Transcript Highlights:

• Once you want to have a teacher or, in some cases, even retake a test, there's additional cost associated
• getting paid to do the work are not just simply using AI to generate lessons, lesson plans, correct tests
• There's got to be a mind change, a thought process to how do I test that kid to see that he's learning

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee first approved the January 26 and January 27, 2026 minutes by voice vote. The committee then heard a presentation from Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) Superintendent Jeff Simmons, joined by Cambridge Superintendent Anthony Butler, on IDLA’s role as Idaho’s statewide supplemental online learning program. Simmons described IDLA’s funding model, course offerings, growth in enrollment, quality controls, teacher certification and oversight, use of Idaho teachers and curriculum, free open-content resources, and efforts to support families through lower course fees and waived dual-credit fees. He also said IDLA is preparing for a proposed $10 million budget cut, which he said would significantly reduce enrollments and course offerings. Butler testified that IDLA is especially valuable for small rural districts like Cambridge for credit recovery, dual credit, scheduling flexibility, and keeping students on track to graduate. Senators asked about teacher certification, costs, evaluation in a virtual setting, AI use, statutory naming, and how IDLA would be affected by budget reductions. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1234, sponsored by Senator Carlson, which would change Lewis-Clark State College’s name to Lewis-Clark State University. President Cynthia Pemberton testified that the change would not alter the institution’s mission, programs, or focus, but would reduce confusion about the school’s offerings, better reflect its four-year and graduate programs, and help recruitment and partnerships. She said the proposal has broad support from the State Board of Education, K-12 partners, local chambers, and campus stakeholders, and estimated a one-time rebranding cost of about $50,000. Senators asked about the cost and intent language, and the committee voted to send the bill to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation. The meeting adjourned afterward, with notice that there would be no Education Committee meeting the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• on to the next step and on to the graduation stage is one that is more responsive to not just the test-based
• on to the next step and on to the graduation stage is one that is more responsive to not just the test-based
• on to the next step and on to the graduation stage is one that is more responsive to not just the test-based

Summary: The House Education Committee met in executive session on seven bills, with a brief recognition of students shadowing Representative Steele before moving to bill action. Staff summarized measures dealing with competency-based graduation assessments (HB 2007), school-supplied albuterol and standing orders for asthma or respiratory symptoms (HB 2360), the Washington Local Food for Schools Program (HB 2369), surplus technology hardware for students (HB 2432), privacy protections for Education Ombuds complaint records (HB 2440), military family school enrollment and services (HB 2534), and special education evaluation timelines and parent access to reports (HB 2557). Several proposed amendments were discussed, including multiple null-and-void amendments tied to fiscal notes; most of those were rejected or withdrawn, while a substantive amendment to HB 2360 was adopted and an amendment to HB 2557 was adopted to adjust evaluation-report timing and related procedures. In final action, the committee reported HB 2007, HB 2360 as a substitute bill, HB 2369, HB 2432, HB 2440, substitute HB 2534, and substitute HB 2557 out of committee with due pass recommendations. HB 2007’s null-and-void amendment failed, and the bill passed 19-0. HB 2360’s withdrawn amendment and adopted substitute language led to a 17-2 vote in favor. HB 2369’s null-and-void amendment failed and the bill passed 19-0. HB 2432 passed 16-3, with some members voting no or without recommendation. HB 2440 passed 12-7 after debate over privacy versus transparency. Substitute HB 2534 passed 19-0 after a voice vote. Substitute HB 2557 passed 19-0 after adoption of the timeline amendment and rejection of the null-and-void amendment. Throughout the meeting, supporters emphasized student-centered flexibility, public health access in schools, support for local agriculture, access to surplus technology, privacy for families using the Ombuds Office, smoother transitions for military-connected students, and clearer special education timelines for parents. Opponents or cautious members raised concerns about fiscal impacts, transparency, implementation details, and whether some changes should be handled in fiscal committees rather than policy committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result of the last session, ADE is now required to offer pre-ACT testing to Arkansas students in
• As a result of the last session, ADE is now required to offer pre-ACT testing to Arkansas students in
• This is an original contract for paternity testing for custodial and noncustodial parents of children

