Transcript Highlights:

• We provided two Legislative reports at one in 2022 and one in 2024.
• We're proud of our legislators.
• costs. legislation that promotes a more efficient regulatory process, legislation that maintains the
• As part of this role tag is a legislative committee that monitors policy development.
• And helps guide our engagement on groundwater related legislation this session.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last legislative session, we had the results from that desktop study.
• A couple of those recent legislatively directed projects.
• And that was actually a legislatively directed study led by the Bank of North Dakota.
• Chairman, no, and follow up to the International Legislative Forum.
• Chairman, no, and follow up to the International Legislative Forum.

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of Minnkota Power Cooperative before hearing presentations on large energy consumers and related infrastructure issues. The first presentation, from the North Dakota Transmission Authority, focused on the need for better local decision-making tools for counties, townships, and planning and zoning boards facing major projects such as transmission lines, pipelines, data centers, wind, solar, and large-scale agriculture. The speaker urged more objective, data-driven analysis, noted that local officials often have limited time and resources, and said the state should support training and tools through groups like the League of Cities and the Association of Counties. Members asked about proactive outreach, data center ordinances, and how to avoid subsidizing large loads or causing reliability problems. The Division of Air Quality then discussed environmental oversight of data centers, emphasizing that North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the country and that the agency’s role is limited to air, water discharge, stormwater, and waste—not zoning or water use. The presentation explained that data centers generally have low direct emissions but may rely on diesel backup generators when the grid is unavailable, which creates air-quality concerns; the department said it is requiring air monitors at some projects to collect real-world data and guide future decisions. Members asked about generator emissions, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession, and the agency said permit applicants pay for the monitors while the state handles some QA work. The Department of Water Resources followed with an overview of North Dakota water law and data center water use. The director explained the state’s prior-appropriation system, the public-interest review for permits, and the large overall water supply available from groundwater and the Missouri River. He said most proposed data centers use closed-loop cooling systems and generally request relatively small amounts of water compared with other uses such as power plants, irrigation, and oilfield operations, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use only a tiny fraction of Missouri River flow. Questions focused on downstream impacts and comparisons to fracking water use, and the director said the state’s use is too small to materially affect downstream users. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd-Erickson testified online about data center zoning and permitting. He asked the committee to have Legislative Council gather information on how other states handle data center permitting and to keep the topic on the interim agenda. He argued that local zoning should remain local, but said counties lack the technical and legal resources to manage complex reclamation or bonding requirements and that state-level enabling legislation may be more appropriate. He also recommended eliminating tax incentives for data centers. The committee chair said staff would prepare a document on other states’ zoning and permitting approaches. After a lunch recess, the committee reconvened at the EERC, where CEO Charles Gorecki gave an overview of the center’s 75 years of work and its role in oil and gas, carbon management, and other energy technologies, highlighting enhanced oil recovery and carbon dioxide utilization as major opportunities for future production and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> So, if you're passing this legislation, So, if you're passing this legislation, with<00:27:29.600
• We know in general that Anthem has been full of empty promises on a variety of legislation.
• . legislation. legislation.
• . legislation. legislation.
• Means go home. >> Um, could Dems stay for just a few minutes to talk about legislation for 2027?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And be it further legislative process.
• This is not safety legislation.
• This is surveillance legislation dressed in the language of biology, and it won't survive.
• who continuously bully them with legislation to make their lives more difficult.
• ,</c> introducing legislation, introducing legislation, re-referring<01:27:53.000><c> bills</c><01:27

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Brian Metzger with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Brian Metzger with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• It becomes even more important after the passage of last year's legislation on ultra-processed foods
• And there's also proposed legislation that's currently in the policy process to exempt budget-year and
• We're committed to fulfilling our requirements under legislation for those programs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I want to thank Chairman Bacala for bringing this legislation.
• There is legislation that requires specific membership.
• So this is one key difference between the K-3 legislation and this.
• Today's legislation closes that gap. We are very supportive. Today's legislation closes that gap.
• Today's legislation closes that gap.

Bills: HB28, HB50, HB196, HB268, HB271, HB285, HB316, HB649, HB807

Keywords: teacher certification, certification appeals, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Teacher Certification Appeals Council, educator licensure, teaching license, teacher licensure, appeals process, certification denial, administrative appeal, special meeting, board president, retroactive application, education board, Louisiana teachers, Department of Education, statutory entities, re-creation, termination date

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that right there is the biggest concern that I have regarding this piece of legislation.
• So, that right there is the biggest concern that I have regarding this piece of legislation.
• So, that right there is the biggest concern that I have regarding this piece of legislation.
• So, that right there is the biggest concern that I have regarding this piece of legislation.
• </c> regarding this piece of legislation. regarding this piece of legislation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation creates a clear definition in statute for major commercial service airports, aligning
• I believe that I can refer to legislation that has been passed in this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Thank you for letting me be your prime co on this very well-deserved piece of legislation.
• When we, I think about the legislation that we pose here, I always hope that this legislation is to help
• And will this particular piece of legislation benefit them?

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to also welcome Sunny Lou, your K-12 analyst for the Legislative Finance Committee.
• Once again, I'm Sunny Lou with the Legislative Finance Committee.
• For those new to the legislative process, it is a process.
• Representative Garrett for starting to move this legislation forward.
• We don't need the entirety of this piece of legislation to fix some of the fiscal impacts.

Bills: HB2, SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislation. Thank you. You were right at two minutes. That was pretty good.
• This is in Colorado without any limitations or legislation on child care.
• Senator, this piece of legislation is very heavy-handed.
• I think that's always an argument for any kind of legislation.
• I think that's always an argument for any kind of legislation.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 20, a prior-authorization measure aimed at exempting certain medications and treatments for seriously mentally ill adults from repeat insurance prior authorization, while also extending prior authorization approvals to three years for chronic maintenance drugs. The sponsor described the bill as the latest in a series of bipartisan prior-authorization reforms and accepted an amendment from the Health Care Authority and the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance to apply the bill to adults only and to cover PBMs in the interagency purchasing collaborative. Supporters, including NAMI New Mexico and state health officials, argued the bill would reduce barriers to needed care, especially for mental health treatment. Opponents from health plans, PBMs, and insurers warned the bill was too broad, lacked clear definitions for serious mental illness and chronic conditions, created patient-safety concerns, and should have a shorter reauthorization period and later implementation date. After committee discussion, the sponsor agreed to work on a committee substitute, and the bill was rolled over for a later meeting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 53, the Chispa data privacy bill, which would impose broad limits on the collection, sale, and use of personal data, require opt-in consent for many uses, strengthen rights to access, correct, and delete data, and create enforcement mechanisms including a private right of action. Supporters from advocacy, women’s, behavioral health, reproductive health, and civil rights groups said the bill was needed to protect sensitive health and location data, prevent surveillance and criminalization, and give New Mexicans real control over their information. Business, technology, insurance, and hospital representatives opposed the bill, arguing it was more restrictive than other states’ privacy laws, would burden small businesses and health-related services, create compliance uncertainty, and risk limiting digital services and innovation. After extensive questioning about data breaches, opt-in consent, nonprofit exemptions, and the bill’s impact on businesses and health care access, a motion to table failed 5-4, and the committee then passed SB 53 on a 5-4 vote. The committee next heard Senate Bill 86, which updates the state’s harassment-by-telephone law to cover electronic communications such as social media, messaging apps, and email. The sponsor and a Las Cruces police chief said the change would modernize an outdated 1967 statute and help law enforcement address harassment and domestic violence through current technology. The bill drew support from the governor’s public safety advisor and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and members asked a few clarifying questions about the wording. The committee approved SB 86 unanimously, 9-0. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 96, on regulated childcare zoning requirements, using a committee substitute. The sponsor and the Early Childhood Education and Care Department said the bill would reduce confusing zoning and fire-code barriers to opening or expanding child care homes and centers, helping address a statewide shortage of child care slots and supporting working families. The discussion began with the committee substitute and an explanation that the measure is intended to streamline local requirements and expand child care supply.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Chief Legislative Liaison for ADEQ.
• For the record, Krista Osterberg, Chief Legislative Liaison for ADEQ. We are neutral on this bill.
• I know that the directors can make the rules that they need to make without legislative direction.
• This original bill legislation has been in since 1997.
• You said that you would encourage me to do so to look at this legislation.

Summary: The committee took up several energy, transportation, and land-use bills. HB 2428, dealing with county and ADEQ authority to issue voluntary permits certifying emission reduction credits for mobile and non-road sources, received neutral testimony from ADEQ and support from Maricopa County; the committee adopted the Griffin amendment and passed the bill 10-0 with a due pass recommendation. HB 2145, which expands who may request certain gasoline fuel reformulation actions and is contingent on EPA approval, also passed on a 5-4 vote after brief staff explanation and no amendment. The committee then considered HB 2331, a strike-everything amendment requiring electric utilities to ensure 85% of generating capacity serving retail load comes from “reliable resources” by 2030. Supporters, including the sponsor and Arizona Free Enterprise Club, argued it would protect affordability and grid reliability by favoring dispatchable power; opponents, including the Sierra Club and Rural Arizona Action, said it would effectively favor fossil fuels, raise costs, and limit cleaner resources. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 6-4. HB 2795, which would bar counties from using zoning to block small modular reactors once federal permitting conditions are met, drew strong support from the sponsor and industry advocates who framed it as pro-property-rights and pro-nuclear, and opposition from county, city, and environmental groups who raised preemption, local control, safety, waste, and siting concerns; it passed 6-4. The committee also passed HB 2340, which allows the Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee to evaluate proposed generating facilities along with transmission lines, on a 5-4 vote. HB 2400, an emergency measure to suspend the motor vehicle fuel tax in Areas A and C during part of the year and replace the lost revenue through state highway funding, drew opposition from cities and counties over transportation funding impacts but support from the sponsor and some members focused on gas affordability; the Griffin amendment was adopted and the bill passed 6-4. Finally, HB 2401 was introduced as a requirement for ADEQ to conduct a biennial review of available fuel formulations and their air-quality impacts in Areas A and C, but the transcript ends before testimony or action on that bill is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Give these legislators safety as they travel to and from the chamber this week.
• And when I say back in front of us, we've passed the policy piece of this legislation before.
• </c> of this piece of legislation. of this piece of legislation.
• I don't see where it's manifesting outcome based upon what I've read in this legislation.
• </c><01:26:43.199><c> Research</c> directing the Legislative Research directing the Legislative Research

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Director, if you're ready, 2026 LESC endorsed legislation proposals.
• Are putting forward with an LASC endorsement good legislation.
• Bad legislation with good intention is still bad legislation, and we want to make sure that we're putting
• forward legislation that is well thought out and well intentioned.
• It's not maybe something we put in legislation, but it's an issue.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Steinhausen with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• commitment under previously adopted legislation.
• Do you want to speak to the legislation and I'll speak to the program, or do you want? Sure.
• And so given that, we think it warrants close legislative scrutiny.
• Good afternoon, Paul Steinhausen with the Legislative Analysts.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are not following the data when we're proposing legislation like this.
• Indiana, Idaho, and Utah will also pass legislation to ban sodas.
• The legislation is about dignity and safety... ...and responsibility.
• It's a really good piece of legislation.
• I was testifying in that legislative hearing as well.

Bills: HB2510, HB3589, HB4611, HB4655, HB4665, HB4666, HB4670, HB4700, HB4730, HB4798, HB4838, HB5136, HB5243, HB5302, HB5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• on the state or in this legislation on the state or in this legislation on the state or anybody.
• district covers four cities legislative district covers four cities legislative district covers four
• This local legislation is split between the Bowman legislation is split between the Bowman legislation
• or not, Jefferson County legislators or not, Jefferson County legislators made the choice.
• that we passed was in legislation that we passed was in legislation that we passed was in 2016.

Bills: HB258, HB324, HB333, SB270, HB258, HB324, HB333, SB270

Keywords: primary election, election calendar, off-presidential year, May primary, second Tuesday in May, fourth Tuesday in May, runoff primary, special primary, presidential primary, election administration, candidate filing, ballot access, political parties, county election officials, state election law, Alabama elections, sheriffs, term of office, Alabama law, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• What he is proposing this legislative session for the Lone Star program.
• So, Um We've got some work to do legislatively, it sounds like.
• Legislator to exercise their, their delegated powers and duties.
• Counties will perform the duties required by the legislator.
• There's bills introduced in this legislative session.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the last December that I received an email from David Anderson to help on a piece of legislation
• , something called scuba lake weed legislation.
• It's right here in the legislation. And then the last thing, please, is urgency.
• legislation legislation and<00:12:30.199><c> then</c><00:12:30.360><c> the</c><00:12:30.519><c> last
• The Brady Anie Joseph Anderson Safety Act is the definition of common-sense legislation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we need to encourage that through legislation. We do here.
• I'd be happy to see if you want to author legislation for apportionment reform.
• If you want to author that legislation, you can count on me to help you out.
• Do we have any legislative oversight on statewide elected pay increases and legislative pay increases
• Thank you for the... ...pay increases and legislative pay increases? Thank you for the question.

