Transcript Highlights:

• Before Governor Romer was a three-term governor and before he was a national leader in education, he
• Thank you, Governor Romer.
• </c><00:31:18.000><c> It</c> governor. Thank you, Governor Romer. It governor.
• Thank you, Governor Romer.
• Thank you, Governor Romer.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> they need clean firm energy to power they need clean firm energy to power their<01:29:50.400><c>
• </c><01:56:00.000><c> Cenu's</c> This is from the governor Cenu's This is from the governor Cenu's commission
• </c><05:21:56.680><c> had</c> committee that um the governor had committee that um the governor had decided
• </c><05:56:12.400><c> felt</c> government and because the governor felt government and because the governor
• So it's kind of going to the governor.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 733, a third-party litigation financing reporting bill. Representative Cole explained that the bill shifts reporting from the Secretary of State to the courts, which he said removes the fiscal note and helps insurers obtain information for underwriting and premium-setting. The committee accepted the explanation and voted ought to pass; the roll call was 8-0 in favor, with one member taking a pause. The committee then heard House Bill 219, dealing with the renewable portfolio standard and the renewable energy fund. Representative Bose argued the bill would reduce electricity costs by lowering the REC purchase obligation from 220,000 to 170,000, which he said would reduce payments into the renewable energy fund by roughly $1 million to $2 million and save consumers only pennies a month. After questions about timing and whether to wait for a DOE report, the committee voted to retain the bill for further discussion rather than advance it; the motion to retain passed 5-4. House Bill 365 was then discussed as an election-related bill intended to help verify citizenship for voter registration and create a voucher process for people who cannot afford a birth certificate. The sponsor said the Secretary of State may be able to use federal and state databases to verify citizenship, and if not, indigent applicants could receive a voucher reimbursed by the state, with a $25,000 appropriation included. Members raised concerns about the Secretary of State’s access to databases and the bill’s timing and cost, and the committee decided to hold the bill until Secretary Scanlan could come testify. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 552, which updates retiree health coverage rules so dependent children can remain on the plan until age 26, consistent with the Affordable Care Act. DAS officials said retirees pay the full cost for dependents, about $1,000 per month, while the state covers only the retiree and spouse. The committee voted ought to pass unanimously, 9-0. The committee then began discussion of House Bill 572, a housing bill aimed at missing-middle housing, describing a voluntary program to identify developable public land, support construction, and streamline review, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And ever since then, this Legislature, working with both former Governor Baker and current Governor Healey
• Governor Baker and current Governor Healey has been faithfully implementing that legislation.
• I hope the Governor hears our calls for help, and I hope the House agrees to examine these inequities
• Domenico led a powerful speech to secure additional funding for the ALS Association, fueled by the memory

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up a long series of FY26 budget amendments during debate on the Ways and Means budget bill. Early on, an amendment on debt service and the Debt Affordability Committee was rejected. A major education amendment offered by Senator Lewis and supported by Senator Comerford was then adopted; it directs DESE to begin a public process, with $200,000 in funding, to review and recommend updates to the Chapter 70 municipal contribution formula and related school funding structures as the Student Opportunity Act nears full implementation. Senators argued that school districts across the Commonwealth are under severe fiscal strain, citing rising special education, transportation, health insurance, and Proposition 2 1/2 pressures, and that the current formulas are increasingly out of alignment with local needs. The chamber also considered and voted on many other amendments, with several adopted and several rejected. Adopted amendments included measures on public payroll transparency, regional EMS, a small business group purchasing cooperative pilot, simplifying Medicaid eligibility determinations, and early education background checks. Rejected amendments included proposals on first-time homebuyer savings accounts, population change studies, competitiveness studies, emergency contract reform, natural gas cost containment, a $200 per pupil aid increase, regional school reimbursement increases, a Foundation Budget Review Commission-related study, special education service studies, welfare benefit audits, short-term capital gains, and an MBTA sustainability plan. Senator Durant also spoke in support of Amendment 766, which would create a crumbling concrete assistance fund for homeowners affected by pyrrhotite, with tax-exempt aid, federal funding applications, audits, and a stakeholder working group. Near the end of debate, Senator D. DiDomenico praised the Shannon Grant program for gang violence prevention, and the Senate adopted a final corrective amendment containing technical fixes and local earmarks. The bill was then ordered to a third reading and, after a roll call on engrossment, passed to be engrossed by a vote of 38-2. The Senate also approved a motion to adjourn to the following Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. and recessed in memory of Yaron Lashinsky, Sarah Lynn Milgram, and Leslie A. Feeney.

