Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> like the CCP's Confucious Institutes, like the CCP's Confucious Institutes, the<04:09:51.040><c
• </c> restrictions on Confucious Institutes restrictions on Confucious Institutes and<04:12:13.840><c>
• </c> However, too many Confucious institutes However, too many Confucious institutes are<04:20:37.800
• </c> their Chinese counterpart institutions their Chinese counterpart institutions do<04:22:26.319><c
• </c> Institutes and for other purposes. Institutes and for other purposes.

Bills: HR881 , HB1503

Keywords: immigration, law enforcement, ICE, border protection, violence, security threats, forced organ harvesting, trafficking, human rights, organ donation, sanctions, international law

Transcript Highlights:

• We ensured students and faculty applicants in our public institutions of higher education would not be
• Institutions here in Idaho as well as nationally. Why?
• I believe it would be a lot easier within our own institutions to implement this.
• Also, we've moved quite a ways from when this was originally instituted.
• Idaho Days. ...representing the good representative that actually instituted Idaho Days.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> associate um Caitlyn CER ver Institute associate um Caitlyn CER ver Institute of<00:09:30.399><c
• </c><00:10:05.760><c> of</c> services at the fertility Institute of services at the fertility Institute
• Hawaii Public Health Institute, Nate Hicks, in support. Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair.
• </c> support Hawai public Health Institute support Hawai public Health Institute Nate<00:15:00.040><c
• </c><00:20:07.880><c> in</c> Public Health Institute in Public Health Institute in support<00:20:10.760

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services began by explaining strict one-minute testimony limits, reliance on written testimony, and that it had quorum and would move directly to decision making on deferred measures. It first adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass SB 8 with amendments, creating a five-year trial period for a jury-duty exemption for actively practicing APRNs, delaying implementation to January 1, 2027, and adding a defective date. It then adopted amendments to SB 189 on breast cancer screening, replacing references to “woman” with “patient,” clarifying that supplemental imaging and mammograms must be medically necessary and ordered by the patient’s provider, deleting one subsection, and adding a defective date. The committee then heard testimony on several bills. SB 46 on insurance/mental health coverage drew support from a member of the public and others, but later the chair said it would be deferred indefinitely pending a required sunrise analysis and a concurrent resolution. SB 642 on fertility preservation services received broad support from providers, advocacy groups, and an individual who described facing cancer treatment and high out-of-pocket costs; the chair later amended it to make coverage optional, limit it to those over 26, and add a defective date. SB 49 on terminal illness had limited testimony and was later passed with amendments incorporating agency and professional association changes plus a defective date. The committee also heard strong support for SNAP-related bills. SB 53, expanding SNAP eligibility to 300% of poverty, drew testimony about the “benefits cliff,” but the chair later deferred it indefinitely, citing uncertainty about costs and system issues. SB 58 on public assistance had no testimony. SB 960 and SB 961, both SNAP-related, drew extensive support from nonprofits, health groups, and others; DHS said its modernization work would not be ready until fall 2026 and that current systems could not automatically extend certification periods. SB 963 on SNAP also received support, including testimony from a volunteer reentry advocate and a public health advocate, but the chair later said it would be deferred indefinitely because the committee could not determine the fiscal impact and wanted to wait until next year. Finally, the committee heard SB 798 on child welfare and SB 974 on foster care. Testimony on SB 798 included support from child welfare and advocacy organizations, but also criticism from a witness who said the bill lacked voices of those harmed by the system and another who emphasized the need for independence, implementation, and accountability. The committee then recessed to regain quorum and later returned to decision making, where it deferred SB 46 indefinitely, passed SB 642 with amendments, passed SB 49 with amendments, and deferred SB 53 indefinitely. The transcript ends while the chair is continuing through the remaining measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:31.039><c> from</c> Appropriations to the institution from Appropriations to the institution
• </c> college used to be called The Institute college used to be called The Institute of<00:53:20.480>
• </c><01:18:35.920><c> and</c> support costs of the institution and support costs of the institution and
• </c><01:30:30.679><c> for</c> set of units across the institution for set of units across the institution
• </c> the relevant leaders in the institution the relevant leaders in the institution to<01:30:47.400>

