Transcript Highlights:

• As flowers appear<02:07:02.159><c> on</c><02:07:02.400><c> the</c><02:07:02.560><c> earth,</c><02:07:
• <02:21:17.280><c> Uh</c><02:21:17.600><c> thank</c><02:21:17.680><c> you,</c><02:21:17.920><c> Mr.
• 02:33:17.439><c> of</c><02:33:17.600><c> how</c><02:33:17.840><c> weak</c><02:33:18.240><c> the</c><02
• The amount of rules far<02:46:08.080><c> exceed</c><02:46:08.560><c> statutes</c><02:46:09.200><c> by
• </c> far exceed statutes by far exceed statutes by Congress.<02:46:11.200><c> In</c><02:46:11.600><c>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; My<01:02:03.520><c> assumption</c><01:02:03.839><c> is</c><01:02:04.000><c> that's</c><01:02
• :02:05.200><c> it's</c><01:02:05.520><c> attached</c><01:02:05.760><c> to</c><01:02:06.000><c> the</c
• same</c><01:02:10.799><c> standing</c><01:02:11.280><c> as</c><01:02:11.760><c> as</c><01:02:12.079>
• </c><01:02:16.480><c> And</c><01:02:16.720><c> this</c><01:02:16.880><c> is</c><01:02:17.040><c> this
• &gt;&gt; No,<01:02:31.119><c> it</c><01:02:32.160><c> it</c><01:02:33.440><c> this</c><01:02:33.680><

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's &gt;&gt; been<00:02:48.160><c> moved</c><00:02:48.480><c> and</c><00:02:48.720><c> seconded.
• Uh, approve the minutes<00:02:50.480><c> as</c><00:02:50.640><c> written</c><00:02:50.800><c> and</c>
• All those<00:02:51.680><c> in</c><00:02:51.840><c> favor</c><00:02:52.160><c> say</c><00:02:52.400><c
• &gt;&gt; All<00:02:53.680><c> those</c><00:02:53.920><c> opposed</c><00:02:54.239><c> say</c><00:02:54.400
• Minutes are adopted.<00:02:57.200><c> Moving</c><00:02:57.519><c> on</c><00:02:57.680><c> to</c><00:02

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then adopted the consent calendar without objection. On the regular calendar, it took up a Health and Human Services Medicaid rule on laboratory services. Committee members questioned why an expired rule was still needed and whether any fees, fines, or appeals had occurred during the lapse. DHHS staff said there were no fees or fines, the service remains in the state Medicaid plan, providers continued to be reimbursed under the billing manual, and there had been no known appeals. The committee then approved the rule. The next item was a Natural Resources rule package covering wood processing mills, wood concentration yards, forestry health, forest fire, and administrative fines. Representative Leon pulled the item from consent and objected to the rule’s repeated 5-inch diameter limit for burnable material, arguing that the statute authorizes permits for camp or cooking fires but does not clearly authorize a diameter limit, and that larger wood can be responsibly burned or otherwise managed in forested properties. DNCR’s forest protection chief responded that the 5-inch limit is intended to reduce smoldering and wildfire risk, align with DEES air rules defining brush as 5 inches or less, and keep backyard burning consistent with air-quality regulations. He said larger material can be handled through other permitting processes and that the rule is meant to educate the public and prevent unsafe burning. Members continued to debate whether the rule exceeded statutory authority and whether it was practical for landowners managing larger wooded parcels. One member suggested narrowing the 5-inch restriction in the category 4 permit language, while another noted the statute appears to speak in terms of small or large amounts of material rather than a specific diameter. The discussion ended without a final resolution in the excerpt, with the committee still considering possible amendments to the Natural Resources rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• :07.280><c> the</c><00:02:07.439><c> end</c><00:02:07.520><c> of</c><00:02:07.600><c> the</c><00:02:07.680
• &gt;&gt; Thank<00:02:11.840><c> you,</c><00:02:12.160><c> Senator</c><00:02:12.400><c> Brian.
• </c><00:02:12.800><c> Uh</c><00:02:13.040><c> any</c><00:02:13.280><c> other</c> &gt;&gt; Thank you,
• If<00:02:14.959><c> not,</c><00:02:15.200><c> I'll</c><00:02:15.440><c> entertain</c><00:02:15.760><c
• &gt;&gt; All<00:02:20.319><c> right,</c><00:02:20.480><c> I</c><00:02:20.640><c> got</c><00:02:20.800