Transcript Highlights:

• do this session, we always involve the administration as well, because at the end of the day, the governor
• So it’s never helpful to work hard on a bill that you know the governor is not going to sign.
• Remember, we passed the HB 368 back in 2025, and that bill passed then, essentially, and then Governor
• And so the governor then vetoed the bill. This time, it didn't even get to the governor.
• to their power while. Yeah, I went to that a couple years ago. It's really nice.

Keywords: Commission on Updating Virginia Law to Reflect Federal Recognition of Virginia Tribes, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor with experience in AI research and development, a member appointed by the governor with experience
• in K-12, a member appointed by the governor from workforce development, the President Pro Tem of the
• Coordination between the governor and the Oklahoma Native American liaison, and then one member of the
• Oklahoma business community appointed by the governor.
• It's called 'Prophecy, Prediction, Power, and the Fight for the Future: From Ancient Oracles to AI.'

Committee: House Oklahoma Education Commission

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• objection, the House now returns to the Fourth Order of Business: consideration of messages from the Governor
• Sincerely, Brad Little, Governor of Idaho. February 27, 2026. Mr.
• and Administration, report that we have transmitted enrolled House Bills 533, 502, and 555 to the Governor
• House Bill 533, 502, and 555 to the Governor at 2:55 p.m.
• The only recourse in statute today is that the governor has the power to appoint vacancies, I think,

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We pray this in the name and through the power of Jesus the Christ. Amen. Journal.
• Bob Ferguson, Governor. Senator Schoesler. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Amina Hussein, appointed July 28, by Bob Ferguson, Governor. Senator Schoesler. Thank you, Mr.
• Bob Ferguson, Governor. Ramatou-Libah, appointed July 28, 2025, for the term ending June 30, 2026.
• Bob Ferguson, Governor. Senator Schoesler. Thank you, Mr. President.

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB5520 , SB6016 , SB5890 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5536 , SB5879 , SB5899 , SB6190 , SB6086 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5924 , SB6134 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB6302 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5970 , SB5609 , SB5827 , SB5862 , SB5880 , SB5901 , SB5943 , SB5971 , SB5975 , SB5981 , SB5988 , SB6097 , SJM8016 , SB5496 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB6194 , SB5909 , SB5868 , SB6026 , SB6044 , SB6239 , SB5923 , SB6045 , SB6106 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5968 , SB5489 , SB5762 , SB5832 , SB5847 , SB5963 , SB5969 , SB6027 , SB6032 , SB6049 , SB6066 , SB6079 , SB6082 , SB6113 , SB6114 , SB6160 , SB6162 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6289 , SB6309 , SB6319 , SB6347 , SB6308 , SB6200 , SB6080 , SB5911 , SJM8014 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB5828 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB6346 , SB6262 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB6244 , SB5961

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Summary: The Senate opened with the usual ceremonial items, approved the previous day’s journal, received House messages, and introduced several bills. It also adopted Senate Resolution 868 honoring April as National Donate Life Month. Senators Gaynor and Dozier spoke in support, sharing personal stories about organ donation and transplant recipients, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber also recognized guests in the gallery connected to those stories. The Senate then confirmed several gubernatorial appointments, including Colin L. Bannister to the Workforce Education, Investment, Accountability, and Oversight Board, Amina Hussein to the Washington State University Board of Regents, and Ramatou-Libah to the Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees. Each confirmation passed with broad support after brief remarks from Senator Schoesler, and several senators were excused from voting. The Senate also acknowledged MLA Jody Tour of British Columbia and a personal privilege recognition for Senator Leis receiving Finland’s Order of the Lion. On legislation, the Senate passed Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6026, dealing with residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones, after adopting and rejecting several amendments that narrowed or clarified exemptions and local-control provisions. Senators argued both for housing supply and for preserving local planning flexibility. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 6106 on layoff notifications and worker information protections, Senate Bill 5890 on speeding and reckless driving standards, Senate Bill 5536 on equitable distribution of real property in divorce, and Substitute Senate Bill 6097 allowing federally recognized tribes to participate in the Conservation Futures Program. Senate Bill 5988, authorizing fee authority for Department of Health accreditation services for opioid treatment programs, passed after a close vote with one nay. The meeting ended with the Senate standing at ease for caucus and lunch.