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• first joined the board in 2021 and is the executive director for the Central Valley Health Policy Institute
• As a global leader in biotechnology and academic research and renowned health care institutions, the
• And for those of you who don't know, which I was not familiar with, the Buck Institute is the world's
• first independent biomedical research institute devoted solely to aging research and founded here in
• biomedical research institute devoted solely to aging research and founded here in California.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are so many more that provide structure to this institution and hold us all together, our staff
• </c><00:08:27.000><c> And</c><00:08:27.120><c> when</c><00:08:27.280><c> we</c> institution and our state
• And when we institution and our state.
• ,</c><00:08:45.920><c> thank</c><00:08:46.240><c> you</c> the face of our institution, thank you the
• face of our institution, thank you and<00:08:46.880><c> our</c><00:08:47.000><c> front</c><00:08:47.240

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the director of the Institute for Advancing American Values at Boise State University.
• And so what we did was take the bulk of the funding that the Institute for Advancing American Values
• And the four-year institutions could apply for up to $50,000 each, and the two-year institutions up to
• They're just good for the institutions ongoing.
• They're just good for the institutions ongoing.

Summary: The America 250 and Idaho Advisory Council approved the April 6 meeting minutes and authorized two additional grant awards for the city of Eden and Elmore County, completing the Celebration Fund grant approvals. Staff reported that the fund now has a remaining balance of about $64,685, with most of the original $250,000 already distributed to local celebrations across the state. The committee also reapproved the treasurer’s $30,000 spending authority. Members received updates on the ambassador program, which now includes nearly 2,000 ambassadors across 170 cities, 44 counties, 50 businesses, 31 schools, and 23 veterans organizations. Treasurer Ellsworth highlighted strong turnout and publicity for recent events statewide, including museum programs, lectures, and community celebrations, and reported progress on the Liberty Bell restoration and carriage project, including a donated truck from Kendall Ford. The council also discussed the upcoming Liberty Grove designation in Payette and the continued display of quilts and other promotional materials. Secretary McGrane gave a detailed logistics update on the July 4 Capitol celebration, noting the event is about 75 days away and will include a veterans pancake breakfast, the Boise parade, a concert, booths, and space for protests at the old Ada County Courthouse. He asked to release previously reserved Capitol dates now that the main event date is set, and members agreed. He also said the committee is seeking private fundraising support through the Community Foundation and a dedicated IdahoA250.com link, with any contracts to be routed through the co-chairs. Andrew Finstuin of Boise State provided an update on the statewide higher-education civics initiative tied to America 250, describing course and program efforts at Idaho’s universities and colleges, including civic dialogue tools, Canvas modules, orientation workshops, patriotic music programs, civics badges, and community reads. Members praised the work as a lasting legacy beyond the 2026 celebration. The committee tentatively scheduled its next meeting for 10 a.m. on the 4th and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The shared stewardship over the life-giving institutions, life-giving resources of our state, and that
• Lakeland Village is an institution, a Washington State institution that's been open for over 100 years
• There are other public institutions... And so this will do that.
• It ensures that records and artifacts located at the Lakeland Institution are not destroyed at least
• It ensures that records and artifacts located at the Lakeland Institution are not destroyed at least

