Transcript Highlights:

• or Animal Service contractors.
• </c><00:16:06.079><c> or</c> appropriate County Animal Services or appropriate County Animal Services
• </c> Animal Service contractors appropriates Animal Service contractors appropriates funds<00:16:08.600
• </c><00:21:40.000><c> and</c> members who need to seek services and members who need to seek services
• </c><01:13:17.080><c> however</c> by traveling the same direction however by traveling the same direction

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on February 6, 2025, and heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 667 would require DOT or county departments to scan deceased cats or dogs found on public roadways for microchips, record information, and report it to county animal services. DOT said it supported the bill, and the Hawaiʻi Humane Society and others strongly backed it, describing it as important for grieving pet owners. A private citizen also testified in support, saying the measure could help families learn what happened to missing pets. The chair noted there were nine supporters. The committee then heard HB 230 on sending a carbon copy of traffic citations to vehicle owners, followed by HB 77, which would make civil identification cards free to issue or renew. The Attorney General’s office said it had already submitted comments on HB 77, DOT opposed it, and a private citizen supported it as a way to reduce barriers to basic services. HB 668, which would make license suspension mandatory for operating a vehicle without insurance, drew opposition from the Office of the Public Defender and DOT. The Public Defender argued current law already allows suspension and that a mandatory rule would discourage people from obtaining insurance, increase court burdens, and disproportionately affect indigent drivers; the chair emphasized that driving is a privilege and raised concerns about uninsured driving in rural areas. The Public Defender also said it would look into whether state insurance options could help people who cannot get traditional coverage. The committee also took up HB 12, which would bar inspection certificates for mopeds or vehicles modified to increase NOx emissions. DOT offered comments, Citizens Against Noise supported it, and the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed it; the chair noted six additional supporters and ten opponents. HB 169 would raise the minimum age for moped operators from 15 to 16 and increase the helmet requirement age from 18 to 21; DOT supported it, while Moped Doctors, Moped’s Direct, and seven individuals opposed it. HB 220 would require moped operators to carry insurance under motorcycle/motor scooter insurance laws; DCCA offered comments, DOT supported it, and Moped Doctors and ten individuals opposed it. Finally, the committee heard HB 277, which would establish a statewide vehicle pursuit policy for law enforcement agencies. The Policing Project at NYU and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi supported the bill, citing national data on deaths and injuries from pursuits and arguing for a baseline limit on pursuits for minor offenses; the Hawaii Police Department and Maui Police Department opposed it. The committee also heard HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture. DOT supported it, while the Public Defender opposed it, arguing the bill was overly harsh, internally inconsistent, and likely to strain courts, law enforcement, and probation systems by turning a traffic offense into a felony with prison exposure and jury-trial rights. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Renee Ramirez has advanced surgical care through innovation, education, and service. Dr.
• René Ramirez has advanced surgical care through innovation, education, and service.
• to actually enact policies that this body has direct control over and direct responsibility for.
• AB 492 will require the Department of Health Care Services to notify local jurisdictions when a new license
• The demand for CPA services The demand for CPA services is greatly outpacing the number of new CPAs entering

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then held its Latino Spirit Awards ceremony. Members adopted House Resolution 16, proclaiming May 4–11, 2025 as Cinco de Mayo Week, after supportive remarks from several caucuses emphasizing Mexican history, women’s contributions, LGBTQ solidarity, Black and Brown unity, and AAPI and Jewish community support. The chamber then recognized 11 Latino Spirit honorees for achievements in human rights, business, arts, public service, community empowerment, health and science, environmental justice, philanthropy, and entertainment. After the ceremony, the Assembly returned to floor business and approved a series of measures. AB 60, banning synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products, passed 56–3. AJR 6, urging Congress to protect federal school meal and local food funding, drew extensive debate and broad bipartisan support; members cited child hunger, farm economies, and local food systems, and it passed 76–0 with 73 coauthors added. Other measures adopted included AB 679 on state park land acquisitions, AB 681 expanding Dream Loan Program caps for undocumented graduate students, AB 1224 on substitute teacher continuity, AB 831 on gaming technical changes, AB 259 extending Brown Act teleconferencing flexibility, AB 467 extending Los Angeles Neighborhood Council teleconferencing authority, and AB 519 targeting deceptive puppy mill sales. The chamber also passed AB 1522, an urgency Judiciary Committee bill protecting attorneys from politically motivated discipline and creating an expedited licensing path for some former federal attorneys, and AB 263, which extends temporary water flow requirements on the Shasta and Smith Rivers; that bill drew sharp disagreement over water rights, tribal participation, and impacts on farmers, but ultimately passed 51–16. Additional measures approved included AB 428 on pooled insurance for water corporations, AB 492 requiring notice to local jurisdictions when recovery treatment facilities are licensed, and AB 536 preserving colorectal cancer screening coverage. The Assembly also adopted a motion to suspend file notice so Appropriations could hear AB 379 on May 7.

