Transcript Highlights:

• Uh he was and two small kids at home.
• </c><00:20:35.760><c> police</c> were these people in the city police were these people in the city police
• I believe Floyd County Sheriff's Department, our city, Prestonsburg City Police Department, and even
• </c> has a long-standing scholarship program has a long-standing scholarship program for<00:33:42.559
• . program. program.

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore a few minutes lost at the end of the meeting Representative Tackett-Lafferty: 00:22 • Line of Duty Disability Benefits Representative Grossberg: 26:32 • Loss of TRS Credit Due to Religious Holiday Observance Representative Blanton: 32:01 • Educational Contracts and Membership Dates in KERS Representative Tipton and Representative Blanton: 40:55 • Apply SB 10 Changes from 2025 to KERS/SPRS Senator Higdon: 46:08 • PPOB Reporting on Line of Duty Benefits • TRS Annual Leave Impact on TRS • PPOB Membership • Use of Sick Leave for Religious Holidays Adjournment: 56:03, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Rep. Ashley Tackett Laferty on a bill to extend minimum line-of-duty hazardous duty retirement benefits to certain CERS and KERS non-hazardous members who are injured in the line of duty and cannot return to that work. She used a video and examples from Eastern Kentucky first responders, including a deputy who lost a leg and an emergency management director who lost an eye, to argue that some injured officers and responders fall through the cracks because their employers did not elect hazardous-duty coverage. She said the proposal would provide 25% of pay to the disabled officer, plus 10% for dependent children and minimal health benefits, and noted estimated actuarial costs of about $2.9 million for CERS and $0.542 million for KERS, funded through small employer-rate increases. Members asked how far back the bill would reach, how many people might qualify, and whether the benefit would apply only to active employees or also to past injuries. Laferty said the bill would include a five-year window for recent situations and could potentially cover a total of 3,333 positions statewide that could be certified as hazardous, though benefits would only apply if the person was injured in the line of duty and disabled from returning to that work. Questions also focused on whether a non-hazardous employee could qualify if injured in a hazardous situation; Laferty said yes, if the position could be certified as hazardous, but only for the bill’s minimum benefits. Rep. Josh Calloway and others noted that local governments choose whether to pay the higher hazardous-duty contribution rates, which they said often drives the coverage decision. The committee then heard Rep. Daniel Gberg present a separate bill revising school leave rules so teachers and school employees may use accumulated sick leave to observe religious holidays not on the school calendar, with a required personal statement and advance notice. He said the change would address a longstanding inconsistency for teachers who observe non-Christian holidays and currently may have to choose between unpaid leave or improperly using sick days, and he said prior concerns about retirement service credit and maternity leave were reduced by other policy changes. The discussion ended without a vote, with members indicating they had the relevant materials and that the bill would be revisited later.

Transcript Highlights:

• the third reading of the bill: An act regarding the appointment of special police officers in the city
• consecutive Division II state title and completed an undefeated season, further establishing the program
• as one of the premier girls basketball programs in the Commonwealth.
• So every dollar that we get back into the hands of our cities and towns for these two big categories,
• Amendment 43 requires half of this proportional amount to be expended on roads and bridges for cities

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and received a resignation letter from Rep. Fana Howard of Lowell, effective March 17, 2026, as she transitioned to the Senate. The chamber then took up several procedural orders, including multiple unanimous or voice-vote suspensions of rules and concurrence with Senate petitions, such as referrals on housing and student transportation matters, and a suspension of Joint Rule 12 for a petition involving children served by DCF. The main substantive item was House No. 5264, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill totaling about $1.8 billion. Members discussed its use of Fair Share surtax surplus funds for transportation and education, including major support for the MBTA, special education circuit breaker costs, early education and child care, snow and ice costs, regional transit authorities, and other deficiencies such as GIC and sheriff costs. Members also explained the bill’s tax conformity provisions responding to recent federal tax changes, with debate over whether to delay conformity to limit state revenue exposure. The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the bill and then passed it to be engrossed by roll call vote, 150-3. The House also adopted a resolution commending the Admetek Foundation on Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. Several local bills were advanced, including a sick leave bank for a Department of Corrections employee, a bill waiving the minimum age requirement for a Boston police officer, a Nantucket charter bill, a Stoneham public safety bill, and a Malden special police officers bill, the last of which was amended before being engrossed. The chamber also considered Amendment 43 to redistribute $100 million of Fair Share revenue more evenly to municipalities for roads and education; supporters argued the current distribution favored statewide priorities over local aid, while opponents said the formula would not adequately address rural road needs. That amendment was rejected 128-25. The House then recessed several times, observed moments of silence for local public servants, welcomed visiting youth sports teams, and finally ordered adjournment to meet the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• In San Francisco, the vast majority of the city has zero lot lines.
• The bill does not stop cities from inspecting if they wish to.
• And so cities can set up a system where they inspect.
• , one of the most expensive cities anywhere.
• the CEC's INDIGO program, the FPIP program, but even the factories that clear the capital hurdle face