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The review subcommittee met to consider a supplemental agenda, methods of finance, an alternative delivery project, discretionary grants, and a large slate of construction, out-of-state, and in-state contracts. The supplemental item was a $2.6 million out-of-state contract with Tyler Technologies for a mobile app that would let citizens access state services through a single sign-on, initially for DFA vehicle and licensing services, with possible expansion to other agencies. Members also reviewed five methods of finance, including University of Arkansas projects for roof and cooling tower replacements, a new $100 million academic classroom building at U of A Fayetteville, a police department renovation at UA Fort Smith, and a boiler/chiller replacement at Hope-Texarkana. Questions focused on project timing, why some items were being reviewed after work had begun, and the high estimated cost of the Fayetteville classroom building; DFA explained that projects under $250,000 are not reviewed and that the larger project was still in design and would later seek a guaranteed maximum price. The committee also reviewed two DHS discretionary grants: one for targeted youth advocacy in southwest Arkansas and another adding $582,000 for family-centered treatment training and implementation. In the services contract section, members discussed construction-related contracts, including an ASMSA electrical scope increase tied to three-phase power requirements and the U of A Fayetteville architect contract for the classroom building. Out-of-state contracts included major items such as ACT Education’s $17 million amendment to provide required pre-ACT testing for 9th and 10th graders, a $12.5 million DFA contract for rural health transformation grant management, DHS’s $16.5 million EBT services contract with updated chip-card and fraud-prevention features, and ADH’s special procurement for the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. The committee also reviewed U of A system consulting contracts for financial advisory and sponsorship strategy work, with university officials saying the outside expertise was needed for specialized planning and revenue-generation efforts. In-state contracts covered corrections reentry services, nursing board investigations, foster care and child welfare services, DHS office janitorial work, emergency management radio system expansion, veterans’ home nursing staffing, and UAMS grants consulting. A lengthy exchange centered on the Department of Corrections’ reentry housing contract, with members pressing officials about vacant beds and urging fuller use of the program, while corrections staff said placements depend on screening and eligibility. Another discussion addressed the balance between out-of-state and in-state contracting, with a member noting the large dollar volume going to out-of-state vendors and asking whether Arkansas vendors receive any preference; State Procurement said current law does not allow an in-state preference. The committee approved the supplemental agenda, the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, the discretionary grants, and the contract lists, and then received routine reports and an emergency action report before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• If that's the test, my goodness.
• And that is probably a good test of how you handle those tough decisions that have to be made by FWC.
• It allows law enforcement to conduct an effective means of propulsion test immediately if the vessel

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Negotiated version that reflects input from multiple admissions testing providers.
• expands options for prospective college admissions students by allowing them to choose admissions tests
• It also implements the new choice of testing in the fall semester, and I move concurrence.

