Transcript Highlights:

• Some of this is going to come from out-of-state tuition, and to get the top out-of-state tuition, we've
• got to continue to market ourselves against the private schools where somebody's willing to pay the top
• Some of this is going to come from out-of-state tuition, and to get the top out-of-state tuition, we've
• got to continue to market ourselves against the private schools where somebody's willing to pay the top
• graduated with my bachelor's degree in psychology and after scoring a 167 on the LSAT, putting me in the top

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary held confirmation hearings for two State University System Board of Governors appointees, M. Carson Good and Speaker Paul Renner. Good described his background in Florida real estate, airport governance, and fundraising, and said he would focus on improving university performance, collaboration among institutions, and growing endowments while keeping in-state tuition stable. Renner emphasized his legislative experience with higher education, and said his priorities on the Board would be transparency, compliance with legislative direction, and reducing administrative bloat. Both nominees were recommended for confirmation on a single vote, with Senator Berman noting concern about the low number of women on the board. The committee then heard and passed SB 1726, a higher education transparency bill by Senator Calatayud. The bill would require Board of Governors members to comply with constitutional financial disclosure requirements, set term limits for State Board of Education and university board members, change rules for presidential searches and public records, and require more detailed textbook and syllabus information for students. A student advocate from Florida Student Power Network supported the bill as increasing student involvement and democratic accountability in higher education. Senator Harrell raised a concern about residency requirements for Board of Governors members, and the sponsor said that issue could be revisited later. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship funding. A delete-all amendment was adopted that required clearer funding splits between local education agencies and program providers, annual reporting, a standard DOE contract template, and a cap on administrative fees in certain cases. Supporters from industry groups said the changes would improve transparency and accountability without requesting additional funding. The committee then reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 584 on young adult housing support. An amendment removed a requirement that state agencies act as co-signers or guarantors on leases while preserving coordination for the federal Foster Youth to Independence program. Several former foster youth and advocates testified in support, describing housing instability and its impact on education, and urging broader access to campus housing and vouchers. The sponsor said the bill prioritizes housing and work-study for homeless and former foster youth, supports the FYI program, and directs a statewide study of housing barriers. The committee reported the bill favorably and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like every parent, my top priority is keeping my child safe, healthy, and thriving.
• Nobody is handing top surgery out like candy.
• talking about nobody is handing Top talking about nobody is handing Top surgery<05:27:14.680>
• Hampshire approximately 2 to 300 top Hampshire approximately 2 to 300 top surgeries<05:30:25.160
• I had top surgery in New Hampshire in early 2024, just after my 37th birthday.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the bottom to those at the top.
• But the benefits to people at the top.
• The top 1%, in fact, the top one-half of 1%.
• 10% and wealth three times the top 1%.
• 02.560> wealth the amount of the top 10% and wealth the amount of the top 10% and wealth three

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our scores have not been rising either, but they stay on top.
• And that's not good enough to be on top of a falling pattern when you're looking year to year at these
• Our scores have not been rising either, but they stay on top.
• And that's not good enough to be on top of a falling pattern when you're looking year to year at these

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: House and Senate leaders announced a conference committee agreement on a literacy bill that both chambers had previously passed, saying the compromise combines the strongest parts of each version. The speakers said the bill responds to poor third-grade reading outcomes and aims to improve early literacy instruction for the next generation of students, with implementation planned for the 2027-2028 school year. The bill would require K-3 reading curricula to meet Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines and be evidence-based, provide free approved curriculum options for districts that need them, and allow waivers for districts already using acceptable evidence-based programs. It also would remove unproven teaching methods, support student progress monitoring, require dyslexia screening, publish relevant data, and provide professional development and apprenticeship opportunities for teachers. One speaker described the measure as effectively ending guessing-based reading instruction and returning to phonics-focused teaching. The conferees said the bill was developed through weeks of negotiation and had unanimous votes in both chambers on the earlier versions. Senators Lewis and O'Connor, though absent, were said to support the compromise and would sign the conference report. The leaders said they expected strong support when the compromise bill comes to the House and Senate floors later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this isn't concentrated at the top. The benefits reach more than a million Arkansas taxpayers.
• you, the elected stewards of the people's money—is one of the best tools we have for climbing to the top
• As we've heard already, based on the growth in applications, education freedom accounts may top $400
• The top 20% of earners will receive 80% of the tax benefit.
• our highways and infrastructure, whether it is raising teacher pay from bottom five in the country to top