Transcript Highlights:

• Social service workers who use their personal vehicles while caring for an individual with mental, physical
• We have over 1,800 clients that we provide services to and over 400 direct service professionals, DSPs
• So I respectfully urge all of you to please support this and help us support our direct service professionals
• who provide services to our most vulnerable citizens.
• Delia is a direct support professional who provides services to individuals in day programs and residential

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Insurance met as a subcommittee and heard several bills, with most focused on workers’ compensation, insurance access, and climate-related risk. AB 815 by Assembly Member Ortega would prevent social service workers who use personal vehicles to transport or assist clients from being misclassified as commercial or for-hire drivers under personal auto policies; supporters said the current practice leads to unaffordable premiums and denied claims, while no opposition testified. AB 1329, also by Ortega, would reform the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund to reduce litigation and administrative costs; supporters said it would lower employer assessments while preserving protections for hiring previously disabled workers, and opponents said they were working on amendments but raised concerns about fund costs and eligibility language. Both bills were approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar, which included AB 1125, AB 1293, and AB 1398, and later approved AB 1048 by Assembly Member Chen. AB 1048 would allow disputed unauthorized or silent-network medical payment reductions in workers’ compensation to be reviewed through the independent bill review process; supporters framed it as a transparency measure to address unexplained underpayments, while opponents argued the bill would improperly use IBR to resolve contract disputes and could conflict with existing arbitration provisions. Despite opposition, the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1236 by Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez was approved with broad support. The bill would create a Climate and Sustainability Insurance and Risk Reduction Grant Program at the Department of Insurance to fund pilot projects aimed at improving insurance availability, affordability, and resilience in communities facing wildfire, flooding, heat, and sea level rise. Supporters, including the Department of Insurance, described it as implementing recommendations from the state’s climate insurance report, and several committee members asked to be listed as coauthors. AB 1336 by Assembly Member Addis, the Farmworker Heat Illness Prevention Act, also passed after extensive debate; it would create a rebuttable presumption that a heat-related injury arose out of employment when an agricultural employer failed to comply with heat illness prevention standards. Supporters said it would incentivize compliance and protect farmworkers, while opponents argued it inappropriately used workers’ compensation to enforce safety rules and raised implementation concerns. All of the approved bills were reported out to the Committee on Appropriations, and the committee adjourned after recording final roll-call votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> receive special education services, receive special education services, making<00:13:28.800><c>
• </c> in fiscal year 26 using only direct in fiscal year 26 using only direct certification<00:22:06.080
• Food service fund.
• </c> time to nonprofit food service account. time to nonprofit food service account. um<01:06:29.200>
• I mean, uh, services cuts to that.

Bills: HF51 , HF1161 , HF2201 , HF2786 , HF1053

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that is exactly why I am asking that your comment urge that the legislature direct JLARC staff
• So let's Sold to eligible military veterans and active duty service members.
• But as the direct beneficiary, the veteran is considered the buyer.
• The qualified nonprofit provides supported living services or is an adult family home.
• The qualified nonprofit provides supported living services or is an adult family home serving adults

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me assist those who are in need by funding essential health and human service programs, among many
• They give us direction and guidance on how to implement this new program.
• They give us, you know, direction and guidance on how to implement this new program.
• We have been directed by our board to do that. We haven't specifically...
• We have been directed by our board to do that. We haven't specifically needed to do that.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Make us one of that company who finds in your service perfect freedom. Thank you.
• between the second and third columns in the side gallery, we have the honor of welcoming the school's service-to-service
• I couldn't care less. I don't want anybody to be harmed.
• Because we look at every expenditure and say, what services should we be doing and what services should
• I don't care if it was a billion dollars.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just set the page to get computer services. I don't know. Services.
• Looking forward, our vision is to provide quality and timely service through world-class customer care
• Together, these figures highlight a service model centered on access, accountability, and care, meeting
• to public service.
• And care speaks volumes about their commitment to public service.

