Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:44:32.080><c> of</c> cost effective development of cost effective development of distributed<
• </c><01:54:33.000><c> competitive</c> been trying to develop competitive been trying to develop competitive
• development development strategies<04:29:13.080><c> and</c><04:29:13.279><c> threaten</c><04:29:13.680
• </c><04:49:38.480><c> of</c> hcr2 declaring the development of hcr2 declaring the development of advanced
• </c> right now that are trying to develop right now that are trying to develop small<05:00:13.440><c>

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The reentry program then developed into a STEP program that we have today.
• How do we help develop resumes? How do we do career counseling, skills assessments?
• How do we help develop resumes? How do we do career counseling, skills assessments?
• And so I took ...and people that really care about your development.
• Those things changed me and shaped me and developed me into the person that I am today.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It can affect brain development, worsen mental health issues, create risks for developing chronic diseases
• ><c> health</c> development, worsen mental health development, worsen mental health issues,<00:04:42.960
• , create risks for developing issues, create risks for developing chronic<00:04:44.720><c> diseases,<
• <00:08:14.960><c> and</c><00:08:15.280><c> Intellectual</c> Development and Intellectual Development
• ><c> most</c><00:37:25.440><c> recent</c> looked to develop our most recent looked to develop our most

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force opened with a moment of silence for the Louisville UPS plane tragedy, approved the October 15 minutes, and reminded members to submit policy recommendations before the December 16 meeting, when the group will discuss its report to LRC. The first informational presentation, from the Department for Public Health, focused on youth vaping. Elizabeth Good and Julie Brooks cited a recent Surgeon General report warning that youth vaping can harm brain development, mental health, lungs, asthma, and hormones, and noted Kentucky survey data showing 8.7% of students reported daily vaping and 19.7% used vaping products in the prior 30 days. They described prevention and cessation resources including Catch My Breath, I Can End the Trend, Not on Tobacco, My Life, My Quit, Quitline services, and the Kentucky TRUST retailer education program, which trained 3,371 individuals in 2024 and distributed 253 Tobacco 21 toolkits. The next presentation came from Kentucky ABC on implementation of SB 100, which created the division of tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing. Commissioner Scotty Tracy and Jamar Carter said all retailers selling tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products must be licensed, regulations were filed October 31, 2025, and the online application portal is live. In response to questions about sales to minors, they said violations carry escalating fines for clerks and owners, with a fourth violation resulting in no license renewal for two years and unpaid fines also blocking renewal. They said complaints can be submitted through the portal, by phone, or on the ABC website, and enforcement investigates tips and may use underage compliance checks. The committee then heard from Kim McKenna Johnson of One Cross Community Health, who argued for a “deficiency-first” and holistic approach to care centered on nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation. She said her clinic serves more than 7,000 patients in Taylor and Marion counties and described a model that includes primary care, behavioral health, functional medicine, addiction recovery, and chronic care. She cited Kentucky health rankings, claimed nutritional deficiencies cost the state billions, and said many children are overprescribed while undernourished. She urged broader insurance coverage for nutritional testing and supplements, rural demonstration grants, and Medicaid pilots for clinically prescribed supplements. Members asked about testing costs, dietitian support, long-term cost savings, compliance, and whether medications are often used to prevent damage from noncompliance; the presenter said the lab tests are generally covered, supplements are the main cost barrier, and seeing lab results can improve family buy-in. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• My background is in community redevelopment and development, affordable housing.
• do a presentation on their community solar program that we passed statute and we directed them to develop
• Many projects are moving through development and nearing completion.
• We knew when we opened the projects for bid that there was a huge interest for developers, but what we
• There's a lot of interest from developers to open up those additional 300 megawatts to development after

