Transcript Highlights:

• And three, to provide essential public services.
• And public services broadly.
• a service that could be... ...public service, a service that could be used by the general public.
• Um, you know, CARES Act, CPF, and LBA.
• These are not, you know, lifestyle type of businesses or service type of businesses that are or service

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Over 20,000 people and it's economy benefits from health care, educational services, retail and... distribution
• So thank you for your service. Also have Dr. Donnie Lee, the superintendent. of schools.
• Commission refer to the Committee on Human Services Hb8 37.
• Refer to the Committee on Human Services.
• Refer to the Committee on Human Services, HCR 13 by.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't have to worry about cost of service.
• And it bars utilities from canceling a service connection without the applicant's consent.
• The bill also directs the CPUC to create clear timelines and questions.
• The bill also directs the CPUC to create clear timelines for utility service connections, and establish
• So this is a step in the right direction, and I'll move the bill. Okay.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of energy, water, and utility bills. SB 952, SB 1417, SB 924, SB 925, SB 1011, SB 1168, SB 1196, and SB 1350 were all discussed, along with consent items SB 1008 and SB 1245. SB 952 would give the Department of Water Resources more flexibility in meeting clean energy procurement goals for the State Water Project; it drew support from the State Water Contractors and California Municipal Utilities Association and no opposition. SB 1417 would extend transparency and notice requirements to mutual water companies, especially in response to wildfire-related rate increases in Altadena; supporters described lack of notice, meeting access, and public accountability, while the California Association of Mutual Water Companies opposed the bill as overly prescriptive and potentially conflicting with existing law. SB 924 would modernize low-income energy assistance and weatherization programs to better measure affordability outcomes and tenant benefits, and it passed with broad support. SB 925 would direct the Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy; it was supported by industry and clean energy groups and passed without opposition. SB 1011 would require CPUC standards for human review of utility AI systems and labor consultation; supporters framed it as a safety and workforce protection measure, while utilities and business groups warned about cost, duplication, and overbroad regulation. SB 1168, now a study bill, would have the CPUC examine how data centers pay for load growth and rate impacts; it drew mixed reactions, with some industry opposition and some labor support after amendments. SB 1196 would speed utility hookups for ADUs and JADUs by allowing earlier applications and setting timelines; housing advocates supported it and it passed. SB 1350 would allow renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen, with strong support from hydrogen, labor, and utility interests, but TURN opposed it unless amended, arguing it lacked safeguards against greenwashing and resource shuffling. The committee also approved the consent calendar and several bills were reported out on recorded votes, with most measures advancing on strong bipartisan support and a few no votes from Senators Strickland and Dahle on selected items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Having them really access local services consistently from the same place.
• Let me defer to my expert, but as it has a direct answer that we have.
• Place or if they're underinsured or some services that are not covered.
• So that's a direction we end up steering people.
• The statute directs you back to the 72-hour hold if it's an emergent situation.

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Title six funds for public school students provide services directly.
• Impact aid can be used for any legal purpose, including special education services. services, transportation
• Russell, I'll direct my questions to you.
• So it's a very, you know, quick and direct funding.
• I've got one more question, and I'll direct it to you, Mr.

Committee: Senate Indian Affairs Committee

Keywords: Native education, Department of Education, federal funding, testimony, treaty obligations, public schools, educational policies, Indigenous students

Summary: The meeting focused on the responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Education towards Native students, highlighting the importance of federal education programs that satisfy treaty obligations to Native communities. Various witnesses testified about the impact of educational policies designed to support Native students who primarily attend public schools. Concerns were voiced over recent proposals that could potentially undermine these programs, citing the role of federal funding in ensuring successful educational outcomes for Native youth. The chair of the committee emphasized the need for continued federal support and attention to the unique educational challenges faced by Indigenous populations.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that being said, we are very careful about what we're doing, and... ...being said, we are very careful
• It is exclusively directed toward letting the Harrimans enjoy... ...exclusively directed toward letting
• I think we have good men and women that take care of these three services.
• They're people that good men and women that take care of these three services.
• buy the services.

