Transcript Highlights:

• > ones Yeah, mine mine I have powerful ones Yeah, mine mine I have powerful ones myself. myself
• Um, the GIS we use in the mining industry and, you know, coming from a user standpoint with us especially
• Uh, you know, and get some coordination, and it can be very helpful to your mining industry.
• <01:14:23.680> industry<01:14:24.160> and<01:14:24.480> as to your to your mining
• industry and as to your to your mining industry and as I've<01:14:24.800> said<01:14:25.040><

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by taking roll for the Joint Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee and noting that 20 topics had been submitted for discussion, including one late addition. Members were asked to number the topics for reference, and the chair explained that each presenter should give a brief overview before the committee returned to the dais for questions and possible ranking or action. No votes were taken during the portion provided. The first topic was a request from the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming to have TRIP, a third-party transportation research organization, present a report on Wyoming’s highway system. The report is intended to identify transportation needs and 25 priority projects, and the committee generally supported hearing the report and methodology directly from TRIP. The next topic combined two similar railroad safety proposals. Representative Chestek described a bill addressing train length, wayside detectors, and track inspections, citing the East Palestine derailment and concerns about reduced inspection frequency. Committee members raised questions about federal preemption and enforcement authority; Chestek said states can be more protective of safety where federal rules leave gaps, and WYDOT said it would need additional expertise and staffing to administer such a program. No public testimony was offered on the railroad topic. The committee then heard two proposals from the Wyoming Military Department. One would study Tricare subsidies for mental health providers by comparing Tricare reimbursement rates with other insurers, gathering de-identified data on eligible members and provider participation, and then returning to the committee with findings before any legislative recommendation. Members discussed whether the issue might fit better in Labor, Health, and Social Services, but the military department said it believed the committee had a strong connection to the topic. The second military topic would study Service Group Life Insurance for state active duty, comparing state and federal death benefits for Guard members to identify any shortfalls. The committee also briefly discussed a VSO program review raised by Representative Neff, focusing on the number of veterans service officers and retention, but no action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also brought in industry mentors so that those industry mentors had the ability to work firsthand
• Bureau of Mines.
• And so we're starting with a whole new industry. We also reached out to Steffes Industries.
• , you know, supporting our existing industries and expanding industries across the state.
• And so the business and industry leadership teams is really an industry-driven group of folks who in

Keywords: 908, all

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:

• A mining business purchased a property in my town which had already had a mining permit, and they wished
• Uh it fix these mining permitting.
• <00:14:27.760> permitting so we can fix these mining permitting so we can fix these mining
• be mined or prospected. be mined or prospected.
• He's our attorney at DNCR. be considered mining. be considered mining. >> Correct.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we're going to go for the coal industry. we're going to go for the coal industry.
• The various components of the industry, from mining to storage to processing and fabricating of fuels
• where most our uranium is being mined. where most our uranium is being mined.
• <02:24:04.319> Outdoor industries in the nation. Outdoor industries in the nation.
• we currently have in Wyoming, the second largest industry in Wyoming, your tourism industry.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:35.360> and Department of Labor and Industry and Department of Labor and Industry and
• <00:25:40.559> Um<00:25:40.960> which businesses like mine.
• Um which businesses like mine.
• The micro businesses like mine workers.
• clear and stark and even industry clear and stark and even industry representatives<00:43:26.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The pros are that we can attract quantum industry, serious quantum industry, to New Mexico.
• Our industry supports this... Thank you.
• So with that, our industry stands in support. Thank you so much. Our industry stands in support.
• Can we be attractive to a new industry? Because right now, we have a few industries.
• Can we be attractive to a new industry? Because right now, we have a few industries.

Bills: SB36, SB88, SB92, SB97, SB48, SB55, SB58, SB76, SB93, SB89, SB60

Keywords: quantum technology, tax credit, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, foster care, income tax, guardianship, youth services, financial relief, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, tax credits

Transcript Highlights:

• Village of Milan, and the coal mines are at less than half capacity as of now.
• Uranium mines went away.
• I work remodeling houses, and I have children who work in the oil industry.
• What would Torrance County where there's not a whole lot of industry?
• But again, I don't want to touch too much on jobs; jobs are a concern of mine.

Bills: SB100

Keywords: burglary, aggravated burglary, dwelling, criminal law, property rights, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• industry.
• The dairy industry at $3.4 billion. The poultry and eggs industry was valued at $5 billion.
• The dairy industry at $3.5 billion.
• Businesses like mine have helped build this industry.
• An industry killer or an industry creator? My name is Rihanna Yard.