Committee: Joint Elections

Keywords: Elections - Room 409, 3 February, 2026; 1:00 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :30.440><c> preparation</c><00:02:31.120><c> programs</c><00:02:31.720><c> with</c><00:02:31.879><c>
• :32.319><c> to</c><00:02:32.519><c> align</c><00:02:32.959><c> with</c><00:02:33.160><c> numeracy</c>
• ><c> as</c><00:02:36.480><c> part</c><00:02:36.640><c> of</c><00:02:36.840><c> that</c><00:02:37.360>
• ><c> and</c><00:02:40.640><c> a</c><00:02:40.760><c> report</c><00:02:41.040><c> to</c><00:02:41.360>
• 02:45.400><c> from</c><00:02:45.680><c> the</c><00:02:45.879><c> Council</c><00:02:46.159><c> on</c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Postsecondary Education Committee met and first considered House Bill 251, a cleanup bill related to the Kentucky numeracy counts law. Rep. Emily Callaway and staff explained that the bill shifts responsibility for evaluating education preparation programs and reporting to LRC from the Council on Postsecondary Education, in collaboration with EPSB, to EPSB as the primary party, aligning it with EPSB’s oversight role. The committee had no questions, adopted the motion, and passed HB 251 with favorable expression to the House floor. The committee then took up House Bill 263, relating to the student teaching stipend program, along with a committee substitute that merged in language from House Bill 181. KHEAA explained that the substitute removes the outdated term “expected family contribution” from state student aid statutes because of federal FAFSA changes. Rep. Banta said HB 263 is a cleanup measure to clarify that student teaching stipends are not financial aid, allowing institutions to distribute the stipends properly and easing administration for KHEAA. Joe Carol Ellis said the program is in its first year, with about 450 student teachers served in the fall and an expected 800 in the spring. The committee adopted the committee substitute by voice vote, then passed HB 263 with favorable expression as amended. Members also approved a title amendment changing the bill title to “An Act relating to teacher scholarships.” Chair Tipton noted the meeting was unusually brief and concluded after asking if there was any further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• :09.840><c> bill</c><00:02:10.080><c> is</c><00:02:10.319><c> going</c><00:02:10.479><c> to</c><00:02
• But<00:02:12.879><c> I</c><00:02:13.120><c> just</c><00:02:13.280><c> want</c><00:02:13.360><c> to</c
• ><00:02:13.520><c> remind</c><00:02:13.760><c> you</c><00:02:13.920><c> of</c><00:02:14.000><c> where
• </c><00:02:15.040><c> The</c><00:02:15.360><c> beginning</c><00:02:15.599><c> of</c><00:02:15.840><c>
• lots of money<00:02:23.440><c> for</c><00:02:23.680><c> all</c><00:02:23.920><c> the</c><00:02:24.160

