Transcript Highlights:

• The hydrogen industry is still emerging, and emerging industries rarely move in a straight line.
• Industry, including infrastructure, policy support, and industrial participation.
• We move with the industry.
• Green fatigue means we've had so much waiting for green, we've had help and support.
• Green fatigue means we've had so much waiting for green, we've had help and support.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The hydrogen industry is still emerging, and emerging industries rarely move in a straight line.
• We move with the industry.
• Most of these projects are green energy projects.
• But it's mostly for heavy industry.
• Green fatigue means we've had so much waiting for green, we've had help and support.

Summary: The Senate Select Committee on Hydrogen Energy held an informational hearing on California’s hydrogen leadership, with the chair framing hydrogen as a complementary clean-energy pathway for hard-to-electrify sectors such as heavy-duty trucking, transit, rail, ports, industrial uses, and backup power. The first panel of private-sector witnesses from the California Hydrogen Business Council, Bosch, Hyundai, and Sierra Northern Railway described existing deployments in California, including hydrogen buses, trucks, fueling infrastructure, and the nation’s first hydrogen fuel cell switcher locomotive. They emphasized that the technology is commercially ready but scaling is constrained by permitting delays, high fuel and equipment costs, infrastructure gaps, and uncertainty around federal support and incentives. Witnesses urged stable state policy, targeted investment, and concentrated deployment in high-impact corridors such as ports and freight hubs. Committee members also asked about labor standards, community engagement, and the current size of the hydrogen vehicle fleet in California and abroad. The second panel focused on air quality, climate, safety, and public health. Testimony from CAPCOA, the Coalition for Clean Air, the California State Building and Construction Trades Council, and a UC Berkeley researcher argued that hydrogen fuel cells can reduce diesel-related pollution and health harms when used in the right applications, especially in ports, rail yards, warehouse corridors, transit depots, and backup power for facilities like data centers. Witnesses cautioned that hydrogen should be used selectively, produced as cleanly as possible, and paired with early community engagement, safety planning, and environmental justice protections. The researcher cited projected reductions in NOx, particulate exposure, premature deaths, and health costs under broader hydrogen adoption. Committee members discussed workforce training, apprenticeship programs, and how to balance near-term costs with long-term infrastructure value. The final panel provided public-sector updates from SamTrans, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the Port of Long Beach, and First Public Hydrogen Authority. SamTrans described its transition to a large hydrogen bus fleet and said the loss of expected ARCHES funding created a major infrastructure gap; it asked the state to protect transit funding, restore a sales tax exemption for zero-emission buses, and address axle-weight rules. GoBiz said the state should focus on creating demand, reducing costs, and streamlining permitting, while acknowledging the disruption caused by the federal cancellation of ARCHES funding. The Port of Long Beach reported hydrogen truck deployments, port incentives, and a planned public fueling station, but said high costs, fuel shortages, and uncertainty have slowed momentum. First Public Hydrogen Authority described efforts to aggregate municipal demand and support new green hydrogen production projects, stressing the need for long-term market signals and financing. Committee members repeatedly emphasized the need for state support, infrastructure investment, and a diversified fuel strategy to keep hydrogen deployment moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:29.120><c> Vote</c><00:02:29.360><c> green.</c> good bill. Vote green. good bill.
• Vote green.
• Vote green. answer. Vote green.
• </c> family today in v green. Thank you. family today in v green. Thank you.
• Members, please vote green."

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And the green light—there's magic behind the green light, they say—that birds are scared of the green
• /c> there's a magic behind the green light there's a magic behind the green light they<00:03:47.480><
• Our big industry is obviously the turkey industry, and this is highly focused on eggs and egg prices,
• Our big industry is obviously the turkey industry, and this is highly focused on eggs and egg prices,
• Our big industry is obviously the turkey industry, and this is highly focused on eggs and egg prices,

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I'd ask for a green light. The motion is before the House.
• Representative Green, does the Nays change their vote?
• And with that, I would appreciate your green light.
• So with that, I ask for your green light. Further debate on the motion?
• Green, green, green, green, green, green, green. Green, green, green, green, green, green, green.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Woods, Chairman Green: 10 ayes and zero nays.
• And it'll start putting a cloud on that industry.
• Senator Green, you'd like to debate? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Chairman Greene, you're now recognized for HB 3989.
• So we have a do pass from Senator Green, seconded by the chair.