Transcript Highlights:

• While the governor wants me to stay until the end of his tenure, I just can't do it.
• And so I feel when I leave, whoever the relief is, and as you know, the relief is picked by the governor
• I think that it's an election year; there's going to be a new governor.
• to take this job for seven months or so until the new governor is elected, knowing that there could
• So part of this is about setting up a state-level collaborative that can create some buying power for

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What was the rationale of the governor? What was the rationale of?
• No, what the governor? We know the governor's rationale.
• The governor was seeking to double that.
• The governor provided $60 million.
• The governor provided $60 million.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm hoping to hear back from the governor soon, and so I'm here in support of this bill.
• I'm hoping to hear back from the governor soon, and so I'm here in support of this bill.
• I'm hoping to hear back from the governor soon, and so I'm here in support of this bill.
• This bill would strip the governor of that authority.
• I personally do not believe in a governor appointing the commissioners to the commission.

Committee: Senate Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs opened its first meeting of the 33rd Legislature with housekeeping announcements, including live streaming, a two-minute testimony limit, and notice that the committee would reconvene later if technical problems forced an early adjournment. Members introduced themselves, and the chair explained that written testimony was already on file and that public testimony would be taken measure by measure. On SB 109, which concerns the relationship between Hawaiian and English versions of state laws, the Department of the Attorney General raised concerns that broadly allowing the Hawaiian text to supersede English could create ambiguity, and recommended narrowing the bill to laws originally drafted in Hawaiian that were never later amended in English. The Judiciary supported the bill, saying it reinforces Hawaiian as an official language, while OHA and several individuals also supported it. Testimony in support emphasized the importance of honoring Hawaiian language and preventing it from being treated as secondary. The committee then heard SB 268 on burial councils and SB 269 on the OHA budget. SB 268 drew strong support from OHA-related witnesses and many members of the public, who said burial council quorum problems and delays have hindered protection of iwi kupuna; one Moka representative opposed the bill, arguing the island had not been adequately consulted and that the real issue was the state process rather than council size. SB 269 received support from OHA and public testifiers who said OHA should be strengthened and better funded to serve Native Hawaiian needs. The committee also heard SB 624 relating to Prince Jonah Kūhiō, with DHHL and OHA supporting the measure to display portraits of Prince Kūhiō in public buildings; testifiers said the bill would promote cultural pride, education, and recognition of his legacy. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Governor Green in support. Haley Chung for the assistant public defender in person on Zoom.
• Former Governor Eay in support. Former Governor Abberry in support.
• </c><00:01:42.079><c> Haley</c> Uh, Governor Green in support. Haley Uh, Governor Green in support.
• Former Governor Eay in support. support. Former Governor Eay in support.
• </c> Former Governor Abberry in support. Former Governor Abberry in support.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Message 790, the nomination of Karen T. Nakasone to serve as chief judge of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals for a 10-year term. The chair announced that no vote would be taken that day and that the committee would vote on Thursday. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with the chair reading that there were 103 supporters, zero opposed, and one comment. Supporters included current and retired judges, public defenders, bar association representatives, former elected officials, and community members. They described Nakasone as intelligent, fair, hardworking, well respected, and a strong leader with deep legal experience. Several speakers emphasized her judicial temperament, her work as an advocate and judge, and her community involvement, including leadership in civic and civil rights organizations. One pro se litigant also testified that she had been treated kindly and respectfully by Nakasone in prior interactions. The Hawaii State Bar Association reported that it had conducted an interview and review process and found her qualified for the position. In her own remarks, Nakasone introduced family and colleagues, described her 30-year legal career, and said her first job after law school was as an ICA law clerk. She highlighted the court’s backlog reduction efforts under Acting Chief Judge Katherine Leonard, saying the number of older pending appeals had dropped significantly through team-based reforms, and stated that she would continue that work if confirmed. The hearing ended without questions from the committee and with the nomination held for a later vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Donald Trump from the ballot, whether you agree with that or not, to California's own Lieutenant Governor
• Or, as many mentioned, Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis' office was swatted.
• And what I've seen over these years is the power and the pull of addiction, the stronghold addiction
• talking about here, in my humble opinion, based on my experience, is the concept of separation of powers
• criminal justice system, which I believe, the bedrock of which is the division and separation of powers

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I do believe in the one maker and the one power upstairs that saved my life.
• And as you will see, Governor Rick Perry... Without a concerted effort of the states.
• And as you will see, Governor Rick Perry talks about these as well. Um, there's a lot of governors.
• I don’t know that everyone benefits or would be a good candidate for some of the more higher-powered
• So we don't need to look farther than individuals who have given their powerful testimonies today in