Bills: SF0010 , SF0005

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, bankruptcy, hospital, county, healthcare, financial stability, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > fully</c><00:02:22.720><c> aware</c><00:02:23.319><c> of</c><00:02:23.519><c> what</c><00:02:23.720
• ><c> sub</c><00:02:24.480><c> does</c><00:02:24.760><c> so</c><00:02:25.040><c> maybe</c><00:02:25.280
• </c><00:02:34.680><c> now</c><00:02:35.000><c> unanimously</c><00:02:35.599><c> out</c><00:02:35.720>
• of the house<00:02:36.319><c> all</c><00:02:36.440><c> it</c><00:02:36.640><c> does</c><00:02:37.120
• ><c> is</c><00:02:37.879><c> uh</c><00:02:38.040><c> back</c><00:02:38.200><c> a</c><00:02:38.319><c>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:05 Attendance Roll Call: 00:17 HB 30 (Rep. Blanton): 01:12 HB 27 (Rep. Osborne: 05:22 HB 45 (Rep. Hodgson): 08:29 HB 211 (Rep. C. Lewis): 15:54 HB 441 (Rep. Tipton): 36:38 Adjournment: 41:20, 958, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first took up House Bill 30, which addresses pension spiking and retired state troopers returning to work. The sponsor and Kentucky Public Pensions Authority staff said the bill would codify court language clarifying that across-the-board raises from the General Assembly do not count as pension spiking, and the committee substitute would also give retired troopers rehired on a year-to-year basis the same vacation, sick leave, and bereavement benefits as new troopers. The committee adopted the substitute and a title amendment, and HB 30 passed 9-0. The committee then considered House Bill 27, which removes an arbitrary 2023 date from the Planned Communities Act that had created confusion over political signage rules in HOA and planned community phases. The sponsor said the change would preserve HOA authority to regulate sign size, duration, and placement while eliminating inconsistent treatment of neighboring properties. The bill passed 10-0. House Bill 45 followed, proposing to ban foreign funding in Kentucky elections and ballot measures and to require disclosure for express advocacy ads related to ballot measures. Supporters said the bill would put ballot measures on the same footing as candidate and PAC restrictions and prevent foreign nationals from influencing Kentucky elections; one senator raised concerns that the language could unintentionally chill participation by noncitizens, especially in one-on-one discussions, and the sponsor said he would work on that issue. The committee adopted the bill as amended, and it passed 8-1. The final major item was House Bill 211, which would create a narrow exemption allowing cigar bars under defined conditions, including a revenue threshold, age restrictions, ventilation requirements, and local permitting options. The sponsor said the bill would not roll back general smoke-free laws but would allow tightly regulated cigar bars and grandfather existing ones from some requirements. Public health witnesses, including a nurse, a physician, and a thoracic surgeon, opposed the bill, warning it would weaken strong smoke-free protections, harm workers and patrons, and reverse progress against tobacco-related disease. The transcript provided did not include a final vote on HB 211.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><01:02:00.920><c> the</c><01:02:01.040><c> roll.
• </c><01:02:27.480><c> I'm</c><01:02:27.600><c> a</c><01:02:27.680><c> yes,</c><01:02:28.040><c> but</
• c><01:02:28.200><c> I</c><01:02:28.240><c> wish</c><01:02:28.480><c> it</c> &gt;&gt; Yes, please.
• &gt;&gt; Yes.<01:02:50.120><c> Representative</c><01:02:50.800><c> Wilson.</c><01:02:51.520><c> I.
• Chair<01:02:52.560><c> Elliott.</c><01:02:53.320><c> I.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:27.840><c> for</c><02:02:28.000><c> the</c><02:02:28.159><c> next</c><02:02:28.320><c> two</c><02
• </c><02:02:32.400><c> With</c><02:02:32.560><c> that,</c><02:02:32.719><c> I'll</c><02:02:32.880><c>
• </c><02:02:41.840><c> So</c><02:02:42.320><c> I</c><02:02:42.560><c> had</c><02:02:42.719><c> to</c>
• </c><02:58:35.359><c> Our</c><02:58:35.760><c> statutes</c> in their children's lives.
• Our statutes say<02:58:36.960><c> that</c><02:58:37.279><c> clearly,</c><02:58:37.680><c> but</c><02:

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:07.799><c> have</c><01:02:07.920><c> need</c><01:02:08.119><c> me</c><01:02:08.200><c> to<
• </c><01:02:08.720><c> out</c><01:02:09.160><c> and</c><01:02:09.400><c> obviously</c><01:02:10.359><c
• would have got<01:02:10.839><c> things</c><01:02:11.000><c> on</c><01:02:11.200><c> track</c><01:02:
• back</c><01:02:25.400><c> and</c><01:02:25.520><c> forth</c><01:02:25.960><c> you</c><01:02:26.000><
• ><c> on</c><01:02:28.599><c> the</c><01:02:28.760><c> same</c><01:02:29.279><c> page</c><01:02:30.279

