Transcript Highlights:

• We also have some drought, but you'll see the severe storms, and that's increased in frequency, which
• We also have some drought.<00:09:51.600><c> uh</c><00:09:51.760><c> but</c><00:09:51.920><c> you'll</
• see the severe drought. uh but you'll see the severe storms<00:09:53.440><c> and</c><00:09:53.680><c
• It's the droughts, it's the flooding, it's the freeze, the storms, the tropical cyclones, wildfires,
• </c> coverage forms or terms and conditions coverage forms or terms and conditions are<01:32:22.960><

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate has a reduction to a previous appropriation for drought relief tree seedlings and cancels
• c><00:18:24.880><c> for</c> um to a previous appropriation for um to a previous appropriation for drought
• ><c> relief</c><00:18:25.919><c> tree</c><00:18:26.240><c> seedlings</c><00:18:26.880><c> and</c> drought
• relief tree seedlings and drought relief tree seedlings and cancels<00:18:27.600><c> that</c><00:18:

Summary: The conference committee on the Environment budget for Senate File 2077 met to introduce members and staff, then walked through the Senate and House budget spreadsheets side by side. Nonpartisan staff explained that the Senate budget was built around a smaller general fund increase and more use of environmental and dedicated funds, while the House met its target through several reductions, including cuts to DNR, PCA, and Board of Water and Soil Resources appropriations. The committee reviewed major agency items for the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Zoo, and other accounts, including operating adjustments, permit-related funding, and transfers between funds. Several major differences were highlighted. For the PCA, the Senate included operating adjustments, permitting efficiency funding, composting grants, outreach funding, and a closed landfill investment fund approach that repeals an expiring statutory appropriation, while the House instead extends that appropriation for four more years. For the DNR, the Senate included operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, aquatic invasive species funding, trail grants, outdoor schools for all, abandoned watercraft enforcement, and a sustainable foraging task force; the House had fewer of these fee and policy items and used reductions to meet its target. The committee also noted Senate-only policy provisions on outreach to diverse communities, field citations and mercury certification for skin-lightening products, disabled veteran license fee changes, and a moratorium on foraging rulemaking until July 1, 2027. Agency testimony followed. The MPCA commissioner praised both chambers for recognizing core agency work and urged adoption of operating adjustments, the closed landfill fund access, and the air appropriation increase. The DNR assistant commissioner supported operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, and the veteran license proposal, but raised concerns about the Senate’s foraging task force language, saying it overweights consumptive users and could limit the agency’s ability to manage foraging without clear data. He also noted support for the land transfer funding and said the agency would continue working with the committee on unresolved issues. No votes were taken in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• , even though we have plentiful rainfall and snowpack these days, the drought declaration is still in
• , even though we have plentiful rainfall and snowpack these days, the drought declaration is still in
• Severe drought and powerful winds made firefighters' jobs even more difficult.
• Casten, let me get this clear: have any of those conditions been met?
• Casten, let me get this clear: have any of those conditions been met?

Bills: HR125 , HCR11 , HR122

Keywords: committee membership, House of Representatives, government structure, ethics, political appointments, concurrent resolution, President communication, Congress assembly, meeting date, government procedure, joint session, Congress, President's address, H.Res. 122, HR122, H.R. 77, midnight rules, Congressional Review Act, CRA, resolution of disapproval

Transcript Highlights:

• If it is about conditions, the conditions are highly measured.
• </c> conditions for workers. conditions for workers.
• ,</c> We are seeing decades-long droughts, We are seeing decades-long droughts, issues<02:25:35.680><
• </c> negotiated wages and working conditions. negotiated wages and working conditions.
• </c> conditions are met. conditions are met.

