Video & Transcript Research : 'Native American'
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NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Because once we go down to the floor, we're going to a joint session with the House on American Asian
- This does not make any exemption to not light the American flag.
- We're all on native land, regardless of the name.
- We have a deep and rooted relationship with our native Pueblos in northern New Mexico.
- Mexico, and most of us are of mixed culture between native and Hispano.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Mar 20th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker and members, as a proud immigrant, I am honored to highlight the work of the Central American
- CARECEN was founded in 1983 and is the largest Central American immigrants' rights organization in the
- Because there are millions of Americans that look up to these people and follow what they do.
- Next year, we're going to keep celebrating our American culture, and we're going to keep celebrating
- the board chair of Asian Pacific Islander American Votes, and as board chair of the Urban League of
Summary:
The Assembly met on March 6, 2025, established a quorum, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine procedural motions, including unanimous consent requests and a re-referral of AB 506. The chamber then moved through a series of guest introductions and second-reading items before taking up several resolutions recognizing awareness days and cultural observances.
Members adopted ACR 41 on Down Syndrome Awareness Week/Day and HR 24 on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month after extensive bipartisan remarks focused on family experiences, inclusion, bullying, funding for services, and support for people with disabilities. The Assembly also adopted ACR 48 recognizing Women in STEM Day, ACR 49 recognizing California STEM Robotics Day, HR 18 celebrating Nauruze, and ACR 2 marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Each resolution drew co-authors and supportive comments from members across the aisle.
The body then debated and passed AB 248, which would remove the state wage cap on county jail inmate labor and allow counties more discretion; supporters framed it as local control and rehabilitation, while opponents argued it would raise costs and conflict with voter sentiment. The Assembly also passed AB 100, a budget-process measure moving a large package of bills to the Senate, and used a substituted roll call for the remaining related bills. Consent calendar items were approved, and the chamber concluded with multiple adjournments in memory, including tributes to Eric Lopez, Johnny D. Giles, and Roger Diamond, before adjourning until March 24, 2025.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Mar 3rd, 2025
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Disabled American veterans, American Legion, veteran of foreign wars, Vietnam veterans of America.
- 60,000 members, American...
- For the American Legion post, okay.
- Thank you for your membership in the American Legion.
- American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, Korean Veterans.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/18/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- This proposal would not protect American values. It betrays them.
- American voters, and Black voters.
- American and Latino communities.
- I'm voting for the American people.
- I'm voting for the American people.
Keywords:
foreign law, Sharia law, cultural practices, women's rights, marriage laws, domestic violence, honor killings, Arizona legislation, elections, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security, internet connectivity, offline voting, chain of custody, polling place equipment, counting center, central counting center, election management system, EMS gateway
Summary:
The committee first considered SB 1018, which would expand Arizona’s foreign law statute to expressly include Sharia law and certain foreign religious or cultural laws or customs that condone practices such as honor killings or other conduct violating criminal law. The sponsor said the bill was meant to strengthen enforcement against foreign, private, or religious adjudications that violate constitutional rights, while opponents, including the ACLU, argued it was unconstitutional, singled out Islam, and was part of a broader anti-Muslim effort. After extended debate, the committee approved SB 1018 on a 4-3 vote.
The committee then heard SB 1568, requiring election systems and software clocks to be set to accurate time and verified during logic and accuracy, compatibility, and security testing. Supporters said accurate timekeeping is important for chain of custody and election integrity; county representatives opposed the bill as impractical because some equipment is not connected to the internet, batteries can drain, and different time zones in Arizona complicate compliance. The bill passed 4-3.
Next, SB 1687 proposed moving primary elections to the Tuesday before Memorial Day, adjusting nomination paper filing windows, and changing the date used to calculate required petition signatures. A Marquez amendment dealing with Clean Elections timing and funding was offered but defeated. The sponsor said the bill would reduce extreme heat burdens and improve participation; county officials were neutral but noted timing changes would require broader cleanup. The committee then approved SB 1687 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also considered SB 1825, which changes how precinct committeeman vacancies are filled by giving legislative district chairs or county chairs authority depending on the situation and requiring action within 30 days. Supporters said it would streamline a slow, opaque process and improve local control; opponents warned it could concentrate power and be abused. An amendment limiting the bill to counties over 500,000 people was adopted, and the bill passed 4-1 with one present and one absent.
