Transcript Highlights:

• So the majority of the rules amendments mirror those that have been passed during previous special sessions
• The rules also limit bill introduction to one of two methods.
• The amendments also suspend various rules for the duration of the special session that conflict with
• the proposed special-session rules.
• That conflict with the proposed special-session rules.

Bills: HB1621 , HB1624 , HB1623 , HB1622 , HB1625 , HB1626 , HB1627 , HCR3038

Summary: The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the reading of communications from the Secretary of State and Governor Kelly Armstrong certifying the special session call. The governor’s executive order said the session was called to act on funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program so the state could accept and appropriate federal funds and avoid interruptions to government services. Three new members, Representatives McNally, Scraw, and Timmons, were sworn in, and the roll showed 91 members present, establishing a quorum. The main business was a Rules Committee report outlining temporary special-session rules. The changes were designed to speed up floor action, including allowing second reading the same day a bill is reported from committee, final passage one day after first reading, and immediate transmission to the other chamber unless reconsideration is noticed. The report also replaced the regular standing committee structure with two joint committees: Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy, allowed remote testimony and remote member participation with approval, and limited bill introduction to Legislative Management-approved bills or bills approved by a two-thirds vote. Several deadline changes for resolutions and bill filing were also described, with some provisions delayed until the special session ends. The House adopted the Rules Committee report after a motion by Representative Bosch and no opposition. During announcements, the clerk listed the membership of the Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy committees, and the Highway Patrol announced safety sessions for legislators in the Rough Rider Room at 11 a.m. that day and the next day. The House then recessed until the joint session scheduled for 10 a.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, pursuant to Senate Rule 7.12a, the printing rule, I move that the Senate order the following
• So it was legal for somebody yesterday to raise money during a special session. raise money in a special
• special sessions.
• be correct for the special sessions.
• Okay, that would be a suggestion in the rule.

Bills: SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 10 , SB 16 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB 19 , SB 54 , HB23 , HB17 , HB16 , SB19 , SB53 , SB54 , HB16 , HB17 , HB23 , HB27 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB2 , SB3 , SB10 , SB16 , SB5

Transcript Highlights:

• Rule F is the rule for continuous glucose monitors.
• This rule is reviewed.
• This rule is another new rule.
• The next rules are the rules pertaining to lead-based paint activities.
• The next rules are the rules pertaining to Radiologic Technology Licensing.

Summary: The committee reviewed a series of Arkansas DHS and Department of Health rules, most tied to 2025 legislation. Early items covered Medicaid changes including presumptive eligibility application timing, adding a fictive kin definition for foster child eligibility, raising the able account disability onset age to 46, allowing continuous glucose monitors to be billed by both pharmacy and DME providers, increasing the RSV vaccine administration fee for children, a telemedicine exemption for ET3 ambulance services, and a physical therapy access rule that also included occupational therapy. Members generally asked limited questions and most rules were reviewed without objection. A major portion of the meeting focused on the dental rate increase rule under Act 1025. DHS said it implemented rate increases for certain pediatric, special-needs, and oral surgeon services, but not orthodontics, and it interpreted the act as applying only to oral and maxillofacial surgeons, not general dentists. The Arkansas State Dental Association and legislative sponsors testified that the intent was to cover general dentists performing oral surgery procedures for special-needs patients, estimating the broader interpretation would add about $1.5 million annually. Committee members debated the plain language of the act versus legislative intent, and the rule was reviewed, but with testimony noting the issue should be fixed in future legislation. Later items included the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies rule adding doula and lactation consultant billing and remote monitoring benefits; an adverse decisions rule extending provider appeal time from 35 to 65 days; CNA training program updates; PASSE network-status disclosure rules; certification rules for community-based doulas and community health workers; cosmetology, massage therapy, lead-based paint, radiation, radiologic technology, and RV park rule updates. Most of these were described as technical, statutory, or federally driven changes and were reviewed without objection. The committee briefly reopened the CGM rule after a motion to expunge the prior vote, and Representative Wardlaw said he would hold the rule for further review because he believed the billing changes did not match the law’s intent. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a minority rule, and the U.S.
• </c> that David gotfried will win the special that David gotfried will win the special election<00:10
• the special challenge Bob Barrett the special election<00:10:34.320><c> did</c><00:10:34.480><c> not
• </c><00:12:49.399><c> election</c> start and when the special election start and when the special election
• The time for a special session has expired.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not including special ed. Special ed students, you add another 31,000.
• </c><00:28:13.039><c> Special</c><00:28:13.360><c> ed</c> including special ed.
• Special ed including special ed.
• </c> Special ed student is about $50,000. Special ed student is about $50,000.
• see from the Supreme Court ruling can see from the Supreme Court ruling ruling<01:31:43.280><c> in</c