Summary: The committee heard three measures. SB 5892 would clarify that only the Secretary of State may respond to public records requests for data generated by the statewide voter registration database, prohibit county election offices from producing those records in response to PRA requests, and make unauthorized disclosure of certain sensitive voter information a Class C felony. The Secretary of State, the prime sponsor, and the staff all described the bill as a privacy and database-security update reflecting the centralized VoteWA system, while one testifier opposed it, arguing it would not help maintain clean voter rolls. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed. The committee also heard SCR 8406, which reestablishes the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health, expands its membership, and extends its work through January 2029. Staff explained that the prior committee expired after issuing recommendations, and the sponsors and supporters said the measure would continue work on respectful dialogue, common ground, and civic education. Testimony was uniformly supportive, with members and the Lieutenant Governor emphasizing civic health as a way to strengthen democracy and encourage constructive disagreement. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed. Finally, the committee heard SB 5863, which extends the moratorium on destroying Lakeland Village records until fiscal year 2030 and changes the rules for restricted records transferred to State Archives so they become open after 75 years without needing a separate archivist determination. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would preserve important disability history, support family research, and protect records and artifacts tied to the state’s treatment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Testimony from disability advocates and self-advocates was strongly in favor. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed, and the committee adjourned after announcing caucus rooms for later discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• DOCTOR JIM'S OLD EVENT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE ENFORCE PEERS AS WELL AS OUR
• A COLLECTION OF NODES AND NETWORK WE HAVE AND CONTINUED TO EXPAND WITH OTHER RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, LOCAL
• THE COLLEGE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS WAS THE ONLY POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTION THAT RECEIVED THE DESIGNATION.
• THE INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN MACHINE COGNITION IS AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AND AWARDED RESEARCH INSTITUTE
• THIS AMENDMENT REALLY ISN'T ABOUT THE INSTITUTE ITSELF. IT'S NOT ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, the Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions now come to order.
• In 1957, the legislature established the Joint Committee on Correctional Institutions and Problems.
• “Institutions? Absolutely. Thank you for the question. A few things come to mind initially.
• And let's be clear about the purpose of these institutions.
• Our system, these institutions are called the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Summary: The committee first took up several bills in executive session. House Committee Amendment No. 1 was adopted and rolled into a substitute for House Bills 3292 and 2171, which then received a do pass recommendation by a 10-2 vote. House Bill 2753 also received a committee substitute and was voted do pass 10-2. House Bill 2912 was voted do pass by an 11-1 vote. During this portion, one member criticized the Department of Corrections for not responding to inquiries or attending earlier hearings, and the chair acknowledged the concern. The committee then heard testimony on House Bills 1616 and 2832, sponsored by Representatives Allen and Collins, which would create an independent corrections oversight structure, including an Office of Corrections and Transparency or ombudsman-style advocate with authority to inspect facilities, investigate complaints, access records, and report publicly. The sponsors argued that DOC currently lacks independent oversight and that internal review is insufficient. They cited deaths, unsafe conditions, medical neglect, and the need for confidential reporting by staff and incarcerated people. Committee members questioned whether the bills would duplicate existing processes, what the fiscal impact would be, and whether the proposal had enough enforcement power; the sponsors said the office would be small, likely around $300,000, and were open to amendments. Supporters testified that independent oversight is needed because of repeated deaths in custody, lack of trust in internal complaint systems, retaliation concerns for staff, and large taxpayer costs from lawsuits and settlements. Witnesses from Empower Missouri, Missouri Justice Coalition, the NAACP, ACLU of Missouri, and FAMM all supported the bills, with several emphasizing that prisons are closed institutions with inherent power imbalances and that external oversight would improve transparency, safety, and accountability for both incarcerated people and staff. The hearing ended after testimony in support, with no opposition presented and the committee adjourning without taking final action on the oversight bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, it’s always something that’s issued by a state institution, and so I think that’s why.
• It will be for colleges and institutions here. I understand that.
• It will be for colleges and institutions here. I understand that.
• It will be for colleges and institutions here. I understand that.
• It will be for college and institutions here. I understand that.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on May 12, 2026, and first approved SB 518, which gives LSU limited authority to buy and sell certain real estate within one mile of campus as a two-year pilot program. Supporters said the bill would let LSU respond more quickly to deteriorating properties near campus and improve the student experience, while keeping protections such as appraisals and fair-market-value requirements. Members asked about whether the authority would affect residential property or be expanded to other universities, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then advanced SCR 33, creating a one-year Work-Based Learning Coordination Task Force to study and better align apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, and related programs across state agencies and employers. Testimony emphasized the need to reduce duplication and improve coordination so students and employers can more easily connect. HR 168 also passed, directing the Board of Regents to study collegiate athletic program funding after concerns raised by athletic directors about deficits and accounting practices. Members next approved SB 488, establishing a school safety drone response pilot program to supplement school crisis plans. The bill drew detailed testimony from a vendor describing drone deployment, response times, and coordination with law enforcement; an amendment was adopted to require coordination with the Department of Education, State Police, and the Sheriffs’ Association. The committee also favorably reported HCR 97, asking BESE and Wildlife and Fisheries to study adding age-appropriate hunting, conservation, and shooting sports education in grades 5-12, with members clarifying that no live firearms would be used on campus. Finally, the committee approved SB 112, allowing local school boards to adopt parental-consent release-time policies for religious instruction, with amendments adding instructor qualifications, reporting requirements, electronic delivery flexibility, and constitutional safeguards. It also reported SB 504, expanding individual graduation plans to include vocational options and apply to charter schools, with an amendment for standalone elementary charters. The committee then passed SB 346 and SB 347, both dealing with deepfakes—one prohibiting their use against K-12 students and the other adding unlawful deepfakes to campus power-based violence rules—and SB 353, authorizing postsecondary systems to digitize student IDs for use in LA Wallet. Several members raised concerns about naming LA Wallet specifically, but the bill was still reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• minutes to introduce themselves, let us know kind of who you are, what your connection is to the institution
• Yes, a very important role and a very, very good institution. Are there questions, Senators? Any?
• Throughout my career, I've worked with a lot of institutions.
• These institutions all depend upon public trust, fiscal stewardship, and transparency.
• I believe in the institution.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a medical institutions of higher education, have utilized dei within their programs.
• So you do it if you're not going institution, we're not going to work with you in the same.
• So we will work with those institutions. You mean we won't invest.
• , Florida's academic institutions won't contract with foreign academic institutions that are engaged
• institutions that are engaged in boycotts of Israel.