Finally, the committee revisited SB 1037, which imposes security requirements on voting and tabulating equipment, including no internet connectivity, user logins, chain-of-custody controls, and continuous video recording at counting centers. An amendment broadened the bill to cover election management systems and tightened the no-connectivity and no-port provisions. The sponsor and amendment proponent argued the bill was needed to prevent indirect internet access and strengthen election security. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on SB 1037.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Unless you are a Native American Indian, there is an immigrant somewhere behind you that came here for
- But newsflash, Americans are doing it too.
- It has played an essential part in American history.
- History, except for Native Americans, Native Indigenous, everyone descends from immigrants.
- This is an American who does that.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- I’m a 54-year-old Brazilian American woman.
- My name is Yen Kay, and I'm an intern at the Asian American Pacific Islander Commission.
- My native language is Spanish, and English is my second language.
- My native language is Spanish, and English is my second language.
- I'm here representing the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. I have three main takeaways.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight heard testimony on several bills. Senator Mike Moore supported S. 2185, which would delay implementation of the heavy-duty omnibus/advanced clean truck requirements while requiring the Commonwealth to purchase or lease electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles starting in 2025; he argued the delay is needed because infrastructure, grid capacity, vehicle availability, and costs are not yet ready. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2156/H. 3318, which would require free menstrual products in public buildings, with advocates and students describing period poverty and the need to treat menstrual products like other basic restroom supplies. Senator John Keenan testified for S. 2158, a bill to let municipal light plants protect proprietary and competitively sensitive information from public disclosure while keeping board meetings and minutes open, saying it would help level the playing field against larger competitors.
A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 2125/H. 3384, the language access and inclusion bill. Testimony from the AAPI Commission, Mass Speaks coalition members, Mass Appleseed, MLRI, ATASK, MAPC, the Boston Bar Association, Mass Advocates for Children, and others described barriers faced by limited-English-proficient residents in accessing MassHealth, DCF, courts, domestic violence services, schools, and other state services. Witnesses cited untranslated documents, inadequate interpretation, delays, and the burden placed on bilingual staff and children; several also pointed to recent federal moves toward English-only policy as making state action more urgent. Committee members asked questions about implementation, interpreter availability, and the role of technology and remote participation, and the chair noted the bill had been reported favorably in a prior session and intended to be again.
The committee also heard testimony on time-zone legislation. Dr. Karin Johnson, representing sleep medicine interests, supported H. 3405 for permanent standard time and opposed S. 2157 for permanent daylight saving time, arguing that standard time better aligns with circadian rhythms and health, while permanent daylight saving time would worsen morning darkness and sleep disruption. Members questioned the strength of the scientific evidence and discussed school start times, geography, and whether Massachusetts should align with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and testimony continued on additional bills as the session progressed.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Mar 31, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- 113 and HR 106 supporting the Native 113 and HR 106 supporting the Native Hawaiian<00:17:56.720>
- This work is important because Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions
- Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being used,
- The working group for Native Hawaiian intellectual properties has been doing good work.
- The The working group for Native is.
Summary:
The committee began with resolutions HCR 93 and HR 85, which ask the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, in collaboration with the Department of the Attorney General, to form a working group and report on ways to strengthen protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The Attorney General’s office said it could support the effort as legal counsel to the commission but preferred not to be an active working-group member, and suggested the Legislative Reference Bureau could instead conduct a nationwide study for stakeholders. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the resolutions but urged broader scope to include prevention and intervention, expanded stakeholder membership, keeping the Attorney General involved, and adjusting the report deadline. Testimony in support also came from the Emoa Alliance, which emphasized the prevalence and harms of image-based abuse and the need for stronger protections. Members asked questions about current criminal and civil remedies, reporting barriers, and whether the commission could administer the effort without the Attorney General; no votes were taken on the resolutions during the excerpted discussion.
