Transcript Highlights:

• And that's just the situation that we're in with our budget and that we have gotten so dependent on..
• . ...with our budget and that we have gotten so dependent on a lot of these programs that now when the
• And so we've acknowledged their request to have those monies and staff included. Maybe one more.
• It protects your budget and it protects your people.
• I'm going to request a roll call vote. Thank you. Bjerke, aye. Harris, aye. Zuiderveld, aye.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I request Senate Bill 1262 go over in its order.
• Senator Pittman requested that Senate Bill 1262 go over in its order.
• President, I request Senate Bill 1334 and Senate Bill 1368 go over in their order.
• Senator Pittman requested that Senate Bills 1334 and 1368 go over in their order.
• Governor Shapiro has called for legalization in every one of his budget proposals.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then received communications recalling it for voting session and referring gubernatorial nominations and a series of Senate and House bills and resolutions to standing committees. Leaves of absence were granted, and the chamber recessed briefly for committee meetings and party caucuses before reconvening. On the floor, the Senate unanimously agreed to House Bill 1102 and later passed Senate Bill 1133 and Senate Bill 1303 by 50-0 votes. Several measures were set aside to their proper place in the calendar or re-referred, including Senate Bill 1182 and House Bill 928 to Appropriations. The Senate also adopted multiple amendments to Senate Bill 1372, including a technical amendment from Senator Brooks, an amendment offered on behalf of Senator Loughlin, and Senator Fontana’s amendment requiring carbon monoxide detectors in child care facilities; after amendment, Senate Bill 1372 was held over. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 326 urging a posthumous Medal of Honor for Major Richard Winters. During petitions and remonstrances, Senator Tartaglione urged action to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, noting it has been 20 years since the last increase. Senator Dush honored Colonel James C. Harding on his birthday, highlighting his military service and decorations. Senator Street introduced a discharge resolution to force consideration of adult-use cannabis legalization, arguing the issue has bipartisan support and should receive a vote. Senator Dush also delivered extended remarks on the Founders, John Adams, religion, and the Constitution. Committee reports followed, including Appropriations reporting Senate Bills 1061, 1182, and 1303 as committed and House Bill 2400 as amended, and Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure reporting House Bill 2426 as committed. The Senate then considered supplemental calendars, adopting an amendment to Senate Bill 1182 and passing Senate Bill 1303 on final passage, both by 50-0 votes. The chamber was also notified of upcoming committee meetings, and it recessed until June 30, 2026, at 11 a.m., unless recalled sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• We held in the health budget sub, I think we had at least five hearings in the full budget, 11 hearings
• We held in the health budget sub, I think we had at least five hearings in the full budget, 11 hearings
• our state budget changes that we just adopted I'm really members outlining our budget our state budget
• Ideally, we will know about the transition period prior to the governor's budget, and we will have requested
• We obviously went through our budgeting process.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s Medi-Cal program and on community health effects from recent immigration enforcement actions. Committee leaders said H.R. 1 would sharply reduce federal funding, increase administrative burdens, and worsen access to care, especially for Medi-Cal enrollees, immigrant families, rural communities, and reproductive health patients. The second half of the hearing examined how ICE raids and related federal actions are creating fear, reducing clinic and emergency department use, and disrupting children’s access to schools and early childhood education. Department of Health Care Services Director Michelle Bass outlined the main H.R. 1 provisions affecting Medi-Cal: work requirements, semiannual eligibility redeterminations, shorter retroactive coverage, new cost-sharing, limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments, reduced federal support for emergency and lawful immigrant coverage, and a one-year ban on Medicaid funding for prohibited abortion providers. She estimated millions could lose coverage, with tens of billions of dollars in federal funding at risk. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California warned the defunding provision could force clinic closures, service reductions, and loss of access to family planning, STI testing, and cancer screenings. The California Hospital Association said the financing changes could cut hospital revenue by tens of billions over 10 years and threaten access, especially for rural and safety-net hospitals. The Western Center on Law and Poverty argued the law would increase churn, paperwork, and uninsured rates, disproportionately harming working adults and people experiencing homelessness. Committee members asked about implementation timelines, notification systems, administrative costs, the effect on immigrant eligibility, and whether California could delay or mitigate some provisions. Bass said the state was still assessing federal guidance, planning county and provider outreach, and exploring a possible delay for work requirements and a transition period for provider-tax changes. Members also discussed how state budget actions may need to be revisited in light of H.R. 1, and how California might preserve access through state-only funding or other policy changes. In the second panel, CHIRLA, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, and the Children’s Partnership described the health consequences of immigration enforcement. Speakers said raids and data-sharing fears are causing anxiety, trauma, and avoidance of care, with Los Angeles County reporting declines in emergency, urgent care, and clinic visits after enforcement actions. The Children’s Partnership said school and early childhood absences are rising in some communities and that enforcement is undermining children’s emotional well-being and access to education. Members asked for more data and discussed possible state protections, telehealth, mobile care, and legal and policy responses to reduce fear and preserve access to health and education services.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> particularly this important budget particularly this important budget subcommittee<00:01:31.040>
• Nothing I say is budget for prosecutors.
• We would love to be invited back or to come talk to you individually about our full budget request for
• </c> How would you manage the budget How would you manage the budget differently?
• And I'm just thinking about all of that you presented and how a budget and budget line items are really