Bills: SB 3, HB28, SB3

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, hemp regulation, consumable products

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:08:39.199> growth master planning for industrial growth master planning for industrial
• in places like the Congo, where 15 of the 19 industrial mines are owned by the Chinese Communist Party
• in places like the Congo, where 15 of the 19 industrial mines are owned by the Chinese Communist Party
• c><04:54:29.520> the industrial mines are owned by the industrial mines are owned by the Chinese
• Speaker, I yield back. industry and all other industries that industry and all other industries that

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A licensee that normally could have been processed, a new licensee to the industry, may have taken as
• So important to the real estate market, just like a good banking industry is important to all business
• I mean, it's just very expensive, and I can't help but think how it affects the real estate industry,
• How did that affect the real estate business industry?
• It did change the real estate industry, but it changed it a lot more outside the state of Texas than

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations held its final nomination hearing of the session and considered three nominees: J.B. Goodwin for the Texas Real Estate Commission, Courtney Yaltman for the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and Thomas Gleason as PUC chairman. Goodwin described his long career in real estate and charitable work, and senators questioned him extensively about the Real Estate Commission’s self-directed, semi-independent status, housing affordability, institutional homebuyers, property insurance costs, disclosure issues, and the Burnett v. National Association of Realtors case. Yaltman and Gleason were questioned about PUC oversight of ERCOT, post-Winter Storm Uri reforms, utility resilience and vegetation management after Hurricane Beryl, water and telecommunications oversight, staffing and transparency, and rising infrastructure and utility costs. Much of the discussion focused on housing and utility affordability, with several senators urging the nominees to keep consumer protection and public trust at the forefront. Goodwin said housing affordability and large-scale investment purchases were not within the Real Estate Commission’s direct purview, though he supported further study. Yaltman and Gleason said the PUC had increased oversight of ERCOT, improved communication and accountability with utilities, and was working on resiliency plans, rate-setting issues, and infrastructure planning while trying to avoid overburdening ratepayers. The committee first voted to favorably report nominees left pending from the May 5 agenda by a 6-0 roll call vote. After public testimony was opened and closed, the committee then voted on the nominees heard that day and favorably recommended all three to the full Senate for confirmation by a 7-0 vote. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, we have the Department of Mines Director Rodney Good. To see you again.
• people could click on a particular site in the state and then obtain the permit information for a mining
• We've been around for a long time and There are mining operations in 74774 of the sese counties.
• As far as applications for new mining, you still handle that, or was that affected by this?
• of Mines still has authority and Jurisdiction over that.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• John is a college friend of mine. So, welcome to the Capitol.
• John is a college friend of mine. So, welcome to the Capitol.
• Because the industry, big tobacco, and the vape retailers are scared of the same repercussions.
• What I've heard from industry is...
• What I've heard from industry is... ...argue is actually a good thing.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On mine? Hi, yes, thanks. Hello. Hi.
• I'm here to talk about sand mining. Sand mining is a serious environmental issue.
• Sand mining exposes the sand to the wind and the atmosphere.
• The UN has called sand mining the silent environmental crisis.
• H.B. 948 would put a moratorium on sand mining.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill. Administration officials said the bill would fund climate resilience, clean water, land conservation, parks, PFAS remediation, food security infrastructure, and coastal and inland flood protection, while also streamlining permitting for housing, restoration, and other resilience projects. They emphasized that the bond authorizes spending but does not itself obligate it, and said the proposal includes deauthorizations as housekeeping. Committee members asked about the new Resilience Revolving Fund, flood and drought management, MVP funding, land acquisition, Chapter 61 right-of-first-refusal changes, salt marsh carbon sequestration, and how the bill would help smaller municipalities and offset expected federal funding losses. Officials said the revolving fund would be managed through EEA and the Clean Water Trust, with criteria aimed at directing aid to communities most in need, and noted that drought issues would continue to be handled through existing DEP and drought commission tools. Several committee