The committee then heard HCR 113 and HR 106, supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group’s request for more resources and a timeline extension to fiscal year 2026-2027. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, saying Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being commercialized and exploited without adequate protection, and that the working group needs more time, resources, and community consultation to complete its work. The committee noted six supporters and no opposition or comments.
The hearing also covered HCR 193 and HR 183, which would establish a court security and Department of Law Enforcement capacity working group to address staffing shortages and the use of private security at state courts. The Judiciary supported the intent, asked that the working group supplement rather than replace its budget request, and proposed allowing the chair to add members with relevant experience. In response to questions, Judiciary said it has requested $3.25 million for armed private security, which it said would cover about 18 contracted individuals, though with significant company overhead. The committee then moved through several bills: SB 2667, which restricts certain commercial vehicles and trailers from the far-left lane on multi-lane roads, received support from the Department of Transportation; SB 2851, which allows deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation for law enforcement access, drew testimony in support; SB 2521, which updates emergency vehicle rules and exempts EMS personnel from CDL requirements, received testimony from Honolulu Emergency Services; and SB 2466, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause, drew support from the League of Women Voters and opposition from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, who argued the change could reduce accountability and create election disruptions if litigation over termination occurs.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Jul 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Kim Stone of Stone Advocacy, on behalf of the American Lung Association, in very respectful opposition
- Yes, but we’re expecting the largest spike now that we will finally have native recycling industrial
- But up to this point, we have not had the native capacity in California to, at scale, do the recycling
- scale So. that we will finally have native recycling industrial scale, light industrial and load eye
- Um, but up to this point, we have not had the, the native capacity in California to at scale, do the
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 14, which would direct state agencies to reduce single-use plastics and improve waste diversion at state facilities by updating integrated waste management plans, increasing reusable foodware use, reducing paper purchasing, and requiring better employee education and recycling/composting practices. Supporters from the California Compost Coalition, Republic Services, Waste Management, and others said the bill would help build composting and recycling markets and let the state lead by example. Several groups that had opposed earlier versions said they were now neutral after amendments, including the removal of a 90% requirement. The bill was moved out on a due pass as amended recommendation.
The committee then took up SB 326 on wildfire mitigation. The bill would create a framework for Cal Fire to evaluate the risk-reduction benefits of fuels management and landscape resilience investments, and it would accelerate implementation of Zone Zero defensible-space standards, including grants for local enforcement and broader application to rental and sale properties and post-fire reconstruction. Support came from Stanford climate researcher Michael Mastrandrea and several local government, insurance, and climate groups. With no opposition, the bill passed as amended to Appropriations.
Next, SB 34 on port emissions and the South Coast Air Quality Management District drew extensive testimony. The author said the bill was narrowed by committee amendments to preserve the ports’ ability to reduce emissions while preventing cargo throughput caps and addressing concerns about automation, local control, and the timeline for port clean-air planning. Supporters included ILWU, business groups, and port-related stakeholders, while the South Coast AQMD and many environmental and community organizations opposed it, arguing it would weaken public-health protections and set a bad precedent. After lengthy debate, the committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended vote to Transportation, with some members voting no and others abstaining.
The committee also heard SB 279, which would expand composting options for farmers and small community composters by allowing limited on-farm composting after large biomass events and increasing the amount small operations may process and sell. Supporters said the bill would help address agricultural waste, expand composting capacity, and reduce landfill disposal. Commercial composting representatives opposed it, warning that the bill could create regulatory inequities, strand recent investments in permitted facilities, and allow too much unregulated food waste. Despite those concerns, the bill passed to Appropriations on a due pass vote. The transcript also briefly referenced SB 613 on upstream methane emissions data, described as having no opposition and intended to improve tracking of imported oil and gas emissions.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 051 Mar 6th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Often considered very difficult for non-natives to master.
- We also have some of our Native American and indigenous languages as well.
- <01:50:15.040>
American We also have some of our Native American We also have some of our - Native American and<01:50:15.679>
indigenous <01:50:16.320>languages <01:50:16.800>as - We have some of our Native American languages here in Colorado that are also unwritten.