Bills: HB3183 , HB4316 , HB4484 , HB3469 , HB3464 , HB3173 , HB3989

Committee: Senate Energy

Keywords: electric utilities, grid congestion, transmission technology, advanced power flow controllers, dynamic line rating, energy efficiency, rural water service, district organization, emergency legislation, Oklahoma, water management, state vehicles, state-owned vehicles, state-leased vehicles, motor vehicle use, commuting use, personal use, fleet management, Corporation Commission, field inspectors

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would be a catalyst in the growth of the green ammonia industry.
• </c> mining, and potentially more industries. mining, and potentially more industries.
• </c><00:09:40.680><c> operations,</c> infrastructure, industrial operations, infrastructure, industrial
• </c> report detailing the number of green report detailing the number of green ammonia<00:14:15.240><
• </c> co-ops to apply to make green co-ops to apply to make green fertilizer. fertilizer. fertilizer.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and our industries. and our industries.
• Chair, Senator Green. Um so Yep. Mr. Chair, Senator Green.
• Senator Green. Senator Green: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Thank you Senator Green. We're dollars. Thank you Senator Green.
• Thanks, Senator Green. Mr. Stark, use? Thanks, Senator Green. Mr.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our vision for green industrial policy revolves around the premise that certain manufacturing sectors
• Our vision for green industrial policy revolves around the premise that certain manufacturing sectors
• There are many other ways the state can actualize green industrial policy.
• , Decarbonize, a pro-worker green industrial policy for California.
• A worker-led green industrial policy must multi-solve.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on California’s industrial policy and manufacturing, with opening remarks emphasizing the state’s large manufacturing base, the need to retain and scale advanced manufacturing in California, and the tension between economic growth, climate goals, labor standards, permitting, and energy reliability. Senators and witnesses repeatedly noted that California has strong innovation assets, but companies often face uncertainty around regulation, power availability, and the cost of expanding here, leading some to locate manufacturing elsewhere. Senator Wahab highlighted Fremont as a major manufacturing hub and stressed apprenticeship pathways, community college partnerships, and good-paying jobs for both college-educated and non-college workers. California Forward’s Agon Turplin and Jake Higden argued for a durable statewide regional economic development system with ongoing funding, regional strategic plans, and sector-specific roadmaps. They said California Jobs First and related regional planning efforts created useful infrastructure, but the system remains fragmented and one-time funded. Higden focused on “green industrial policy,” especially batteries, bioeconomy, and other clean manufacturing sectors, arguing California often funds R&D but loses the manufacturing scale-up phase to other states. Priyanka Mohanti of the Center for Manufacturing a Green Economy said climate policy must be paired with industrial policy so Californians can actually benefit from the transition through affordable clean products, good jobs, and domestic supply chains. She pointed to international examples such as India, Brazil, and China, and urged tools like public investment, procurement, loan guarantees, and supply-chain planning. Industry witness Josh Richmond, drawing on experience at Bloom Energy and Cy Quantum, said energy and economic development are inseparable and that “time to power” is often decisive in site selection. He argued California needs better coordination among the state, utilities, universities, national labs, and economic development agencies, and that the state should be more proactive and creative in helping strategic industries scale. Committee members discussed the role of high energy costs, regulatory burdens, K-12 education, and cap-and-trade, with Senator Niello raising concerns about business climate, education outcomes, and the cost impacts of climate regulations. Witnesses responded that California should balance regulation with benefits, and that regional coordination and state partnership can help companies navigate red tape and stay in-state. The second panel, from labor, supported a worker-led industrial policy. Sarah Flox of the California Labor Federation said manufacturing jobs can be good jobs only when paired with labor standards, apprenticeship pipelines, and public support tied to worker protections. Tom Hincey of UAW Region 6 said California should use public financing, procurement, off-take agreements, and, where appropriate, public ownership or equity stakes to localize supply chains and create union jobs in batteries, offshore wind, and heat pumps. The final panel featured Fremont economic development director Donovan Lazaro, who said Fremont has become California’s top manufacturing city by preserving industrial land, allowing by-right zoning, reducing permitting delays, and building in-house technical expertise to support advanced manufacturers. He said the city’s approach has helped double its manufacturing workforce and strengthen its tax base. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with committee members indicating they would continue working on follow-up legislation and coordination efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to present SB 1398, Green Globe Certification.
• Green Building Initiative.
• This would be for Green Building Initiative; you're the Green Globes issuer, I assume.
• This would be for Green Building Initiative; you're the Green Globes issuer, I assume.
• Three Green Globes is equivalent to an alternative to LEED Silver, and two Green Globes is an alternative