Summary: The House convened with 58 members present and seven excused, establishing a quorum, and approved the April 15, 2026 journal as corrected. The chamber then moved through announcements recognizing visiting railroad workers, LIUNA Local 720, Colorado West Christian Schools, Religious Freedom Day, and several school and community groups, along with birthday acknowledgments and committee schedule notices. The House also adopted a motion to remove House Bill 1245 from special orders and returned it to the general orders second reading calendar, and set House Bills 1290, 1312, and 1321 as special orders. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 18, recognizing Nowruz and expressing support for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people, including the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Supporters described Nowruz as a holiday of renewal and resilience and tied the resolution to solidarity with Iranian communities. Representative Zokaie also spoke at length about the personal impact of war on Iranian families and urged a vote. The resolution passed 59-2 with four excused. The chamber then considered several bills in committee report. House Bill 1290, concerning assault and clarifying sentencing, was amended in Judiciary to remove the medical professional provision and passed after testimony emphasizing strangulation as a serious warning sign in domestic violence cases; it then passed the House. House Bill 1312, dealing with peace officer participation, POST Board composition, academy training, and related grants, was amended for clarity and passed the Judiciary report and then the bill. House Bill 1321, modifying the School Security Disbursement Program, had the Education Committee report defeated, but amendments were adopted to broaden eligible service providers and adjust funding language; the bill then passed as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• , land use patterns and conditions, land use patterns and trends,<00:26:39.760><c> population</c><00:
• </c><00:46:28.240><c> process</c> their their port condition process their their port condition process
• </c> storm conditions um arise. storm conditions um arise.
• Natives are a lot more resilient, a lot more drought resistant, a lot more fire resistant.
• resistant, um a lot lot more drought resistant, um a lot more<00:57:29.920><c> fire</c><00:57:30.240

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on hazard mitigation planning and recent tsunami and wildfire threats. Chair Dela Buladi opened by framing the meeting around the need for iterative disaster planning and lessons learned from events such as the Lahaina wildfires, the Puna Coast earthquake/tsunami, and recent wildfire activity. The committee heard first from Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Tomage Magno, who explained the federal and local hazard mitigation planning process, including the requirement for an active five-year mitigation plan to qualify for federal disaster funds. He described the plan as a living document built from prior plans, public and agency outreach, risk and capability assessments, and ongoing updates, with county departments, state agencies, and subject matter experts participating in the process. Magno outlined several FEMA-related mitigation funding programs, including flood mitigation assistance, post-fire assistance, pre-disaster mitigation, revolving loan funds, and dam safety grants. He emphasized that the Hawaii County plan was recently approved by FEMA, that the county council approves the plan, and that the county reviews it annually with a formal revision process beginning in the fourth year. Members asked about how the plan tracks project status, how priorities and funding changes are handled, and whether federal funding programs might be affected by HR1; Magno said the county is proceeding on the assumption that funding will remain available and noted some sources have been reestablished. He also said the county encourages council participation in meetings and planning. Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen then addressed the committee on DOT’s response to a recent tsunami threat, saying the agency had about four hours to prepare before the first wave arrival and was focused on its own operational response rather than the broader statewide planning process. In response to questions, he stated that FHWA funds cannot be used for evacuation routes, which is why prior legislative funding was important. Members also discussed specific mitigation projects such as fire breaks, bridge retrofits, and the Singing Bridge, with DOT noting that work is underway and that a replacement bridge upstream is being planned to carry traffic during repairs. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• These conditions disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color, reflecting
• and local agencies to shoulder more of the burden, even as climate change is driving more frequent droughts
• Speaker, I asked for two minutes to speak on the condition of the file. Mr.
• I had previously asked to speak on the condition of the file, twice before we adjourned for recess and
• My remarks about AB 1923 are reflective of my concern about the overall condition of the file.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're working to resolve the compliance issues to get the site restored for livability conditions. specific
• facilities that they were at before being at the border, we need to make sure they're in working condition
• We have since seen this virus and condition spread to and more than nine hundred dairies as we continue
• We were created in 1957 after a devastating drought with approximately now we have approximately 482.5
• We want to ensure that we don't have a repeat. with respect to water of the effects of the 1950s drought

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll be assessing wildfire conditions and resources and regularly coordinating across agencies to ensure
• These calls allow us to coordinate on fire conditions, resources, and needs.
• and resources and regularly conditions and resources and regularly coordinating<00:29:21.519><c> across
• </c><00:30:09.000><c> on</c> coordinate on fire conditions on coordinate on fire conditions on resources
• be some major forest fires given the be some major forest fires given the drought<00:30:51.320><c> or

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 2662 by Perry, relating to the enforcement of drought contingency plans by water and sewer utilities
• Speaker and members, this bill relates to the enforcement of drought contingency plans by water and sewer
• That our courts have subject matter jurisdiction of criminal trials is not conditioned on the exhaustion
• And these lakes were really low because of the drought. Absolutely.

