Transcript Highlights:

• Sportsmen and hunting organizations need a reasonable amount of time to absorb, analyze, and respond
• Big game season setting for deer and elk is sort of the main event for most Idaho hunters, and many of

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• They'll hunt and they'll kill another one and then they'll come back to that one and they'll come back
• They'll hunt and they'll kill another one and then they'll come back to that one and they'll come back
• Senator Deere. Mr. Chair, I'll explain my vote. Of course. Go ahead. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Senate Federalism and Family Law Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first considered HB 2908, which would require any approved U.S. constitutional amendment to be ratified by a bill passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, and would impose oaths, reporting duties, civil penalties, and felony liability on “faithless” constitutional convention delegates. The committee adopted a Fincham amendment changing recall to disqualification and giving the Senate President and House Speaker authority to determine disqualification. Supporters argued the measure would add guardrails against a runaway Article 5 convention, while opponents said the safeguards would be ineffective and could falsely reassure the public. The bill, as amended, passed 4-3. The committee then took up HCR 2047, a resolution recognizing Judea and Samaria as the proper terms for the West Bank and rejecting that label in official state communications. Supporters framed it as a matter of historical and biblical accuracy, while opponents argued it injected the state into foreign policy and raised First Amendment concerns. The resolution passed 4-3. The committee next heard HCM 2006, urging Congress to reform the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Conservation Act and to reduce burdens on ranchers affected by Mexican gray wolves and related federal rules. The sponsor and supporters said wolf recovery goals had been exceeded and that ranchers were suffering livestock losses, while opponents said existing compensation already exists and that the memorial mischaracterized endangered species protections. The memorial passed 4-3. HB 4042, dealing with paternity actions in termination-of-parental-rights cases by requiring service of the mother within the 30-day timeframe, drew no testimony and passed unanimously 7-0. The committee also approved HCM 2005, which urges Congress to consider restricting foreign ownership of U.S. real property by communist or authoritarian governments; supporters said it was a national security and land-use issue, while opponents criticized the measure as discriminatory. It passed 4-3. HCM 2001, urging the President and Congress to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization and directing Arizona law enforcement to identify linked groups, drew testimony from civil rights advocates and community members who said the measure stigmatized Muslims and exceeded state authority; supporters said it was a legitimate federal-policy memorial. It passed 4-3. Finally, HCM 2002, urging Congress to review CAIR for possible terrorist designation, prompted extensive opposition testimony from CAIR representatives and supporters who described the organization’s civil-rights work and warned the memorial would fuel discrimination; supporters argued it was a proper federal request and a response to concerns about CAIR. The memorial passed 4-3, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They'll hunt and they'll kill another one and then they'll come back to that one and they'll come back
• They'll hunt and they'll kill another one, and then they'll come back to that one and they'll come back
• Senator Deere. Mr. Chair, I'll explain my vote. Of course. Go ahead. Thank you.

Bills: HB2908 , HB4042 , HCM2001 , HCM2002 , HCM2005 , HCM2006 , HCR2047

Committees: Senate Federalism and Family Law , Senate Senate Federalism and Family Law Committee of Reference

Keywords: constitutional convention, faithless delegates, state delegates, oath of office, class 2 felony, civil penalties, parent-child relationship, termination of parental rights, child welfare, court procedures, abandonment, neglect, reunification services, felony conviction, Muslim Brotherhood, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, national security, Islamist extremism, Congress

Transcript Highlights:

• We were the last state in the Union to not allow lighted nocks and expanding broadheads for bow hunting
• we were the last state in the union to not allow lighted knocks and expanding broadheads for bow hunting
• To have that be reverted back, there's no hunting that takes place there.
• It's a safe haven for elk, deer, antelope, bear, grizzly bear, wolf, you name it.
• There's no hunting on this 11,000 acres. And you can only fish the stream with a fly.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have more cows in our town and deer than we have people.
• We have more cows in our town and deer than we have people.
• We have more cows in our town and deer than we have people.
• ,</c> porcupines, bats, foxes, vos, deer, porcupines, bats, foxes, vos, deer, bobcats,<03:16:34.479><
• 17:02.319><c> hiking,</c> round, including hunting, hiking, round, including hunting, hiking, snowshoeing

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, the reason I'm asking is because of the game management issue that's going on with axis deer.
• </c><00:53:02.760><c> and</c> management plan on the axis deer and management plan on the axis deer and
• </c><00:53:59.359><c> that</c> that's going on with access deer that that's going on with access deer
• “This is enforcement, yeah, office, yeah, but so is it hunting?
• You guys should be doing like we talked about—hunting trails, hiking trails, beach, ocean.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:24:01.520><c> Oil</c><01:24:02.560><c> because</c><01:24:02.960><c> the</c> it could be Hunt
• You still going to have harvested deer, deer that have uh uh uh uh died based off of natural causes or
• recognition of the genome types of deer that there are.
• recognition of the genome types of deer that there are.
• easier for folks to hunt.