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:01.520><c> How</c><00:02:01.680><c> can</c><00:02:01.840><c> we</c><00:02:02.000><c> be</c
• that</c><00:02:52.959><c> we</c><00:02:53.120><c> had</c><00:02:53.360><c> that</c><00:02:53.599><c>
• </c><00:02:54.400><c> And</c><00:02:54.560><c> our</c><00:02:54.959><c> local</c><00:02:55.360><c> prosecutors
• <c> in</c><01:02:02.559><c> in</c><01:02:02.960><c> all</c><01:02:03.119><c> spaces</c><01:02:03.599>
• </c><01:02:06.319><c> And</c><01:02:07.599><c> just</c><01:02:07.839><c> to</c><01:02:08.079><c> be</

Bills: SF0044 , SF0046

Committee: Senate Revenue

Keywords: gambling, lotteries, raffles, social relationships, charitable gaming, gaming, liquor establishments, skill based amusement games, regulations, age restrictions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:02:03.280><c> order</c><01:02:03.440><c> to</c><01:02:03.680><c> understand</c><01:02:04.240><c>
• <01:02:15.680><c> they</c><01:02:15.920><c> say</c><01:02:16.400><c> it's</c><01:02:16.640><c> time</
• take<01:02:17.119><c> a</c><01:02:17.280><c> hard</c><01:02:17.520><c> look</c><01:02:17.680><c> at</
• meeting</c><01:02:19.599><c> the</c><01:02:19.760><c> needs</c><01:02:20.000><c> of</c><01:02:20.160
• <01:02:28.000><c> Frankly,</c><01:02:28.480><c> I</c><01:02:28.640><c> doubt</c><01:02:28.880><c> it.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2749, an act amending Title 13, Chapter 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 13-
• House Bill 296, an act amending Sections 11-671, 49-202, 49-203, and 49-1243, Arizona Revised Statutes
• House Bill 282: an act amending Section 36-121, Arizona Revised Statutes, amending Title 36, Chapter
• House Bill 2308: An act amending Section 32-13, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to the State Board
• An act amending Section 38-1106, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to law enforcement officers.

Summary: The Senate convened, took attendance, approved the journal, and received gubernatorial communications and nominations. Several nominations were referred to committee, and messages from the House were entered, including transmission of Senate Bills 1058, 1237, and 1294 to the Governor. The chamber recessed for caucus, then reconvened and moved into Committee of the Whole to consider bills on the calendar. In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2082, HB 282, HB 2749, and HB 296 (the transcript also contains some misstatements of bill numbers/titles). Amendments were adopted on HB 282, HB 2749, and HB 296, including a Rogers floor amendment to HB 2749 establishing a sunset and a Shope floor amendment to HB 296 making technical and coordination changes related to water infrastructure and the Clean Water Act. The Committee of the Whole reported all of those measures do pass as amended, and the Senate later adopted the report. The Senate then took up additional business, including confirmation votes on gubernatorial nominees. John A. Conley, Ruby Dylan Williams, Thomas J. Connolly, Charles Essex, and Dr. Lynette Levesay were all confirmed. The chamber then passed several House bills on third reading, including HB 2308, HB 4011, HB 2049 as an emergency measure, HB 2253, and HB 2663, with recorded votes largely showing 24 ayes and 0 nays. Committee announcements were made for upcoming Natural Resources and Education meetings. Near adjournment, Senator Epstein gave a personal privilege statement criticizing ICE conduct in a Minnesota case and calling for accountability, and Senator Gonzales thanked her and offered birthday wishes to a family member. The Senate then adopted a motion to notify the Governor of the day’s confirmations and adjourned until Tuesday, May 26, 2026, subject to earlier recall by the President if needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um Um Um Veterans<00:02:17.640><c> Day,</c><00:02:18.000><c> there's</c><00:02:18.440><c> a</c><00:02
• :39.720><c> forces</c><00:02:40.800><c> and</c><00:02:41.320><c> um</c><00:02:41.600><c> are</c><00:02
• </c><00:02:44.360><c> know,</c><00:02:44.720><c> are</c><00:02:45.040><c> absent</c><00:02:45.440><c>
• ><c> you</c><00:02:52.760><c> see</c><00:02:52.920><c> them</c><00:02:53.040><c> in</c><00:02:53.120>
• > proud</c><00:02:58.560><c> to</c><00:02:58.640><c> host</c><00:02:58.920><c> them</c><00:02:59.120>

