Transcript Highlights:

• We get that information, that feedback.
• We get that information, that feedback.
• A lot of landowner feedback goes into these.
• And anytime we can get that type of feedback, we really do appreciate that.
• I don't have really good feedback in South Dakota.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• So our initial kind of list of reports we thought we might want to drop, we got feedback from the State
• So our initial kind of list of reports we thought we might want to drop, we got feedback from the State
• seen conversations, at least I've seen some, where they're talking about some of those enforcement mechanisms
• seen conversations, at least I've seen some, where they're talking about some of those enforcement mechanisms

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard testimony on House Bill 883, which would create an optional flexibility program for high-performing charter schools and traditional school districts. Sponsors said qualifying schools could gain more spending discretion and be exempted from some reporting requirements if they meet academic, financial, and governance criteria. Supporters from the Idaho Charter School Network and American Classical Schools of Idaho said the bill would let schools direct funds to local priorities and reduce redundant compliance work. A district representative opposed the measure, arguing it would create unequal treatment among public schools and conflict with the idea of a common school system. Senators asked about the number of reports being waived, whether federal funding would be affected, why virtual schools were excluded, and how district and charter criteria compare. The committee voted to send HB 883 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also considered House Joint Memorial 19, which expresses support for disbanding the U.S. Department of Education and shifting responsibilities elsewhere in the federal government. The sponsor argued the department has led to federal overreach and burdensome mandates, while protections for students with disabilities and other federal programs would still need to continue under another agency. Testimony in support came from the Idaho Family Policy Center, which said education authority belongs primarily to the states. Opposition came from Dr. Victoria Young, who argued the memorial misstates the Tenth Amendment and blames the wrong level of government for education problems. Senators raised concerns about uncertainty over where programs like Pell Grants, special education funding, Title I, and school nutrition would be housed, and about possible impacts on the state education budget if federal responsibilities shift. The committee voted to send H.J.M. 19 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with one senator noting support but reserving the right to change on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• needs of the family, incorporate evidence-based practices to address cultural bias, and include feedback
• needs of the family, incorporate evidence-based practices to address cultural bias, and include feedback
• You can experience post-traumatic stress through any number of mechanisms in the Army.
• any. making not a ton of money you can experience post-traumatic stress through any any number of mechanisms

Summary: The committee met to brief amendments and then took executive action on nine bills related to child care, DCYF oversight, and services for children and vulnerable populations. Before voting, members reviewed proposed substitutes and amendments for HB 1544, 2099, 2219, 2253, 2319, and 2350, with brief discussion on issues such as child welfare risk assessment tools, military family child care access, child care provider flexibility, licensing and monitoring requirements, and residential habilitation center terminology and notice requirements. The committee then reported HB 2099, HB 2185, HB 2219 as amended, HB 2253 as amended, HB 2317, HB 2318, HB 2319 as amended, and HB 2350 as amended out of committee with do pass recommendations. HB 2253 saw one amendment adopted to restore state monitoring and health/safety reviews at the Washington School for the Deaf, while other proposed amendments were withdrawn or rejected. HB 2319 was amended to correct technical language regarding Eastern State Hospital and Interlake School. HB 2350’s substitute changed notice procedures for residential habilitation center noncompliance to emphasize posted notices, email, preferred language, and plain-language summaries. HB 1544 drew the most debate. Amendments to add domestic violence, define “safe,” require an audit of missing safety-plan data, and prohibit use of an unvalidated risk tool to screen out referrals were considered; only the domestic-violence amendment was adopted, while the others failed. Members discussed concerns about the current DCYF risk assessment tool, cultural bias, and the need to improve validation, but also cautioned against narrowing the study too much. The committee ultimately reported the second substitute HB 1544 out with a do pass recommendation by a 9-0-2 vote, with two members voting no without recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• SO BUT LIKE I SAID WE'RE EMBRACING THAT, IT WILL ALSO HELP US HAVE MORE REAL-TIME INFORMATION AND FEEDBACK
• YOU MAKE THOSE INVESTMENTS I KNOW THERE'S A CRITERIA YOU'RE FOLLOWING AND I'M SURE YOU ALSO HAVE FEEDBACK
• RECENT STUDIES IN BLUEBERRIES HAVE SHOWN MECHANICAL HARVESTING IS AS GOOD IF NOT IT DEPENDS VERY MUCH
• RECENT STUDIES IN BLUEBERRIES HAVE SHOWN MECHANICAL HARVESTING IS AS GOOD IF NOT BETTER THAN HAND HARVESTING