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> never know whether or not a special never know whether or not a special education<00:28:01.000><
• </c> especially when it comes to special especially when it comes to special education,<00:40:16.240>
• . rules. rules.
• </c> than say special education. than say special education.
• the rules, not the agency.

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 751 reviewed amendment 2026-1904H page by page, focusing on open enrollment rules, capacity definitions, statewide enrollment limits, denial criteria, transportation, and funding. Members discussed clarifying that districts may set capacity at zero if they truly have no room, creating a statewide enrollment cap of 500 that can increase by 25% if it reaches 90% utilization, and exempting seats already used by open enrollment students before October 1, 2026. They also discussed how the Department of Education would allocate seats through rulemaking, while local districts would still set capacity, with grandfathered seats preserved where districts already allow open enrollment. A substantial portion of the meeting centered on when districts may deny open enrollment applications. The amendment would allow denials for reasons such as chronic absenteeism or disciplinary history, while requiring districts to consider whether those issues are tied to disability, McKinney-Vento status, foster care, or bullying. Members emphasized that such factors are to be considered, not used as the sole basis for rejection, and noted that the bill separately prohibits receiving schools from accepting or rejecting applicants based on pupil needs, special education needs, disability, aptitude, or athletic achievement. There was also discussion of whether interdistrict transfers should count toward open enrollment capacity, with a suggestion that a carve-out may be needed. The committee also reviewed provisions on program-specific capacity, continuous enrollment, and transportation. It was explained that capacity can apply to a school, grade, program, or class, including CTE programs, and that students may be denied if a specific program is full or if they do not meet prerequisites. The group clarified that open enrollment pupils would maintain continuous enrollment without reapplying, though there was concern about how that would work if district capacity changes over time. Transportation would generally be the parent’s responsibility unless required by an IEP or 504 plan, though students may use an existing bus route if seats are available and the receiving district allows it. On funding, the committee noted that the amendment changes the earlier HB 751 approach and instead ties open enrollment funding to base adequacy, differentiated aid, and an additional grant modeled on charter school funding, with dates removed at the department’s request. Members also raised concerns about how open enrollment would interact with existing tuition agreements and whether districts could use the new pathway to alter or pressure those arrangements. Department staff said districts would still be required to maintain a school of record and provide an adequate education free of charge outside the open enrollment program, and that if open enrollment enrollment became unusually large relative to district adequacy enrollment, the issue could be brought to the state board. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• President's reference: Rules.
• President's reference: Rules.
• Madam Rules Chair, you are recognized for motions? Ms.
• President, I move the rules be waived in SB 8D, be placed on the special order calendar for Wednesday
• I further move the rules be waived to establish the special order calendar for the remainder of the special

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then administered the oath of office to newly elected Senator Brian Nathan of District 14, with his family present. The chamber also read the governor’s amended special session proclamation, which expanded the call to include legislation on congressional redistricting and related litigation, artificial intelligence protections including an AI Bill of Rights and related public records exemptions, and medical freedom. The secretary then read the bills filed within the call: SB 2D (Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights), SB 4D (public records), SB 60 (medical freedom), and SB 8D (congressional districts).