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:01:34.880><c> enrollment</c> statute that would govern the enrollment statute that would govern the
• around requirements and the language around those<02:01:46.159><c> statutes.
• It<02:02:04.800><c> seems</c><02:02:05.199><c> pretty</c><02:02:06.000><c> pretty</c><02:02:06.480><c
• </c><02:02:08.560><c> statement</c><02:02:08.880><c> of</c><02:02:09.199><c> the</c><02:02:09.520><c>
• Um also<02:02:18.400><c> it</c><02:02:18.719><c> talks</c><02:02:18.960><c> about</c><02:02:19.599><c

Committee: Joint Education

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 0:00:00 Workforce Pell Grant Update – 0:03:30 Extension Office Update – 0:33:25 Kentucky Academic Standards for Social Studies – 1:07:08 Early Literacy Outcomes – 1:32:20 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 1:58:30 Adjournment 2:13:13, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:02:16.159><c> and</c><02:02:17.040><c> um</c><02:02:17.440><c> and</c><02:02:17.679><c> I</c><02:
• <02:02:19.119><c> cancer</c><02:02:19.440><c> nonprofit</c><02:02:20.000><c> so</c><02:02:20.239><c>
• um it<02:02:24.800><c> is</c><02:02:24.880><c> just</c><02:02:25.040><c> metastatic</c><02:02:25.760
• 02:02:29.280><c> therapy</c><02:02:30.639><c> protocols</c><02:02:31.360><c> you</c><02:02:31.440><c>
• However,<02:02:38.960><c> with</c><02:02:39.199><c> metastatic</c><02:02:39.840><c> cancer,</c><02:02

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We<00:02:09.840><c> had</c><00:02:10.080><c> two</c><00:02:10.640><c> requests</c><00:02:11.280><c> in
• It<00:02:15.280><c> broke</c><00:02:15.440><c> it</c><00:02:15.599><c> down</c><00:02:15.760><c> into
• </c><00:02:20.879><c> The</c><00:02:21.120><c> second</c><00:02:21.280><c> is</c><00:02:21.520><c> a<
• ><00:02:27.360><c> 484</c><00:02:28.000><c> from</c><00:02:28.160><c> the</c><00:02:29.120><c> 2024</
• session.<00:02:31.280><c> Uh</c><00:02:31.520><c> we</c><00:02:31.760><c> have</c><00:02:31.920><c>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) 00:00:53 Approval of Minutes 00:23:37, 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Board of EMS presented an additional budget request focused on grant funding for local EMS agencies, not agency operations. Officials said the board has 13 full-time staff after losing employees in the 2022 transition back to state government, and that the request would be a 100% pass-through to providers. They initially described two requests totaling $12.91 million: $10.8 million for the EMS block grant and $2.1 million for workforce education tied to House Bill 484, but later said they would withdraw the $2.1 million request because rural health transformation funding appears likely to cover those education needs. Most of the testimony explained why the EMS block grant should be increased. The board said the grant began in 1980 at about $1.2 million and has remained largely unchanged while EMS costs have risen sharply. They cited higher prices for ambulances, stretchers, and cardiac monitors, along with increased labor and reimbursement pressures. Board members emphasized that modern EMS now provides much more advanced care in the field, especially in rural areas, and argued that equipment such as 12-lead cardiac monitors can significantly improve patient outcomes. They said the current grant provides about $10,000 per county, while the request would raise funding to about $100,000 per county and increase the per-capita amount from roughly 26 cents to $2.60. Members also discussed whether the block grant statute should be reformed to target need more directly. Board officials said they had considered making the grant more competitive, but decided against it for now because many counties rely on the annual funding and shifting money away from some areas would create hardship. In response to questions, they said Kentucky has about 160 class one EMS agencies providing 911 response across 120 counties, and that grant awards in recent years reached 91 counties, then 108, then 110 counties. They also highlighted the cost and safety benefits of power loading systems for stretchers, saying they can reduce back injuries and help retain EMS workers, but are often unaffordable for smaller departments. No votes were taken on the budget request during the hearing. After the testimony and questions, the committee approved the minutes from the prior meeting by motion and second, with no opposition, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> who</c><01:02:03.160><c> are</c><01:02:03.280><c> on</c><01:02:03.400><c> fixed</c><01:02:03.720
• Is<01:02:25.640><c> there</c><01:02:25.760><c> anyone</c><01:02:26.080><c> else</c><01:02:26.240><c>
• Members,<01:02:29.560><c> are</c><01:02:29.680><c> there</c><01:02:29.920><c> any</c><01:02:30.080><c
• Seeing<01:02:32.600><c> then</c><01:02:32.840><c> we're</c><01:02:32.960><c> going</c><01:02:33.080><
• <c> can</c><01:02:56.040><c> be</c><01:02:56.160><c> filed</c><01:02:56.600><c> with</c><01:02:56.720