Committee: House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and voted do pass on House Bill 3037, House Bill 2760, House Bill 1778, and House Bill 2830, each by recorded roll call. HB 3037, HB 2760, and HB 1778 all passed 8-4, while HB 2830 passed unanimously 12-0. The committee also said it would not take up HB 1746 and HB 1769 yet, because more work was needed on an amendment. The public hearing began with House Bill 3005, sponsored by Representative Justice, which would require public and school libraries to adopt and post reconsideration policies for challenged materials, limit requests to local residents or parents/guardians, extend the process to digital materials, and prohibit tracking or retaining personalized user data from digital library resources. Justice said the bill was developed with the Secretary of State’s office and library groups and was intended to add transparency, local control, and privacy protections. Testimony from EBSCO Information Services and the Missouri Library Association supported the bill as a codification of existing library practices and a way to create clearer procedures. The committee then heard a group of similar bills on AI-generated or digitally altered depictions, including measures by Representatives Lucas, Farnan, Gallick, Schmidt, Williams, Houseman, and Dolan. The sponsors described the bills as closing loopholes in child pornography, revenge-porn, and digital impersonation laws, creating civil remedies, criminal penalties, and in some versions platform takedown requirements for nonconsensual altered images. Members raised questions about how to combine the bills, whether sunsets should be included, and how the proposals relate to existing revenge-porn law. No votes were taken on these bills during the hearing. Finally, the committee heard House Bills 2817 and 2961 on ibogaine research for veterans and other trauma-affected populations, followed by House Bills 1717 and 1643 on psilocybin and other alternative therapies. Supporters, including veterans, first responders, clinicians, and family members, described severe PTSD, TBI, addiction, and suicide crises and said these treatments had helped them when conventional care had not. Opponents, including the Missouri State Medical Association, said they did not support non-FDA-approved drugs. Members questioned the cost and structure of the proposed studies, the role of the FDA, and whether similar research is already underway. The hearing ended without a vote on these bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I do believe in the one maker and the one power upstairs that saved my life.
• And as you will see, Governor Rick Perry, Without a concerted effort of the states.
• And as you will see, Governor Rick Perry talks about these as well. There are a lot of governors.
• I don't know that everyone benefits or would be a good candidate for some of the more higher-powered
• We don't need to look farther than individuals who have given their powerful testimonies today in this

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ben Baker, I work for the governor advising on matters related to public safety.
• in the previous draft, it said that if someone's retained after the session ends but before the governor
• So for us, lobbying is a tool that we use to help speak truth to power, educate legislators, the public
• And the Ethics Commission has power to enforce the Lobbyist Reporting Act, including this.
• And the Ethics Commission has power to enforce the Lobbyist Reporting Act, including this.

Bills: HB99 , HB49 , HB164 , SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 99, which would make changes to the Medical Malpractice Act, especially around punitive damages. The chair and sponsor said the bill would not be voted on that day and that public comment would wait until Monday, when a fuller presentation and any recommended substitute would be considered. Dr. Brooke Baker, a physician-lawyer, gave a long presentation on physician wellness, malpractice stress, and the effect of litigation on staffing and burnout, while also discussing hospital ownership structures, private equity, and rural hospital vulnerability. She argued that punitive damages are often pled too broadly in New Mexico, that the amendment language was unclear about which entities would be capped, and that better oversight and internal quality systems—not punitive damages—are the better tools for addressing bad actors and unsafe care. Committee members from both sides asked extensive questions about the patient compensation fund, indemnification, corporate structures, the effect of caps on insurance and recruitment, and whether the bill would protect physicians’ personal assets. No vote was taken on HB 99, and the committee recessed before moving to the next bill. The committee then returned to House Bill 49, a public safety measure increasing penalties for felons who possess firearms. The sponsors and law enforcement witnesses said the bill is aimed narrowly at serious violent felons who are already prohibited from having guns, and that it would align state sentencing with federal law and give police and prosecutors a stronger tool against repeat violent offenders. An amendment was offered to narrow the bill further, add destructive devices, and make the offense a second-degree felony rather than escalating to first degree on repeat offenses. The amendment was adopted without opposition. Public testimony on HB 49 was largely opposed. The Law Office of the Public Defender argued the bill criminalizes possession without a new act of violence, that current law already punishes felon-in-possession conduct, and that New Mexico has repeatedly increased penalties without evidence of reduced gun crime. The ACLU of New Mexico also opposed the bill, saying increased penalties are not a proven deterrent. The transcript cuts off as additional online opposition testimony was beginning.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are programs that are vetted by the legislature and the governors of each state that has them, as
• ability to invest in improved access, which our health care authority you, as the legislature and the governor
• Make no mistake, this legislature and this governor have done a whole lot.
• This bill B to the third power. It's not basically, it's not B squared, it's to the third power.
• I'm old school, and it's not a good connotation, so I like B to the third power, and we'll see if we