Transcript Highlights:

• initiative is the Pathways to career Opportunities, Grant program or P cog, which is the primary mechanism
• And you mentioned gate the gate program which was more of a funding mechanism.
• Last question is feedback, right?
• So that feedback and provide us the opportunity to maybe make more investments and continue to with this

Transcript Highlights:

• But we talked to—we got a lot of really good feedback.
• And based on the feedback, they might say they could choose to do it on our own without us fully making
• If the director, hearing the feedback that Mike takes back, might say, you know, let's look into the.
• they be open to that you know helping us through this process you know as we go and based on the feedback
• do it on our own without us fully we're making a recommendation if the director hearing you know feedback

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things I’d be interested in is your feedback on which of the programs that we have... ...I
• Appreciate that feedback.
• There are funds through that mechanism. There are funds through that mechanism.
• That took us a little bit off topic, but appreciate the feedback. Maybe more questions offline.
• That took us a little bit off topic, but appreciate the feedback. Maybe more questions offline.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I met with the insurance people in January, and really we've had very little feedback, and really that's
• what this is all about, is to try and get some feedback.
• I met with the insurance people in January, and really we've had very little feedback, and really that's
• what this is all about, is to try and get some feedback.
• Its enforcement mechanism grants the Attorney General, with a may-not-a-shall authority, the power to

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11 minutes, then unanimously sent House Bill 721 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. HB 721, sponsored by Representative Crane, expands an existing 30-day initial plan review timeline from public school projects to all public works projects. Crane and supporters from the Idaho Associated General Contractors said the bill would improve efficiency, reduce regulatory burden, and let projects go to bid sooner; no opposition testified. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 618, a wildfire insurance transparency bill sponsored by Representatives Sauter and Church. The bill would require insurers using wildfire or catastrophe models to disclose certain risk-model information and mitigation-related details to policyholders and to the Department of Insurance, with annual data collection and website posting. Sponsors and several homeowners and fire-related witnesses said the measure would help consumers understand nonrenewals, appeal ratings, and learn what mitigation steps matter; opponents, including the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and some committee members, argued it could expose proprietary information, increase compliance costs, and raise premiums. After debate, the committee rejected a motion to send the bill forward and instead voted to hold HB 618 in committee. House Bill 817, sponsored by Representative Petsky, was then advanced to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The bill would allow mobile cigar-event businesses and related “cigar garden” operations under tobacco permitting rules, with age restrictions and compliance checks still in place. Supporters described it as a small-business and entrepreneurship update, while opponents worried mobile retail would make tobacco compliance enforcement harder; the sponsor said the Department of Health and Welfare believed enforcement could still work. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 801 from Representative Redman, which would ease land-use barriers for faith-based organizations to develop housing and related uses on religious land. Redman said the bill is intended to help churches use underutilized land for attainable housing and services, while preserving guardrails such as setbacks from heavy industrial uses, airports, and military zones. Members raised concerns about parking, building height, setbacks, and airport rules, and Redman said he was open to amendments; the transcript ends during that discussion before any final action on HB 801.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the big takeaways and the feedback we heard was really emphasizing prevention.
• We've received a lot of feedback into the behavioral health system.
• I want to continue to echo this: we really want to hear feedback.
• Any feedback that we receive through the AOC's feedback loop, I am sharing that with the accountable
• The eSIM is not a funding mechanism.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said he was glad to get the positive feedback.
• He said he was glad to get that positive feedback.
• </c><01:27:33.639><c> thank</c> glad to get that positive feedback thank glad to get that positive feedback
• That's frequently the mechanism that's used.
• That's frequently the mechanism that's used.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there's a mechanism that the department... ...so I appreciate it.
• But one thing I don't think we did at that time is build a mechanism for shrinking it down.
• There's a mechanism if we can't do it under what Chairman Bristler suggested.
• But this is a great mechanism.
• And it's a good mechanism to get word out to the people that we're trying to represent.