Bills: HB2 , HB6 , HB18 , HB43 , HB138 , HB180 , HB300 , HB581 , HB647 , HB748 , HB762 , HB1240 , HB1393 , HB1397 , HB1584 , HB1734 , HB2011 , HB2254 , HB2286 , HB2434 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB2495 , HB2516 , HB2518 , HB2529 , HB2564 , HB2712 , HB2713 , HB2715 , HB2765 , HB2898 , HB3146 , HB3161 , HB3348 , HB3800 , HB4044 , HB4341 , HB4370 , HB4384 , HB4386 , HB4396 , HB4490 , HB4809 , HB5057 , HB5323 , HB5534 , HB5668 , SB203 , SB317 , SB719 , SB731 , SB801 , SB867 , SB1071 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2082 , SB2363 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2717 , SB2797 , SB2841 , SB2919 , SB3038 , SJR5 , SB4 , SB9 , SB21 , SB23 , SB27 , SB34 , SB40 , SB75 , SB213 , SB458 , SB482 , SB493 , SB647 , SB648 , SB840 , SB841 , SB843 , SB912 , SB1241 , SB1253 , SB1350 , SB1388 , SB1423 , SB1535 , SB1559 , SB1709 , SB1789 , SB1951 , SB2037 , SB2143 , SB2155 , SB2544 , SB1 , SB17 , SB260 , SB509 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2308 , HB2525 , HJR133 , HB1393 , HB26 , HB388 , HB2712 , HB1633 , HB685 , HB2286 , HB1606 , HB1458 , HB1240 , HB2791 , HB3146 , HB1397 , HB2061 , HB647 , HB4738 , HB2563 , HB128 , HB581 , HB766 , HB2259 , HB2358 , HB4384 , HB748 , HB1734 , HB5180 , HB3806 , HB3804 , HB3803 , HB1522 , HB3597 , HB1612 , HB4224 , HB1314 , HB1237 , HB3126 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HB3505 , HB5652 , HB2025 , HB3395 , HB2495 , HB18 , HB2516 , HB2713 , HB24 , HB519 , HB609 , HB1592 , HB3348 , HB120 , HB6 , HB1533 , HB2421 , HB2273 , HB2464 , HB2011 , HB5057 , HB5084 , HB5534 , HB5668 , HB3424 , HB2715 , HB2564 , HB2765 , HB2898 , HB3800 , HB4396 , HB4341 , HB43 , HB5686 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB2518 , HB4310 , HB4386 , HB4490 , HB180 , HB5323 , HB2 , HB149 , HB4945 , HB2434 , HB2529 , HB3161 , HB3745 , HB4044 , HB5155 , HB5667 , HB4996 , HB2697 , HB2492 , HB2355 , HB2282 , HB2001 , HB1902 , HB1866 , HB1445 , HB1443 , HB1306 , HB1024 , HB908 , HB305 , HB285 , HB449 , HB171 , HB47 , HB3464 , HB2637 , HB4263 , HB5436 , HB4429 , HB3986 , HB3966 , HB3510 , HB2560 , HB2026 , HB2688 , HB4076 , HB5246 , HB3487 , HB3486 , HB4226 , HB216 , HB742 , HB2402 , HB143 , HB5033 , HB4413 , HB4042 , HB2440 , HB4426 , HB49 , HB4112 , HB3233 , HB2310 , HB5515 , HB3627 , HB2674 , HB322 , HB1481 , HB126 , HB3062 , HB3421 , HB3180 , HB2530 , HB2524 , HB1916 , HB3153 , HB5650 , HB4894 , HB3120 , HB1629 , HB103 , HB3234 , HB3680 , HB5698 , HB3171 , HB5693 , HB2694 , HB5664 , HB3732 , HB2508 , HB2293 , HB1991 , HB2014 , HB5331 , HB5247 , HB4751 , HB4690 , HB4668 , HB4464 , HB4395 , HB4063 , HB3833 , HB3623 , HB3214 , HB3512 , HB3250 , HB3016 , HB2520 , HB2221 , HB2213 , HB3824 , HB2067 , HB1732 , HB1562 , HB700 , HB1545 , HB252 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB1851 , HB3619 , HB3071 , HB3556 , HB851 , HB4230 , HB5320 , HB5651 , HB5670 , HB5665 , HB5437 , HB5679 , HB5699 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5654 , HB5672 , HB5656 , HCR141 , HCR118 , HCR127 , HCR40 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB1749 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3038 , SB3045 , SB1538 , SB3071 , SB3065 , SB823 , SB3062 , SB3074 , SB1380 , HB6 , HB581 , HB1393 , HB1734 , HB2286 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB2495 , HB2529 , HB2564 , HB2765 , HB2898 , HB3146 , HB3348 , HB3800 , HB4341 , HB4386 , HB4490 , HB5057 , HB5323 , HB5534 , HB5668 , HB2 , HB2715 , SR530 , SR552 , SB482 , SB493 , SB841 , SB912 , SB1241 , SB1350 , SB1388 , SB1559 , SB1951 , SB2143 , SB2155 , HB205 , HB220 , HB561 , HB2078 , HB2300 , HB2652 , HB3335 , HB3441 , HB4212 , HB4879 , HB5228 , HB5616 , HB205 , HB220 , HB561 , HB2078 , HB2300 , HB2652 , HB3335 , HB3441 , HB4212 , HB4879 , HB5228 , HB5616

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, mental health, telehealth, public schools, discipline management, behavioral interventions, rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the requirement rather is that the history and traditions test be met as laid out in Kennedy.
• Lemon test. It did not in fact go as far as to simply say it was just a history and tradition test.

Bills: SB 231 , SB 667 , SB 689 , SB 825 , SB 965 , SB 992 , SB 1059 , SB 1220 , SB 2368 , SB 2601

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• Test be met as laid out in Kennedy. For example, we look in history.
• It did overturn the Lemon test.
• It did not, in fact, go as far as to simply say it was just a history and tradition test.