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will gavel down and start the committee hearing for Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development
• So if you are a member of the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee, might
• I just need to call this Business, Professions and Economic Development.
• That's it for Business, Professions and Economic Development.
• That's it for Business, Professions and Economic Development.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Summary: The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee heard three bills. SB 849 by Senator Weber Pearson would address physician sexual misconduct by clarifying that physicians or surgeons who committed specified sexual offenses against patients cannot petition for license renewal, and by requiring automatic revocation in certain misconduct-related cases, including where a license was surrendered, revoked, or the person was convicted or required to register as a sex offender. Support came from the California Medical Association and the American College of OBGYN; there was no opposition in the room. The bill was moved do pass to Appropriations on an 8-0 vote, then later confirmed out on call. SB 96 by Senator Umberg would extend California’s advertising-volume rules to streaming services, podcasts, and similar content by requiring ads to be kept at the ambient level of the surrounding content. The author said the bill was inspired by a child awakened by loud streaming ads and argued it would update the earlier CALM Act for modern media. There was no support or opposition testimony in the room. The committee discussed how the rule might affect platforms operating statewide or nationally, and the bill passed do pass on a 9-0 vote, then was confirmed out on call. SB 342 by Senator Umberg, the Contractors Licensure Fairness Act, would allow contractors to recover payment for work performed while licensed even if they were unlicensed for part of a project, while still barring payment for unlicensed days and preserving existing prohibitions on starting work without a license. Supporters, including representatives of the California Conference of Carpenters, State Building and Construction Trades, and contractor associations, argued the current law can be overly punitive and can create windfalls for owners when a technical lapse is discovered later. Committee members raised concerns about consumer protection, burden of proof, and whether the bill could create loopholes, but the author and supporters said existing protections remain and the bill is intended to be proportional. The bill passed do pass to Judiciary on a 9-0 vote and was later confirmed out on call to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• health, and opioid treatment, the department lays a foundation for behavioral health services by developing
• This role places us in a posture to develop innovative services and enhance existing services and address
• The webinar was developed into a course and is currently published and available on the department's
• During the past year, in collaboration with our training vendor, we developed and disseminated a total
• Completed rule development for over 45 Baker Act forms.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive an update from the Florida Department of Children and Families on implementation of House Bill 7021, which revised the Baker Act and Marchman Act and was funded with a $50 million appropriation. Deputy Assistant Secretary Bill Hardin reported that the department has updated reference guides, training, administrative rules, and forms; launched regional behavioral health collaboratives; and created the Office of Children’s Behavioral Health Ombudsman. He said early data show continued declines in Baker Act use, high diversion rates from involuntary examinations through 988, mobile response teams, and care coordination, along with generally positive provider feedback on changes such as allowing psychiatric nurses to initiate emergency treatment orders and clarifying the 72-hour examination period. Hardin also described Marchman Act changes, including a streamlined petition process, remote testimony, improved discharge planning, and a new annual data report. He said the department has completed or is completing multiple training courses for providers and law enforcement, and has adopted or is finalizing numerous rules and forms. He reported that the regional collaboratives are identifying common statewide needs such as service capacity, resource sharing, funding flexibility, and peer support, while the ombudsman office is handling complaints and helping families navigate services. Members asked about whether the current funding is sufficient, future budget needs, outreach for the new ombudsman office, and services for juveniles. Hardin said DCF has posted legislative budget requests for additional forensic FACT services and short-term residential treatment beds, including children’s beds, and noted the ombudsman office is staffed with two FTEs and supported through existing complaint-management and regional systems. He said outreach is being done through regional collaboratives and coordination with other agencies, especially the Department of Education, and that juvenile transport and placement issues have improved with the new law. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Industrial Relations may conduct criminal history background checks as appropriate and shall develop
• </c> checks as appropriate and shall develop checks as appropriate and shall develop El<00:05:51.400>
• and Industrial Relations may conduct criminal history background checks as appropriate and shall develop
• and Industrial Relations may conduct criminal history background checks as appropriate and shall develop
• and Industrial Relations may conduct criminal history background checks as appropriate and shall develop