Summary: The committee first heard SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approval for portable plug-in solar devices for homes and apartments. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and other Californians lower electric bills, expand access to solar, and create statewide safety standards through UL certification and the National Electrical Code. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, backfeeding, older electrical systems, and the bill bypassing the California Electrical Code and Building Standards Commission process. After extended discussion and testimony from UL, the author agreed to add California Electrical Code language, and several opponents indicated they would move to neutral; the committee then passed the bill out as amended to the Senate Judiciary Committee on a roll call vote. The committee then took up SB 886, which would establish rules for large data centers to prevent electricity cost shifts to other ratepayers. The author and supporters said rapid data center growth could drive major grid costs and that the bill would require data centers to pay for their own infrastructure, participate in demand response, and secure new zero-carbon resources. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, while opponents such as the Data Center Coalition, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, utilities, and business groups argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC proceedings, and might impose operationally risky mandates, especially around demand response and backup power. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing behind-the-meter storage with a pre-funded long-term clean energy contract, and exempting certain public and critical facilities; the discussion continued with questions about cost responsibility, clean energy targets, and peak-load management.

Transcript Highlights:

• In San Francisco, the vast majority of the city has zero lot lines.
• The bill does not stop cities from inspecting if they wish to.
• And so cities can set up a system where they inspect.
• , one of the most expensive cities anywhere.
• the CEC's INDIGO program and the FPIP program, but even the factories that clear the capital hurdle

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The cities and private developers.
• I'm a city council member from the city of Saint Peter.
• I'm a city council member from the city of Saint Peter.
• Within our municipal electric utility, we do run a small transit system with the city of Seward and the
• city of St.

Bills: HF4807

Keywords: overweight vehicles, aggregate mining, local ordinance restrictions, legislative audit, transportation, resource inventory, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and our firefighting program.
• , and that program...
• We received fairly little information about that program, and that program information was supposed to
• One another, or developing a program that adds on to the Community Wildfire Mitigation Program, or the
• So the intent of that program is to increase adoption of mass timber and residential... ...program.

Summary: The subcommittee began by announcing a change in the agenda order, moving item 6 ahead of item 1 and then item 7, and noting there would be no votes taken on any items that day. Item 6 covered a proposed operational efficiencies control section for the Natural Resources Agency that would let multiple departments jointly fund landscape-scale or multi-jurisdictional projects and allow Finance to transfer climate bond funds to a lead state entity. The LAO said the proposal was reasonable but suggested the Legislature consider requiring summary notification on how it is used; Finance said it would consider that request. Item 7 focused on the 2026-27 biodiversity and nature-based solutions spending plan. Finance and the Wildlife Conservation Board described the climate bond funding for habitat restoration, wildlife crossings, public access, tribal nature-based solutions, and related work, including $111 million proposed for WCB and $30 million for Salton Sea habitat and public access projects. The LAO supported the overall approach but flagged the San Andreas Corridor Program as an area where the Legislature may want to specify geographic priorities. Members discussed the pace of Salton Sea work and whether the proposed projects would count toward disadvantaged community goals. Item 8 addressed Cal Fire’s aviation contract and staffing needs for wildfire response. Cal Fire said year-round fire activity, a larger and more complex aircraft fleet, and labor market pressures justified the proposed contract increase, including more mechanics, pilots, and maintenance support. The LAO recommended approval, saying the proposal addressed health and safety concerns. Members asked about contractor staffing, competition in the bidding process, and future technology for early fire detection and suppression. The committee then took up item 1 on golden mussel containment. Fish and Wildlife described the invasive species’ spread in the Delta, the task force and response framework, and a request for eight new positions funded by Prop. 4 to support control plans, outreach, monitoring, research, and coordination with partners and law enforcement. Members pressed the department on whether the state should fund more direct decontamination infrastructure and grants to local water managers, and on the realistic goal of containing the mussel. The chair and several members emphasized the urgency of the threat and requested an itemized breakdown of the $20 million request. The hearing then moved to a broader LAO overview of wildfire prevention and response funding, where the LAO summarized the state’s funding mix and warned that ongoing wildfire resilience funding will likely decline as one-time bond and GGRF funds are exhausted, prompting discussion of long-term funding options and the balance between prevention, suppression, and community hardening.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legal framework poses challenges for cities.
• The city has long been experiencing population growth and seeking to annex nearby areas for expansion
• House Bill 4449 seeks to... streamline this process for the city of Kenyon by allowing their alcohol
• In the neighboring county, should not have to be wet or dry depending upon the preference of the city
• We really have one small window to do right by the victim or the survivor, and we need to be able to

Bills: HB220, HB783, HB2240, HB3336, HB4202, HB4449, HB4904, HB3441, HB4284

Keywords: sexual assault, healthcare facilities, forensic examination, survivor support, emergency contraceptive, online impersonation, civil liability, social media, identity theft, defamation, counseling damages, injunctive relief, public health, safety regulations, community health, state standards, healthcare access, HB 3336, alcoholic beverage tax credit, spent grain

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis City system here that we're talking about?
• In the city of St.
• Louis City Justice? I mean, do we have a library in the St. Louis City Justice Center?
• We've got some small...
• You're talking about this voluntary program.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The statewide program is fairly new compared to the district programs.
• , the ZAP program.
• So we have a pilot program, $3 million in the e-bike program.
• Putting a finer point on one of them, the Food Production Investment Program, this small but mighty program
• SAFER, FPIP, agricultural waste programs, and methane reduction programs.

Summary: The committee hearing focused heavily on CARB’s broad trailer bill request for regulatory fee authority. Finance and CARB argued the proposal would let CARB develop fees to recover reasonable costs for implementing and enforcing regulations, while the LAO recommended rejection because the authority was too broad, could apply to an entire division of code, and would delegate core legislative taxing/fee-setting power without enough guardrails. Members from both parties raised concerns about the breadth of the authority, accountability, affordability impacts, and whether the Legislature would be put in an up-or-down position after CARB had already developed regulations. CARB responded that fees would still go through a budget change proposal and legislative approval before collection, and cited existing examples such as transport refrigeration units and commercial harborcraft fees. The committee then reviewed CARB’s request for permanent resources to implement SB 905 on carbon capture, utilization, storage, and carbon dioxide removal. CARB said the Legislature had previously authorized limited-term positions and funding, but it had struggled to recruit and retain staff with specialized regulatory and technical expertise, and that the work had included pre-rulemaking contracts, technology review, and permit-related preparation. Members questioned the pace of work, the use of limited-term positions, and whether additional permitting authority would be needed. CARB said it hoped to begin rulemaking later in the year if permanent resources were approved. Members also discussed the cap-and-trade spending plan, noting lower-than-expected auction revenues but higher interest earnings, and the need to monitor the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and possible May Revision changes. The committee then heard overviews of the zero-emission vehicle package, the Community Air Protection Program, demand-side grid support, and e-bike incentives. CARB described ongoing investments in community-based transportation equity, drayage trucks, harbor craft, and other clean technology demonstrations, while members pressed on affordability, program duplication, and whether enough funding was being directed to incentive programs. No formal votes were taken during the portion provided, and the chair repeatedly indicated that the hearing was intended to surface concerns for later budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• It helps release time programs operate constitutionally and safely by specifying the requirements a program
• school bus to go to the program.
• You've got a controversy in your city; well, in the city that your district includes, you always have
• ; Fire Science, which is our firefighters program, and EMT paramedic program.
• A school participating in the program may include the program designation on its school report card.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I own a small farm in the Santa Cruz area, Santa Cruz Farm.
• I'm here to endorse the bill today, letting you know that those of us that are small.
• The way that they manage the program is through an annual grant cycle.
• And how about the acequias program? How long has that one been? Well, Mr.
• As you have heard, clinical hours are required by many or most health care programs.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Family Pact, Cancer Detection Program, Every Woman Counts, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program
• The program rules were changed, which devastated the entire program system.
• comply or even want to be in the program.
• wrong in relation to the program.
• systems, and other public health programs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the problem here is this bill doesn't define programs.
• So we are talking about a very large evaluation of a very large number of programs.
• We have no audits directly of some of these programs or at irregular intervals.
• And this idea came from a visit to Oklahoma City over the interim for a conference.
• They are in the address confidentiality program. Back to this bill, okay, I'm sorry.

Bills: SB6215, SB6160, SB6313, SB6049, SB6164, SB5046, SB5842, SB6035, SB5853, SB5888

Keywords: fraud prevention, identity theft, consumer protection, security measures, legislation, government efficiency, state agencies, reporting, bureaucracy, transparency, Capitol Centennial Stewardship, funding, gifts, grants, donations, legislative support, student privacy, employee confidentiality, public disclosure, data protection

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• to the one-time program.
• About 80% of the TK programs are full day programs, 20% are not.
• program one of the most successful DEI programs in the state's history alive.
• health program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a small question. I'll take it in pieces. Mr. Keating continued: Challenges.
• I am the rights-of-way program manager at the Idaho Department of Lands. Thank you.
• We have a program for that so people can take a track share and check it out.
• This was an old facility on the left that had been in disrepair in the city.
• One of them is for, I think it's Boise City has a big project.

Summary: The committee began by recognizing page Marley Johnson, who said she plans to finish school, attend flight school, and possibly pursue an aviation degree. Members asked about her experience in the Senate, and she said it changed her perspective by showing that state politics can be collaborative and focused on doing what is best for Idaho. The committee presented her with a letter of recommendation for flight school and an American 250 flag flown over the Capitol. The committee then considered several gubernatorial appointments and Idaho Department of Lands rules. It voted to send David Bobbitt’s reappointment to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and heard testimony from James Keating for reappointment to the Idaho Parks and Recreation Board; no vote was taken on his appointment at that time. The committee also heard a presentation from the Lake Pend Oreille Basin Commission on a study claiming the Corps of Engineers’ lake-level management costs the North Idaho economy about $40 million annually, with testimony focused on extending the full recreational season. Members asked about effects on recreation, fish habitat, and the geographic reach of the economic impact. Three pending rules from the Department of Lands were reviewed and approved. One rule on mine land reclamation was described as a zero-based regulation update that mainly reduced word count and reorganized application requirements, with no major substantive changes. A fee rule for navigable waterways and encroachments under the Lake Protection Act was also approved; it reduced word count, added definitions, and clarified encroachment-related provisions, with no fee increases. A third rule on easements on state-owned lands was approved as well; it deleted nominal application and assignment fees, adjusted compensation language, expanded emergency work definitions, and extended temporary permits from 10 to 20 years. Committee votes on all three rules were unanimous. Finally, Idaho Parks and Recreation Director Susan Buxton gave an agency update on parks operations, deferred maintenance, new campgrounds and docks, trail management, reservation pricing, and budget impacts. She said outdoor recreation remains a major economic driver, that the department has used appropriated funds to add capacity and improve facilities statewide, and that some service reductions may occur because of budget cuts. In response to a question, she said snowmobile registration revenue is down because of limited snow, which could affect county-run snowmobile programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:11:35.040><c> of</c> are places, and I'll use the city of are places, and I'll use the city of
• It's just a small way that maybe a small group of people who would want to be able to buy a house and
• It's just a small way that maybe a small group of people who would want to be able to buy a house and
• > way that maybe a small group of people way that maybe a small group of people who<04:19:22.800><c>
• </c> program for a developer. program for a developer.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:42.599><c> we</c> the water quality reducation program we the water quality reducation program
• </c> programs that we operate of this program programs that we operate of this program in<00:10:37.880
• program is a nation<00:17:36.320><c> leading</c><00:17:36.679><c> program</c><00:17:37.200><c> that<
• a water quality certification program a water quality certification program program program implements
• <c> but</c> so the program the programs worked but so the program the programs worked but the<01:24:22.360

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Vincent, Vice Chair Dixon, Chair Small. Uh, I'm here. Great.
• Uh, the city and the county agreed to do that.
• Reoccurring were so small they're going to be hard to for me to unless Adrian remembers them.
• We did see that the feds are cutting that program.
• Uh I've got the senior citizen program across programs across the state that we're looking for this,

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a very small amount.
• And there is a great program.
• And there is a great program.
• , and our school-age programs.
• , program type 2 family child care, and program type 3 center child care?

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a very small amount of program.
• cities, larger cities, and town road accounts.
• President. cities, larger cities, and town road cities, larger cities, and town road accounts.<01:02:
• President. have a very solid program. It's have a very solid program.
• existing LTPP program or the pavement investment program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all