Bills: SB231 , SB667 , SB689 , SB825 , SB965 , SB992 , SB1059 , SB1220 , SB2368 , SB2601

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• They've got the prospective fathers; they make them come in, they do a paternity test, a DNA test, send
• They come, they get their test results, and then they're ordered to start paying child support.

Bills: HB265 , HB146 , SB254 , HB202 , HB3 , HB42 , SB18

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: resisting arrest, penalties, criminal justice, law enforcement, public safety, youthful offender, capital murder, victims' rights, immunity, civil liability, use of force, recruitment, illegal alien, enhanced sentencing, criminal offenses, minor victims, felonies, Alabama legislature, bail reform, cash deposit

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's about test bedding.
• It's test bedding is an element but it's also to use all of those things, the scientific research, the
• test beds, but to give it a goal is build a capability with this performance at this cost just like

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Keywords: nominations, Undersecretary of Energy, Undersecretary of Science, Preston Griffith, Dario Gil, energy policy, scientific innovation

Summary: The meeting was convened to discuss several significant nominations, particularly focusing on Preston Wills Griffith III for Undersecretary of Energy and Dr. Dario Gil for Undersecretary of Science. The committee underscored the importance of these roles in shaping American energy policy and scientific innovation. The discussion highlighted the nominees' backgrounds, with Griffith having extensive experience at the Department of Energy and the White House, and Gil bringing expertise in quantum technology and energy research. Members expressed a strong desire to understand the nominees' perspectives on current challenges facing the energy sector, including regulatory mandates and national security concerns. The meeting concluded with a commitment to ensuring thorough evaluations of the candidates and their proposed approaches to pressing issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, well, Senate Bill 2788 is a very simple bill that adds four letters to code: PSAT test, the list
• Committee substitute for Senate Bill 1418 just removes the SAT subject test wording, which was previously
• eliminate this one step, and like the senator referred to, most of the core competencies that these tests

Bills: SB1998 , SB646 , SB2786 , SB2076 , SB2615 , SB1961 , SB1418 , SB2647 , SB1322 , SB2788

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• This is what it would have looked like without having any of the officer-tested loads included in it.
• So let me give you an example: this officer-tested load will move through a process of being a customer
• It's no longer in this officer-tested category; it's now a signed contract, and it goes automatically

Bills: HB1951 , HB2715 , HB3092 , HB3237 , HB3278 , HB3511 , HB3592 , HB3675 , HB3778 , HB3782 , HB3826 , HB3970 , HB4016 , HB4049 , HB4341 , HB4344 , HB4406 , HB4427

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• :08:37.519><c> our</c> submit our testimony and stand on our submit our testimony and stand on our test
• ><c> written</c><00:08:38.159><c> testimony</c><00:08:38.640><c> for</c><00:08:38.800><c> this</c> test
• written testimony for this test written testimony for this resolution<00:08:39.360><c> as</c><00:08:

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education held a resolutions hearing on March 19 and heard testimony on a series of University of Hawaii-related measures. Topics included exploring an Alzheimer’s disease research center and federal funding requirements, establishing a BSN program at UH Maui, expanding student mental health services, supporting Hawaiian language resources at the Kawaihuani Center, creating a homeless student stability and housing resource program, forming a veterinary medicine expansion working group, and compiling a list of bachelor’s programs aligned with regional job needs. Testimony was generally supportive, with UH representatives often noting that several initiatives were already underway or that systemwide assessments and planning processes were in progress. For the veterinary medicine measure, UH said Windward Community College would not be the ideal location for a doctoral program, but the system would be willing to study the issue systemwide. For the Maui nursing program, UH said it had already received authorization to plan and was working through the curriculum approval process, with a goal of offering the program in fall 2026. For the student basic needs resolution, UH said a systemwide assessment covered all campuses and islands, with a report expected in summer or fall. In decision making, the committee recommended passage of HCR 31/HR 30, HCR 73/HR 66, HCR 96/HR 92, and HCR 97/HR 93 as is, and all were adopted without objection. HCR 124/HR 120 and HCR 125/HR 121 were passed with amendments, including a technical amendment and a request to send a certified copy to the Kawaihuani Center director. HCR 195/HR 188 was passed with amendments to add a UH Hilo representative to the veterinary working group, and HCR 196/HR 189 was passed with amendments to include UH and HMC in the list of schools developing job-aligned bachelor’s program lists and to incorporate HMSO style changes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just following this, I sent out a test email to everyone on this committee last night.
• Just following this, I sent out a test email to everyone on this committee last night in the prohibitive
• So it allows us to test that product in a way that protects their proprietary information while simultaneously