Keywords: 0:00:04 Call to Order 0:00:50 Dept for Public Advocacy 0:51:31 Life Learning Center 1:21:06 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary heard testimony from the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) on attorney compensation and alternatives to incarceration. Because the committee lacked a quorum, the chair skipped formal roll call and minutes approval, then invited DPA Public Advocate Damon Preston, Deputy Public Advocate Melanie Lowe, and alternative sentencing worker Cena/Tina Mills to present. Preston said DPA is fully state-funded, has 698 funded positions, and was near full staffing with 673 filled positions and 42 new law graduates expected to join in August. He argued that DPA’s resources lag behind those of prosecutors, noting that local prosecutorial offices receive substantially more total funding and have additional revenue sources beyond the state budget. Preston focused on salary disparities and turnover. He said DPA trial-office attorneys total about $26 million in salaries, compared with about $41.9 million for prosecutors on publicly listed state funding, and estimated that more than 100 additional prosecutors are paid through other sources, bringing total prosecutor compensation to a little over $50 million versus DPA’s $26 million. He said starting DPA attorney pay is $58,200, experienced attorney pay averages about $73,000, and that these levels are too low given law school debt and the state’s constitutional obligation to provide defense counsel. He also said DPA attorney turnover is about 20%, median service time before separation was 15 months in 2024, and exit interviews often cite salary as the main reason for leaving. He gave examples of former DPA attorneys moving to prosecutor offices for raises ranging from 12% to 50%. Committee members asked about how often defendants are represented by private counsel versus DPA and how that affects workload. Preston said a 2017 study found about 50% of misdemeanor cases and about 75% of circuit court cases were handled by DPA, with DPA handling most of the most labor-intensive cases. He said DPA will step aside when a defendant hires private counsel or is found ineligible, and he acknowledged the system historically erred by denying counsel in some cases, though he said the current concern is whether DPA is now appointed too broadly. Members requested updated trend data on appointments over the past decade. Preston also described DPA’s pay scale and said the agency’s compensation structure makes retention difficult. Mills then described DPA’s alternative sentencing worker program, which she said has operated for about 20 years and has received national recognition. She shared a case example involving a client named Patrick, who faced a prison sentence on a possession charge and was referred to a horse-based treatment and certification program in Shelbyville. She said the client wanted treatment and a fresh start, a bed became available, and she and the client’s attorney presented an alternative sentencing plan to the court. The presentation was interrupted briefly by a technical issue, but the testimony continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously it's budget day.
• So the budget before you is in a grand total of 34.7 billion dollars.
• As you pointed out in your budget summary that amounts to 4 billion dollars this year.
• They requests for reimbursement for those background checks through the SFO, Mr.
• budgeting.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, a roll call vote has been requested. Please return to the chamber.
• Chair, I am requesting a question for Representative Contreras.
• I would love to do the budget by the end of April. ...doing the budget.
• I would love to do the budget by the end of April.
• Forty percent of our budget comes from the federal government.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, guest introductions, and a proclamation recognizing March as International Women’s Celebration Month. Members also welcomed guests from several school districts and the Arizona FFA. The chamber then moved through first readings of numerous Senate bills and took up several motions, including reconsideration of HB 2169 and referral of HB 210 and HB 2103 to an additional Committee of the Whole for further amendment. In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced HB 2100 and HB 2103 with technical amendments and due-pass recommendations. It then considered a series of bills on Calendar 2, including HB 2048, HB 2364, HB 2415, HB 2775, HB 2833, HB 2862, HB 2870, HB 2995, and HB 4067. Debate centered on election administration, sovereignty and international organizations, private school regulation, law enforcement face coverings, domestic violence and coercive control, and voter roll categories. HB 2862 drew the most procedural attention, with a division vote on a substitute amendment; the House rejected a motion to replace the adopted amendment, and the report was later adopted. On Calendar 3, the House considered education bills. HB 2093, which repeals the requirement for K-12 health education to include mental health instruction, prompted extensive debate over student suicide prevention, school counseling, parental responsibility, and whether schools should provide mental health support; it received a due-pass recommendation by a 27-22 division vote. The House also advanced HB 2313, which was described as responding to a Tucson Unified School District work stoppage tied to a political protest, and HB 2423, HB 2478, and other education measures after amendments and, in one case, withdrawal of an appropriations amendment. The session continued into HB 2830 as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is actually a constituent request, and the constituent who requested it is here and will be speaking
• And there is no request a late refund.
• </c> bureau um you know denied our request bureau um you know denied our request for<00:17:41.919><c>
• </c> off of HB uh 1785, but I had a request. off of HB uh 1785, but I had a request.
• </c> budget. Take it a section at a time. budget. Take it a section at a time.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports indicate that the FY2026 budget request might All of these are in the news, and we want to understand
• Or the science budget, some of the things that I mentioned in my opening statement?
• I think right now NASA has a pretty extraordinary budget.
• Even with budget cuts, you'll be able to do that.
• So you're describing Gateway as over budget and behind schedule.