Summary:
The House convened, established a quorum, and approved the journal from March 4, 2026. Members then made a series of announcements recognizing visiting groups, including emergency managers, community health centers, the Colorado Chamber Alliance, medical equipment providers, the League of Women Voters, and upcoming committee meetings and Denver Zoo Day. The chamber also moved several bills to special orders later in the day.
The House then took up third reading of several bills. House Bill 1026, expanding plan options for the Public Employees Retirement Association, passed 49-13. House Bill 102, concerning access to behavioral health providers and licensure for clinical social workers, passed 51-13. House Bill 1205, updating state law to reflect federal good neighbor authority agreements, passed 63-1. House Bill 1145, on water quality and mobile home parks, passed 42-12. House Bill 107, improving use of distributed energy resources, passed 48-16. House Bill 1127, requiring a report after fatal motor vehicle crashes, passed 42-22. House Bill 1277, continuing the kidney disease prevention and education task force, passed unanimously 64-0.
The chamber then considered House Bill 1081, which would require utilities to evaluate advanced transmission technologies to improve Colorado’s electric transmission system. Members debated amendments, including L007 and L004, both of which were adopted, while L006 was rejected. Supporters said the bill would help reduce costs, improve reliability, and better use existing infrastructure; opponents of L006 argued it would add unnecessary mandates and costs. After amendment, House Bill 1081 passed. The House also took up House Bill 1228, creating an additional pathway to licensure for marriage and family therapists, which passed unanimously. House Bill 1120, implementing mobile home taxation task force recommendations to protect mobile homeowners’ equity and align tax sale procedures with constitutional requirements, was then considered; the finance committee report was adopted, and debate continued on a proposed amendment as the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/18/26
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- five-year sample of the American five-year sample of the American community<01:53:32.960>
survey - But when we get to a Native American single mother, the long purple line at the bottom, it's multiple
- <02:02:59.040>
American <02:02:59.599>single when we get to a Native American single - when we get to a Native American single mother,<02:03:00.400>
the <02:03:00.560>long <02 - So it's just completely native mom.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- She was also a very patriotic person, always flying an American flag in front of her home, and no matter
- So during the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps cut down the young, regrowing native
- We'll also release that native mixed-species forest underneath that has the diversity that increases
- Many of these same experts believe New England needs 30% wildlands to protect native biodiversity.
- Experts believe New England needs 30% wildlands to protect native biodiversity.
Summary:
The hearing covered several environment and natural resources bills focused on natural and working lands, forest protection, municipal reforestation, trail accessibility, and a park naming bill. Representative Moschino and Senator Comerford described the natural and working lands bill as part of the state’s climate roadmap, arguing that protecting these lands supports carbon sequestration, resilience, biodiversity, and helps prevent development pressure on the least expensive land. Senator Comerford also testified on a separate bill to expand access to trails for people of all abilities, saying it would build on the administration’s Trails for All initiative and create a permanent advisory structure and trust fund. Representative Consolvo and family members testified in support of H. 4259 to name the tennis courts at Wether Park in Roslindale after Kim O’Connell, describing her long community service and activism.
A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 952 and H. 953, bills to protect watershed and state forest lands as parks or reserves. Supporters, including environmental advocates, scientists, and organizations such as Standing Trees, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and the Massachusetts Forest Alliance’s opponents, debated whether state forests and watershed lands should be permanently reserved from logging and other active management. Supporters said the bills would improve carbon storage, water quality, biodiversity, flood and drought resilience, and would protect large acreages of public land at no cost. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Forest Alliance, argued that sustainable forest management and a mix of reserves and managed forests are needed for climate, water quality, wildfire prevention, rural jobs, and carbon outcomes, and urged the committee to allow the administration’s existing reserve process to continue.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on the municipal reforestation bill, H. 1013/S. 553, which would create a statewide program, advisory council, and trust fund to support urban tree planting and maintenance. Municipal officials and advocates from Wellesley, Cambridge, Boston, the Mystic River watershed, and other communities said urban trees are critical for cooling, stormwater control, air quality, public health, and equity, especially in environmental justice neighborhoods with low canopy cover and high heat. Several witnesses emphasized that consistent funding is needed because trees take years to mature and many municipalities lack staff or watering capacity. Some witnesses asked that the bill be funded at $100 million and tied to the Mass Ready Act or environmental bond funding. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 28th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Today, I rise on behalf of the California Native American Legislative Caucus to urge an aye vote on ACR
- A lot of folks think it's a contemporary thing and it's an American thing. It's not.