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard several insurance- and financial-services-related bills. HB 315 was temporarily postponed. The chair also noted that, following the speaker’s remarks, members should expect additional special meetings as the committee investigates insurance-related issues and seeks transparency and the truth. HB 497, relating to nonprofit agricultural organization health coverage, was presented as a way to give Florida Farm Bureau members—especially farmers, ranchers, and small business owners—more affordable health coverage options. An amendment added statutory placement changes, disclosures that the product is not commercially sold, and annual financial audits. Members discussed ACA-related protections, fraud, and insolvency concerns, and the bill received support from Florida Farm Bureau and was reported favorably 16-0. HB 379, the annual securities package, updated exemptions, foreign jurisdiction rules, the Florida Invest Local Exemption, merger-and-acquisition broker rules, fingerprinting requirements, and technical issues in the Securities Guarantee Fund. Three amendments clarified entity definitions and fingerprint/live-scan requirements; the bill drew support from industry and OFR and passed favorably 17-0. The PCS for HB 147 on consumer debt collection clarified prohibited communications during nighttime hours, with the sponsor and supporters explaining the intent was to allow email while restricting other forms of contact and reduce litigation over passive communications. Members and public witnesses discussed ambiguity in the wording, and the sponsor said further cleanup language may still be needed; the PCS was reported favorably 17-0. HB 655 on pet insurance and wellness programs created a regulatory framework for pet insurance, drew support from industry and humane society representatives, and passed favorably 17-0. HB 367 on home and service warranty association financial requirements allowed financial compliance through multiple contractual liability insurance policies and alternative parent-company documentation; an amendment corrected cross-references and duplicative language, and after questions about consumer protections and insolvency, the bill was reported favorably 17-0. Finally, HB 7003 preserved a public-records exemption for sensitive financial technology sandbox application materials; members discussed the sandbox concept and possible future issues, but no amendments were taken and the bill passed favorably 17-0. The meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• if I tried to do it so I'll look<00:13:55.880><c> to</c><00:13:56.240><c> my</c><00:13:56.399><c> test
• c> Mullen</c><00:13:58.480><c> um</c><00:13:58.600><c> I</c><00:13:58.680><c> could</c> look to my test
• Mr Mullen um I could look to my test Mr Mullen um I could Prov<00:13:59.279><c> you</c><00:13:59.399

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• representative Davis do discussion uh representative Davis do you<00:04:51.440><c> have</c><00:04:51.520><c> test
• 53.080><c> not</c><00:04:53.840><c> I</c><00:04:53.919><c> see</c><00:04:54.080><c> the</c> you have test
• fires I do not I see the you have test fires I do not I see the OA<00:04:54.600><c> is</c><00:04:54.680

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 2, a bill on mandatory fraud reporting and grant oversight. Representative Davis described the bill as a response to recent fraud scandals and said it would require state agencies to report suspected fraud immediately to law enforcement and legislative leaders, post organizational charts and staff contacts online, require unannounced site visits to verify grant recipients and financial stability, mandate reporting of grant-process violations to supervisors, the commissioner or designee, and the legislative auditor, and suspend or terminate grant agreements when recipients are charged with or convicted of related criminal offenses. He also said the bill’s concepts would apply to nonprofits through grant-making and oversight provisions. Members asked several clarifying questions about whether reporting obligations were either/or or cumulative, whether whistleblower protections would cover those making reports, and whether contract employees should be included. One member suggested adding language for inspectors general or other appropriate law-enforcement contacts for clarity, and another raised the idea of halting funding immediately when fraud is reported; the author responded that section 10 already provides for immediate suspension upon criminal charges. Representative Joy supported the bill but suggested funding should stop during investigations, and Representative Anderson noted surprise that the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits was listed as an opponent. The author said he was open to considering contract employees and additional wording. The chair announced the bill would be laid over because a fiscal note was not yet available, stating a commitment not to move bills out of committee without one. He said members could continue refining the bill and that the committee administrator could help contact the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits to seek more detailed concerns. The author closed by emphasizing the bill as a nonpartisan effort to address waste, fraud, and abuse in state spending.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:52.320><c> and</c> with laws concerning testing and with laws concerning testing and drinking
• In order to participate in the program, you have to be drug tested and alcohol tested regularly to determine
• </c> they make people take they drug test they make people take they drug test everybody.<02:40:12.400
• </c> the program, you have to be drug tested the program, you have to be drug tested and<02:40:16.680
• alcohol tested regularly to and alcohol tested regularly to determine<02:40:19.440><c> if</c><02:40:

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Remember that this test is given to 11th graders.
• Remember that this test is given to 11th graders.
• Remember that this test is given to 11th graders.
• Remember that this test is given to 11th graders.
• </c><01:37:21.159><c> scores</c> your grades your um your test scores your grades your um your test scores

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's tested every year.
• On top of that, we also do, with both Rio and PERS, employer testing, so part of our testing of the census
• data... ...both Rio and PERS employer testing.
• They go through and do penetration testing for NDIT and the university system right now.
• They go through and do penetration testing for NDIT and the university system right now.

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's tested every year.
• On top of that, we also do, with both Rio and PERS, employer testing, so part of our testing of the census
• data, both Rio and PERS employer testing.
• They go through and do penetration testing for NDIT and the university system right now.
• They go through and do penetration testing for NDIT and the university system right now.

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Summary: The Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with approval of the prior meeting minutes and a review of the state’s annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and the Office of Management and Budget reported a clean opinion on the state’s financial statements and described continued growth in net position, strong general fund balance, and significant Legacy Fund investment income. Committee members asked about how the report reflects long-term finances and how North Dakota compares with other states, and OMB noted that the ACFR is based on audited actual results rather than budget forecasts. The committee then heard the North Dakota University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund construction money, insufficient monitoring of service organizations, improper bank reconciliations at several campuses, and investment/cash recording issues at Bismarck State College. University System officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations and greater use of shared services. Members also questioned practices such as campus use of certificates of deposit and whether repeated findings were being adequately addressed. Additional audits were presented for the State Fair Association, State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Securities Department, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Most received clean opinions with no findings; exceptions included a repeat component-unit issue at the State Fair Foundation, a securities personnel-evaluation finding, and a Housing Finance Agency finding involving a late return of escrow surplus. The committee also discussed broader oversight issues, including the need for independent auditing of the Ethics Commission, possible legislative changes to give the State Auditor more subpoena power and independent legal counsel, and future work on data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, and audit capacity. The meeting recessed for lunch after these discussions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This site will offer commercial skills testing beginning very soon, passenger vehicle testing starting
• later this year, and motorcycle testing starting in the spring of 2026.
• The lower picture shows an advanced air mobility aircraft, the Pivotal BlackFly, which conducted a test
• flight this summer at our drone test site in Windsor, Massachusetts.
• We're starting to test it.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The hearing opened with welcomes from the co-chairs and local legislators, followed by remarks from UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes, who highlighted the university’s research, sustainability, transportation, and workforce contributions and thanked the administration and legislature for support of public higher education. MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, along with agency leaders, presented the administration’s transportation budget package. They described a combined funding plan through House 2, a Fair Share supplemental budget, and a Chapter 90 bill, emphasizing investments in MassDOT operations, snow and ice response, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, bridge and pavement repair, housing-related transportation improvements, sustainable aviation fuel, microtransit, and local road programs. Officials also highlighted record highway construction activity, safety initiatives such as work zone speed cameras and pedestrian protections, RMV service and equity improvements, airport and drone technology programs, and MBTA gains in reliability, accessibility, ridership, and service expansion. Committee members asked about Western Massachusetts priorities, especially Chapter 90 funding for rural road mileage, bridge repairs, and the Compass Rail/West-East Rail program. MassDOT officials said pending federal grants were moving forward, with some awards recently obligated and others expected as federal processes advance, and they said Palmer Station remains part of the long-term rail plan. Members also raised the Cape Cod bridges and the need for multi-year Chapter 90 funding. Officials said the Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, with construction targeted for 2027, and reiterated that transportation investments support jobs, local economies, and municipal infrastructure statewide.