Committees: House Commerce , House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• Bosch is one of the world’s leading providers of technologies and services and the largest automotive
• First, we have to be careful about where hydrogen is produced.
• So I know that everyone is working in that direction.
• So my question, the other issue that we care about deeply, is health, health and safety.
• So we're making a lot of investments in that direction as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are some good things that are being explored at the direction of the Legislature.
• Because one's a directive, one is to do something, and the other is please consider this.
• Because one's a directive, one is to do something, the other is please consider this. Mr.
• Be careful. Senior member superstar, okay, I'm going to go with it. I'm going to go with it.
• See, now we are moving fast because you gave us that direction.

Summary: The committee heard a series of housing and wildfire-recovery bills, with members repeatedly framing the package as a response to the Los Angeles fires and the state’s broader housing affordability crisis. AB 306, by Assembly Member Schultz, would place a six-year moratorium on new residential building-code updates and local code modifications except for health-and-safety emergencies. Supporters argued it would reduce costs and provide certainty for rebuilding and new housing production, while opponents from environmental, clean-energy, and labor groups warned it would freeze beneficial code improvements, delay innovation, and limit local control. Despite those concerns, several members said they would support the bill while seeking amendments, and the committee voted it out on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. The committee also approved AB 301, which would require state agencies to follow shot-clock style deadlines for reviewing building permits, and AB 253, which would allow licensed third-party professionals to conduct certain post-entitlement permit reviews if local departments take more than 30 days. Supporters said both bills would reduce delays, lower costs, and speed rebuilding and housing production; some members emphasized that safety reviews must remain intact. AB 301 passed on a due pass vote to Appropriations, and AB 253 passed 8-0 to Local Government. AB 462, by Assembly Member Lowenthal, would exempt accessory dwelling units in Los Angeles County’s coastal zone from coastal development permit requirements, with the goal of speeding ADU construction for disaster recovery and housing supply. Supporters said ADUs are a proven tool and that the bill would help displaced residents and future coastal disaster areas; one member of the public opposed the bill, arguing ADU proliferation can change neighborhood conditions. The committee sent AB 462 to Appropriations on an 8-0 vote. The final bill discussed, AB 299, would let disaster-displaced families stay in hotels, motels, and short-term rentals for more than 30 days without triggering landlord-tenant rules, mirroring an earlier homelessness-related law; the transcript ended as the author began presenting the bill and its support.

Transcript Highlights:

• service demands.
• Has the service ever partnered with, say, like a veteran service organization?
• Commission approved service changes for both the CAT Bus and our paratransit services.
• This is a local service.
• This is a local service.

Summary: The Government Finance Transportation Study Subcommittee met to review fixed-route transit systems and related funding needs. After approving the prior meeting minutes, the committee heard presentations from Cities Area Transit in Grand Forks/East Grand Forks, Bisman Transit in Bismarck-Mandan, and MATBUS/Fargo, along with comments from North Dakota Protection & Advocacy. The transit agencies described their routes, paratransit services, ridership trends, fare structures, fleet replacement needs, and rising operating costs, emphasizing that transit supports access to work, school, medical care, and other essential services. Testimony also noted that ridership fell during the pandemic and has been recovering, while vehicle and maintenance costs have risen sharply. Grand Forks transit reported 17 routes, a recent fare increase, and operating costs that exceed fare revenue, with paratransit service extending beyond the federal minimum service area. Bisman Transit outlined its fixed-route and paratransit operations, recent service expansions, local mill levies, sales tax support, and federal grant structure, and said it is seeking more stable funding and flexibility beyond paratransit-only support. Minot’s transit superintendent explained the state’s existing transit aid formula, the use of refurbished buses, and the challenges of driver recruitment and electric bus infrastructure. Fargo asked for additional state support for fixed-route urban transit. Committee members discussed whether ride-share services could replace transit, the cost per trip, local match requirements, and whether a separate state funding source should be recommended for the four urban fixed-route systems. The subcommittee ultimately approved a motion to have Legislative Council prepare a summary of its activities for inclusion in the full Government Finance Committee report, and members indicated they would seek more detailed funding figures from the transit agencies before making any specific recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as the Chief People Officer with the Human Resource Management Services Division of the Office
• Olson said that requirement had not been defined as direct versus indirect supervision.
• It's a length of service plan. It's what's referred to as a LOSAP.
• I'm a manager of addiction treatment with the Department of Health and Human Services.
• So the transparency issue is already taken care of, and there would be no need to report it.