Keywords: state policy, governance, legislative processes, public concerns, policy improvement

Summary: During the committee meeting, various issues surrounding state policy and governance were deliberated. Although the specifics of bills under discussion were not highlighted, comments from several committee members indicated a focus on improving legislative processes and addressing public concerns. The chairman facilitated discussions that included several points of critique as well as suggestions for enhancement of existing laws. The atmosphere remained constructive despite the complexity of the topics at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do in the budget process..."
• The budget committee has every single department come and speak to the budget committee every year about
• Is this the budget committee moving the money around? Is the governor's recommended budget?
• Is this the budget committee moving the money around? Is the governor's recommended budget?
• I had been on budget. I'm new to budget again this year in a way, so still learning.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee first met in executive session and voted 8-0, with one member absent, to do pass House Bill 3405. Members described the bill as clarifying how pass-through entity tax information and credits are handled, with supporters saying it would reduce confusion and administrative burden while preserving the tax credit. In public hearing, the committee took testimony on House Bill 2457 and House Bill 1782, both related to food pantry tax credits. HB 2457 would extend the food pantry/soup kitchen/homeless shelter credit to 2032, add food banks as eligible entities, and raise the cap from $1.75 million to $4 million, while keeping the credit at 50 percent. HB 1782 would remove the sunset from the food pantry tax credit. Supporters said food banks and related charities need stable, predictable funding to address rising hunger and food waste; there was no opposition testimony. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 3518, which would redirect the existing athletes and entertainers tax into a dedicated fund and require distribution to arts, humanities, libraries, public broadcasting, and historic preservation, while extending the sunset to 2060. The sponsor and supporters argued the money was intended for these purposes and that current appropriations fall short of the statutory split, creating instability for cultural and educational organizations. Witnesses from arts groups, libraries, and humanities organizations cited economic impact, statewide reach, and the need for long-term planning; some members raised concerns about oversight, general revenue impacts, and the long sunset, but no vote was taken on HB 3518 in this transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been more based on requests of legislators and committees like this.
• We will again be having an intern program that was agreed to in our budget.
• In preparation for the request, a survey was sent to all 53 counties.
• In preparation for the request, a survey was sent to all 53 counties.
• So it is ultimately a cost that is taken out of a sheriff's budget to do.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been more based on requests of legislators and committees like this.
• In preparation for the request, a survey was sent to all 53 counties.
• In preparation for the request, a survey was sent to all 53 counties.
• So it is ultimately a cost that is taken out of a sheriff's budget to do.
• So it is ultimately a cost that is taken out of a sheriff's budget to do.