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Library and Technology Committee met on March 14, 2025, to hear House Bill 430, House Draft 2, which would create an internship/on-the-job training program administered by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, with the state serving as the responsible employer for workers’ compensation coverage and appropriations included. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the University of Hawaii, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and the Department of Education. Supporters emphasized the value of internships as a high-impact educational and career pathway opportunity. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill’s intent but raised a concern about the criminal history background check language, recommending that the bill be revised so DLIR may conduct checks “as appropriate” rather than requiring a mandatory check for all interns. The AG noted that juvenile records would remain confidential for 16- and 17-year-old interns under existing law and suggested deleting the more specific background-check language or replacing it with the more flexible wording. Several organizations submitted support, including business, health care, tourism, and industry groups. During decision-making, the committee discussed amendments incorporating the Attorney General’s recommendation, adding a 2.5 GPA minimum reference, and clarifying language about private or public sector organizations and placement of interns in state executive branch departments, agencies, or programs. The committee adopted the recommendation to pass the bill with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE WERE DELINQUENT IN PUBLISHING OUR NOTICE OF DEVELOPMENT. AND OVERSIGHT ON MY PART.
• WE HAVE SINCE TAKEN STEPS TO INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLISH IT.
• WHY THE DELAY AND WHY DID IT TAKE TWO YEARS TO DEVELOP THAT?
• I UNDERSTAND WE HAD CHANGES IN 24 BUT THAT SHOULDN'T STOP YOU DEVELOPING RULES FROM THE 23 SESSION.
• IN OCTOBER 2023 THE DEPARTMENT PUBLISHED HIS NOTICE OF ROLL DEVELOPMENT FOR CHAPTER 60 5V-NINE WHICH

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commerce Finance and Policy and be re-referred to the Committee on Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development
• This bill most appropriately belongs in the Workforce Development Committee.
• 09:14.320><c> labor</c><00:09:15.000><c> and</c><00:09:15.200><c> economic</c><00:09:15.800><c> development
• </c> Workforce labor and economic development Workforce labor and economic development finance<00:09:
• During that time, he helped develop early childhood education programs, supported veterans, small businesses

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><03:08:45.840><c> financial</c> for community development, financial for community development,
• </c><03:08:57.279><c> Agency,</c> Minority Business Development Agency, Minority Business Development
• programs like the community development programs like the community development<03:13:45.840><c> block
• Harvey also develops a student Mrs.
• It’s kind of hard to believe it’s developed that way, but it has developed that way.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation was developed in coordination with DOJ's Consumer Protection Unit and is supported by
• It is so important that our voices are heard, because as we watch the development and the movement within
• is being altered through this piece of legislation, the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development
• It does keep the commission grounded in economic development.
• a standardized permit... ...charged to shepherd them through, also to develop a standardized permit

Bills: HB89 , HB328 , HB344 , HB365 , HB283 , HB89 , HB328 , HB344 , HB365 , HB283

Committee: Senate Elections & Government Affairs

Keywords: home improvement, consumer protection, consumer fraud, dispute resolution, mediation, contractor registration, home repair, renovation, homeowner, building contractor, construction fraud, treble damages, attorney fees, Department of Justice, Division of Consumer Protection, Department of Labor, good faith, unfair trade practices, Delaware, regulations

Summary: The Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee met in hybrid format, approved the June 10 draft minutes, and then heard a long agenda of bills. HB 89 (home improvement fraud dispute resolution) was presented as a consumer protection measure developed with DOJ to address contractor fraud, especially against vulnerable homeowners; members voiced support and asked to be added as sponsors. HB 283 updated realty transfer tax exemptions to use gender-neutral “spouses” language and add a direct grandparent-to-grandchild transfer exemption; it drew supportive public comment. HS1 for HB 390 would let DelDOT choose electronic-only bidding for projects, remove newspaper bid-opening notices, and clarify bidding records, with no opposition raised. HB 328/H.A. 2 modernizes the Register of Regulations statute, keeps newspaper distribution requirements, and delays some effective dates to 2027; it was described as a technical update. HB 365 would create the Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, prompting supportive testimony from Indigenous community members and some discussion about representation and internal tribal اختلافs, but no formal opposition. HB 423 would automatically enroll new state employees in the 457B deferred compensation plan unless they opt out, with exclusions for collective bargaining units and implementation tied to payroll readiness; it was presented as a retirement-savings measure. SS1 for SB 342 would modernize the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission to support a broader film/media incentive package, with support from the Delaware Arts Alliance and a request to help attract productions to Delaware. The committee also heard SB 331, a cleanup bill on garagekeeper liens for manufactured housing and related assets. The sponsor and an attorney explained it as clarifying who can recover funds and attorney’s fees in lien sales, but the Chief Magistrate and the manufactured housing association said the issue should be addressed more carefully and possibly in another section of code; they were open to further work. HB 436 would update the Smyrna charter, including school impact fees, election challenge procedures, vacancy rules, domicile standards, Board of Elections terms, and meeting schedules. HS1 for HB 376 made technical and organizational changes to the Millville charter, including a tiebreaker for municipal elections and a property tax cap, with the town solicitor saying there was little substantive change. HB 460 would require New Castle County municipalities to submit permit data monthly rather than on a much slower schedule, limited to closed permits with certificates of occupancy, to improve property assessment data; it was presented as part of broader reassessment/data-quality efforts. Public comment was heard on several items, especially HB 365 and SS1 for SB 342. Indigenous speakers supported the commission as a way to preserve heritage, improve representation, and create a formal seat at the table. The Delaware Arts Alliance supported the film commission modernization bill as part of a broader creative-economy plan. No recorded votes were taken on the individual bills in the transcript, and the meeting ended with a unanimous motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the sixth meeting of the House Economic Development and Workforce Investment Committee.
• </c><00:04:02.280><c> act</c><00:04:03.240><c> a</c> like in our tourism development act a like in our
• tourism development act a place<00:04:03.880><c> of</c><00:04:04.160><c> tourism.
• We don't have a developed workforce.
• And because we don't have a developed workforce, part of the incentives need to include per diems because