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 963, which would make crimes against elders age 60 and over strict liability offenses by removing the requirement that the perpetrator knew or should have known the victim’s age. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that removing the state-of-mind element would create unfair and subjective results and suggesting sentencing enhancements or broader vulnerability-based language instead. Supporters, including Sandy Wong and another testifier with elder-abuse experience, said the current knowledge requirement creates a loophole that lets offenders avoid the elder enhancement even when they target vulnerable older adults. No vote was taken on the measure in the portion provided. The committee also heard HB 384, which increases penalties for promoting minor-produced sexual images, extends probation terms for felony obscenity offenses, tolls the statute of limitations during a victim’s minority, and requires sex offender registration for certain felony obscenity offenses involving minors. The Public Defender opposed the bill as overly broad and warned of absurd results, while the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney supported it, saying the bill addresses sextortion and other exploitation cases where adults solicit images from minors and that the 3-year age-gap threshold preserves ordinary teen relationships. Committee members questioned whether the bill was aimed at adults only and whether the age-gap carveout was narrow enough; the prosecutor said it was intended to cover adult predators and not consensual peer conduct. No final action was reported. HB 1100, which renames the Neighbor Islands Blind and Visually Impaired Service Pilot Program to use “low vision” instead of “visually impaired,” was supported by the Department of Human Services and disability advocates, who said the current term is derogatory and that the change responds to the blind community. The department said it was beginning work on administrative rules and expected to seek an appropriation, with implementation hoped for in 2026. The committee then heard HB 1283, exempting paternity proceedings from mediation when domestic abuse is alleged; the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and others supported it as consistent with divorce law and important for survivor safety. HB 689, creating safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement help, drew support from HPD, Emua Alliance, the Judiciary, and others, who said it would prevent traffickers from using prostitution charges to silence victims. Finally, HB 383, reinstating mandatory minimum jail terms for successive violations of protective orders and removing the court’s ability to suspend those minimums, drew opposition from the Public Defender, who said some repeat violations stem from mental health or substance use issues, and support from the Prosecuting Attorney, who argued the bill treats protective orders like temporary restraining orders and preserves judicial discretion within a misdemeanor framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:27.000><c> a</c><00:02:27.160><c> joint</c><00:02:27.519><c> hearing</c><00:02:27.959><c> so</c><00
• </c><00:02:32.120><c> will</c><00:02:32.319><c> be</c><00:02:32.560><c> there</c><00:02:32.840><c> be
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• </c><00:02:42.599><c> ones</c><00:02:42.840><c> that</c><00:02:43.040><c> do</c><00:02:43.319><c> the
• 02:51.319><c> roord</c><00:02:52.519><c> so</c><00:02:53.519><c> if</c><00:02:53.640><c> you</c><00:02

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think that's a legislative or statute decision.
• I don't think that's a legislative or statute decision.
• And so you’re essentially, our state statute is, And so you’re essentially, our state statute is asking
• There are some statutes that reference interest income.
• There are some statutes that reference interest income.

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.