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the corrected journal, then received committee reports and House messages before moving into floor action on several bills. Among the measures introduced and referred were bills on housing, education, machine guns, cash rounding, virtual currency kiosk fraud prevention, unauthorized workers, and other State Affairs topics. The Senate also took up a number of third-reading bills, including Senate Bill 1314 on Health and Welfare board structures, Senate Bill 1316 on newborn screening exemptions, Senate Bill 1301 on brewer retail taprooms, Senate Bill 1331 on a broad rescission/appropriations reduction package, Senate Bill 1332 on cash transfers to balance the budget, and later Senate Bill 1308 on mediation and Senate Bill 1309 on juvenile corrections. Senate Bill 1314 drew the most substantive debate early in the meeting. Supporters said it would eliminate outdated board structures in the Department of Health and Welfare and regional behavioral health boards that no longer served a necessary function, while opponents argued the boards still provided public accountability, regional input, and transparency, especially for behavioral health services. The bill passed 28-7. Senate Bill 1316, which updated exemption language for newborn screenings to align with other Idaho law and clarify parental rights, passed unanimously 35-0. Senate Bill 1301, allowing small brewers to expand from one to two remote taproom locations, passed 31-4 after supporters framed it as a free-market and small-business measure. The most contentious vote was on Senate Bill 1331, the rescission bill reducing fiscal year 2026 appropriations by about $192.7 million, including cuts to general fund, federal, and dedicated funds, along with reductions in FTEs and some program funding. Supporters said it was needed to balance the budget amid revenue uncertainty and that agencies had been asked where to make the additional 1% cuts; opponents criticized the bill as an across-the-board, opaque “Christmas tree” approach that cut lean and bloated agencies alike and created confusion about specific reductions. After extended debate, the bill passed narrowly 18-17. Senate Bill 1332, which transferred money from several funds back to the General Fund to help balance the budget, also drew criticism for shifting money from programs such as Launch, water pollution control, and building projects, but it passed 26-9. Later, Senate Bill 1308 passed 35-0 and Senate Bill 1309 passed 35-0 with little opposition. The Senate then returned to other business, introduced Senate Bill 1361 on public safety appropriations, and began consideration of Senate Bill 1300, which would change confirmation and appointment provisions for certain state agency directors.

Transcript Highlights:

• that they need by people who are able to provide that care.
• So we have state workers taking care of our vets here in the state.
• take care of them.
• And particularly to take care of our veterans in the veterans' homes.
• , that we haven't taken care of our veterans the way we should have.

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s a good step in the right direction for modernizing some of the language in education, care, and
• However, to connect people to the services that... ...to connect people to the services that they need
• Also, there's another bill to make the dementia services coordinator a... ...dementia services coordinator
• taking care of.
• So we focus on both and we put care plans together for both. ...put care plans together for both people

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I don't care what other states are doing. I don't care what other states' review rates are.
• Chair, I don't care what other states are doing. I don't care what other states' review rates are.
• </c><01:30:28.800><c> or</c> services is uh business services or services is uh business services or
• </c> 75 miles one way for cancer care. 75 miles one way for cancer care.
• care is astonishing.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> direct violent overthrow of enslavement. direct violent overthrow of enslavement.
• Forest Service.
• </c> Immigration Service. Immigration Service.
• </c> It would fund the Secret Service. It would fund the Secret Service.
• "I don't care what the judges think. I don't care."

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be a good bill toward helping make sure that we get these background checks through for the child care
• Melissa Clement, Chief of the Child Care Licensing Unit in the Department of Health and Human Services
• The child care licensing unit did work with us on this language.
• What happens is child care programs are the ones who are doing the interviewing and hiring.
• So this is just a very clear and direct example of what I'm here to talk about.

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's very well known that in our health care system, frequently individuals who are taking care of
• And it's very well known that in our health care system, frequently individuals who are taking care of
• This prevents a person from being a qualified elder care coordinator.
• This bill also allows Florida Forest Service to expand their ...last year.
• bill and also how you have cared for yourself in this body, even being a new member.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and a series of gallery introductions recognizing visitors, local officials, students, and public safety personnel. The chamber first took up a report from the Ethics and Elections Committee on 42 executive appointments; after Senator Gaetz explained that the committee had reviewed the appointees’ qualifications and suitability, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a 36-0 vote. The Senate then moved through a long special-order calendar focused largely on open-government sunset reviews and other policy bills. It passed measures to continue or consolidate public records and meeting exemptions for aquaculture records, agency-held trade secrets, and cybersecurity information, with one technical amendment adopted on the cybersecurity bill. The chamber also approved bills extending the statute of limitations for failure to report child abuse, strengthening regulation of commercial driving schools, requiring human trafficking education for nursing graduates, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person, and making the related public-records exemption. Additional bills passed included a nature-based coastal resiliency measure with an amendment restricting dredge-and-fill in Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, a chiropractic trust-funds bill, specialty license plates, a one-time waiver of late financial disclosure fines, public school personnel compensation changes, the annual Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services “Farm Bill,” homestead exemption clarification for long-term leaseholders, disability-presumption clarifications for first responders, reinsurance intermediary manager changes, patriotic displays in public schools, ADS-B fee restrictions, autism-related law enforcement training and a Blue Envelope program, campus safety policy transparency at public colleges and universities, and veterinary prescription disclosure. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary certificates for practice, and domestic animals. The Senate also debated and passed a bill allowing licensed insurance agents to market health care sharing ministries, despite concerns raised by Senator Polsky about consumer confusion, commissions, and the sale of non-insurance products; supporters argued it restored free speech, religious liberty, and consumer choice. The chamber approved the bill 32-5 after debate. Most other measures passed with strong bipartisan support, often by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, and several companion House bills were substituted in place of Senate bills before final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's health care. A health care authority, or? Health care authority. Okay.
• If we want access to health care, the most accessible health care providers in Oklahoma and the country
• I could no longer, at the reimbursement rates that I was getting, provide the level of service that Care
• services.
• services.

Summary: The Public Health Committee heard several bills, beginning with HB 4336, which updates definitions of acute and chronic pain to align with the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act and adds certain violations as unprofessional conduct. The committee adopted a PCS as the working draft, took no questions, and passed the bill 7-0. HB 3194, which would prevent pregnancy centers from being singled out for discrimination or censorship based on pro-life principles, drew questions about oversight, medical staffing, ultrasound interpretation, and contraceptive counseling; after discussion, it passed 6-1. The committee then passed HB 3934, described as a measure to help rural Oklahoma children get dental care through dental hygienists, with a question confirming parents could opt in or out. HB 3762, dealing with chiropractic practice and defining “serum” to cover vitamins, minerals, and nutrients while excluding blood products, was amended in committee but did not receive a motion and remained in committee. HB 1818, clarifying licensed social workers as licensed bachelor social workers and aligning Oklahoma with neighboring states, passed 6-0. Later, HB 3538 on pharmacy benefit manager vertical integration and community pharmacy reimbursement passed 7-0 after extensive discussion about independent pharmacy closures, mail-order pharmacy issues, specialty drugs, and network access. HB 3682, the Oklahoma Clean Indoor Air Act, would prohibit smoking in most public gathering places while allowing certain exceptions and local governments to adopt stricter rules; it passed 7-0. The committee also heard HB 3793, a placeholder bill on nursing education and diploma programs intended to address workforce shortages, but no motion was made and it remained in committee. The meeting ended with a short recess for the swearing-in of a new representative-elect.

Transcript Highlights:

• I call this hearing of the Assembly Committee on Human Services to order.
• This hearing of the Assembly Committee on Human Services is now in order.
• and coordinate with a variety of housing and social service partners.
• , and licensed health care professionals, but not with this issue here.
• Maybe 277 passed this morning the assembly of behavioral health care workers.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services met for its first bill hearing of the 2026 legislative year and heard two measures. The chair opened with remarks about protecting safety net programs and noted limits on testimony and rules for disruptions. The committee first heard AB 673, by Assembly Member Corey Jackson, which would create the Unaccompanied Youth Support Grant Program to help homeless 16- and 17-year-olds who are not in a parent or guardian’s custody by funding referrals to housing, basic needs, educational support, and employment readiness through five-year competitive grants administered by the Department of Education. The California Department of Education supported the bill, citing the scale of student homelessness and poor outcomes for unaccompanied youth. One public witness testified in support, and there was no opposition. Members discussed budget concerns and the need to prioritize services for vulnerable youth, then moved the bill forward to the Assembly Appropriations Committee on a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard AB 277, by Assembly Member Rowelleece, which would require background checks for employees providing behavioral health treatment before hiring. The author said current law covers many other categories of workers but not behavioral health employees such as registered behavioral technicians, and argued the bill would better protect children with disabilities who may be more vulnerable to abuse and less able to report it. The author said the bill had been amended in consultation with the committee to preserve employer hiring discretion while adding the background check requirement. There was no public testimony in opposition, and members expressed support. AB 277 was moved on a due pass recommendation to the Assembly Appropriations Committee and later recorded as passing 6-0. AB 673 was also recorded as passing 4-0 after the roll was left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:44.680><c> inter-service</c> these inter-service inter-service these inter-service inter-service
• It may be directed to the directed to.
• Care for your people.
• Care for your people.
• They do not show care. show respect. They do not show care.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So you talk about services; we don't have a service.
• So if you're talking about services, but we're not giving those services to an area...
• So services, as a service that I don't have... I mean, that's where we started.
• the additional services.
• We should look to regionalize these services, communication services, the BCI services.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the North Dakota Development Fund has active loans with 43 child care businesses that care for 3,000
• The Development Fund has active loans with 43 child care businesses that care for 3,754 children, directly
• of spots available for child care?
• So Commerce, of course, Job Service, Health and Human Services, career and technical education, all of
• Service, Health and Human Services, career and technical education, all of our education partners, really

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget and current program activities for the 2027-29 biennium. Legislative Council staff first walked through a new “blue sheet” summary explaining what is included in Commerce’s base budget, with emphasis on salaries, operating costs, and especially grant authority funded largely by federal dollars. Members asked about how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff noted that some programs, such as LIHEAP and UAS-related work, involve interagency collaboration and federal budget authority that may not match exact cash received. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilke then presented on grant administration, the department’s transparency page, and several grant programs, including Destination Development and Automate ND. Members questioned how many entities apply for grants, what criteria are used, whether return on investment is tracked, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce must follow state procurement law or instead administer grants using its own “best practices” process; the commissioner said the department’s approach was based on legal guidance and competitive grantmaking, while some legislators argued the process should more closely reflect legislative intent. The department also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, child care loans, and workforce initiatives. Commerce described Development Fund investments, including examples of successful projects and a child care loan program that has supported 43 active businesses serving 3,754 children. Staff also outlined a new non-primary-sector lending framework and said a workforce and housing sub-cabinet are working on more coordinated statewide strategies. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell presented a broad workforce-system assessment, a new shared vision, and task forces focused on simplifying entry, improving warm handoffs, and building a public dashboard of shared metrics; members discussed higher education alignment, career pathways, and the need for better handoffs from schools to employers. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans to continue these budget discussions in June, including the Attorney General budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• professionals caring for North Dakotans.
• professionals caring for North Dakotans.
• And so I'm being careful there.
• We wouldn't have health care programs.
• The next line down is software service inflation.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• already have a direct prescription.
• have a direct prescription.
• That goes with all emergencies within our health care systems and schools.
• care beyond a school nurse.
• If a child is given albuterol and then emergency services are called, then that needs to be taken care

Summary: The House Education Committee first heard House Bill 2246, which would update school discipline rules for firearm-related violations. Committee staff explained that the bill extends existing firearm expulsion and readmission provisions to charter schools, state tribal education compact schools, the School for the Blind, the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth, and educational service districts, and would allow governing boards to deny readmission or limit participation in activities after a firearm-related incident. Representative Lowe said the bill was prompted by a local incident and was intended to give districts more flexibility and clarity while still ensuring students continue receiving educational services. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with constitutional rights to public education, whether it applies to imitation firearms or social media threats, and whether the school board or administration should make the initial discipline decision. OSPI testified “other,” noting concern about limiting appeals to one reconsideration and citing 48 firearm-related expulsions and 198 suspensions in 2023-24. Team Child testified in opposition, arguing the bill would make reentry harder and could unnecessarily exclude students from extracurriculars after they had served their discipline period. The public hearing on HB 2246 closed with 246 pro, 7 con, and 1 other signed in. The committee then heard House Bill 2360, which would allow public and private schools to maintain stock albuterol under a statewide standing order for use in asthma or other respiratory emergencies. Staff described the bill as authorizing trained school personnel or nurses to administer school-supplied albuterol in certain circumstances, including on school property, buses, and sanctioned excursions, with limited liability protections and a refusal option for employees not wishing to administer it. Representative Donaghy said the bill was meant to address life-threatening asthma attacks, especially when a student’s own inhaler is unavailable or when emergency response times are long. OSPI and the Washington State Nurses Association/School Nurse Organization of Washington testified in support, emphasizing the prevalence of asthma, the bill’s permissive nature, and the need for a standing order. The Department of Health had sent a letter asking to strike one section, and some witnesses raised concerns about administering albuterol to students without a prior prescription or diagnosis. Opponents, including a school nurse, argued the bill should wait until the state has clearer protocols, more training, and better staffing, and said nurses should not be asked to diagnose or medicate without physician orders. Supporters, including a pediatric pulmonologist and school nurses, said stock albuterol is safe, can prevent emergency room visits and deaths, and should be paired with parent notification and follow-up care. The public hearing on HB 2360 closed with 113 pro, 2 con, and 1 other signed in.

Transcript Highlights:

• care setting and team up with community partners to improve access to care and health outcomes.
• care setting and team up with community partners to improve access to care and health outcomes.
• And here's an incentive to keep our service.
• He then explained that rural Arizona has a child care problem and that child care is basically nonexistent
• SB 1112, Mental health and services.

Keywords: 1182, all