Committee: House Economic Development & Workforce Investment

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:32 SB 261 Discussion: 01:40 SB 261 Voting: 05:37 SB 324 Discussion: 06:23 SB 324 Voting: 12:56, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee and Act relating to the Idaho Workforce Development Council, amending Section 33, 313-Ido Code
• Board; amending Section 72-1203, Idaho Code, to revise provisions regarding the Workforce Development
• House Bill 766 by the Ways and Means Committee, an act relating to development impact fees, amending
• House Bill 767 by the Ways and Means Committee, an act relating to development impact fees, amending
• The developer gets their project done. They get it done in a quick time.

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call, prayer, and the Pledge, then approved the journal and received messages from the Senate. Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 was signed by the Speaker, House Bills 533, 502, and 555 were returned from the Senate for enrolling, and Senate Bills 1254 and 1258 were introduced and referred to committee. Standing committee reports moved a number of bills and memorials to second reading or other committees, including several education, local government, agriculture, environment/technology, transportation, and state affairs measures; Senate Bill 1265 was re-referred, and House Bill 575 was placed on general orders. In third reading, House Bill 641, dealing with sick leave and employer discipline, drew debate over whether it improperly incorporated federal law into state law and whether it could create litigation risk for employers. The bill failed on a 24-46 vote. House Bill 728, which defines school staffing categories and adjusts K-12 funding-related terminology and flexibility, received bipartisan support and passed 70-0. House Bill 751, revising the STARS transportation revenue program limits, also passed 70-0. House Bill 591, a cleanup bill repealing the last remaining section of the county medical indigent program, passed unanimously, as did House Resolution 24 on temporary and pending Idaho State Tax Commission rules and Senate Bill 1221, which makes changes affecting irrigation districts and PERSI-related treatment. The House also heard first reading of a large package of new bills, including measures on workforce development and computer science/STEM education, charter school admissions, foreign adversary investments, harboring aliens, taxing districts, development impact fees, contractor registration, motor vehicle insurance and appraisals, industrial hemp, corporate credit union cleanup, Fish and Game penalties, motor vehicle exemptions, newborn safety review, controlled substances, dual enrollment, and student enrollment counts. Several bills were advanced to printing or committee referral, and the chamber then moved to announcements and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee and act relating to the Idaho Workforce Development Council, amending Section 33-313, Idaho
• House Bill 766 by Ways and Means Committee, an act relating to development impact fees.
• House Bill 767 by Ways and Means Committee, an act relating to development impact fees, amending Section
• The developer gets their project done. They get it done in a quick time.
• The developer gets their project done. They get it done in a quick time.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of the reasons the legislature wanted us to develop a prioritization approach for fish passage
• And so the board developed two strategies for salmon recovery.
• And so the board developed two strategies for salmon recovery.
• But we've been fighting through that, and we are developing this strategy.
• We've been fighting through that, and we are developing this strategy.