Transcript Highlights:

• This home rule petition also includes important safeguards by requiring the City Council This home rule
• Town meeting rules were followed and the vote clearly passed.
• During special town meeting, the moderator allowed for comments for and against During the special town
• I then signed petitions for this special town meeting.
• I then signed petitions for this special town meeting.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Summary: The committee held a hearing on several late-file local bills, with testimony focused mainly on municipal governance and election-related home rule petitions. Representative Silver supported H.5556 for a Fall River polling place change, saying the locations were reviewed by the Secretary of State’s office and supported locally to improve accessibility, especially for voters with disabilities. Testimony also supported H.5539 for Danvers recall elections and S.3118/H.5542 concerning the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District, where witnesses said a candidate was improperly left off the ballot due to an administrative error and should be allowed to fill the full three-year term. Most of the hearing centered on H.5521, Sudbury’s recall-election petition. Supporters argued the measure was lawfully adopted at a heavily attended special town meeting, reflected local self-government, and provided an accountability tool for elected officials. They emphasized that recall provisions are common in Massachusetts and said the bill’s safeguards, including signature thresholds and election procedures, were reasonable. Several Sudbury residents and former officials described the meeting as well-publicized and broadly participatory, and urged the committee to respect the town vote. Opponents, including the Sudbury League of Women Voters, former officials, and residents, argued the bill was rushed, lacked public review, and should go through a fuller charter process. They objected to the absence of stated grounds for recall, the low 10% signature threshold, the short three-month waiting period, and the simultaneous successor-election feature. One witness asked that the bill be sent for further study rather than approved as written. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed by inviting written testimony and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we sometimes get um a um a bill special we sometimes get um a um a bill special legislation<00:41
• </c><00:45:19.920><c> a</c> come and talk to us put in a special a come and talk to us put in a special
• rule.
• to 10 years, but the six-year rule in that instance would become the 11-year rule in that all increment
• </c> forgets why it's there what the rules forgets why it's there what the rules are<01:05:52.119><c>

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh whole notion of getting the rules uh whole notion of getting the rules done<00:17:59.760><c>
• </c> issues and um the the the whole uh rule issues and um the the the whole uh rule uh<00:18:37.360>
• </c> the incharge auditor for the special the incharge auditor for the special education<00:54:25.280
• </c> audit when it comes to special audit when it comes to special education,<00:55:16.559><c> both</
• Why is one school's special on.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the March 6, 2026 meeting and then received updates from the Legislative Budget Assistant audit staff on several ongoing audits. Christine Young reported that the special education audit was in report-writing stage with 39 of 80 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter, the education freedom accounts audit had 27 of 42 observations completed with a draft also expected in the second quarter, and the Doorway program audit had a draft report with 15 observations sent to DHHS on March 30, with responses due April 24 and presentation expected at the May fiscal committee meeting. Members asked about the size of the special education report, and staff estimated it would be over 800 pages and roughly three pounds. The committee then reviewed prior audit responsiveness from the Human Rights Commission. The commission reported that 22 observations had been completed, with remaining issues focused on timely case processing, a formal risk assessment, and a performance measurement system. Officials said staffing shortages were improving, a risk assessment manual had been drafted, a scorecard system was nearly complete, and the commission’s rules were moving through the public hearing process. Members asked about the timeline, and the commission said case processing was averaging 20 to 22 months and that the remaining items were expected to be resolved over time. Police Standards and Training also reported progress on prior audit items. The director corrected one status designation and said the job task analysis for curriculum development was substantially resolved, with findings and recommendations being prepared for the council. He said work on fitness testing was on hold pending legislative action, the performance measurement and strategic planning item remained a priority, and the council was focusing first on updating administrative rules. He also said the corrections advisory committee likely needed a statutory amendment to better reflect members with practical corrections experience. In response to questions, he said the council does not certify county correctional officers but reviews county curriculum annually, and he said the agency would be open to discussing consolidation or a pathway for county officers to become state-certified. The Department of Corrections then updated the committee on parole board-related audit items, saying 11 of 13 DOC-related findings were resolved. The remaining issues involved implementing a structured decision-making process for the parole board and improving data collection for recidivism tracking; the board had applied to the National Institute of Corrections for training, and manual data collection was underway. DOC also said it had created a HIPAA-compliant release form to share substance use disorder treatment information with the parole board. Finally, OPLC reported on the mental health workforce audit, saying six findings were fully resolved and six substantially resolved, with most remaining items tied to rulemaking and application processing. The office expects to complete its backend system migration and improve timeliness metrics by the end of the year, and it recently launched a jurisprudence exam for the mental health board. Under potential audit topics, staff said two items remained suspended because of litigation, and the committee discussed whether to keep DHHS contract management on the list. Representative [name unclear] proposed adding two new education freedom account audit topics: verification of residency and eligibility, and a record of educational attainment while preserving student privacy. Members supported adding them, but staff warned the expanded scope could delay the report and would require coordination with the Department of Education and approval by the Fiscal Committee. The chair said staff would work with the commissioner and LBA to draft the revised scope for further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• President's reference: Rules.
• President's reference: Rules.
• President's reference: Rules.
• Madam President, I move the rules be waived in SB 8D, be placed on the special order calendar for Wednesday
• I further move the rules be waived to establish the special order calendar for the remainder of the special