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1001, sponsored by Representative Les Eaves, which would lower the Arkansas personal income tax rate to 3.7% retroactive to the current year and reduce the corporate income tax rate to 4.1% beginning in 2027. Eaves argued the bill continues a decade-long strategy of broad-based tax relief, saying it would help working families, keep Arkansas competitive, and reduce future surpluses rather than cut services. He said the personal rate change would affect income above $26,400 for taxpayers in the lower table and that the average taxpayer could see roughly $800 to $1,000 in annual savings from recent tax cuts overall. Several opponents testified that the state cannot afford additional tax cuts given existing needs. Arkansas Appleseed, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, a pastor, a nonprofit worker, and a parent of an adult with disabilities all argued that Arkansas should prioritize funding for public schools, early childhood education, health care, rural hospitals, food assistance, and supported living services. They said the state faces high food insecurity, underfunded education, and growing demands on the budget from federal changes and state programs such as Education Freedom Accounts, and that the tax cut would disproportionately benefit higher earners while providing little relief to most families. In closing, Eaves and Rep. Ray defended the bill as part of a broader pro-growth tax policy, saying the legislature has continued to fund major priorities while also returning money to taxpayers. Ray said the state should not wait to help taxpayers until every social problem is solved and argued the cumulative tax savings have benefited working families. The committee then adopted a motion to pass HB 1001, and the bill passed by voice vote before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um I don't know off the top of my back.
• - these representatives are extreme top- these representatives are extreme top- down<01:09:27.600
• -<01:10:06.719> down that you do not believe in top- down that you do not believe in top-
• information that off the top of my head. information that off the top of my head.
• <03:05:35.279> of things that we've done at the top of things that we've done at the top of

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:16.320> on<00:05:16.560> line top of the page on line top of the page on line
• On the top of page five recommendations.
• And on top of that, you're gutting the future of our services.
• And on top of that, you're gutting the future of our services.
• And on top of that, you're gutting the future of our services.

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:13:33.239> maybe<03:13:33.840> 200<03:13:34.120> kids<03:13:34.479> top
• registered in the US maybe 200 kids top registered in the US maybe 200 kids top pieced<03:13:35.680