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information. The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been more based on requests of legislators and committees like this.
• We will again be having an intern program that was agreed to in our budget.
• We will again be having an intern program that was agreed to in our budget.
• In preparation for the request, a survey was sent to all 53 counties.
• So it is ultimately a cost that is taken out of a sheriff's budget to do.

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to continue its study of charitable gaming, especially the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations and the relationship between charities, site owners, and gaming manufacturers/distributors. Legislative Council reviewed the background memo and Attorney General’s Gaming Division explained the legal framework, including site authorizations, rent limits, allowable expenses, and restrictions on distributors and manufacturers. Members focused heavily on electronic pull tabs, asking about the large gap between gross proceeds and adjusted proceeds, how much is paid out in winnings, how much is retained for expenses, and whether the 60% allowable-expense cap is being used as intended. The AG’s office said e-tabs account for most gaming volume, that winnings make up much of the difference, and that some organizations do not use the full 60% while others may exceed it, though only the capped amount counts as gaming expense. The committee also discussed the number of gaming organizations that appear to own or be affiliated with bars, the ways those ownership structures are formed, and whether some arrangements may create conflicts or site-selection pressure. The League of Cities and the Association of Counties described the local site-authorization process and recent model policies adopted after the 2025 session. Cities said they can require signed agreements, limit games and machines, set qualifications, and charge up to $100 for site authorization, but cannot require charities to donate net proceeds or force a specific charity or site. They said the new policies are meant to add transparency and local control, though the more controversial parts involve requiring a local nexus or community connection. County representatives said the issue is mostly a city matter and that counties generally take a lighter-touch approach. Committee members raised concerns about whether local rules could unfairly exclude larger regional charities or create inconsistent standards across cities. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance said it supports the study and provided information on charities that own or are affiliated with bars, emphasizing that most gaming organizations do not own alcoholic beverage establishments. Its representative said some charities may pursue bar ownership for site stability and diversification, while others decide against it because operating a bar is difficult. He also said a ban on charity-owned bars could raise federal tax-law issues depending on how it is written, and agreed to provide more detail. The committee asked Legislative Council and the Gaming Alliance for additional information on ownership structures and federal-law questions before the next meeting. Later, the Racing Commission gave a separate update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, and related charitable partnerships, and the State Hospital superintendent reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, staffing, and wait lists; no votes were taken on these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me just give you a brief background and kind of my request for today.
• And if it's a request out of state, we can't compel out of state, but schools must still request that
• And if it's a request out of state, we can't compel out of state, but schools must still request that
• So my request is that you consider this amendment.
• IFC knows this because we filed public records requests existent.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I request a recorded vote. Mr. Speaker, a recorded vote is requested.
• </c> President I request a recorded vote. Mr. President I request a recorded vote. Mr.
• Request the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays are requested.
• Request the yays and nas. recognition? Request the yays and nas.
• Request is granted. Y'all got a lot of quick requests.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> been very uh constructive, uh we request been very uh constructive, uh we request the<00:03:09.200
• request request &gt;&gt; and<00:06:19.199><c> seconded</c><00:06:19.680><c> by</c><00:06:20.240><c>
• 31.760><c> uh</c><00:20:31.919><c> conservation</c> a request from the uh conservation a request from
• </c> back of the budget cut. back of the budget cut.
• Okay. the HB2 budget. Uh you know, the the the HB2 budget.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• been before the committee last year when the bill for the reorganization of the fish and wildlife budget
• Thank you. wildlife budget committee uh Was Heard wildlife budget committee uh Was Heard and<00:11:56.399
• </c><00:15:51.759><c> their</c> governor's office requesting their governor's office requesting their
• Um, and we look forward to working with you on this bill and finding those resources within your budget
• together but it will not be cheap budget together but it will not be cheap there's<00:22:49.600><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• For those large-population states, it's just a bump in the budget.
• To cover the ever-growing state budget.
• This is a budget issue for them. It's going to go on them.
• I mean, we understand budgets. I mean, that's our job. We do that.
• I mean, we understand budgets. I mean, that's our job. We do that.