Transcript Highlights:

• My youngest started in an Ivy League institution.
• And then he's currently employed at Yale University, another Ivy League institution.
• And that institution sits right in the middle geographically. It's located perfectly.
• I think what many higher education institutions need to focus on is workforce training.
• With my help, UWF adopted an institutional neutrality policy.

Summary: The committee on Higher Education Appropriations heard and favorably reported two bills: SB 1570, which revives the former Project Leo program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices, and CS/SB 1376, which creates a grant program to support genetic counseling education in response to a statewide shortage of genetic counselors. Both bills drew supportive comments, with the genetic counseling bill also receiving public support from a university representative. The committee then took up a large slate of confirmations. It first approved a block of reappointments to various university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and Broward College. It then heard from numerous new appointees and some requested reappointments, many of whom emphasized workforce training, nursing, military and veteran support, dual enrollment, and local economic development as priorities for their institutions. Several nominees highlighted their personal ties to the schools and communities they would serve, including appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, UWF, FIU, the College of the Florida Keys, Valencia College, and Chipola College. Committee members repeatedly asked about nursing NCLEX pass rates, workforce alignment, and institutional growth. One reappointment, Thomas Zachary Smith to the UWF board, was pulled from the block for separate questioning about his past public comments and his role in Project 2025; he said he would serve in his personal capacity and treat all students equally. The committee also separately heard from a Florida Poly reappointment, I. Shapiro, who was questioned about prior remarks regarding race and Supreme Court nominations, and from a New College reappointment, Mark Bowerlaine, who described campus improvements and enrollment growth. The meeting ended amid ongoing confirmation processing and separate votes on the remaining nominees.

Transcript Highlights:

• to violate this law that we are proposing and ensures that the institutions of higher education have
• to violate this law that we are proposing and ensures that the institutions of higher education have
• education institutions are accomplishing their<00:25:48.480><c> objectives.
• to violate this law that we are proposing and ensures that the institutions of higher education have
• the curriculum that is required to fulfill a degree at their respective institution.

Bills: HB527 , HB563 , HB580 , HB579 , SB190 , HB15 , HB390 , HB527 , HB563 , HB580 , HB579 , SB190 , HB15 , HB390

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: liability, off-roading, parks, participant safety, risk management, SNAP, food assistance, public assistance, income standards, Department of Human Resources, eligibility, HB580, Alabama Healthy Schools Act, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school meals, cafeteria, vending machines, fundraising sales

Transcript Highlights:

• . institutions remain competitive as the institutions remain competitive as the national<00:09:51.760
• </c> but this definition of institutional but this definition of institutional agreement<00:21:35.880
• institution institution and<00:21:45.159><c> I'm</c><00:21:45.520><c> I'm</c><00:21:45.760><c> hopeful
• </c> niil incentive to come to an institution niil incentive to come to an institution never<00:22:09.279
• And, quite honestly, institutions and the NCAA had a large majority of the power.

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met and first handled introductions of guests and visitors from several school districts and education groups. The committee then took up Senate Bill 3, which relates to student athletes and includes an emergency clause. The bill sponsor and invited witnesses, including athletics directors from the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, said the measure is intended to update Kentucky’s NIL laws in light of the House v. NCAA settlement and other national changes in college athletics. Supporters said SB 3 would let Kentucky universities directly compensate student athletes, help them secure third-party NIL deals, require reporting of deals over $600, and create guardrails and fair-market-value review to reduce pay-for-play concerns. They emphasized that the bill is meant to keep Kentucky institutions competitive, align with expected national standards, and prepare for changes expected around July 1, 2025. Witnesses also discussed the need for more uniform rules nationally, the role of the Power Four conferences in developing governance and clearinghouse systems, and the desire to preserve both athlete mobility and continuity in college sports. Several members raised concerns about the transfer portal, NIL incentives, and the broader effect on college athletics, with one senator saying NIL and the portal have damaged the sport but acknowledging Kentucky must compete. Witnesses responded that tighter portal windows and clearer national rules would help, while still preserving student-athlete transfer rights when needed. After discussion, the committee moved to a vote on SB 3; the roll call was taken, and the bill advanced out of committee, with at least one senator explaining a reluctant yes vote because of competitive pressures on the Commonwealth.