Summary: The Florida Senate convened in special session with an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then administered the oath of office to newly elected Senator Brian Nathan of District 14, who was welcomed by the chamber. The Secretary read the governor’s amended special-session proclamation, which expanded the call beyond congressional redistricting and related litigation funding to include legislation on artificial intelligence protections, an AI Bill of Rights, public records exemptions tied to AI investigations, and medical freedom/vaccine-related issues. The Senate then took up SB 2D, the Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights, and SB 4D, the related public records bill. Supporters said the AI bill was a first step to protect children, parents, privacy, and Floridians from deceptive or harmful AI practices, while opponents argued it was too weak, overly permissive, and could create a false sense of protection without meaningful remedies. Senators also raised concerns about balancing child safety with innovation and school technology use. SB 2D passed 37-1. SB 4D, described as the public records exemption accompanying the AI bill, passed 33-4 after brief discussion about which investigative files would be exempt while Department of Legal Affairs investigations are pending. The Rules Chair announced a committee meeting later that day, said SB 6D on medical freedom would be temporarily postponed in Rules, and the chamber set SB 8D on congressional districts for special order on Wednesday, April 29. The Senate then adjourned until 10 a.m. on April 29.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rule F is the rule for continuous glucose monitors.
• This rule is reviewed.
• This rule is another... ” “Item P? Yes, ma’am. This rule is another new rule.
• “These rules are the rules for massage therapy in Arkansas.
• The next rules are the rules pertaining to lead-based paint activities.

Summary: The committee reviewed a series of Arkansas Medicaid and Department of Health rules, many implementing 2025 acts. Early items covered presumptive eligibility and Medicaid policy updates, including adding a definition of fictive kin for foster children and changing the disability onset age for ABLE accounts from 26 to 46. Another rule clarified that continuous glucose monitors may be billed by both pharmacies and durable medical equipment providers, with committee members questioning prior authorization timing, system lag, and a fiscal impact estimate of about $3 million over two years; the rule was reviewed, but members requested additional cost breakdowns. Other Medicaid-related rules addressed an RSV vaccine administration fee increase, an ET3 telemedicine exemption for ambulance treat-triage-transport services, a dental rate increase under Act 1025, expanded physical therapy access, and the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies package covering doulas, lactation consultants, remote monitoring, and expanded prenatal testing. Most were reviewed without objection after brief discussion or no questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• President's reference: Rules.
• President's reference: Rules.
• President's reference: Rules.
• Madam President, I move the rules be waived in SB 8D, be placed on the special order calendar for Wednesday
• I further move the rules be waived to establish the special order calendar for the remainder of the special

