Transcript Highlights:

• We did receive feedback through testimony and email, and we worked with the director of special education
• stakeholders<00:57:35.160><c> we</c><00:57:35.319><c> did</c><00:57:35.599><c> receive</c><00:57:36.200><c> feedback
• </c> stakeholders we did receive feedback stakeholders we did receive feedback through<00:57:37.319><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I might also point out the one specific funding mechanism that was mentioned here was the cannabis tax
• What I do take issue with or think at least needs more interrogation is if LGA is the chief mechanism
• that was mentioned funding mechanism that was mentioned here<00:57:43.800><c> was</c><00:57:44.080><
• </c> mechanism to deliver on that goal. mechanism to deliver on that goal.
• </c> as no other state uses such a mechanism. as no other state uses such a mechanism.

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, the loss recovery mechanism indicated by the constitution could potentially result in inconsistent
• </c> Third, the loss recovery mechanism Third, the loss recovery mechanism indicated<00:12:43.040><c>
• Oversight mechanism was weakened instead of strengthened, and these actions meet the definition of abuse
• ><c> weakened</c> Oversight mechanism was were weakened Oversight mechanism was were weakened instead
• </c> of internal reporting mechanisms. of internal reporting mechanisms.

Bills: HF3900 , HF1849

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Keywords: permanent school fund, school endowment fund, Minnesota constitutional amendment, school aid, public school funding, State Board of Investment, investment income, distributable amount, school districts, property taxes, income taxes, voter approval, ballot question, constitutional amendment 2026, education finance, fund perpetuity, purchasing power, trust lands, swamp lands, internal improvement land fund

Transcript Highlights:

• On that, I ask for your mechanism.
• </c><00:31:48.559><c> It</c><00:31:48.799><c> addresses</c> enforcement mechanisms.
• It addresses enforcement mechanisms.
• Chairman, um I agree that there are some mechanisms that operate in a similar manner.
• </c><00:37:51.599><c> that</c> that there are some mechanisms that that there are some mechanisms that

Bills: SF0035 , SF0090 , SF0072

Committee: House Education

Keywords: education, cell phones, smart devices, school policy, student conduct, school property, rental fees, youth activities, education policy, Wyoming legislature, teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Okay, Senator McKelvie, your funding mechanism, though, is different than this one. Okay.
• Senator Mckel, Senator Mckel, &gt;&gt; your<00:19:39.039><c> funding</c><00:19:39.360><c> mechanism</
• c><00:19:39.919><c> though</c><00:19:40.480><c> is</c> &gt;&gt; your funding mechanism though is &gt;
• I mean, so the funding mechanism<00:19:44.640><c> you</c><00:19:45.120><c> enjoyed</c><00:19:45.520><
• mechanism you enjoyed with the federal government<00:19:46.400><c> is</c><00:19:46.640><c> different

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section one would only apply to commercial mechanical control permits, so not permits that aren't those
• commercial mechanical control permits.
• Department of Natural Resources to give to those applicants that are applying for a commercial mechanical
• Section one would only apply to commercial mechanical control permits, not permits that aren't those
• commercial mechanical control permits.

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to do it so the foundation mechanism to do it so the foundation itself<00:34:13.200><c> fills</c><00
• The municipality said people were parking in those spaces and there was no mechanism to give them a ticket
• The chair then said they had to wait about five minutes before going to the next one. have no mechanism
• to uh give them a have no mechanism to uh give them a ticket<00:43:31.040><c> so</c><00:43:31.200><c
• Most of these rail trails run through the woodlands and over the rivers, and that funding mechanism would

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the third point that I'd like to make is that there already exists a mechanism, which we do use,
• And the third point that I'd like to make is that there already exists a mechanism, which we do use,
• And the third point that I'd like to make is that there already exists a mechanism, which we do use,
• And the third point that I'd like to make is that there already exists a mechanism, which we do use,
• This is potentially another financing mechanism that you want to pursue.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 410, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ biennium operating budget. OHA asked for a modest increase over its base budget, including $1.2 million to fund 13 new full-time positions for a strategy and implementation team tied to its long-term plan, with emphasis on housing, education, health, and economic resilience. OHA also described a broader effort to work directly with executive branch departments to improve outcomes for Native Hawaiians. Testimony was largely supportive, with several individuals speaking in favor and one testifier expressing strong frustration about Native Hawaiian rights and access to resources. The chair noted there were 38 additional written/supporting testimonies and three in opposition. Members asked about OHA’s funding sources and public land trust revenues; OHA said it is not receiving the full 20 percent share, described a public land trust working group and system issues, and said a related bill would seek funding to begin an inventory. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then considered House Bill 304, which would make the Hawaiian version of a law binding when the law was originally drafted in Hawaiian and later translated into English. The Judiciary supported the bill, saying it reinforces Hawaiian as an official language and looks to the original language for legislative intent. The Attorney General supported the intent but recommended narrowing the bill with a proviso to avoid ambiguities, limiting it to laws originally drafted in Hawaiian that were not later amended, codified, recodified, or reenacted in English. Public testimony was generally supportive, though one speaker raised broader sovereignty concerns. Members questioned how many laws would be affected and whether the proposed amendment would undercut the bill; the Attorney General said the amendment was meant to address uncertainty in interpretation. No final action was reported. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 603, which would direct OHA to administer a Native Hawaiian business marketing program to promote Native Hawaiian-owned businesses through marketing and technical assistance. OHA supported the concept, saying a label or branding program could help consumers identify and support Native Hawaiian-owned businesses, but requested that funding be redirected to a working group to study program design, implementation, enforcement, and long-term viability. The chair noted four supportive testimonies had been received, and a member asked OHA to confirm that its programs serve all Hawaiians, not only those eligible for homelands; OHA said it serves all Hawaiians in the state. The transcript ends before any vote or further action on HB 603.

Transcript Highlights:

• are are good it's think your mechanics are are good it's probably<00:21:39.600><c> an</c><00:21:39.760
• Part B of section one describes the triggering mechanism to determine the timing of whether or not sales
• </c><00:34:02.760><c> to</c><00:34:02.960><c> determine</c><00:34:03.399><c> the</c> triggering mechanism
• to determine the triggering mechanism to determine the timing<00:34:03.919><c> of</c><00:34:04.080><
• to uh address with some other mechanism to uh address the<00:37:26.359><c> Deferred</c><00:37:26.720

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> have conversations about the mechanics have conversations about the mechanics of<00:33:54.399><c
• So, in general, those are the mechanics of how this will work, but again, the details will need to be
• ><c> this</c><01:39:51.840><c> will</c><01:39:52.000><c> work</c><01:39:52.159><c> but</c> mechanics
• how how this will work but mechanics how how this will work but again<01:39:52.639><c> the</c><01:39:
• mechanism through the establishment<01:48:42.000><c> of</c><01:48:42.159><c> a</c><01:48:42.320><c>

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:31:29.880><c> contractor</c> the Minnesota mechanical contractor the Minnesota mechanical contractor
• I’ll point members’ attention to the joint letter from the mechanical contractors association and the
• contract Association the from mechanical contract Association the pipe<01:33:15.000><c> trades</c><01
• So our authority with the misclassification bill last year was expanded, so we have the mechanism to
• </c><01:38:02.440><c> to</c><01:38:02.679><c> enforce</c> have the mechanisms to enforce have the mechanisms

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I will kind of skip over the mechanical systems like the cooling towers and chillers and air handling
• A majority of these maintenance needs are mechanical, plumbing, and exterior projects, such as boilers
• plans and specifications include design and coordination updates, electrical distribution changes, mechanical
• Structural, Martin Mechanical, and Prairie Engineering. OMB will lease spaces to HP and BCI.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity in North Dakota. Ron Ness said production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with efficiency gains and longer laterals helping offset lower rig counts. He discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, northward movement of drilling activity, and the importance of new infrastructure and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) pilots. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, pipeline impacts, and the outlook for Continental and other operators. Ness said the industry is likely to remain steady rather than see a major ramp-up or decline. Matt Pearl of the State Tax Department then explained the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. He said the law extends or makes permanent several federal provisions and creates temporary deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest, with the biggest state impact coming from the standard deduction increase and business tax changes. He revised earlier estimates downward, saying the net cash impact on state collections is likely in the $30 million to $35 million range after accounting for business prepayments and one-time FY25 oilfield transaction effects. Committee members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns. OMB staff gave a detailed update on major capital projects and facility funding. Topics included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, seating, lighting, tree management, and restroom and lobby upgrades; security work at the governor’s residence, which has been delayed by the discovery of human remains; and space reconfiguration efforts in Bismarck-Mandan to reduce leases and create shared offices and conference rooms. They also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, including roof, window, boiler, and kitchen projects at state facilities, and on the state hospital project in Jamestown, which remains on budget and on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028. OMB also updated the committee on the Minot North Central State Office Building, the use of federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds, and the status of legislative intent and trust fund reports, including school aid turnback, the school construction loan program, the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund, the Legacy Fund, and the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. The committee ended by discussing future agenda items, including government efficiency, cash management, Bank of North Dakota lines of credit, and the rural health transformation program, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, it would establish a mechanism for a city, county, or city and county to declare an endowed care
• Second, it would establish a mechanism for a city, county, or city and county, excuse me, for a city
• What's our mechanism? I'm going to.
• If the report shows these savings actually didn't go to patients, what's our mechanism going to be at

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 1312 by Senator Richardson on abandoned endowed-care cemeteries. Richardson described vandalism, theft, and neglect at abandoned cemeteries and said the bill would define abandonment, create a process for local governments to declare a cemetery abandoned, and allow the Bureau to act as conservator of endowment funds. Support came from Marin County, while county and special district groups opposed or had concerns, arguing the bill could shift burdens to local governments or public cemetery districts without enough safeguards. Members expressed general support but noted the need for further work; the bill was discussed but no final vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up SB 758 by Senator Umberg, which would restrict retail sales of nitrous oxide to curb misuse. Supporters, including the League of California Cities, narcotic officers, counties, pediatricians, and other local governments and health groups, said easy access at smoke shops and convenience stores has fueled recreational abuse and health harms. There was no opposition testimony, and members voiced strong support for a statewide approach over city-by-city bans. The bill was well received, with the author closing in support. Dr. Weber-Pierson presented SB 1094, a health care affordability bill on biosimilars and biologic substitution. The bill would allow pharmacists to substitute biosimilars under certain conditions, require advance notice to providers and patients, and add reporting on savings; the author said amendments would strengthen provider notice and preserve the ability to mark prescriptions “do not substitute.” Supporters from health plans, insurers, pharmacies, labor, business, and some provider groups argued the bill would lower costs and expand access. Opponents, including dermatology and rheumatology groups and biotech interests, warned about non-medical switching, prior authorization delays, and patient harm. After extensive discussion, the committee voted 13-0 to pass SB 1094 to the Committee on Health. The committee also passed SB 849 by Dr. Weber-Pierson, which would bar reinstatement of physicians who surrendered their licenses while a sexual misconduct accusation was pending. The Medical Board and California Medical Association were generally supportive or neutral, and members praised the bill’s patient-protection focus. SB 993 by Senator Ochoa Bogh, which limits routine disclosure of identifying information for mental health professionals in correctional and psychiatric settings while preserving complaint processes, also passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 1002 by Senator Niello, extending the David Hall Act to allow certain patients in remission to continue telehealth care with out-of-state specialists, drew strong patient support but opposition from the Medical Board and CMA over licensure and oversight concerns; the committee voted it out on a split roll with some members not voting. Finally, SB 1263 by Senator McGuire, aimed at protecting wildfire survivors and workers by requiring licensed, trained contractors for post-disaster residential debris removal, received support from labor and the Contractors State License Board, with contractors raising a narrower amendment concern about scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, it would establish a mechanism for a city or county to declare an endowment care cemetery abandoned
• Second, it would establish a mechanism for a city or county to declare an endowment care cemetery abandoned
• What's our mechanism?
• If the report shows these savings actually didn't go to patients, what's our mechanism going to be at

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's to encourage stakeholders to work toward a more stable and equitable funding mechanism.
• list of mental health care providers or peer support specialists in the county, and establishing a mechanism
• list of mental health care providers or peer support specialists in the county, and establishing a mechanism
• list of mental health care providers or peer support specialists in the county, and establishing a mechanism

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any of those mechanisms, we can take Or 3 million tons a year on site.
• Any of those mechanisms, we can take the carbon dioxide.
• then carbon dioxide removal, which is removing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere via mechanical
• But you can see that they have all of the same policy mechanisms, so mandatory greenhouse gas reporting

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• more information in that regard before we uh take the step to insert uh additional enforcement mechanisms
• 36.080><c> enforcement</c> to insert uh additional enforcement to insert uh additional enforcement mechanisms
• </c><00:19:38.480><c> Thank</c> mechanisms from the government.
• Thank mechanisms from the government.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe there needs to be a scoring mechanism in place for additional funds that are available for some
• 00:26:32.679><c> scoring</c> Maybe there needs to be a scoring Maybe there needs to be a scoring mechanism
• c> place</c><00:26:34.000><c> for</c><00:26:34.120><c> additional</c><00:26:34.560><c> funds</c> mechanism
• in place for additional funds mechanism in place for additional funds that<00:26:34.920><c> are</c><

Committee: Joint Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

Keywords: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 18 March, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• utility bill because utility billing doesn't necessarily match up with leases, and uh, we needed a mechanism
• </c><00:15:45.839><c> we</c><00:15:46.079><c> needed</c><00:15:46.320><c> a</c><00:15:46.560><c> mechanism
• c><00:15:47.199><c> to</c><00:15:47.440><c> do</c><00:15:47.600><c> that</c> and uh, we needed a mechanism
• to do that and uh, we needed a mechanism to do that in<00:15:48.079><c> statute</c><00:15:48.639><c>

Bills: HF4141 , HF3951

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing authority, criminal penalty, assault, public safety, redevelopment, submetered utility service, tenant rights, digital payment, eviction protection, housing policy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I just, I don't know, I just have an issue because, you know, there's got to be a mechanism.
• I'm just wondering if there's another mechanism that would be a better vehicle to get people to pay their
• And so I guess the mechanics of it, I mean, I may have, I guess the mechanics of it, I may have to get

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 959, house, all