Committee: House Governmental Organization

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Senator<00:32:10.400><c> Green.</c> &gt;&gt; Senator Green. &gt;&gt; Senator Green.
• We are a green industry distributor in the state of Minnesota, specializing in irrigation equipment sales
• We are<00:53:26.760><c> a</c><00:53:26.840><c> green</c><00:53:27.360><c> industry</c><00:53:27.960><
• c> distributor</c><00:53:28.760><c> in</c><00:53:28.920><c> the</c> are a green industry distributor
• in the are a green industry distributor in the state<00:53:29.280><c> of</c><00:53:29.360><c> Minnesota

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I am a green light, and I ask for your green lights. We're going to be on motion.
• Other industries have... Other industries have done it.
• our industries.
• , but also our big industries.
• It doesn't just go at one industry, the ag industry. This goes into construction. It...

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . eighth state to pass this ban on this industry.
• But at the same time, you know, all this talk about protecting this industry, protecting that industry
• well, what industry is next?
• And you may be thinking, ...industry.
• Senator Green... Senator Bullard. Aye. Senator Burns? Aye. Senator Green? Senator Grellner? Aye.

Bills: SB2108 , SB2121 , SB2171 , SB2061 , SB2112 , SB2138

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Wildlife

Keywords: feral swine, nuisance control, wildlife management, hunting permits, agriculture, cultivated meat, food safety, public health, misbranding, advertising, food labeling, food distribution, state regulations, hunting licenses, fishing licenses, veterans, controlled hunts, deer population, wildlife conservation, food policy

Summary: The committee laid over several bills at the start of the meeting, including SB 1550, SB 2173, and SB 2114, and announced a new rule prohibiting video recording on phones in the committee room. The committee then took up a series of agriculture-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on feral hog control, lab-grown meat, hunting regulations, local food policy, open-range cleanup, and prescribed burn liability coverage. SB 2108, as amended, was presented as a feral swine control bill. Supporters said it would reduce property damage, disease spread, and regulatory barriers for landowners and hunters, while opponents raised concerns about people who capture hogs for food and the impact on self-provisioning. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 10-2. SB 2121, which would ban the sale of cell-cultured, lab-grown meat, drew debate over free-market choice versus protecting Oklahoma agriculture and food safety; it passed 9-3. SB 2171, which would extend the residency requirement for a lifetime fishing license from six months to one year and create a velvet buck season under controlled hunts, passed 12-1 after debate about trophy hunting, commercialization, and deer management. SB 2061 would create an Oklahoma Food Policy Council within the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to coordinate local food networks and producer-to-consumer access. Testimony from the agency said some related work is already being done through its Market Development Division, but the council would formalize broader representation; the bill passed 12-1. SB 2112, as amended, cleaned up prior open-range language to include leased land and passed unanimously. SB 2138 would establish a prescribed burn indemnity fund to help cover damages from escaped prescribed burns; members discussed coverage levels, funding, and whether it primarily protects the burner or neighboring landowners. It also passed unanimously. The meeting ended with an announcement about a Marshallese group performing in the rotunda and then adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Knox to commend Chris Hanover's contributions to the American bar industry and North American cocktail
• Green, yes. The clerk will close the machine. 94 yeas, 0 nays, and the resolution has been adopted.
• and not hinder the construction industry.
• We were asked by companies, boat sides, industry, and recreation to take it out, and I concur and ask
• Representative Green, did you have a question on this? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bills: HR308 , HR309 , HR310 , HR311 , HR312 , HR313 , HR314 , HR315 , HR316 , HR317 , HR318 , HR319 , HR295 , HR296 , HR297 , HR298 , HR299 , HR300 , HR301 , HR302 , HR303 , HR304 , HR305 , HR306 , HR307 , HCR115 , HCR116 , HCR117 , SCR71 , SCR72 , SCR73 , HR73 , HR118 , HR144 , HR196 , HR237 , HR249 , HR260 , HR267 , HR272 , HR273 , HR276 , HR278 , HCR85 , HCR100 , HCR105 , HCR107 , HCR113 , HCR114 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR37 , SCR63 , HB255 , HB378 , HB509 , HB1090 , SB80 , SB131 , SB143 , SB251 , SB254 , SB279 , SB367 , SB384 , SB388 , SB389 , SB398 , SB408 , SB431 , SB468 , SB469 , SB496 , SB25 , SB132 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB295 , SB433 , HR179 , HR223 , HR225 , HR274 , HCR89 , HR252 , HR253 , HCR96 , HCR103 , HCR108 , HCR26 , HB250 , HB265 , HB339 , HB427 , HB445 , HB463 , HB468 , HB606 , HB639 , HB649 , HB665 , HB746 , HB781 , HB853 , HB861 , HB872 , HB886 , HB916 , HB937 , HB1054 , HB1068 , HB1117 , HB1237 , HB74 , HB108 , HB956 , HB1085 , HB1137 , HB62 , HB193 , HB210 , HB220 , HB246 , HB364 , HB420 , HB475 , HB584 , HB622 , HB772 , HB784 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1092 , HB1134 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1199 , SB268 , SB283 , HB782 , SB149 , HR84 , HB646 , HB998 , SB56 , SB163 , SB197 , SB97 , SB326 , SB341 , SB518 , SB123 , SB353 , SB479 , SB495 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HR168 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB302 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB379 , SB382 , SB441 , SB449