Bills: SB4 , SB23 , SB3 , SJR2 , SJR85 , SB34 , SB60 , SB75 , SB706 , SB1814 , SB1220 , SB523 , SB565 , SB1253 , SB840 , SB764 , SB2383 , SB2155 , SB1535 , SB1405 , SB1423 , SB1566 , SB1804 , SB1728 , SB1816 , SB1952 , SB1948 , SB2037 , SB2068 , SB1455 , SB213 , SB243 , SB627 , SB646 , SB670 , SB896 , SB917 , SB1184 , SB971 , SB1255 , SB1261 , SB1283 , SB1358 , SB991 , SB1733 , SB21 , SB231 , SB739 , SB1252 , SB1371 , SB664 , SB40 , SB9 , SJR1 , SB687 , SB1332 , SB458 , SB482 , SB927 , SB984 , SB651 , SB1620 , SB2124 , SB2448 , SB841 , SB843 , SB402 , SB2662 , SB2053 , SB2332 , SB2112 , SB745 , SB1247 , SB1789 , SB27 , SB207 , SB2938 , SB1901 , SB1227 , SB1248 , SB912 , SB1321 , SB2143 , SB2145 , SB1497 , SB1239 , SB2180 , SB1388 , SB1662 , SB1951 , SB1537 , SB493 , SB378 , SB1020 , SB1018 , SB992 , SB958 , SB920 , SB1350 , SB1762 , SB552 , HCR109 , SB2185 , SB4 , SB23 , SB3 , SJR2 , SJR85 , SB34 , SB60 , SB75 , SB706 , SB1814 , SB1220 , SB523 , SB565 , SB1253 , SB840 , SB764 , SB2383 , SB2155 , SB1535 , SB1405 , SB1423 , SB1566 , SB1804 , SB1728 , SB1816 , SB1952 , SB1948 , SB2037 , SB2068 , SB1455 , SB213 , SB243 , SB627 , SB646 , SB670 , SB896 , SB917 , SB1184 , SB971 , SB1255 , SB1261 , SB1283 , SB1358 , SB991 , SB1733 , SB21 , SB231 , SB739 , SB1252 , SB1371 , HB2970 , HB 109 , SB2308

Keywords: property tax, homestead exemption, school funding, state aid, constitutional amendment, elderly, disabled, ad valorem taxation, school district funding, SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Statewide heavy rainfall events and droughts have become more common.
• <00:18:57.159><c> talk</c><00:18:57.360><c> about</c><00:18:57.640><c> irony</c> conditioning talk about
• irony conditioning talk about irony here<00:19:00.520><c> in</c> here in here in Hawaii<00:19:02.840
• <00:19:45.200><c> have</c><00:19:45.360><c> become</c><00:19:45.679><c> more</c> droughts have become
• more droughts have become more common<00:19:47.799><c> consecutive</c><00:19:48.480><c> wet</c><00:19

Transcript Highlights:

• This provision also allows for conditions to be placed on approval to mitigate local impacts, such as
• This provision also allows for conditions to be placed on approval to mitigate local impacts, such as
• to be placed on approval to conditions to be placed on approval to mitigate<00:48:23.680><c> local</
• </c> hydraologic shortages, the major drought hydraologic shortages, the major drought that<01:09:54.800
• And then all the upper basin states agreed to the upper basin drought contingency plan in 2019 that had

Committee: Joint Select Water Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And I knew him through many incarnations of both of us, and I recall when the drought was going on, and
• And I knew him through many incarnations of both of us, and I recall when the drought was going on, and

Transcript Highlights:

• So this rounded it out and received information from all four of the fixed drought transit providers.
• committee about plans going forward for consideration of how to provide some additional funding for fixed drought
• recommendations that might come forward for addressing funding needs that they might have for fixed drought

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So this rounded it out and received information from all four of the fixed drought transit providers.
• committee about plans going forward for consideration of how to provide some additional funding for fixed drought
• recommendations that might come forward for addressing funding needs that they might have for fixed drought