- And recognizing that, and like the African-American community with the Jewish community, the Armenian
- in post-Holocaust Jewish-American culture, and will be receiving a certificate in Jewish Studies.
- Hite, David Scott, and Earl Evans, American soldiers who served during the Vietnam War.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 21 Mar 9th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Army during the Vietnam War as a sergeant first class with Company Courth, Battalion 3rd Infantry, American
- Jake is a junior from Perkins, president of the Native American Student section who wants to attend the
- They had some little Native American kids that their tribal identification was from Minnesota, and they'd
- I appreciate that, but here in Oklahoma, in Indian country, there are not enough Native Americans to
- adopt all the Native children, but when it comes to being white wanting to adopt tribal, it's very difficult
Bills:
HR1036, HB2975, HB3026, HB3297, HB2981, HB2978, HB4144, HB1322, HB1818, HB3194, HB3767, HB3342, HB3344, HB4170, HB3287, HB3288, HB4454, HB3264, HB3266, HB3268, HB4095, HB4115, HB4316, HB3530, HB3428, HB4272, HB4273, HB4274, HB3405, HB3406, HB3467, HB3469, HB3931
Keywords:
poultry waste, nutrient management, environmental regulations, agriculture, water quality, pollution prevention, best management practices, kindergarten, military families, education policy, school districts, international military dependents, age eligibility, towing services, Oklahoma Wrecker and Towing Services Fund, Department of Labor, vehicle storage fees, consumer protection, nonconsensual towing, open meetings
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Nov 7th, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I sit on the board of the Native American Rights Fund, and I'm a trial lawyer.
- In the communities that we represent, and I represent a lot of Native constituents, what we see is these
- You're affecting our Native American communities where there are IHS facilities all over our state.
- Those cases are harder to litigate for our veteran community and also for Native American community members
- So you got the—we talked yesterday about the English rule and the American rule.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 02/26/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Most importantly for this bill specifically, we know that our North American Indigenous people are at
- we know that our North American we know that our North American indigenous<01:37:58.880>
people - And there's a few things that I do want to say is that Native Americans only make 1% of the population
- <01:43:08.719>
Americans <01:43:09.199>only say is that um Native Americans only say - is that um Native Americans only make<01:43:09.679>
1% <01:43:10.080>of <01:43:10.239><
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- One of the stops along the way is getting into the the American Association of Universities.
- Prior to living in Florida, I was twice elected as a school board member in South Carolina as a native
- So there's a chapter that's about to be published in a small book by the American Enterprise Institute
- I'm also a 50 year resident of Pensacola and in a generation native Floridian.
- Many of our students are first generation college students that even first generation American, I think
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- That was a year of firsts: the first African-American, the first Native American, the first 19-year-old
- African-American, the first Native African-American, the first Native American,<06:41:05.120>
- , Irish, Native American, Latino, French, Italian, Greek, Haitian, Armenian, Japanese, Scandinavian,
- , African-Americans, African-Americans, Irish,<06:44:31.360>
Native <06:44:31.760>American, - <06:44:32.798>
Latino, <06:44:33.920>French, Irish, Native American, Latino, French
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- They've got a high level of education, and nearly 90% of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy
- We're specifically making sure we're directing DVS to spend a percentage of that funding on Native American
- it has statewide reach and that we're not excluding anything that DVS is spending money on for our Native
- American veterans as well.
- Speaker, I rise for a point of personal privilege, comments on the nativity of Benito Antonio Martínez
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, guest introductions, and several personal privilege remarks, including a proclamation recognizing March 10 as Cade’s Day in honor of Cade Keller and teen suicide prevention efforts. Members also welcomed guests from local governments, schools, and the medical community, and the chamber received routine committee and Senate messages.