Committee: Joint Administrative Rules Committee

Summary: The committee approved the March 12, 2026 minutes and granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rule changes tied to House Bill 1620/1622, which concern North Dakota’s entry into the physician assistant licensure compact. The Board said it is waiting on compact rules, especially fee structures, before finalizing its own rules. The committee then took up extensive Office of Management and Budget personnel rule revisions, covering salary administration, recruitment, leave policies, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR practices and implement recent legislation, including new hire leave and enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions; the committee raised concerns about the subjectivity and fairness of the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but no action was taken against the rules. The North Dakota Lottery presented emergency and regular rule changes, including updates tied to the Millionaire for Life game and miscellaneous clarifications. The Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology described rule updates that add speech-language pathology assistants to the rules, ease continuing education requirements for out-of-state applicants, expand temporary licensure, and clarify supervision standards. The State Electrical Board reviewed numerous code updates, including changes to electrical and fire alarm standards, receptacle labeling, countertop receptacles, and a major new conveyance/elevator inspection program added by the Legislature; the board said it is preparing to begin inspections by August 1. The Industrial Commission’s Geological Survey Division presented new rules implementing House Bill 1459 on critical minerals in coal-bearing formations, including permit, reporting, confidentiality, and royalty-related provisions. The committee asked about confidentiality of exploration data and drilling depth. The Public Employees Retirement System outlined rule changes implementing several bills affecting defined benefit, public safety, defined contribution, insurance, deferred compensation, and retiree health credit programs, and noted possible future proposals to add state EMS or create a LOSAP-style plan. The Department of Health and Human Services presented substance use disorder voucher rules implementing House Bill 1012, including allowing individuals to apply directly and setting reimbursement procedures; the rules were expected to have a $250,000 general fund impact already included in the budget. The longest discussion involved the Gaming Commission rules. Members questioned whether the commission had authority to raise poker tournament buy-ins from $300 to $1,500, viewing it as an expansion of gaming rather than a mere clarification. After debate, the committee voted to void that specific rule section for lack of statutory authority. The rest of the gaming rules covered higher raffle limits from House Bill 1192, the change from “bar” to “alcoholic beverage establishment,” veterans’ organization proceeds, credit ticket voucher kiosks, online raffles, and advertising restrictions; the presenter said several public comments led to revisions or withdrawals of proposed language. The meeting ended with discussion of upcoming Ethics Commission travel-reporting rules and scheduling the next committee meeting in September.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $200 million could have funded bookmobiles, social services, health care to the indigent.
• Amber King with Leading Age California, representing nonprofit providers of care services and housing
• They're keeping children out of foster care systems and reducing the strain on state-funded social services
• Grandparents caring for children in the foster care system, and informally, keep them outside of the
• foster care system.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several tax and revenue measures, beginning with SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment. The author and solar industry witnesses argued the bill would create a uniform statewide method, provide certainty for developers, and exclude tax credits and other intangibles from valuation; county assessors and several counties opposed it, saying it would reduce assessed value and depart from market-based appraisal. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1406 to close the “Montana tax loophole” used to avoid California vehicle taxes, with support from the California Teachers Association and no registered opposition; it passed 2-0 and was placed on call. SB 984, conforming California law to the federal tipped-income deduction, drew support from the restaurant industry, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and enrolled agents, and passed 3-0 to Appropriations, on call. Later, the committee considered wildfire- and energy-related tax credits. SB 1084 would create a fire-safe home tax credit for home hardening and defensible space improvements; supporters said it would reduce wildfire losses and insurance costs, and it passed 3-0 on call. SB 1118 would provide credits for backup generators and solar battery systems in high fire-threat areas; the author framed it as a resilience measure for households and small businesses, but members raised concerns about cost, diesel use, and whether the credit would reach lower-income households. The bill was moved 1-0 and placed on call, with the chair and other members noting unresolved budget and policy concerns. SB 1424, expanding a partial sales tax exemption to zero-emission vehicle refueling equipment, received support from hydrogen and electric transportation groups and passed 4-0 on call. The committee also advanced SB 1249, a senior tax deduction for taxpayers ages 86 to 90, with support from LeadingAge California and senior advocates; members noted it was narrowly targeted and passed 4-0 on call. SB 1113, conforming California tax law to the federal tonnage tax regime for U.S.-flag international shipping companies, drew support from maritime industry groups and opposition from ILWU over the fiscal impact; it passed 4-0 on call. SB 1137, the Medical Expense Deduction Act, would allow a targeted deduction for medical expenses for lower-income taxpayers; supporters said it would help families facing high out-of-pocket costs, and it passed 4-0 on call. Finally, SB 1415 would extend a partial welfare property tax exemption to mixed-income housing that includes moderate-income units; supporters said it would help finance “missing middle” housing, while assessors and housing stakeholders requested amendments and guardrails. The bill was also moved forward on a committee vote and placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the tribes call nuclear waste angry rocks, and, you know, they understand taking care of...
• ...angry rocks, and, you know, they understand taking care of Mother Earth means you...
• In New York, Governor Hochul last year directed NYPA to develop one gigawatt of advanced nuclear.
• And then there's the direct on-the-ground engagement in all the counties.
• And then it makes me wonder, who's really providing the direction, or where does this thing go?