Transcript Highlights:

• President's reference: Rules.
• President's reference: Rules.
• President's reference: Rules.
• Madam President, I move the rules be waived in SB 8D, be placed on the special order calendar for Wednesday
• I further move the rules be waived to establish the special order calendar for the remainder of the special

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then administered the oath of office to newly elected Senator Brian Nathan of District 14, with his family present. The chamber also read the Governor’s amended special session proclamation, which expanded the call to include legislation on artificial intelligence protections, an AI Bill of Rights, related public-records exemptions, and medical freedom, in addition to congressional redistricting and related litigation funding. The Senate took up SB 2D, the Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights, and SB 4D, the accompanying public records bill. Supporters said the AI measure was intended to protect children and consumers from deceptive or harmful AI practices, preserve privacy, and prevent unauthorized commercial use of personal images. Opponents argued the bill was too permissive, especially regarding parental opt-out provisions, and did not provide meaningful protections or remedies. After debate, SB 2D passed 37-1. The Senate then considered SB 4D, which creates public-records exemptions tied to investigations under the AI bill. Questions focused on who would be exempted, and the sponsor explained the exemption would apply to investigative files handled by the Department of Legal Affairs involving minors, parents, and name-image-likeness issues. SB 4D passed 33-4. The Rules Chair announced committee and scheduling updates, including postponing the medical freedom bill, and the Senate adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We one who can call a special session.
• Normal special sessions special session.
• </c> there was a need for a special session. there was a need for a special session.
• </c> guys's understanding that a special guys's understanding that a special session<00:08:38.719><c>
• </c><00:10:05.680><c> special</c> call us back into a special special call us back into a special special

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> appeal a court ruling. appeal a court ruling.
• </c> a court ruling. a court ruling.
• </c> the Louisiana's ruling. the Louisiana's ruling.
• have a special session to redraw lines or accept a 2023 map that the Supreme Court themselves ruled
• </c> called a special session. called a special session.

Bills: SB1

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• President's reference: Rules.
• President's reference: Rules.
• President's reference: Rules.
• Madam President, I move the rules be waived in SB 8D, be placed on the special order calendar for Wednesday
• I further move the rules be waived to establish the special order calendar for the remainder of the special

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then administered the oath of office to newly elected Senator Brian Nathan of District 14, who was welcomed by the chamber. The Secretary read the governor’s amended special session proclamation, which expanded the call to include legislation on artificial intelligence protections, an AI Bill of Rights, related public records exemptions, and medical freedom, in addition to congressional redistricting and related litigation funding. The chamber then read the bills filed within the call: SB 2D (Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights), SB 4D (public records), SB 60 (medical freedom), and SB 8D (congressional districts). The Rules Chair moved SB 2D and SB 4D forward, and the Senate took up SB 2D first. On SB 2D, the sponsor said the bill was intended to protect parents and children from deceptive AI practices, safeguard personal information and image rights, and ensure technology serves rather than deceives Floridians. Senator Grall opposed the bill, arguing it weakened protections and gave parents a false sense of security, while Senator Busillo supported it as a necessary but imperfect first step that should be implemented carefully. After debate, the Senate passed SB 2D by a vote of 37 yeas and 1 nay. The Senate then passed SB 4D, the companion public records exemption bill, after brief discussion about which investigative files would be exempt during enforcement proceedings; the vote was 33 yeas and 4 nays. The Rules Chair announced committee scheduling, noted SB 60 (medical freedom) would be temporarily postponed in Rules, and the Senate also set SB 8D for special order on Wednesday, April 29. The chamber adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> associated with special education. associated with special education.
• </c> their rule 24.07 07.1. their rule 24.07 07.1.
• </c> that state to provide special education. that state to provide special education.
• </c> busy doing special education right now. busy doing special education right now.
• are being made to exceed the rules are being made to exceed the special<01:29:03.280><c> education</