members and witnesses discussed specific policy provisions, including flood disclosure requirements for homebuyers and renters, expanded authority for regional planning and small-town access to grants, and permitting reforms that would exempt or expedite certain environmental restoration and priority housing projects from more time-consuming review processes. Administration witnesses defended the reforms as a way to achieve the same environmental outcomes faster and with more certainty, while some advocates argued the bill should go further, especially on Chapter 91 and restoration permitting. The administration also described investments in DCR facilities, water and wastewater systems, open space, agricultural easements, and a new focus on blue carbon and salt marsh restoration. Public testimony largely supported the bill. Mass Audubon, the Trustees of Reservations, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, The Nature Conservancy, MAPC, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, municipal officials, and others praised the bill’s resilience, conservation, and water infrastructure investments. Some witnesses urged additional funding for land protection, coastal resilience, buyouts, and restoration, and several called for stronger or simpler permitting reforms. Municipal witnesses from Boston, Beckett, Beverly, Conway, and regional planning organizations stressed the need for flexible financing, especially for small and rural communities facing costly infrastructure and climate adaptation projects. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the committee heard testimony and asked questions before moving on to additional panels.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is similar to mine. You're right. That is similar. I misspoke. That is similar to mine.
• That is similar to mine. Okay.
• On mine, we took out the TTD from three years to four years.
• I have a good friend of mine that owns an insurance company for workers' comp.
• A personal friend of mine worked for the city of Shreveport.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 408 by Senator Myers, a workers’ compensation overhaul creating an all-claims medical database, requiring electronic reporting and billing, and setting up confidentiality, rulemaking, and penalties. Senator Myers said the bill was meant to modernize a paper-based system, speed injured workers back to care and work, reduce disputes through a more predictable fee schedule, address outliers and abuse, and generate reliable data for future fee-schedule decisions. Representative Melarine then offered a large amendment package combining portions of House Bills 780 and 1101 into SB 408, adding preliminary-determination procedures, changes to benefit durations, fraud language, and a deadline for the department to establish a fee schedule if no agreement is reached. Supporters said the package would create a more complete reform; opponents argued the additions were rushed, not germane, and would harm injured workers, especially those without lawyers, by adding technical filing burdens and stricter fraud consequences. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment package, then adopted a follow-up amendment removing the word “potential” from a fines provision and deleting the fraud section, and finally reported SB 408 with amendments on a divided vote. Testimony on SB 408 was sharply split. Proponents, including Alton Ashy and Trey Mustian, argued the bill’s transparency and data-collection provisions were the most important part, that the system needs a modern fee schedule, and that the added reforms would help control costs and speed payment. Opponents, including Shannon Lindsay and another injured-worker advocate, said the original bill was a good compromise but the added provisions changed its character and would disadvantage pro se claimants, remove materiality from fraud law, and reduce benefits for seriously injured workers. Committee members also questioned the timeline for the database and fee schedule, the effect of historical data gaps, and whether the reforms would help employers and injured workers alike. The committee ultimately agreed the bill still contained its core goals of faster care, predictable fees, anti-abuse measures, and modernization. The committee then moved to House Bill 585 by Representative Chasson, a workplace-violence/safety measure for small-box discount retailers. Chasson explained that the bill had been narrowed to require retailers to submit an existing written workforce safety plan, or develop one if they do not already have one, with no penalties attached. The committee adopted a substitute bill incorporating prior amendments. Representative Glorioso noted continuing concerns about civil-liability implications and the duty to protect against third-party criminal acts, but the bill was advanced from committee after the substitute was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are happening to organizations like mine in real time.
• They are happening to organizations like mine in real time.
• , firearms industry, or because of their religious or political beliefs.
• , firearms industry, or because of their religious or political beliefs.
• Or if the governor signed mine last, does mine become effective?