The House then considered several bills in Committee of the Whole. HB 2946 and HB 4018 were amended and given do-pass recommendations, with HB 2946 receiving a floor amendment tied to housing cost concerns. On the main calendar, HB 2083, HB 2308, and HB 2388 were amended and advanced; HB 2389, dealing with energy and environmental review, drew debate over utility costs versus environmental oversight and was also advanced. The House retained HB 4030 and HCR 2052 on the calendar.
During third reading, the House passed HB 2047 on forcible entry and detainer, HB 2127 on special license plates, HB 2344 on local government investment pools, HB 2371 on dissolution of marriage, HB 2140 on state investment in gold and silver, HB 2429 on short-term rentals, HB 2434 on the prescription monitoring program, HB 2437 on emergency medical services, HB 2444 on pharmacy-based testing and treatment, HB 2573 on DUI-related treatment, HB 2601 on state highways and routes, HB 2620 on veterans’ services funding, HB 2781 on solar energy power plants, HB 2914 on long-term care cameras, HB 2968 on child custody evidence, HB 4043 on public schools, HB 4064 on municipal improvement districts, HB 4130 on local government budgets, and HCM 2016 renaming a stretch of US 191 as Chief Barbonsito Highway. HB 2123 on financial institutions failed on reconsideration, and HB 2726 on sleep apnea treatment devices failed. Several measures passed with notable split votes and floor explanations focused on housing, licensing, health care access, veterans, family court reform, and tribal sovereignty. The House then adjourned until Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 1:15 p.m.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Apr 2nd, 2025 at 09:00 am
Appropriations - Education and Environment Division
Transcript Highlights:
- Our student demographic count is 96% Native American and 4% white. In the St.
- Our student demographic count is 96% Native American and 4% white.
- Our school is about 95% Native American.
Summary:
The committee met to hear and discuss three education bills and related budget items. House Bill 1214 would revise K-12 transportation funding by replacing the current rider-based formula with a new formula tied more closely to district size, square mileage, building counts, and the weighted student payment. Sponsors and DPI said the change would better reflect actual transportation costs, hold districts harmless overall, and likely increase funding by about $4 million beyond current spending; they also said parent-provided transportation and open-enrollment mileage rules would remain largely unchanged. No opposition was heard, and the committee closed discussion without taking final action in the transcript.
The committee then reviewed House Bill 1013, the education appropriations bill, and walked through proposed adjustments to program and pass-through grants. The chair proposed keeping or reducing some items, eliminating others, and moving one-time items to the stabilization fund; examples included leaving free meals at $4.5 million for now, keeping the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, reducing some grant lines, and removing several new or one-time grants. DPI also explained that the student information system would remain a flow-through grant for this biennium but would move in-house after July 1, 2026. The committee also discussed adding an FTE for the School for the Blind and making a small equipment swap at the Center for Distance Education.
House Bill 1369 was discussed as the main school aid bill, including a proposed 2 percent and 2 percent per-pupil payment increase, higher construction bidding thresholds, elimination of the 12 percent cap, and a transfer of $75 million from Foundation Aid to the School Construction Revolving Loan Fund, with the chair suggesting $100 million instead. DPI explained that the bill also included a policy change returning placement decisions for students with disabilities in congregate care to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, with support from the governor’s office. The committee heard testimony from school officials seeking gap funding for Title I losses caused by a switch from free-and-reduced-lunch to census-based allocations, saying districts with many open-enrolled students could lose substantial funding and staff positions. Later, the governor’s office presented a proposed $1.5 million one-time appropriation to help schools buy secure storage for student cell phones if a statewide device policy is adopted; members raised concerns about cost, local control, and whether the money would be enough. The committee also heard student testimony and then recessed without voting on the amendment in the transcript.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/13/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- I am the executive director of my nonprofit, Natives in Minneapolis, which is North American Traditional
- Indigenous Food Systems, which is what Natives says the acronym for.
- >
American <01:29:51.199>traditional <01:29:51.760>indigenous is North American - traditional indigenous is North American traditional indigenous Food<01:29:52.560>
Systems <01: - Food Systems uh which is what natives Food Systems uh which is what natives say<01:29:54.480>