Summary: The committee and invited witnesses discussed chronic wasting disease surveillance and response in Louisiana, focusing on both wild deer and captive deer facilities. LDWF staff said surveillance goals are being met in about 32 of 64 parishes, but there are gaps in low-sample areas, and they described current efforts using voluntary hunter-harvested deer sampling, targeted sampling in higher-risk animals, and coordination with D-MAP properties. Witnesses and members raised possible ways to improve detection, including incentives for testing, use of taxidermists and processors to collect samples from older bucks, possible mandatory testing tied to special doe days or special seasons, and better use of D-MAP or mobile sampling units. Several members also suggested environmental testing, better deer-density data, and clearer mapping of hotspots and source areas. A major portion of the discussion centered on how to respond when a positive CWD case is found. Members debated whether Louisiana should follow an Arkansas-style approach, including allowing baiting during hunting season while using other tools to manage disease, versus stricter no-bait or no-feeding rules. Some members argued that immediate restrictions after a positive discourage hunters from submitting samples and hurt landowners and feed businesses, and suggested delaying new restrictions until the end of the season while intensifying sampling. Others emphasized that any response should be science-based and should preserve hunter participation. There was also discussion of whether control areas should be parish-based or based on geographic distance, and whether the state should establish thresholds that would allow a control zone to be reduced or removed if enough negative samples are collected. For captive deer facilities, LDWF and LDAF staff reviewed the USDA herd certification program and current surveillance practices. They said Louisiana has about 350 licensed deer facilities, including breeder and hunting facilities, and that a 2024 positive in Jeff Davis Parish led to depopulation and 12 quarantine farms; follow-up testing in 2025 found no new positives in the traced facilities. Staff said the state has relied on USDA competitive grants for diagnostic testing in the last two years, covering roughly $100,000 to $150,000 annually, while department self-generated funds covered more than $800,000 over the last three years. Members and witnesses recommended mandatory enrollment in the USDA herd certification program, mandatory 24-hour reporting of positives to LDWF and USDA APHIS, and clearer, reciprocal communication between LDWF and LDAF when positives are found. No votes were taken; the chair said staff would compile the discussion and written recommendations for consideration at the April 9 commission meeting, with the understanding that the committee will later make formal recommendations to the Legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> we're</c><01:08:10.640><c> going</c> funding mechanism that we're going funding mechanism that we're
• Has been some feedback, and it's just capacity.
• Um has been some feedback and it's meet.
• </c><02:14:56.639><c> to</c><02:14:57.440><c> uh</c> feedback that I want to uh feedback that I want
• I do not believe that was the mechanism.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we have an ongoing feedback mark.
• That kind of feedback is, you that.
• ,</c><00:31:42.440><c> you</c><00:31:42.560><c> know,</c> good feedback, you know, good feedback, you
• We are an organization that's focused on school workplace culture and climate as a leading mechanism
• </c><00:50:31.280><c> of</c> of those are some mechanics of of those are some mechanics of employment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I then take all that information and feedback, and we talk about it pretty much at every meeting until
• So we haven't received, we didn't receive a lot of feedback about either the estimated notice or the
• Senator Rommel, you pointed out an addendum, if you will, or a different mechanism.
• How do we communicate those collection mechanisms to the public in terms of where do the dollars go?
• And just looking at what type of safety mechanism, so if someone hasn't paid their taxes for a year,

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Committee met with a quorum to begin its study of whether the content of North Dakota real estate tax statements should be revised to improve transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the background for the study, including House Bill 1176, current statutory requirements for tax statements, and recent changes such as separate line items for bonded debt, primary residence credit, and legacy fund-related amounts. The Tax Department then explained the current statement format and noted that the form is prescribed and approved by the tax commissioner, with changes typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from the North Dakota Association of Counties described the full annual process for preparing budgets, setting levies, calculating taxable values, and issuing notices and tax statements. They said counties spend significant time coordinating with taxing districts, neighboring counties, and software vendors, and that the new budget hearing notices and valuation notices have not generated much public response. Members raised concerns about the usefulness and clarity of certain line items, especially the legislative tax relief calculation and the primary residence credit, and discussed whether the current statement creates confusion rather than transparency. Testimony also addressed the 3% cap, mill levy worksheets, assessment cycles, and the role of county auditors and tax directors in maintaining accurate values. The committee also heard from software vendors CPT and Tyler Technologies about how legislative changes are programmed into tax systems and how online taxpayer portals can provide more detailed breakdowns of tax bills. Vendors said changes required by law are generally absorbed in contracts rather than billed directly to counties, and they demonstrated web tools and pie-chart style breakdowns that show where tax dollars go. NDACO presented a survey of eight counties estimating tax statement preparation and mailing costs, concluding that outsourced printing tends to be cheaper on average and that total statewide tax statement costs may be roughly $600,000, though the estimate was based on limited data. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on gathering testimony and identifying issues for possible future recommendations or bill drafts.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the next board meeting sometime in May will lay out, again, based on feedback from many stakeholders
• , kind of our summary of what we think that structure should look like, get the feedback, fine-tune it
• Should look like, get the feedback, fine-tune it, and then we’ll start; we’ll issue the RFP for people
• But it's leveraging the mechanics of quantum mechanics to be able to do and solve certain problems that
• The mechanics of quantum mechanics can be used to solve certain problems that we cannot solve today.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the constitutional amendment mechanism is designed to dissolve three very large trust funds and use
• So mechanically, when the Revenue Estimating Conference met, So, mechanically, when the Revenue Estimating
• Isn't the mechanism for that collection different than traditional sales tax?
• And have you gotten any feedback for us on that from companies?
• And have you gotten any feedback for us on that from companies?