Keywords: HR 308, House Resolution 308, Pope Leo XIV, Catholic Church, Holy See, Vatican, commendation, resolution, Louisiana Catholic heritage, St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, South Louisiana parishes, religious recognition, ceremonial resolution, faith leadership, pontificate, spiritual solidarity, human dignity, peace, mercy

Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledge, and a quorum, then spent much of the day on recognitions and commemorative resolutions. Members honored coach Jeffrey Craig Whittington, tourism and the Louisiana Oil Makers Association, Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the Tangipahoa Parish Fair, Washington Parish festivals, ACOG’s 75th anniversary, Louisiana Tech women’s basketball, and Memorial Day. A major Memorial Day presentation commended Lane Frenchy Boudreau for helping recover the body of Army Sgt. First Class James H. Moore in Vietnam; the House observed a moment of silence and presented a flag to Moore’s family. The chamber also received Senate messages, enrolled bills, and committee reports, and introduced several new resolutions on topics including Pope Leo XIV, orphan wells, scenic rivers, Teche water quality, and the LaMelle family’s pilgrimage to Rome. The House then took up numerous resolutions and bills, often adopting them without objection. Among the measures adopted or advanced were studies on neighborhood crime prevention districts, parish solid waste and disaster resiliency in Washington Parish, the Louisiana Climate Action Plan, the Louisiana Maneuvers museum/trail, cash-rounding practices after penny production ends, residential construction costs and inspection practices, roundabout education, Taiwan relations, TSA worker loan assistance in Shreveport, human growth and development standards, and the state income tax credit for water utility customers. The chamber also adopted or concurred in several Senate amendments on bills dealing with financial disclosure, video voyeurism, personal information protections, online child safety, STEM advisory council changes, dual enrollment tuition, fleet vehicle registration, menhaden fishing rules, recording fees, amusement ride insurance, drone footage authentication, garbage and trash contracts, insurance prescription periods, retirement system changes, juror qualifications, fireworks, inspection stickers, employment discrimination, and inactive boards and commissions. Several measures drew discussion or division. H.B. 1199, requiring coverage for genetic testing and treatment for SCN2A-associated disorders, passed 94-0 after being discharged from Appropriations. H.B. 302, which would prohibit vape sales within 300 feet of schools, passed 86-4. H.B. 84, encouraging an interest-free loan program for TSA workers at Shreveport Regional Airport, passed 64-27. H.B. 1054 on self-authentication of law enforcement drone footage passed 78-12, and H.B. 1137 limiting employment discrimination protections to state employees passed 71-23. The House rejected Senate amendments on H.B. 468 (residential real property wholesaling), H.B. 1117 (insurance contractual payments and prescriptive periods), H.B. 956 (fireworks dates), and H.B. 74 (Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism), while concurring in or adopting amendments on many other bills. The session ended amid continued consideration of Senate Bill 56 on the West Bank/Lafitte levee governance structure, including an adopted amendment to ensure Lafitte-area representation on the board, with extended remarks about the history and accomplishments of the existing levee authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• Knox to commend Chris Hanover's contributions to the American bar industry and North American cocktail
• and not hinder the construction industry.
• We were asked by companies and boat sides, industry and recreation to take it out, and I concur and ask
• Representative Green, did you have a question on this? Representative Cox: Yes, Mr. Speaker.
• Representative Green, did you have a question on this? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bills: HR308 , HR309 , HR310 , HR311 , HR312 , HR313 , HR314 , HR315 , HR316 , HR317 , HR318 , HR319 , HR295 , HR296 , HR297 , HR298 , HR299 , HR300 , HR301 , HR302 , HR303 , HR304 , HR305 , HR306 , HR307 , HCR115 , HCR116 , HCR117 , SCR71 , SCR72 , SCR73 , HR73 , HR118 , HR144 , HR196 , HR237 , HR249 , HR260 , HR267 , HR272 , HR273 , HR276 , HR278 , HCR85 , HCR100 , HCR105 , HCR107 , HCR113 , HCR114 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR37 , SCR63 , HB255 , HB378 , HB509 , HB1090 , SB80 , SB131 , SB143 , SB251 , SB254 , SB279 , SB367 , SB384 , SB388 , SB389 , SB398 , SB408 , SB431 , SB468 , SB469 , SB496 , SB25 , SB132 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB295 , SB433 , HR179 , HR223 , HR225 , HR274 , HCR89 , HR252 , HR253 , HCR96 , HCR103 , HCR108 , HCR26 , HB250 , HB265 , HB339 , HB427 , HB445 , HB463 , HB468 , HB606 , HB639 , HB649 , HB665 , HB746 , HB781 , HB853 , HB861 , HB872 , HB886 , HB916 , HB937 , HB1054 , HB1068 , HB1117 , HB1237 , HB74 , HB108 , HB956 , HB1085 , HB1137 , HB62 , HB193 , HB210 , HB220 , HB246 , HB364 , HB420 , HB475 , HB584 , HB622 , HB772 , HB784 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1092 , HB1134 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1199 , SB268 , SB283 , HB782 , SB149 , HR84 , HB646 , HB998 , SB56 , SB163 , SB197 , SB97 , SB326 , SB341 , SB518 , SB123 , SB353 , SB479 , SB495 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HR168 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB302 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB379 , SB382 , SB441 , SB449

Keywords: HR 308, House Resolution 308, Pope Leo XIV, Catholic Church, Holy See, Vatican, commendation, resolution, Louisiana Catholic heritage, St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, South Louisiana parishes, religious recognition, ceremonial resolution, faith leadership, pontificate, spiritual solidarity, human dignity, peace, mercy

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you all, and vote green.
• So members, please vote green. Thank you.
• I will be voting green on this bill.
• So with that, I ask members to vote green.
• Vote green. Any further discussion?

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Pastor Green and Representative Kepinick.
• Eight percent for Rough Rider Industries. And why is that?
• I'd ask for your green vote on this bill. Thank you.
• Rough Rider Industries recidivism rate is about eight.
• So I ask for a green vote. The juice is definitely worth the squeeze, so I'll ask for a green vote.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Representative Hoverson offered remarks recognizing World Autism Day, and the House then handled conference committee motions on several bills, including House Bills 1460 and 1248 and Senate Bills 2262, 2070, 2294, and 2297, with the Speaker appointing members to each conference committee. The chamber also set aside Senate Bill 2200 for re-referral to Appropriations and moved to amendments on Senate Bill 2128, which was the main subject of the day. Senate Bill 2128, a major criminal justice and corrections bill, drew extensive debate over truth-in-sentencing, mandatory minimums, parole, transitional facilities, work release, electronic monitoring, and the fiscal impact of longer incarceration. Division A of the amendments removed mandatory minimums for resisting arrest and felony simple assault while keeping consecutive-sentence language; supporters said this preserved judicial discretion and reduced costs, while opponents argued it weakened public safety. Division A was adopted 70-23. Division B proposed broader changes to preserve transitional programming, add penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring and escape, limit some work-release restrictions, create a parole board study, and fund electronic monitoring with a $600,000 appropriation. Supporters framed it as a compromise that balanced rehabilitation and public safety; opponents said it undercut the bill’s intent and left dangerous offenders with too much access to transitional release. Division B failed on a 46-46 tie. The House then took up the bill itself, with the Judiciary Committee reporting a do-not-pass recommendation as amended, and debate continued over whether the amended bill should advance, with members split between concerns about victims and public safety versus rehabilitation, prison capacity, and recidivism.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please vote green.
• Please vote green.
• Please vote green. The secretary this. Please vote green.
• Vote green.
• Senator Green. Uh, Senator Green, hold on one moment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Green, you are recognized for debate. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• But I do know, as somebody that Is around the swine industry.
• But at the same time, you know, all this talk about protecting this industry, protecting that industry
• Senator Bullard, Senator Burns, Senator Green... Senator Renner.
• Senator Green, you're recognized for a question on Senate Bill 2138.

Bills: SB2108 , SB2121 , SB2171 , SB2061 , SB2112 , SB2138

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Wildlife

Keywords: feral swine, nuisance control, wildlife management, hunting permits, agriculture, cultivated meat, food safety, public health, misbranding, advertising, food labeling, food distribution, state regulations, hunting licenses, fishing licenses, veterans, controlled hunts, deer population, wildlife conservation, food policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Please vote green. Please vote green. Is there any further discussion?
• And I think a green vote on this bill positions them to do that.
• So I'm voting green on this bill.
• So I'm voting green on this bill.
• I ask for a green vote. Is there any further discussion? Senator Lewick. I asked for a green vote.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and handled a mix of conference committee appointments, appropriations bills, policy bills, and House amendments. Early in the session, the chamber appointed conference committees for SB 2399 and for House-amended SBs 2213 and 2354, and also named conference committees for HB 103, HB 1308, and HB 1169. The Senate then took up several appropriations measures, including HB 1612, which creates the North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine at UND; the Senate adopted an amendment shifting the funding to a one-time $250,000 Community Health Trust Fund appropriation with a required $250,000 match from other sources, and the bill passed 39-7. HB 1193, the “Back the Blue” grant, was amended to make the funding one-time and focus on officer retention, then passed 41-5. HB 1329, a government spending database proposal for school districts, was amended into a legislative study and passed 42-4. HB 1020, the water budget, received extensive amendments reducing and reallocating funding across major water projects, adding studies and oversight changes, and passed 45-0 with the emergency clause. HB 1581, a tribal tourism grant, also passed 40-6. The Senate rejected HB 1330, which would have authorized divestment from direct investments in Chinese companies; after debate over the prudent investor rule, trade impacts, and whether the bill singled out one nation in law, it failed 20-26. HB 1534, limiting property valuation increases, and HB 1266, adjusting the disabled veterans property tax credit, both failed unanimously or nearly so after committee recommendations against them. HB 1566, which would have created a regulatory framework for a product discussed as kratom, was amended on the floor to convert it into a study and then passed 31-15. The chamber also passed HB 2241 on charter schools after a House amendment changed the funding formula to the statewide average from the prior year, and HB 2022, the indigent legal counsel budget, after House changes added funding flexibility, offset lost fee revenue, and included a study on a public defender office. The Senate concurred in several House amendments and then passed a number of Senate bills. SB 2375, allowing joint negotiations between dental providers and insurers under Attorney General oversight, passed 44-2. SB 2251, clarifying that open records requests during state audits should be referred to the audited agency, passed 46-0. SB 2159, related to nuclear energy research, passed 43-3 after House amendments required Industrial Commission approval and consultation with the radioactive waste advisory council. SB 2155, changing gratis antelope license rules, passed 30-16 after debate over landowner rights and tag distribution. SB 251, setting fees and an audit for the Private Investigative and Security Board, passed 44-2. SB 2280, the prior authorization health insurance bill, passed 43-3 with a House-added study and consumer protections. SB 2023, the Racing Commission budget, passed 41-5 after a House change made internship funding one-time. SB 2232, changing prenatal substance exposure reporting requirements and related toxicology rules, passed 44-2. SB 2241, authorizing public charter schools, passed 39-7. The session ended while the Senate was still processing SB 2022’s final passage vote, but the bill had already cleared concurrence on House amendments.