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• So unlike proof of work, proof of stake does not require uh expensive or extensive compute power.
• </c> uh expensive or extensive compute power. uh expensive or extensive compute power.
• So the power isn't held by any one company or government.
• </c> technology in production powering technology in production powering meaningful<00:36:45.520><c>
• </c> currency that was vetoed by the governor currency that was vetoed by the governor um<01:12:06.560

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held an informational briefing on digital assets, blockchain, and related regulatory developments. Chair Jarrett Keohoko said the committee was focusing on national and state policy issues around digital assets, while leaving the separate issue of Bitcoin kiosks and fraud to the House Consumer Protection Committee, which had already noticed a similar briefing. No public testimony was taken; the session was for informational updates and member questions. Representatives from the Aptos Foundation, including JC Yun and Michael Cheng, gave a detailed presentation on blockchain basics and Aptos’s technology. They described blockchain as a tamper-resistant digital ledger, explained proof-of-work and proof-of-stake systems, and argued that proof-of-stake networks are faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly. They also emphasized smart contracts and potential uses beyond speculation, such as car titles, college transcripts, collectibles, digital IDs, real estate, and other tokenized assets. The presenters highlighted Aptos’s Hawaii connections and said the technology could help local residents and businesses participate in the digital economy. They cited adoption statistics, including billions of transactions on Aptos, tokenized money market funds from major financial firms, micro-lending applications, decentralized cloud infrastructure, and the rapid growth of stablecoins. They acknowledged concerns about scams and consumer protection, but argued that the answer is stronger regulation and education rather than avoiding the technology altogether.

Transcript Highlights:

• It impedes on the legislature's appropriate powers.
• And that's what she did for Maura because a lieutenant governor who was acting governor actually did
• The LFC holds that we didn't... that the legislature did not give the governor...
• She wished she was governor, wasn't it? What's for governor? Thank you. Okay, are we done, Senator?
• And then yes, if the governor runs out of money, we should come back.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Governor is concerned, and we think reasonably so, about the state committing to a spending level
• First of all, I want to thank the Governor for continuing to make K-12 education funding a priority and
• Governor Newsom for continuing to prioritize the Proposition 98 Ready-to-Date Fund.
• I always give a shout-out to Governor Jerry Brown...
• Level out, stabilize school funding through our rainy day funds, and I want to thank the governor for

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Office of State Tax has been unable to provide any guidance to the joint powers entity regarding
• Basically, that information, we just got a backup last night from PowerSchool, which powers Tynet.
• Flipping to the next page, regarding the recent legislative action, former Governor Burgum's executive
• Governor Armstrong elected not to include any funding in his recommendation, and the 2025 Legislative
• But sometimes, if there's a... be surprised what, I guess, the power of negotiation when the number is

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then received a quarterly update on major IT projects from NDIT. Staff reported the portfolio included 116 major projects totaling about $546 million, with the overall portfolio under budget but slightly behind schedule. They reviewed projects over the 20% variance threshold, including an Industrial Commission grants management system and DOT’s roadway pre-construction replacement, and then heard startup and closeout reports from HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT. Several previously troubled projects were closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning; some projects finished under budget and ahead of schedule, while others were significantly behind schedule or over budget but were now closed or being remediated. The committee also reviewed NDIT’s annual report, including service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how service-fund revenue and grant administrative charges are accounted for, how chargebacks work, and whether NDIT tracks customer satisfaction scores. NDIT said it does track CSAT-type measures in some service areas and has survey data, but it is not planning another customer survey this summer. Members encouraged more regular reporting of customer satisfaction, service-level metrics, and performance data to help guide future improvements. A major portion of the meeting focused on the state’s mainframe modernization effort. NDIT said the overall effort is still targeting about 2030, with multiple HHS and DOT projects underway and a $15 million tech-debt appropriation already removing some components. Staff described the main obstacles as data cleanup, complex integrations, limited staff capacity, retirements, and vendor constraints, and said they are seeking a vendor with modernization support in the next contract cycle. Members pressed for clearer accountability and faster progress, and NDIT and HHS emphasized that they are working jointly but need continued support and better tools. The committee then heard a cybersecurity update on NDIT’s statewide services and maturity assessments. NDIT explained that it provides vulnerability scanning, endpoint protection, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that these services are tied to a cybersecurity maturity assessment based on CIS controls. Members questioned the sharp drop in participation since 2020 and whether the self-assessment should be mandatory or tied more strongly to StageNet access or insurance incentives. NDIT said participation is voluntary, but Enderf is now requiring annual assessments to keep a 4% insurance discount, and members discussed whether stronger requirements or audit authority may be needed. The meeting ended as the committee began a follow-up discussion on BEAD broadband connection costs and why some locations are much more expensive to connect than others.