Transcript Highlights:

• They also did a legislative scavenger hunt, which sounds awesome.
• They also did a legislative scavenger hunt, which sounds awesome.
• We even have red states: Utah, Missouri, Iowa, North Dakota.
• We even have red states: Utah, Missouri, Iowa, North Dakota.
• We even have red states: Utah, Missouri, Iowa, North Dakota.

Summary: The House convened with Girl State participants presiding for part of the session, including introductions of the student leadership and a unanimous voice vote passing House Concurrent Resolution 152 honoring the young women participating in Delaware Girl State. The chamber also welcomed congressional interns and other guests, accepted the prior day’s minutes, and observed a moment of silence for Nathan Cynix and Kara Feeley before prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes for Representative Ron Gray, who was recognized for his 14 years of service and his work on issues such as bond bills, dredging, bike paths, small business, constituent service, and agriculture-related funding. Multiple members from both parties praised his humor, honesty, mentorship, and dedication to the House and his district. Gray responded with extended remarks reflecting on his family legacy, legislative service, and appreciation for colleagues and staff, and the chamber later sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at his request. The House then received communications, including Senate messages returning several bills and informing the chamber of Senate passage of additional measures. Members were also told that the FY27 bond bill, House Bill 500, had been placed on desks as a gift for review. The House read in Consent Agenda S, which included House Bill 476, House Joint Resolution 13, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 168, Senate Bill 297, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319, and Senate Joint Resolution 21, and began a roll call vote on the consent agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:33.040><c> and</c> are primarily funded through hunting and are primarily funded through hunting
• We host hunting and angling and outdoor education programs.
• It's in deer, particularly deer, and they just actually had some new sightings in southeastern U.S.,
• </c> opportunities for trapping and hunting opportunities for trapping and hunting education<00:31:43.760
• To follow up on that, who runs the hunting program?

Summary: The Division 2 Finance Committee heard an overview and budget presentation from New Hampshire Fish and Game, led by new Executive Director Stephanie Simi and Business Division Chief Kathy Leonti. The agency described its mission to conserve and manage fish, wildlife, and marine resources, and emphasized growing pressures from disease, climate impacts, habitat change, and increased public demand. Simi said the department is largely funded by hunting and fishing license revenue and federal grants, is reviewing staffing and internal processes, and faces critical needs including permanent funding for environmental review staff, infrastructure and IT modernization, and possible service reductions if additional support is not found. Members asked about specific program and policy issues, including chronic wasting disease in deer, hemorrhagic disease in rabbits and hares, moose population decline, and a proposed bait-disease bill. The department said it is actively monitoring diseases and did not see a need for the bait bill at this time. Legislators also discussed the Hike Safe program, which the department said has grown from an expected $100,000 annually to more than $300,000, and a possible boating version of that program, which the department said remains under consideration but would involve complex logistics and multiple agencies. Questions were also raised about rescue costs, out-of-state hikers, and whether boat registrations could be used as a revenue source; Fish and Game said boat registration is handled by the Department of Safety, though the department receives $5 per registered boat for the public boat access program. The budget discussion focused on revenue projections, use of unrestricted Fish and Game funds, and dependence on federal reimbursements. Leonti said the department met the governor’s general fund target but not the Fish and Game fund target without using surplus unrestricted funds, leaving only about $100,000 in the fund by the end of the biennium. She said the budget uses more than $18 million in Fish and Game funds annually against about $14 million in unrestricted revenue, and that five of 193 full-time positions remain unfunded. The department warned that if federal grants were halted, it could cost about $5 million over five months and force the Fish and Game fund to cover the gap. Committee members also requested that future presentations be sent electronically in advance, and the department agreed to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• There actually going to Iowa—Iowa is actually a major importer for Illinois.
• </c><01:02:57.000><c> Iowa</c><01:02:57.359><c> is</c> there actually going to Iowa Iowa is there actually
• Iowa is an example where Iowa used to be a student loan guarantee agency.
• Iowa is an example where Iowa used to be a student loan guarantee agency.
• Iowa is an example where Iowa used to be a student loan guarantee agency.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• If you like John Deere stuff, there's a lot of John Deere tractors and equipment out there.
• Our folks, for some reason, really like John Deere. It's an amazing facility.
• If you like John Deere stuff, there's a lot of John Deere tractors and equipment out there.
• Our folks, for some reason, really like John Deere. It's an amazing facility.
• So John Deere, for example, pays us a ground lease income. They have a facility in the tech park.

