions passed on roll call, and the amended bill was sent to the full Appropriations Committee. Near the end of the meeting, Representative Paula gave notice that she would bring a separate amendment later on the Industrial Commission budget related to homelessness grant funding, noting it would not use SIF or general fund dollars.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- the amount of legislation.
- the amount of legislation.
- It also does not include legislation for appropriation bills.
- It also does not include RSs, amendments, or trailer bills, or legislation sponsored by legislative interim
- legislators even boasting about having 60, 70 bills.
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee first approved a motion to print RS 33676, then heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 114 from Senator Guthrie. SCR 114 would limit the number of bill drafts and RSs a legislator may request in a year, with exceptions for leadership-approved additional drafting, appropriations, amendments, trailer bills, and interim committee legislation. Guthrie argued the measure would reduce backlog and improve focus; the League of Women Voters of Idaho testified in strong support, saying the legislature faces a “fire hose” of bills. The committee sent SCR 114 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 1330, which would raise Idaho’s small claims court limit from $5,000 to $15,000. Senator Galloway and constituent Josiah Silva said the change would improve access to justice for small businesses and individuals with modest claims. Court counsel Jason Spillman said the courts anticipated added workload and noted the bill could increase appeals, but he supported an amendment removing the current $25 cap on attorney fees in appealed small claims cases to discourage frivolous appeals. The committee agreed to send the bill to the 14th order for possible amendment.
House Bill 556, carried by Senator Foreman, would increase state reimbursement to counties for housing state inmates in county jails from the current $55/$75 per-day structure to a flat $80 per day. County officials and sheriffs testified that the current reimbursement does not cover actual costs, which they said average well above the proposed rate and are compounded by overcrowding, medical expenses, and long waits before transfer to state prisons. Several senators supported the bill while also raising broader concerns about incarceration rates and jail overcrowding. The committee sent HB 556 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee also advanced House Bill 540, which gives the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections public-records protections similar to those already afforded to the Department of Corrections for certain safety, security, transport, and intake records. Finally, it heard House Bill 688, which updates Idaho’s airbag laws to define prohibited conduct involving counterfeit or non-functional airbags, set a misdemeanor penalty, and align state law with federal safety standards. Supporters said the bill targets bad actors and consumer fraud; the committee sent HB 688 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Update on Special Session Negotiations - 09/30/25
Transcript Highlights:
- The legislature is legislative process.
- </c><00:02:50.000><c> process</c> there's been a legislative process there's been a legislative process
- </c> through the entire uh legislative through the entire uh legislative session.<00:04:13.519><c> Bills
- </c><00:05:12.479><c> want</c> but specifically should legislators want but specifically should legislators
- </c> the legislative committee process out. the legislative committee process out.