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met on March 10, 2026, for a series of informational presentations rather than bill hearings. House Fiscal Division staff reviewed the state’s tax structure, the 2024 third special session tax reform package, and the Revenue Estimating Conference process. They explained the move to a 3% flat individual income tax, a 5.5% flat corporate income tax, the higher standard deduction and retirement-income exclusion, the repeal of several deductions and credits, the repeal of the corporate franchise tax, and the expansion of the sales tax base to certain digital goods. Staff also walked through tax exemption data, showing the size of exemptions relative to collections, and discussed forecasted revenue gaps in the out years, including the effect of the scheduled sales tax rate reduction and the return of transportation-related revenues to their prior dedication. Members asked about declining mineral revenues, digital sales tax collections, corporate collections, and the impact of tax credits and exemptions. Division of Administration and Legislative Fiscal Office staff said lower oil and gas prices, long-term production declines, and the timing of corporate payments were major factors in revenue trends, and that it will take at least another year or two of tax returns to fully understand the reform’s effects. They emphasized that corporate collections are still below the $600 million threshold that affects the state general fund and Revenue Stabilization Fund, though the forecast remains $900 million. The committee also discussed surplus and excess revenues, the distinction between discretionary and non-discretionary spending, and how current-year and prior-year balances are allocated under the constitution. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the relationship between Ways and Means and Appropriations. Chairman McFarland stressed that new fiscal-note bills can force cuts elsewhere if revenue is not available, and urged members to coordinate early with fiscal staff before advancing costly legislation. Members also asked how pending constitutional amendments on teacher pay and inventory tax might affect the budget; staff said the teacher stipend proposal is not currently funded in the executive budget and that the inventory tax proposal would mainly affect local governments and any reimbursements from the Revenue Stabilization Fund if approved. The committee then heard from Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bouchoux, who reported strong results from recent reforms, including $92 billion in capital investment, 37,000 new jobs, a record year of announcements, a top-10 corporate tax climate ranking, and a pipeline of 189 active projects representing nearly 42,000 potential jobs and $280 billion in potential investment. Members praised LED’s work and discussed the need to pair economic development with workforce training, infrastructure, and predictable tax policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any instant reactions to that feedback? Yeah.
• This is because students are not taught basic coping mechanisms, not taught how to manage time effectively
• This is because students are not taught basic coping mechanisms, not taught how to manage time effectively
• The first phase will also be an opportunity for student and parent feedback to further improve the program
• So to address the rubric comment, thank you so much for your feedback.

Summary: The annual joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee hearing featured student proposals from the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, with opening remarks from legislators emphasizing student voice and the value of hearing youth ideas. Committee members noted the hearing was being streamed and that they would review the testimony even though some members could not attend because of fog-related travel issues. The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12, with flexible school-led activities such as discussions, mock elections, and voter registration-related events. Members generally praised the idea but raised concerns about costs, instructional time tradeoffs, how to evaluate effectiveness, and whether the proposal should better connect to existing civics standards and local curriculum. The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with added training and the right to make motions. Legislators supported student representation in principle but questioned whether the proposal should require one or two student members to avoid board tie issues, why some districts do not already have student trustees, and how the mandate would be funded if it became a state requirement. They also raised technical concerns about the scope of motioning power and the fiscal impact of converting a voluntary local practice into a statewide mandate. Later panels proposed adding middle school financial literacy instruction, expanding restorative justice practices, and creating more structured mental health education time. On financial literacy, students suggested integrating finance into existing middle school classes and teacher training over time; members worried about curriculum overload and suggested aligning the idea with the already-approved high school finance course. On restorative justice, students proposed a CDE task force and training for PPS-certified staff; legislators discussed prior related bills, confidentiality concerns in discipline hearings, and the likely cost of a state task force. On mental health, students proposed short, twice-semester classroom sessions focused on coping skills and awareness of resources, but members questioned whether such brief lessons could be effective and suggested that wellness centers, student-led awareness, and outside referrals might be more practical. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with encouragement for students to refine their proposals and follow up with legislators.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are majors from mechanical and environmental engineering that may ultimately work in the nuclear
• We were actually created to be our own little oversight mechanism.
• Providing their technical and legal feedback, we've given them extensive edits.
• We're evaluating their proposal, and as I indicated before, we gave them extensive feedback.
• That's where my team has also been providing feedback. So I'm not sure I'm answering...

Transcript Highlights:

• our strategic plan as a one-time document; it's a living process that constantly evolves through feedback
• internships with our own operations department, so they can come in and work with our HVAC, our mechanics
• I'm asking, in your current position, do you have a mechanism or people or close people that are keeping
• You're getting feedback from teachers, your principals, and all your stakeholders.
• Chairman, and maybe John knows: Is there a mechanism, or are school board members subject to the Ethics

Transcript Highlights:

• That is great feedback. Thank you. Other questions? That is great feedback. Thank you.
• acknowledge the importance of engaging earlier and more often through the process to incorporate feedback
• Meaningfully, thoughtfully, all while incorporating feedback in the decision-making process.
• We are hearing valuable feedback from the committee that is helping shape our future engagement plans
• But that is some of the feedback that we have received from communities and that we continue to explore

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on HEAL Act implementation, beginning with an orientation from Environmental Justice Council member David Mendoza. He described the law’s purpose as integrating environmental justice into agency decision-making, community engagement, tribal consultation, strategic planning, and environmental justice assessments, with the goal of reducing environmental health disparities and improving accountability to communities and tribes. He also discussed the council’s role, the interagency work group, challenges with limited volunteer and agency capacity, and concerns about inconsistent assessment formats and future funding pressures. Committee members asked about council composition, including the balance of tribal, community, business, and other representation, whether the HEAL Act increases permitting time or costs, how “overburdened” and “vulnerable” populations are defined, and whether the council should be refreshed or audited. Mendoza said the statute is not limited to racial categories and can include rural and low-income communities, that the council has not quantified permitting delays, and that there is no formal audit requirement, though the council is discussing how to improve its work. Members also raised questions about the relationship between the Environmental Justice Council and the Office of Equity, with Mendoza saying the bodies are complementary but should coordinate more closely. The Department of Agriculture then reported on its HEAL Act work. Director of Equity and Environmental Justice Nicole Johnson said WSDA conducts environmental justice assessments for significant actions, applies an equity lens to licensing, funding, rulemaking, and strategic planning, and has completed 11 EJ assessments to date. She highlighted pesticide regulation, animal health, and weights-and-measures work as examples of environmental and economic justice, and said the department recently hired a full-time tribal consultant and has only 1.5 FTE supporting HEAL implementation. Members asked whether WSDA’s assessments apply to its role on boards such as the Forest Practices Board; Johnson said the department’s current understanding is that assessments are conducted on agency work. The Department of Natural Resources then presented on its HEAL Act implementation, focusing on strategic planning, community engagement, tribal consultation, environmental justice assessments, and equitable funding. DNR officials said environmental justice is being embedded in the agency’s 2025-2029 strategic plan, in its Community Access and Impact Plan, and in its advisory committee and board representation efforts. They reported conducting EJ assessments for sustainable harvest calculations, agency request legislation, and a prescribed burn manager certificate program, and said DNR has invested about $130 million in overburdened communities and vulnerable populations in fiscal year 2025 through wildfire resilience, youth education, and urban forestry programs. Committee members pressed DNR on how it identifies impacted communities, why landowners were not more visible in the process, how agency-request legislation is being assessed, and whether assessments are required for actions taken through other boards and commissions. DNR said its current interpretation is that assessments apply to internal agency actions, that some notices may appear on OFM’s notices page rather than the completed-assessments dashboard, and that it would follow up on specific questions about its posted assessments and process.