Bills: SB2401, SB2402, SB2403, SB2404

Keywords: SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up second reading and final passage of several House bills related to the Rural Health Transformation Program and other matters. House Bill 1621, requiring the presidential fitness test in school physical education with exceptions and a delayed effective date, passed 43-3. House Bill 1623, appropriating federal rural health transformation grant funds and creating a related loan program and reporting structure, passed 46-0 after extensive debate about using the federal money for community health, infrastructure, and sustainability. House Bill 1622, joining the physician assistant licensure compact, also passed unanimously 46-0. House Bill 1625, authorizing the Ray Richards Golf Course land sale to support a Grand Forks transportation project and golf course improvements, passed 46-0. House Bill 1626, clarifying that the primary residence credit is applied after the early payment discount so taxpayers receive the full $1,600 benefit, passed 40-6.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Madam Speaker, I request a roll call on this. A roll call has been requested.
• A roll call has been requested. this. A roll call has been requested.
• The next budget is going to this time. The next budget is going to be<02:53:42.720><c> worse.
• </c> their budgets. their budgets.
• They're facing deep budget cuts.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Keith Bybee, the division manager of budget and policy analysis.
• So we're now transitioning into finalizing the maintenance budgets for fiscal year 2027.
• With all of the moving parts with building these maintenance budgets this year, including the budget
• . ...focus on the language and on the agency-by-agency budgets.
• Chairman and Representative Petzke, maintenance budgets have only been around for three years.

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committees met to consider several FY 2026 and FY 2027 cash transfers and then begin work on maintenance budget language for FY 2027. Keith Bybee of Budget and Policy Analysis and Lori Wolf of the Division of Financial Management explained that the transfers were tied to balances in funds with obligations below available cash, and that some projects had been canceled or delayed for reasons including budget constraints, site issues, or other program changes. Senator Wintrow raised concerns that some of the projects, such as corrections, reentry, juvenile services, and the Carnegie Library, had been important when originally funded and should not be viewed as unimportant now. The committee approved a $33.745 million transfer from the Permanent Building Fund to the General Fund, a $15 million transfer from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the General Fund, and a $10 million transfer from the In-Demand Careers Fund to the General Fund for FY 2026. It also approved a separate FY 2027 transfer of $10 million from the In-Demand Careers Fund to the General Fund, with language specifying the transfer would occur after awards were obligated and reconciled, on or after December 31, 2026. Each motion passed on roll call with due-pass recommendations, with a small number of dissenting votes. After the cash transfer actions, the committee shifted to reviewing the draft clear language for FY 2027 maintenance budgets. Bybee explained that the packet contained standard language for the ten maintenance budgets and that the analysts would work with members in agency-by-agency workgroups because the reporting structure had been disrupted by budget adjustments. Members discussed how maintenance-bill language is selected and confirmed that the language reflects existing law or previously adopted budget provisions. The committee then adjourned until the next morning, with workgroups to continue reviewing the maintenance budget language.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:27.920><c> reserve</c> we used to have the budget reserve we used to have the budget reserve
• </c> becoming the new budget reserve account. becoming the new budget reserve account.
• </c><00:22:10.240><c> more</c> take and uh to make our budget more take and uh to make our budget more
• And we’ll keep funding budgets until you can’t.
• And we’ll keep funding budgets until you can’t.

Keywords: 916, all