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And is that on top of this 1.137 barrels of oil? That was my question as well.
• What you'll note is, if you go back to that top operator slide, these are the top operators, not the
• So those two are the top priorities.
• On the top right, this is an aerial from the west side of the property.
• On the top right photo is the storm sewer that they have started.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity in North Dakota. Ron Ness said production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with efficiency gains and longer laterals helping offset lower rig counts. He discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, northward movement of drilling activity, and the importance of new infrastructure and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) pilots. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, pipeline impacts, and the outlook for Continental and other operators. Ness said the industry is likely to remain steady rather than see a major ramp-up or decline. Matt Pearl of the State Tax Department then explained the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. He said the law extends or makes permanent several federal provisions and creates temporary deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest, with the biggest state impact coming from the standard deduction increase and business tax changes. He revised earlier estimates downward, saying the net cash impact on state collections is likely in the $30 million to $35 million range after accounting for business prepayments and one-time FY25 oilfield transaction effects. Committee members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns. OMB staff gave a detailed update on major capital projects and facility funding. Topics included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, seating, lighting, tree management, and restroom and lobby upgrades; security work at the governor’s residence, which has been delayed by the discovery of human remains; and space reconfiguration efforts in Bismarck-Mandan to reduce leases and create shared offices and conference rooms. They also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, including roof, window, boiler, and kitchen projects at state facilities, and on the state hospital project in Jamestown, which remains on budget and on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028. OMB also updated the committee on the Minot North Central State Office Building, the use of federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds, and the status of legislative intent and trust fund reports, including school aid turnback, the school construction loan program, the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund, the Legacy Fund, and the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. The committee ended by discussing future agenda items, including government efficiency, cash management, Bank of North Dakota lines of credit, and the rural health transformation program, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And is that on top of this 1.137 barrels of oil? That was my question as well.
• And what you'll note is, if you go back to that top operator slide, these are the top operators, not
• Those two are the top priorities.
• On the top right, this is an aerial from the west side of the property.
• And then on the right side, the top right photo is the storm sewer that they have started.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum present and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity, which described North Dakota production as holding steady around 1.1 to 1.2 million barrels per day despite lower prices and market volatility. The presentation emphasized that efficiency gains, longer laterals, and improved completion technology are allowing operators to sustain output while activity shifts north in the Bakken. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, flaring, and enhanced oil recovery; the witness said gas is taxed by volume, most liquids are handled through oil lines or gas processing, and the state’s EOR pilot projects and new gas infrastructure are intended to help hold production flat and expand future recovery. The committee then received a presentation from the Tax Department on the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. The department explained that most of the federal changes were extensions of existing Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, but several items — including the larger standard deduction, senior deduction, tip and overtime exclusions, auto loan interest deduction, and business expensing changes — affect state collections. Revised estimates showed a smaller-than-expected impact on individual income tax, with the department suggesting a net cash effect in the range of roughly $30 million to $35 million when business and individual effects are combined, plus a possible one-time distortion from large oil-field transactions in fiscal year 2025. Members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns, and the department clarified that most of the individual provisions apply broadly, while the SALT-related item is itemizer-specific. OMB then reported on major capital projects and facility funding. Updates included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, augmented reality displays for the Rough Rider Hall of Fame, tree management and lighting studies, and restroom and parking reconfiguration in the tower. OMB also described security upgrades at the governor’s residence, where human remains were discovered on site and are being handled with historical and legal review. The state hospital project in Jamestown remains on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028, with costs currently estimated a little over $292 million and a line of credit expected to be drawn in April 2027. The North Central State Office Building in Minot is under construction, with a $5.6 million line of credit already accessed. OMB also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, noting about $1.1 million spent so far on projects such as the Liberty Memorial Building roof and foundation work, Capitol window replacement, boiler replacement, and kitchen remodeling. Finally, Legislative Council staff reviewed the interim compliance report on legislative intent and state trust funds. The report highlighted the status of multiple lines of credit, including those for the state hospital and Minot office building, and noted that the executive budget will likely need to include repayment planning for about $350 million of expected outstanding balances. Other updates included the Bank of North Dakota profit transfer schedule, litigation pool spending, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, the Missouri River Correctional Center planning effort, HHS items such as FMAP and child care assistance, Job Service’s unemployment insurance modernization project, and DPI school aid turnback estimates. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the top of the page, we included general guidelines for you all to consider when reading House Bill
• If you look in the screenshot, we have Subsection K on the top, Public School Support.
• There aren't labels at the top to tell us what the columns are.
• On the top of page 42 of your post-session review, that lists how to read each of the columns and lists
• If you look on the column titles on the top, you're going to see where that money is coming from.

Transcript Highlights:

• But if you like bureaucracy, then you're going to like to have an additional subcommittee on top of a
• task force because that's what this bill would do is a subcommittee on top of a governor's workforce
• like to have an additional subcommittee like to have an additional subcommittee on<00:19:09.840> top
• of a task force because that's on top of a task force because that's what<00:19:11.919> this<
• of a governor's subcommittee on top of a governor's workforce<00:19:16.320> development<00:19

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House debated a motion to suspend the rules so House File 3843 could be recalled from committee and given second and third readings for final passage. The bill, carried by Representative Baker and supported by Representative Niska, would create a subcommittee of the governor’s workforce development board to vet nonprofit and other applicants for workforce development dollars, with the legislature retaining final authority. Supporters argued the proposal would add an extra layer of scrutiny, reduce fraud risk, and help prevent problems like those highlighted in recent reporting and past nonprofit funding scandals. Supporters repeatedly tied the bill to concerns about fraud in state grantmaking, citing the Feeding Our Future scandal and other nonprofit cases as examples of why more oversight is needed. Representative Baker said the committee process can be overwhelmed by many direct-appropriation requests at the end of session, and that a board-based vetting process would help identify red flags. Representative Enen and Representative Schultz also backed the motion, saying the bill would improve accountability and protect taxpayer dollars. Representative Pinto opposed the urgency motion, saying he supports moving toward more competitive grants but not adding another layer of bureaucracy without a fiscal note or fuller committee process. He argued the bill would not do what supporters claimed and that the legislature already makes funding decisions. After debate, the House took a roll call vote on the motion to suspend the rules. The motion failed by one vote, 67 yeas to 66 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• Off the top of my question—homeowner's property. Thank you.
• So I think, yes, I would assume if you're at the top of the hill, that wouldn't be as high of a risk
• Madam Chair, Senator, could I have my colleague sort of explain the danger when you are on top of the
• There is a home still on top of the... There is, really those are the prime example.
• There is a home still on top of the hill.

Bills: SB154, SB187, SB193, SM3

Keywords: insurance, wildfire, flood damage, natural disasters, property coverage, water projects, appropriation, New Mexico, finance authority, infrastructure, New Mexico Finance Authority, funding, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law

Transcript Highlights:

• So if the bill, let's say, was $3,000 a month, they were charging residents that increase on top of it
• And I could list several just off the top of my head. Okay.
• So if I look at the top of page two of your legislation, you know, the very top of that says, in determining
• Missouri has moved into the top seven states targeted by lawsuits.
• costs, on top of the fees that they have to pay because they were sued in the first place.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So across the top, these are just them for compliance.
• So across the top, these are just Now I want to look at the allowances that we have allocated to date
• So, across the top, these are just the total numbers of allowances that we have allocated to the EITEs
• Yeah, I couldn't tell you off the top of my head, Senator, if they are EITEs or not, but I'd be happy
• Yeah, I couldn't tell you off the top of my head, Senator, if they are EITEs or not, but I'd be happy

Summary: The committee held a work session covering PFAS regulation and impacts, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy and data center load growth. Senator Victoria Hunt was welcomed as a new member. The Department of Ecology reviewed Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS work, including completed restrictions on PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, rugs, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaning products, and automotive washes, with reporting requirements for some other products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also described Cycle 2 PFAS reviews now underway, including artificial turf and paints, and answered questions about compliance, online sales, sell-through periods, and how Washington’s approach differs from broader bans in states like Maine and Minnesota. The Department of Ecology also presented on PFAS in biosolids, describing a 2024 sampling study, limitations in testing methods, and a 2025 statutory amendment requiring additional sampling between 2027 and 2028 and a report to the legislature in 2029. The Department of Health then updated the committee on PFAS in drinking water, reporting that most Group A public water systems have completed sampling, that 317 sources and 188 systems are expected to exceed new contaminant levels, and that treatment costs for public systems are estimated at about $970 million, leaving a large funding gap; members also asked about private wells, health effects, bathing exposure, and home filters. The Board of Health’s new state action levels are being aligned with federal MCLs, and the department said it expects to continue monitoring and notification under state rules. Ecology also briefed the committee on no-cost allowance allocations to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act, explaining the leakage-mitigation rationale, the current allocation schedule through 2034, and a forthcoming report on policy options for 2035-2050; members asked about industry barriers, competitiveness, and whether facilities might leave the state. Finally, E3 presented a regional resource adequacy study showing rising load, retirements outpacing additions, limited winter reliability value from wind, solar, and batteries, and a projected shortfall beginning in 2026 that could grow to about 9,000 MW by 2030 if planned projects are not built. The presentation emphasized winter cold-weather events, hydro variability, the importance of permitting and transmission, and longer-term options including nuclear, geothermal, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage. EPRI then introduced its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can provide flexible load through workload shifting, cooling optimization, and on-site backup or bridging resources to reduce grid stress and protect ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• housing, defined as 80% or below or targeting households at 80% or below AMI, that they move to the top
• queue, there was a lot of conversation with our planning... ...move to the top of the permitting queue
• So I have a couple pictures of the top picture. House Bill 1110.
• So I have a couple pictures of the top picture. So I have a couple of pictures.
• But I want to say that, fortunately, Poulsbo's review times are pretty top-notch.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee work session focused first on Civic Commons’ “starter home production plan,” a statewide strategy intended to increase production of homes affordable to households roughly between 60% and 120% of area median income. Presenters said the Covenant Home Ownership program will not succeed without more starter homes, and outlined recommendations including a temporary cross-sector crisis task force, a developer network, new financing tools, public seed funding, and a multi-site demonstration program to test off-site construction and standardized designs. Committee members asked about silos in the current system, the role of off-site and modular construction, target income ranges, and where the plan would be most useful. Civic Commons said the plan is meant to be statewide, community-informed, and respectful of local context, with pre-approved plans and standardized approaches for both single-family and multi-unit housing. The Department of Labor and Industries then gave an update on factory-built housing oversight. Officials said residential factory-built structures are a small but important part of their work and described progress in prioritizing residential plan reviews, which they said has reduced review time from months to about two days. They also reported creating a plans examiner supervisor position, moving forward with rules for third-party plan review and inspection, and beginning analysis of national standards from the Modular Building Institute to see whether they align with state code. Committee members and L&I discussed the value of standardized plans, real-time tracking for applicants, and the role of state inspection in reducing local jurisdictional variation. The Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council testified that it supports efforts to reduce permitting delays and increase housing production, but warned against weakening safety standards or labor protections. The labor representatives said prefabrication and modular construction can help if the workforce is protected, wages and apprenticeship opportunities are preserved, and projects use tools such as community workforce agreements. They also raised concerns about wage theft, misclassification, and unlicensed contractors in residential construction, and suggested stronger front-end contractor education or licensing. Committee members responded that the goal is to expand production without sacrificing safety or good jobs. The committee also heard city perspectives on local housing reforms. Olympia described its affordable housing emergency ordinance, which gives qualifying projects priority in the permitting queue, and said success depends on communication among housing staff, planners, engineers, and developers. Walla Walla, an early adopter of middle housing, reported increased ADUs, duplexes, and smaller-lot development after eliminating single-family zoning and expanding tools such as MFTE and ADU flexibility. Des Moines described adopting middle housing and ADU ordinances in June 2025 after a lengthy public process, while Poulsbo described proactive code changes including duplexes on corner lots, unit lot subdivisions, manufactured home protections, expanded ADU allowances, and pre-approved ADU plans shared with neighboring jurisdictions. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh the top line is the Office of Administrative Hearings, the provision that creates a remand.
• The top item is lottery retailers. Um this provides for BCA background checks.
• Uh the top line is the same document.
• <00:04:56.000> Um The top item is lottery retailers.
• Um The top item is lottery retailers.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Codifying the center and kind of find the center in statue will also boost its ability to attract top
• is a true workforce engine offering over 100 programs that meet the needs of today's economy of the top
• Robbie Door reps top. Okay. Thank you very much. Mr. Up staff. Please raise your right hand.
• And I love to see all the quotes on the caps, the tops of the county's. Thank you for being here.
• I see at the U driving to be one of the top 100 public schools in the country by supporting president

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Affecting taxing units must notify the top 20 property owners of the reporting obligation by July 1st
• So, these top 20, are you putting them on a different timeline for a contested appraisal than you are
• If they are one of the top 20, they will have to file by a certain date.
• On top of everything else that has been said, Representative Pettis, going back to your question. ...
• On top of that, let me give you a little background on how this happened.

Bills: HB511, HB972, HB 1035, HB2481, HB2723, HB2742, HB2894, HB2962, HB3077, HB3093, HB3307, HB3684, HJR67, HJR72

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, caregiver exemption, Medicaid, long-term services, tax relief, assisted living, housing support, property tax exemption, caregiver support, residence homestead, tax exemption, unpaid caregiver, state tax code, property tax, caregiver, waiting list, intellectual disability, developmental disability, ad valorem tax, family support

Transcript Highlights:

• We usually are dealing with it at the top level. But that is why.
• We usually are dealing with it at the top level. But that is why.
• You have our fiscal 24-25 revenue on the very top.
• You have our fiscal 24. 25 revenue be on the very top.
• Table tops of 68 people. The comedians were able to create a comedic skit out of that.

Keywords: 1183, house