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership and approved the December 11 minutes. The committee first received an update from the Office of Management and Budget on the state general fund and major special funds. OMB reported revenues were tracking very close to forecast, with an estimated ending general fund balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. Staff also reviewed balances in the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, along with oil tax collections and the current revenue picture. Legislative Council staff then summarized the special session budget changes and noted the updated beginning balance increased the projected ending balance for the next biennium. The Tax Department presented taxable sales and purchases data by county and industry, showing overall sales tax activity remained strong, with retail trade the largest sector and several counties posting notable gains. Commissioner Kraschis then reviewed federal tax changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and estimated their impact on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the figures were compared to the 2025 baseline and would be incorporated into future forecasts. Members asked about the overtime and tip exclusions, the senior standard deduction, and the primary residence property tax credit application count, which was running ahead of last year at more than 154,000 applications. The committee also heard from the Department of Transportation on fee schedules, with members focusing on driver’s license fees and the fact that current fees cover only about half of program costs, meaning the highway fund subsidizes the remainder. DOT also reported on specialty plate activity, including nearly 3,900 blackout plates issued, and noted increased state fleet usage. The Information Technology Department explained its internal service fund rate-setting process and discussed possible billing simplification, including annual billing and improved invoice detail. OMB also provided data on leased office space in the Bismarck-Mandan area and state workforce counts, and Legislative Council updated the committee on legislative branch space planning. Finally, subcommittee reports noted continued work on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including Burleigh-Morton’s new DOCR housing wing and ongoing overcrowding in state correctional facilities. No formal votes beyond the minutes approval were taken, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this rounded it out and received information from all four of the fixed drought transit providers.
• committee about plans going forward for consideration of how to provide some additional funding for fixed drought
• recommendations that might come forward for addressing funding needs that they might have for fixed drought

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership, approved the December 11 minutes, and received a series of informational updates on the state’s finances and related policy issues. The Office of Management and Budget reported the general fund is tracking very close to forecast, with revenues about $2 million above forecast and an estimated ending balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. OMB also reviewed balances in major funds, including the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, and answered questions about oil tax revenues and fund management. The Tax Department provided updates on taxable sales and purchases by county and industry, noting Cass County as the largest county by taxable sales and that retail trade remains the largest industry sector. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus also discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its estimated effects on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the projected revenue impacts are measured against a 2025 baseline and that some provisions are temporary while others are permanent. He also reported that primary residence tax credit applications were running ahead of last year, with more than 154,000 received so far and an expectation of roughly 160,000-plus applications. The committee also heard fee-study presentations from the Department of Transportation and the Information Technology Department. DOT explained that driver’s license fees cover only about half of program costs and that the shortfall is subsidized by the highway fund, while also noting recent changes such as the blackout plate and motor vehicle excise tax distribution changes. NDIT described its internal service fund model, current billing structure, and possible future changes to simplify invoices and billing frequency. Legislative staff also updated the committee on office space needs in Bismarck-Mandan and on legislative branch space planning, and subcommittees reported progress on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including a visit to the Burleigh-Morton detention facility and discussion of future prison bed needs. No formal votes or legislative actions beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the committee adjourned with its next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, the islands endured record-breaking heat, persistent drought, stronger storms, and rising seas
• 01:10:54.719><c> persistent</c> record-breaking heat, persistent record-breaking heat, persistent drought
• c> stronger</c><01:10:56.960><c> storms,</c><01:10:57.520><c> and</c><01:10:57.760><c> rising</c> drought
• , stronger storms, and rising drought, stronger storms, and rising seas.<01:10:59.280><c> Each</c><01

Transcript Highlights:

• rain kicking in here—not too much that we can't do work, but not so little rain that we don't have a drought
• The conditions in the Mississippi River were just too dangerous for our work.
• scale of the event that is potential there should things fail is significant, so we don't know the conditions

Bills: HF1837 , HF361 , HF2725 , HF2566 , HF2744 , HF1685 , HF501 , HF1889 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides additional conditions under which the Legislature may suspend the annual payment to include
• It provides additional conditions under which the Legislature may suspend the annual payment to include
• This is for a major swing in economic conditions that leaves our budget, you know, our constitutional
• This is for a major swing in economic conditions that leaves our budget, you know, our constitutional
• There is one project which covers air conditioning, but that’s not in the department’s budget.