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Affairs and Veteran Services. Affairs and Veteran Services.
• , support, and services.
• ><c> legal</c> medical care, mental health care, legal medical care, mental health care, legal support
• um care, support and services.<01:08:15.839><c> Um</c><01:08:16.319><c> that</c><01:08:16.640><c> fear
• And this could unintentionally discourage victims from coming forward and keep seeking the care and services

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Some are direct grants to teacher candidates, and some are district-level supports.
• Our research indicates that the program is due personnel services candidates.
• Most plan to stay beyond their service commitment.
• They take care of families. They take a sabbatical, any number of reasons.
• In other words, you need their service; you need to provide services.

Transcript Highlights:

• perform removal services for them. and perform removal services for them. and they<00:27:13.840><c> don't
• Uh those with the care of their own.
• > costs, miss child care payments, and costs, miss child care payments, and struggle<01:57:39.520><c>
• </c><03:02:43.359><c> and</c> person actually using the service and person actually using the service
• People say tire care. screen out. People say tire care.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a great service. It's mandated by the Constitution.
• rather than after 25 years of service or 15 years of credited service.
• And that is moving in a direction where we don't want to go backward.
• It's critical to ensure reliable service and public safety.
• , or provide any other related utility services.

Bills: SB1046 , SB1317 , SB1376 , SB1416 , SB1448 , SB1471 , SB1493 , SB1498 , SB1502 , SB1504 , SB1538 , SB1544 , SB1550 , SB1579 , SB1581 , SB1584 , SB1624 , SB1673

Committees: Senate Public Safety , Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Keywords: telecommunications, broadband, internet infrastructure, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, national security, foreign adversary, China, Chinese equipment, supply chain security, network equipment, microchips, Arizona Corporation Commission, telecommunications provider, communications infrastructure, Huawei, ZTE, state-owned enterprise, sanctions, infrastructure security

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm pretty lucky to be working for companies that care about people with disabilities.
• Do you think that there's maybe, you know, we're moving in a different direction.
• That other 60% went into other service areas.
• their service system.
• at the same time to supplement DrS services.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I have to tell you, what a fantastic job providing the best long-term care services to our veteran
• Either they don't have services, and they're in pain because it is so hard to take care of a loved one
• And every day we are moving people off and into services.
• We are in the customer service business, and it is our responsibility.
• Just wanted to say thank you all for your service.

Bills: S0460 , S0748 , S1180 , S1334

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Keywords: special elections, vacancy, Governor authority, election timeframe, judicial determination, voting rights, felony, sentencing, civil rights, criminal justice, rehabilitation, elections, voter registration, citizenship, provisional ballots, election fraud