Bills: HB3312, HB3700, HB2981, HB2961, HB3016, HB4478, HB4326, HB3025, HB3710, HB4125, HB2951, HB3082, HB4142, HB4106, HB1752, HB3268, HB4440, HJR1067, SB1144, SB1145, SB1146, SB1147, SB1148, SB1156, SB1157, SB1158, SB1159, SB1161, SB1162, SB1163, SB1164, SB1165, SB1166, SB1149, SB1167, HJR1024, SB1174, SB1175, SB1176, HB3419, HB3748, HB4335, HB3057, HB3279, HB4428, HB3420, HB3040, HB4140, HB1638, HB3298, HB4113, HB1082, HB4301, HB3269, HB3587, HB4226, HB4324, HB4339, HB4342, HB3278, HB3996, HB4236, HB4352

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Summary: The Senate first took up House Bill 4440, a proposal related to Medicaid expansion. Pro Tem Paxton said the measure would move parts of the expansion from the Constitution into statute, add work requirements for able-bodied adults, and create a trigger if the federal FMAP match falls below 90%. Supporters argued this would give the Legislature more flexibility to manage costs and protect the program long term, while opponents said it would weaken voter-approved constitutional protections and could lead to reduced coverage or benefits. After extended debate, the bill itself passed 30-8, but the separate motion to place it on an August special election ballot failed 30-9. The Senate then advanced and passed H.J.R. 1067, a related November ballot measure that would repeal the constitutional Medicaid expansion obligation entirely; it passed 29-8. The chamber then considered several retirement cost-of-living adjustment bills. SB 1144 would provide a 3% or 6% COLA for retired teachers depending on years retired, while ending a dedicated revenue apportionment once the system reaches 100% funded or in 2036. Senators raised concerns about the long-term funding changes, but the bill passed 43-1. SB 1145 provided similar COLAs for retired state employees and passed 41-4. SB 1146 offered COLAs for police retirees and passed unanimously 48-0. SB 1147, a COLA for firefighters and volunteer firefighters with estimated added unfunded liability, was also adopted by the Senate after committee approval and proceeded to final passage as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation amends Idaho Code.
• HB 572 is unnecessary, harmful legislation.
• This legislation is not about hate.
• This legislation is not about hate.
• This legislation is not about privacy or safety. This legislation is not about privacy or safety.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from March 9, 2026, then heard House Bill 860, a cleanup bill revising Idaho’s parental rights and 988/suicide-crisis-related statutes. Representative Ehart said the bill clarifies when schools, hospitals, and crisis responders may provide non-emergency first aid, emergency treatment, suicide-related follow-up, and evidence collection without parental permission, especially in cases involving abuse or when a parent may be the alleged perpetrator. Support came from the Idaho Medical Association, Idaho 988, and several youth testifiers who described being hung up on or harmed by current law; the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association raised a late concern about language affecting time-sensitive evidence collection in child sex abuse cases and proposed a narrow amendment. Despite that concern, the committee voted unanimously to send HB 860 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 680, which would require audio or video recording of all interviews of alleged child abuse victims unless good cause exists. Representative Skog said the bill is intended to protect children, improve the reliability of interviews, and aid prosecutions. Supporters included the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association and a virtual witness who said recording preserves the child’s statement and reduces repeated questioning. No one testified in opposition, and the committee unanimously sent HB 680 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 752, a bill creating criminal penalties for knowingly and willfully entering opposite-sex public restrooms and changing rooms, with listed exceptions for emergencies, maintenance, law enforcement, family assistance, and similar situations. The sponsor and supporters argued it protects privacy and safety for women and girls and aligns with existing sex-based facility restrictions; opponents, including transgender Idahoans, clergy, parents, civil rights advocates, and Planned Parenthood, said it would criminalize transgender people, invite harassment, and be difficult to enforce. Law enforcement representatives testified that existing trespass laws already address unwanted presence and that officers cannot reliably determine sex in the field. The bill drew extensive debate over enforcement, privacy, and safety, but the transcript ends before a final committee vote on HB 752 is shown.