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Emily Poole, staff to the Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee.
• Technical approaches are still developing, and flexibility would help providers comply while innovation
• Technical approaches are still developing.
• The Department of Commerce, through the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, ...
• But a typical economic development grant program awards between $500,000 and $1.5 million per fiscal

Bills: HB1170 , HB1570 , HB1834

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, AI-generated content, deepfake, synthetic media, content provenance, provenance data, metadata, watermarking, disclosure, transparency, consumer protection, unfair or deceptive acts, unfair competition, Washington RCW, Title 19 RCW, platform regulation, AI detection tool, media authenticity

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you aware of the frontal lobe research about how a child's frontal lobe is not developed fully to
• ...of the frontal lobe research about how a child's frontal lobe is not developed fully to 25 and how
• We know that frontal lobes, especially in males, aren't developed at 25.
• We've also heard about the brain development and all those things.
• We talked about frontal lobe development. We know that it's not fully developed to 25.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 133, which would lower the minimum age to purchase a long gun from 21 to 18. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill restores the rights of adults 18 and older, emphasizing constitutional rights, military service, voting, jury duty, and parental responsibility. Opponents, including gun violence prevention advocates and several members, cited Parkland and the recent FSU shooting, argued that people under 21 are still developing and more impulsive, and said the current law helps protect public safety. After extensive debate and public testimony on both sides, the committee voted 11-5 to report HB 133 favorably. The committee then considered PCS for HB 35, which adds driving without a valid license to the offenses that can lead to habitual traffic offender designation and is named Isaiah’s Law in memory of a child killed by an unlicensed driver. Supporters said it addresses repeat dangerous conduct and should help prevent similar tragedies. One member questioned whether it was a knee-jerk response, while others said it was a reasonable accountability measure. The PCS passed unanimously, 16-0, and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 245, which updates Florida law to use more accurate terminology for child sexual abuse material rather than “child pornography,” and includes related technical corrections. The sponsor said the change better reflects the seriousness of the crime and asked whether the bill also covered AI-generated material; the sponsor said the statute already addresses such references. After a technical amendment was adopted, the bill passed unanimously, 16-0, and was reported favorably. The chair also reminded members to maintain respect toward public witnesses and each other before adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Presentation by the Department of Commerce on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery
• I serve as the Deputy Secretary of Community Development at Florida Commerce. [00:08:45.000] I am Justin
• I serve as the Deputy Secretary of Community Development at Florida Commerce.
• Today I’m going to share with you an overview of our Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery
• Department of Housing and Urban Development, which is HUD. [00:09:10.000] We serve our disaster-impacted

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum and heard two bills, a confirmation, and two agency presentations. SB 48 by Senator Gates would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead exemption for the owner-occupied portion, limit parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum leases, extend density bonuses for military-family housing, and allow reusable tenant screening reports. The bill drew strong support from the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals and several others, and it was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call. SB 34 by Senator Sharief would expand the Historic Cemetery Program, particularly to help historic African-American cemeteries preserve and maintain themselves by allowing sale of excess vacant land only if proceeds are used for long-term upkeep; it also passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors by unanimous vote. In addition, the Department of Commerce presented on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida, describing more than $4.3 billion in HUD disaster recovery funds since 2017, housing repair and replacement efforts that have completed more than 5,200 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects across the state. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and clawbacks from a prior vendor; Commerce said it had ended the earlier vendor relationship, imposed about $3.6 million in financial consequences, and now uses stronger oversight and competitive procurement for contractors. The Division of Emergency Management then presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds used. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is intended to reduce repetitive flood losses, keep homeowners in their communities, and serve as a national model; he reported more than 12,000 applications, about 1,500 prioritized for review, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about assistance for seniors who cannot meet the 25% match, the wait-list process, contractor selection, and the mix of project types, and Guthrie said contractors were selected through competitive procurement and that most projects are elevations, though some may become reconstructions or acquisitions depending on inspection results. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I developed a slide, and I think we would have provided it. Yes, sir. Yeah, that's the problem.
• I developed a slide, and I think we would have provided it, but my other ones were so busy.
• Well, with a lot of development around there and a lot of lights, you have light encroachment, if you
• Research and planning and development.
• He is helping develop these real-life scenarios for simulators in a way that just a bunch of engineers