Summary: The commission held an organizational meeting under SB 57 to study the cost of special education, with the meeting streamed publicly at the chair’s request. Members introduced themselves, and the chair explained that the bill creates two separate pieces, one dealing with SAU structure and the other with a commission on special education costing. He outlined his background in education and special education and said the commission’s work would focus on understanding and controlling special education costs. The commission reviewed its membership requirements and noted several vacancies or unfilled appointments, including the special education advocate, two governor-appointed parent advocates, and a Department of Health and Human Services representative. The members then elected Representative Rick Ladd as chair, Representative Dick Ames as vice chair, and Representative Megan Murray as clerk. Representative Ames briefly described his legal and policy background in disability and special education work in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The chair then walked through the commission’s study topics, including referral rates by IDEA category, reasons for increases in categories such as autism and other health impairment, post-COVID referral trends, pre-referral interventions, Medicaid and 504-related costs, out-of-district placements, dispute resolution, billing practices, privacy, reimbursement, legal services, graduation rates, attendance, and adult learning. Members discussed how special education costs are distributed, noting that the state spends about $977 million annually on special education, with only part covered by state aid and the remainder largely borne by local districts. Testimony also noted that out-of-district placement costs have risen sharply since rate-setting changes around 2018, and that some categories may reflect changes in identification practices, medical factors, or broader population shifts. The commission agreed to continue reviewing the data and formulas in future meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> this authority to create a specialized this authority to create a specialized family<00:19:18.000
• expertise</c><00:20:52.559><c> of</c> undermine the specialized expertise of undermine the specialized
• </c> term, the speaker established a special term, the speaker established a special committee<00:21:
• </c> enhance access to its specialized enhance access to its specialized services. services. services
• One of the biggies, okay, is, uh, I believe it's Rule 1B, you know, we can just trash the rules anytime

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 518 and House Bill 652FN, both related to the family court system and child/family matters. HB 518 drew extended discussion about DCYF/DCYF’s role and whether the bill should be retained, amended, or studied further. Representative Love argued the agency is deeply troubled, citing abuse cases, lack of training, and fear among constituents, and said he would vote against ITL while preferring interim study so the bill could still be used as a future amendment vehicle. Other members emphasized that the family division has ongoing reform work underway and that abolishing or moving cases to superior court would not solve the underlying problems. On HB 652FN, the subcommittee chair and Representative Pearson gave a detailed defense of the family division, explaining its history, statewide structure, caseload, and the rationale for specialized family courts. Pearson said the bill would reverse progress by shifting jurisdiction back to superior court, overload dockets, and deprive families of judges with specialized expertise. He pointed to reforms already underway, including simplified forms, more mediation, and review of possible judicial bias patterns. Several members and public comments supported keeping the bill as a tool for reform rather than killing it, while critics argued the family court system suffers from due process, oversight, and rule-of-law problems. The committee also heard broader testimony on family court concerns, including allegations of systemic bias, discovery limits, unsworn witnesses, and lack of oversight, as well as support for mediation as a less adversarial and more effective option. Some members said the judiciary needs more judges and mediators, but that budget constraints limit those improvements. The discussion ended with no final vote recorded in the excerpt; instead, members continued debating whether the bills should be ITL’d or retained for interim study and further reform work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Rule 8.02 requires that resolutions amending the Senate rules be referred to a committee.
• In a special session in mid-decade? I personally have not.
• So, would not the next step be to rule on that motion?
• And you've mentioned that these are pretty much the same rules.
• I'm sorry, I'm having a little trouble with the rules.

Bills: SR5 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SR5