Bills: SB312, SB945, SB946, SB1367, SB1861, SB2044, SB2337, SB2403, SB2819, SJR54

Keywords: public school funding, education, budget allocation, financial transparency, state law, local control, fiduciary responsibility, public retirement systems, investment management, proxy voting, financial factors, insurance, political shareholder proposals, fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental regulation, discrimination, credit extension, social credit, value-based standards

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 945, 946, 2044, 2819, 2403, 2337, and 312, with all bills left pending after testimony. SB 945 would restrict insurance companies from denying or limiting coverage based on oil and gas activity or ESG-related goals, and supporters argued it would protect Texas energy producers from politically motivated shareholder activism and insurance discrimination. SB 946 would bar creditors from using social credit, ESG, DEI, or religious/political affiliation as a basis for denying or limiting credit; witnesses said it would prevent viewpoint-based financial discrimination and protect access to capital for Texas businesses. SB 2337 would require proxy advisory firms to disclose when recommendations are based on non-financial factors or when they give conflicting advice to different clients; supporters said the measure would increase transparency and curb ESG-driven influence over shareholder voting. SB 312 would direct public retirement systems to focus on financial returns rather than social or political objectives, with the author saying the bill responds to activist pressure on pensions and would reinforce fiduciary duty. The committee also took up election and ethics measures. SB 2044 would strengthen electioneering restrictions for publicly funded education institutions and personnel, prohibiting use of official resources to promote political agendas; testimony focused on alleged school district electioneering in bond and tax elections. SB 2819 would prohibit county elections administrators from holding certain officer positions appointed by elected officials, addressing potential conflicts of interest. SB 2403, the Texas Ethics Commission sunset bill, would restructure complaint handling with a three-tier violation system, risk-based complaint prioritization, longer response times, bipartisan preliminary review panels, and expanded hearing options; members discussed amendments aimed at dismissing minor complaints, clarifying categories, and adjusting lobbying and penalty provisions, but the amendments were withdrawn during committee consideration. Across the ESG and finance bills, invited witnesses from the American Energy Institute, Heartland Impact, Consumers Research, ADF Action, Texas Civil Justice League, and related groups generally supported the measures, arguing that banks, insurers, proxy advisors, and asset managers have used ESG or reputational-risk standards to discriminate against energy, agriculture, firearms, and religious organizations. No opposition testimony was presented in the excerpt, and the committee closed public testimony on each bill and left them pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• industry.
• industry and in that active Timber industry and in that Timber<00:01:09.479> industry<00:01:09.880
• in our states Forest products industry in our states Forest products industry thank<00:03:35.560
• You can't just shut down an iron mine.
• You can't just shut down an iron mine.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 249 was moved toward the General Register after Representative Igo offered and the committee adopted an author’s amendment that removed a 50% line and clarified the bill’s language. Igo described the bill as a change to Minnesota’s carbon-free definition to include woody biomass from timber harvesting residues and discarded wood products, arguing it would support an all-of-the-above energy strategy, reduce landfill use, and create markets for forest byproducts while avoiding clear-cutting or use of good cordwood for energy. Several industry witnesses testified in support. Ray Higgins of the Minnesota Timber Producers Association said the bill would help utilities convert coal plants to use forest residues and dead or dying timber, and argued Minnesota forests are significant carbon sinks with annual growth exceeding mortality. Tom McCabe, a logger and trucker from Duluth, said biomass markets are critical to his business, help reduce fire danger, and support rural economies, while Rod Enberg described past waste of low-value timber and said biomass markets have helped businesses and local economies, including a successful chip-burning system at American Peat Technology. Rick Horton of Minnesota Forest Industries said woody biomass can provide reliable baseload power, help manage dead and dying forests affected by spruce budworm, emerald ash borer, and eastern larch beetle, and keep industrial energy costs competitive. Opposition came from Sarah Meridian of CURE, who argued the bill conflicts with Minnesota’s 100% carbon-free law because burning biomass emits carbon dioxide and other pollutants, and said the bill’s broad reference to discarded wood products could allow combustion of treated or contaminated wood. In committee discussion, Representative Craft questioned whether biomass can truly be called carbon neutral on the time scales discussed, noting that decay and regrowth can take decades and warning against overstating the climate benefits. The bill was advanced despite those concerns, with supporters emphasizing forest management, rural jobs, and energy reliability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our role as legislators is to look at the unique aspects of what industry can do, what families can do
• <00:04:03.439> can the unique aspects of what industry can the unique aspects of what industry
• I'm here to testify on behalf of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industry Association today.
• The energy industry supports tens of thousands of jobs across Minnesota.
• The energy industry supports tens of thousands of jobs across Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what the industry is generating.
• We've been applying for federal grants to develop our industrial park.
• The industrial park's not ready to be populated.
• We've been applying for federal grants to develop our industrial park.
• The industrial park's not ready to be populated. So that's what I wanted.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, my next question somewhat relates to mining, but more in the sense of data mining.
• And I equated it to mining, right?
• small business or perhaps an industry small business or perhaps an industry that<00:07:44.400>
• We what's going to happen with mining.
• workforce that could reopen these mines workforce that could reopen these mines eventually.<00:10

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• communities living near uranium mines communities living near uranium mines Mills<00:35:42.880><
• , whether it's a copper-nickel mine.
• , whether it's a copper-nickel mine.
• , whether it's a copper-nickel mine.
• , whether it's a copper-nickel mine.

Keywords: 1183, house