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, and Domestic Security met for its first meeting of the 2025-26 session and heard presentations from Major General John Haas, Adjutant General of Florida, and Tim McGregor, executive director of the Florida Defense Support Commission. General Haas reviewed the Florida National Guard’s missions, statewide footprint, domestic disaster response, and federal deployments, emphasizing the Guard’s role in hurricanes, border-related support, and other state operations. He also discussed recruiting and retention, noting that recruiting remains strong but retention is challenged by the Guard’s high operational tempo, and he outlined efforts to expand force structure, improve facilities, and modernize units, including Camp Blanding upgrades, new armories, additional infantry, engineer, military police, and aviation assets, and the Air National Guard’s F-35 conversion. Members asked questions about recruiting methods, typical brigade size, and how many personnel would be needed to reduce the average duty burden back toward the statutory 39 days. Haas explained that Florida’s large population helps recruiting, especially through community and school outreach, but that the state’s frequent domestic missions make the current 12,000-member force too small for its workload. He said the Guard’s high tempo is the main reason members leave for the reserves and argued that more force structure is needed to reduce strain. Committee members also discussed prior efforts to influence National Guard stationing decisions based on population shifts and domestic mission demands. McGregor then described the Florida Defense Support Commission’s work to protect military installations, prevent encroachment, support workforce and economic development, and improve the military-friendly environment for service members and families. He highlighted the commission’s grant programs, the military benefits guide, and a spouse license reciprocity matrix, as well as site visits to installations and defense-related facilities across the state. Members asked about Lockheed Martin’s innovation and simulation work in Orlando and discussed the value of military spouse reciprocity compacts. No bills were heard, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have not taken that very far at UND in terms of engineering and technology development.
• And the technology that we're developing, as well as some other partners that we're working with, would
• That is our legal right to develop those coal seams, those for the power plants.
• What we're saying is help us get certainty now to get the development moving.
• Help us get certainty now to get the development moving. There's no doubt about it.

Bills: SB2339

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: wildfire mitigation, utility liability, strict liability, electric utility, public service commission, PSC, rural electric cooperative, municipal utility, transmission provider, vegetation management, power lines, reclosers, electrical safety, wildfire prevention, grid reliability, public safety, first responders, ANSI A300, National Electrical Safety Code, community outreach

Summary: The Energy and Natural Resources Committee continued work on House Bill 1459, which concerns rare earth and critical mineral recovery from North Dakota lignite coal. Testimony from UND researcher Dan Ludo and industry representative David Straely focused on the urgency of developing the process quickly, the technical differences between extracting minerals from coal versus ash, and the potential value of elements such as terbium, dysprosium, gallium, germanium, and synthetic graphite. Straely argued the bill is constitutional, limited to minerals within the coal seam, and needed to avoid years of quiet title litigation and provide certainty for development and compensation to royalty owners. Committee members raised questions about landowner rights, compensation levels, possible amendments from the Department of Trust Lands, and whether the bill should be modified to address constitutional concerns or sunset provisions. No final action was taken on HB 1459; the chair said parties could work on language until Monday before the committee revisits it. The committee then returned to House Bill 1579, a high-load study bill with a possible energy infrastructure investment amendment. Jody Smith of the Retirement and Investment Office presented updated language adding guardrails for in-state infrastructure investing, including requiring approved projects to be underwritten and managed by a qualified investment manager or financial institution and to follow the Legacy Fund investment policy. Members discussed whether the amendment had been shared with the House sponsor and noted that the related bill 1330 was still pending, so HB 1579 was being held for the time being. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 1566, which had an amendment from the Agriculture Commissioner’s office. The committee adopted the amendment 7-0, then passed a due-pass motion on the amended bill and referred it to Appropriations, also by a 7-0 vote. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal impact, including an estimated $580,000 for two FTEs over two years, and clarified that the study component remains in the bill. Senator Gerhardt was assigned to carry the measure.