Summary: The committee first reviewed the 2024-25 tuition waiver report for the North Dakota University System. Staff explained that waivers were reported for degree-seeking students and broken out by residency, institution, and waiver type. Members asked about partial versus full waivers, institutional discretion, athletic waivers, and whether campuses have published guardrails or transparency requirements. Staff said most waivers are set by institutions, with some statutory and board-required categories, and that athletic waivers are a small share of total waiver dollars. The report showed total gross tuition of $354.5 million, tuition waived of $38.9 million, and 11,193 of 42,040 students receiving some waiver. Members also discussed how waivers affect net tuition revenue, housing and food collections, and whether campuses are using waivers strategically compared with scholarships and other funding sources. The committee then heard a presentation on tuition rates by campus and State Board policy. Staff explained the board’s tuition factors for resident, Minnesota reciprocity, contiguous-state/U.S. nonresident, and international students, and noted that campuses often seek exceptions based on program-specific competition and enrollment goals. Members asked whether rates are based on cost or competition, and staff said campuses typically bring forward estimates and market comparisons when requesting special rates. The presentation also reviewed general fund appropriations versus net tuition revenue by campus, and members discussed how local tuition decisions and waivers do not directly affect the state funding formula, though they do affect institutional revenue and reserves. Questions were also raised about the Higher Learning Commission’s financial composite indicator and how it differs from the more intuitive reserve and revenue figures. The committee next received a broad overview of non-higher-education entities affiliated with the State Board of Higher Education, beginning with NDSU agriculture-related units. Dr. Greg Lardy described the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, the NDSU Extension Service, the Agricultural Experiment Station, and the branch research centers, emphasizing their statewide role in crop and livestock research, extension education, and county-based outreach. He outlined funding mixes for extension, the experiment station, and branch stations, noting that grants and contracts support both research and education, while the agronomy seed farm is self-funded through seed sales. Members asked about the new and vacant FTE pool, R1 research status, matching requirements for grants, and whether state appropriations count toward research expenditures. Dr. Lardy also highlighted major research impacts, including crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, and NDAWN weather data. The Northern Crops Institute and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute also presented. NCI described its role in market development, technical services, and education for regional agriculture, its governance through the Northern Crops Council, and its funding from state appropriations, other states, and earned revenue. Members asked about the source of out-of-state funding, intellectual property, and the institute’s international reach. UGPTI then outlined its transportation research, federal and state funding structure, and work on road and bridge condition assessments, travel demand modeling, and workforce training. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Marshal Hunt from Roy Clark Elementary Union Public School. Her senator is Senator Dossett.
• I don't even remember the name of it, the castle up in Deer Creek on May and Coffee Creek.
• Senator Deers Close the roll.

Bills: HB1168

Keywords: abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, methotrexate, pro-life, pro-choice, reproductive health, unborn child, trafficking, felony, contraception, pharmacist, pharmacy, Title 63, Oklahoma statutes, abortion pill, drug distribution, criminal penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Justin Roman with LD-2, North Phoenix, at his Deer Valley Airport and other things you
• North Phoenix, let's see, Deer Valley, North Terra, all the way down to Thunderbird on the 17.
• We have to hunt around for academies that have seats.

Committee: House House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2641, which would ban firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. The sponsor said the bill is intended to protect firefighters and the public from cancer-linked “forever chemicals” that can contaminate groundwater, and cited other states and prior Arizona action banning the foam for training. Testimony from a University of Arizona public health researcher and a firefighters’ association representative supported the bill, saying alternatives exist and that current stockpiles and continued use still expose firefighters and water supplies. Members asked about environmental impacts, alternatives, procurement, and stockpiles. The bill passed unanimously, 15-0. The committee then considered HB 2602, which appropriates $24 million from the general fund for a 10% pay increase for Department of Public Safety employees in fiscal year 2027. The sponsor and supporters argued the raise is needed for recruitment and retention, noting vacancies, turnover, and the cost of training new troopers. Several members raised budget concerns but said they supported the goal of better pay for law enforcement and state employees more broadly. Others discussed whether pay should be addressed across all agencies or through a broader statewide compensation approach. The bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 10-2-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 2225, which would provide $10 million for capital costs for the Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy in Yavapai County, with the money exempt from lapsing until 2029. Supporters said the academy is too small for current demand, serves multiple northern Arizona agencies and some statewide partners, and would reduce travel and lodging costs for training. Testimony emphasized regional oversight, cultural awareness training, and the academy’s role in officer education and retention. Some members questioned whether the state should fund a county-based academy and raised concerns about the bill’s structure and broader budget priorities; one member also objected to law enforcement practices in their community. The bill was moved forward with a do-pass recommendation, though the roll-call vote was not fully shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Justin Wilmeth with LD 2, North Phoenix, at Deer Valley Airport and other things you don't
• North Phoenix, let's see, Deer Valley, North Terra, all the way down to Thunderbird on the 17.
• We have to hunt around for academies that have seats.

Bills: HB2207 , HB2225 , HB2602 , HB2641

Committees: House Public Safety & Law Enforcement , House House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference

Keywords: braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion, HB 2225, Yavapai County, northern Arizona regional training academy, training academy, public safety training, law enforcement training, police academy, first responder training, capital appropriation, state general fund, state treasurer, lapsing appropriation, section 35-190, capital costs, regional training facility

Transcript Highlights:

• I should have the right to negotiate a lease on my land for hunting, grazing, electricity production,
• Well, congratulations on doing good things with that, and we used to hunt in Eldorado.
• It's a good place to hunt. Thank you very much, panel.
• of a Texas full of wide-open spaces, parks, and natural areas where people can go and hike, camp, hunt
• We have also seen increased sightings of deer, fox, and woodpecker. Thank you very much.

Bills: SB458 , SB819 , SB1238 , SB1642 , SB1643 , SB1644 , SB1791 , SB1810 , SB1824 , SB1825 , SB758 , SB1455 , SB1706

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• I am testifying on behalf of my union, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa.
• Miss C, I'm sorry to Minnesota and Iowa. Miss C, I'm sorry to interrupt<00:15:56.480><c> you.
• ,</c> Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa, and and and Wisconsin
• Travis Berth, who is here with SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa.
• I am here on behalf of my union, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa.

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• This past weekend, I was in Hutchinson, Minnesota at the Big Little Hunting Fishing Expo.
• What this does is it reduces hunting accidents, improves property security, and is very visible.
• Iowa, waltzing around when we're at a six billion dollar deficit. I have a problem.

Bills: HB4421 , HB4426 , HB4432 , HB4329 , HB3551 , HB3763 , HB1411 , HB2730 , HB3465 , HB3649 , HB3650 , HB3674 , HB3941 , HB3970 , HB3979 , HB3980 , HB3981 , SB1074

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: child welfare, fentanyl exposure, drug endangerment, environmental testing, safety analysis, remediation, child protection, Department of Human Services, violence prevention, HB4426, SIDE tax credit, strategic industrial development enhancement, income tax credit, economic development, tax incentive, qualified economic development expenditures, qualified initial infrastructure expenditures, industrial park, economic development zone, port authority

Bills: HB4421 , HB4426 , HB4432 , HB4329 , HB3551 , HB3763 , HB1411 , HB2730 , HB3465 , HB3649 , HB3650 , HB3674 , HB3941 , HB3970 , HB3979 , HB3980 , HB3981 , SB1074

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: child welfare, fentanyl exposure, drug endangerment, environmental testing, safety analysis, remediation, child protection, Department of Human Services, violence prevention, HB4426, SIDE tax credit, strategic industrial development enhancement, income tax credit, economic development, tax incentive, qualified economic development expenditures, qualified initial infrastructure expenditures, industrial park, economic development zone, port authority

Transcript Highlights:

• These are not stolen hunting rifles or guns taken from unlocked nightstands.
• This is why semi-automatic rifles like the AR-15 are essential tools for inclusive hunting.
• When I deployed to Afghanistan, I didn't carry a hunting rifle.
• We're just going to include deer rifles and shotguns and .22s, or what?
• Okay, so any bolt-action hunting rifles would be exempted.

Bills: SB48 , HB250 , SB17

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, technology, innovation, advisory board, entrepreneurial support, stakeholder representation