Summary: The House met on the final day of session, swore in Representatives Boyles and Hodgers, and observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as for Representative Rosenwald’s father. The chamber then moved into final budget work, with leaders outlining the plan to take up H.J.R. 5019, HB 7031, HB 5017, HB 5015, and then the general appropriations act once the Senate transmitted it. H.J.R. 5019, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand the budget stabilization fund, was explained and amended to raise the rainy day fund cap, require annual deposits, and allow withdrawals for critical state needs by a two-thirds vote; it passed 100-1. The House then adopted the conference report on HB 7031, the tax package. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or expands several sales tax holidays and exemptions, including permanent exemptions for disaster-preparedness items, hunting/fishing/camping items, and ammunition and firearms-related purchases, and makes changes to property, corporate income, local tax, and economic development provisions. Members debated the removal of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related revenue streams, the new ammunition exemption, and the data center tax changes; supporters argued the package reduces taxes and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents raised concerns about housing, transportation, and gun violence. The conference report passed 93-7. HB 5017, creating a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer to retire state bonds early, passed unanimously. HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment, also passed. The House then began explanation and questions on the fiscal year 2025-26 general appropriations act, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down $3.8 billion from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major spending areas, including pre-K-12 funding increases, health care funding for Medicaid, KidCare, nursing homes, opioid treatment, and mental health, transportation and economic development funding, environmental and water projects, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology. Questions focused on school vouchers, inflationary pressures on school districts, and the adequacy of funding for housing, transportation, and other priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fees can be modified off their conditions of probation. Okay. Thank you. Madam Chair. Hi.
• The fees can be modified off their conditions of probation. Okay. Thank you. Madam Chair. Hi.
• And to the point, if someone cannot pay, it can be modified off their conditions of probation.
• Madam Chair and members, Senate Bill 1662 requires the conditions of probation...
• Madam Chair and members, Senate Bill 1662 requires the conditions of probation imposed on a person by

Bills: SB1067 , SB1234 , SB1285 , SB1295 , SB1392 , SB1413 , SB1436 , SB1470 , SB1476 , SB1489 , SB1512 , SB1535 , SB1540 , SB1556 , SB1568 , SB1569 , SB1570 , SB1573 , SB1585 , SB1609 , SB1627 , SB1634 , SB1635 , SB1644 , SB1647 , SB1648 , SB1650 , SB1653 , SB1654 , SB1655 , SB1656 , SB1657 , SB1658 , SB1661 , SB1662 , SB1664 , SB1666 , SB1667 , SB1669 , SB1709 , SB1720 , SB1723 , SB1725 , SB1743 , SB1746 , SB1748 , SB1755 , SB1786 , SB1820 , SB1822 , SB1829 , SCR1027 , SCR1040 , SCR1048

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: tax lien, property tax lien, real property tax lien, foreclosure, right of redemption, redeem, excess proceeds, county abatement lien, abatement lien, lien priority, assessment lien, easement, county treasurer, certificate of purchase, tax delinquency, delinquent property taxes, property owner equity, judgment foreclosure, title report, Arizona Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• So under the bill, the court can set conditions.
• And when it sets some of these conditions, which frankly under the underlying bill are pretty chancy,
• of harm, and then, two, that evidence demonstrating that those conditions have been mitigated.
• conditions before you send that child back home.
• those conditions before you send that child back home.

Bills: HB1073 , HB1128 , HB1316 , HB1408 , HB1591 , HB1592 , HB1634 , HB1906 , HB1960 , HB2073 , HB2145 , HB2248 , HB2266 , HB2301 , HB2333 , HB2365 , HB2401 , HB2416 , HB2421 , HB2438 , HB2474 , HB2475 , HB2515 , HB2517 , HB2523 , HB2548 , HB2597 , HB2637 , HB2640 , HB2660 , HB2675 , HB2685 , HB2720 , HB1742 , HB2104 , HB2186 , HB2405 , HB2557 , HB2593 , HB2636

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: national guard, military support, defense, state security, veteran services, child care, workforce standards, education, child development, training requirements, postsecondary education, homelessness, foster youth, education access, support programs, community preservation, development authorities, funding, local governance, state resources