Transcript Highlights:

• can use for additional shared services between institutions.
• can use for additional shared services between institutions.
• Save the money for the institutions.
• Save the money for the institutions.
• at an institution, whether you're small or large.

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Summary: The Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with approval of the prior meeting minutes and a review of the state’s annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and the Office of Management and Budget reported a clean opinion on the state’s financial statements and described continued growth in net position, strong general fund balance, and significant Legacy Fund investment income. Committee members asked about how the report reflects long-term finances and how North Dakota compares with other states, and OMB noted that the ACFR is based on audited actual results rather than budget forecasts. The committee then heard the North Dakota University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund construction money, insufficient monitoring of service organizations, improper bank reconciliations at several campuses, and investment/cash recording issues at Bismarck State College. University System officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations and greater use of shared services. Members also questioned practices such as campus use of certificates of deposit and whether repeated findings were being adequately addressed. Additional audits were presented for the State Fair Association, State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Securities Department, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Most received clean opinions with no findings; exceptions included a repeat component-unit issue at the State Fair Foundation, a securities personnel-evaluation finding, and a Housing Finance Agency finding involving a late return of escrow surplus. The committee also discussed broader oversight issues, including the need for independent auditing of the Ethics Commission, possible legislative changes to give the State Auditor more subpoena power and independent legal counsel, and future work on data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, and audit capacity. The meeting recessed for lunch after these discussions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the 11 institutions, we have not found any material concerns at all.
• Of the 11 institutions, we have not found any material concerns at all.
• Of the 11 institutions, we have not found any material concerns at all.
• can use for additional shared services between institutions.
• at an institution, whether you're small or large.

Summary: The committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with the statewide Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and OMB reported a clean, unmodified opinion for the state, with strong financial results including a $40.6 billion net position, $30.99 billion in assets, $1.81 billion in liabilities, and continued Legacy Fund growth. OMB also explained the new GASB 101 compensated-absences reporting change and discussed pension-liability fluctuations tied to discount-rate assumptions and investment performance. Members asked about how the state compares to others and about the effect of short-term commodity price swings, and OMB said the report reflects actual fiscal-year results rather than forecasts. The committee then heard the University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund revenue, insufficient monitoring of service organizations at CTS, NDSU, and UND, improper bank reconciliations at Dakota College of Bottineau, Dickinson State, and Williston State, and investment/cash reconciliation problems at Bismarck State College related to bond proceeds. University officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations. Members raised questions about NDSU’s use of certificates of deposit, and university staff explained that CDs are used to earn interest on funds being accumulated for future projects. Several other audits were presented, most with clean opinions and no findings, including the State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Notable exceptions included a State Fair Association audit with an adverse opinion on the foundation component unit because its financial statements were not available for audit, and a Securities Department performance audit finding that performance-based pay increases and bonuses were issued without required evaluations. The committee also discussed the State Auditor’s future needs, including more staff capacity, data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, possible subpoena authority, independent legal counsel, and whether some audits—such as the Ethics Commission and State Fair—should be handled by independent third parties or under different statutory arrangements.

Transcript Highlights:

• This work is being done across eight different institutions throughout the state.
• They want to improve the academics; they want to move that institution forward.
• So, every institution will have a separate committee.
• Who nominates the members of that particular committee for that institution? So, Mr.
• In addition to that, normally these smaller institutions, private institutions around the state, they

Bills: HB30 , HB120 , HJR1 , SB210 , SB306 , HB30 , HB120 , HJR1 , SB210 , SB306

Committees: Senate Senate Education , Senate House Education

Keywords: teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model

Transcript Highlights:

• This extends the requirements in this section to private post-secondary institutions.
• for a grant include post-secondary institutions, non-profit, and for-profit organizations.
• it's been inappropriate to benchmark student aid to that institution.
• That was Commonwealth Institute faculty in this. Commissioner Olsen?
• About was shifted to the institutions so they administer it as opposed to OHE.

Bills: HF2312

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy