Transcript Highlights:

• 12, they add the non-statewide political parties to the list of who’s involved with disclosure statements
• If you look on page 13, line 28, you'll see within 48 hours is the supplemental statement.
• And who is required to file a statement, and we're still leaving the $5,000 as current law, that you
• And then on page 27, this is where you can make an amendment to a statement if it's incorrect or incomplete
• This is where you can make an amendment to a statement if it's incorrect or incomplete.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2156, a campaign finance and reporting bill tied to the Secretary of State’s new software system. Members and staff walked through the bill section by section, explaining that much of the text is existing law being reorganized into a new chapter, with technical updates to make reporting easier and more consistent in the new electronic “checkbook” format. The bill also adds or clarifies several categories and definitions, including political donations and volunteer appreciation, and changes the reporting threshold from $200 to $250 to align with a separate inflation-adjustment bill. Other discussed changes included using the deposit date as the contribution receipt date, removing contributor addresses from public disclosure, adding non-statewide political parties to disclosure requirements, and adding political committees to the foreign-national contribution prohibition. The Secretary of State’s office testified that the new software is being developed with a vendor already used in other states, and that it will automatically track contributions, expenditures, balances, deadlines, and reminders, while preserving current public/nonpublic disclosure rules. Members asked about public access, enforcement, maintenance costs, training, and whether the system would allow both checkbook-style entry and aggregation; staff said both options would be available and that the system would flag discrepancies and carry amendments forward through later reports. The committee also discussed late-filing and amendment fees, keeping some existing deadlines such as the 48-hour supplemental statement, and making late fees more visible to the public. The committee adopted the proposed amendments by voice vote and then passed the bill as amended on a 13-0 roll call vote. Members expressed appreciation for the work of the bill sponsor and the Secretary of State’s office, and the chair indicated the bill would likely go to caucus and then the floor before moving to conference with the Senate if needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it shields from public records the applications to be a public foster family and character statements
• Tant: statement at my home with my son's name on it.
• I set it aside because I did not know it was a statement because I didn't open it Rep.
• I opened the statement Rep.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will await an author or a representative or a statement or author or a representative or a statement
• They're truly very often statements of our values.
• That is a true statement of the values, really, of our region and what it means.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism heard SB 456 by Senator Ashby, the Community Beautification Act, which would create an exemption allowing muralists to do commissioned mural work without obtaining a contractor’s license. The author and supporters said the bill would clarify existing law, preserve public art and placemaking projects, and still leave in place applicable safety, permitting, and contract requirements. Support testimony came from the City of Sacramento’s arts manager and muralist Jaya King, who described mural projects as fine art and community engagement rather than construction, and from numerous local governments and arts organizations, including the League of California Cities, Los Angeles County, Sacramento, Stockton, Glendale, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Riverside, Escondido, and the California Travel Association. Opposition centered on concerns that the exemption could weaken consumer protections in contractor licensing law. One member of the public argued that mural projects can involve construction-related work such as surface preparation and installation, and that licensing requirements, down payments, insurance, and background checks protect consumers and should not be bypassed. A representative of the State Building and Construction Trades also expressed concerns but said the author’s office had been engaged and a follow-up meeting was scheduled. Several committee members spoke in favor, saying murals are clearly public art and an important part of neighborhood identity and local culture. The chair and other members described the bill as a common-sense clarification that would reduce barriers for artists and cities seeking to permit mural projects. The committee then voted 9-0 to pass SB 456 and re-refer it to the Business and Professions Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will assign the floor statement to Senator Stone. The AB 160 unanimously passes.
• I will assign the floor statement to Senator Stone. Okay, so that ends our work session for 160.
• didn't want in statute certain criteria, knowing that different companies have different mission statements
• I will assign the floor statement to Senator Cruz-Crawford. So that is our business for right now.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But if you actually look at the contradictory statement, it isn't in fact contradictory.
• But if you actually look at the contradictory statement, it isn't in fact contradictory.
• But if you actually look at the contradictory statement, it isn't in fact contradictory.
• But if you actually look at the contradictory statement, it isn't in fact contradictory.
• together, publishing a statement together, publishing a statement together<03:17:54.319> where

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you agree with that statement? >> Representative Miner. >> Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Do you agree with that statement? >> Can you restate?
• Do you agree with that statement? >> Specific insects that attack specific plant species.
• Do do you agree<01:21:46.560> with<01:21:46.719> that<01:21:46.880> statement?
• And my statements are based on Cornell's conclusions.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Districts will still provide notices, individualized tax calculators, truth-in-taxation statements.
• Districts will still provide notices, individualized tax calculators, truth-in-taxation statements.
• Districts will still provide notices, individualized tax calculators, truth-in-taxation statements.
• statement: to promote public confidence in state government decision-making.
• statement: to promote public confidence in state government decision-making.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• then we will have a very clear statement then we will have a very clear statement to<01:07:38.240
• you know a statement of work that<01:13:18.679> comes<01:13:18.920> in<01:13:19.199>
• Would you like to readdress that statement?
• I I would I stand by the statement I I would I stand by the statement<01:32:05.760> which<01:
• Would that be a fair statement?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee held a hearing on House Bill 619, which would appropriate $1 million to the Solid Waste Management Fund for matching grants to municipalities and businesses for waste diversion projects, with 50% of the money prioritized for food waste diversion. Representative Karen Ebel, the sponsor, said the fund would help New Hampshire meet its solid waste diversion goals, preserve landfill capacity, and support composting, recycling, and related local business activity. She cited New London’s composting program as an example, saying 172 families participated and 32 tons of food waste were diverted in 2024, reducing tipping and trucking costs. Committee members asked about possible alternative funding sources, including a surcharge on landfill tipping fees. Ebel said many other states use such surcharges to fund recycling and solid waste programs, while New Hampshire relies on general funds. She also said the current fund balance was about $900,000 because some money had been used for staffing, and that the grant program was still in rulemaking. Questions also focused on how household composting works and whether municipalities could generate revenue from compost; Ebel said participation is optional, most programs use buckets and transfer stations, and the main benefit is cost savings from reduced disposal rather than compost sales. Testimony in support came from the New Hampshire Municipal Association and the Northeast Resource Recovery Association. Both said municipalities are interested in food waste diversion and composting, that these programs can reduce long-term disposal costs and property tax pressure, and that there is growing demand for technical assistance and grant support. The Northeast Resource Recovery Association said food waste makes up about 24% of municipal and business waste, that fewer than two dozen communities and fewer than two dozen businesses currently offer such services, and that a City of Lebanon pilot program saw about 30% savings by composting on site. The Department of Environmental Services said it was not taking a position but is working on rulemaking for the grant program and expects strong interest from municipalities, private composters, farmers, and anaerobic digester operators. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:00.480> and state's fin financial statements and state's fin financial statements and
• I do have a prepared statement, or I’m happy to just answer questions, however the Chair prefers.
• How long is your prepared statement? I guess maybe two minutes. Yeah, go ahead with that.
• statements statements too<01:31:40.400> uh<01:31:40.600> so<01:31:40.880> thank
• As legislative auditor, I don't put out a special statement. We don't hold press conferences.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate File 563, a bill to change the board makeup of the Northern Koochiching Area Sanitary District. Senator Hild said the proposal had been heard the previous year and had broad support from local officials and stakeholders. Cali Briggs, the district’s executive director, explained that the board structure no longer reflected current populations and sewer service patterns: International Falls now holds six of eight seats after earlier consolidations, while East Koochiching has grown through sewer expansions and should receive additional representation. The bill would reduce the board to seven members, with International Falls having three seats, East Koochiching two, Rainier one, and one at-large member chosen by the board. The committee raised no substantive objections, and Senator Gustafson moved the bill to pass and go to general orders; the motion prevailed. Members then briefly joked about the topic and moved on to an overview from the Office of the Legislative Auditor. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall described the office as a nonpartisan legislative branch agency serving both chambers, with a mission of strengthening oversight, promoting accountability, and producing objective, useful reports. She outlined the office’s structure, including financial audits, program evaluations, and a growing special reviews unit, and explained the Legislative Audit Commission’s role in appointing the auditor and selecting program evaluation topics. Randall also emphasized the office’s broad access to records and data, its independence, and its responsibility to protect nonpublic information. Randall answered questions about the office’s authority over entities such as the University of Minnesota, explaining that OLA has audit authority there but often relies on the university’s internal audit function and can also conduct special reviews and program evaluations. She noted that public employees are required to cooperate and that subpoenas are available if needed, though the office prefers to maintain cooperative relationships. Special Reviews Director Katherine Tyson then described how her unit handles complaints and allegations involving misuse of public funds, data, or noncompliance with law, including preliminary assessments, communications with complainants and agencies, and deeper reviews when warranted. She said allegations and reports have increased steadily, with 481 received from 2020 through 2024 and nearly 10 per week on average last year, contributing to a heavier workload for her small team.

Transcript Highlights:

• statements.
• So that's basically an inaccurate statement.
• > justification some statements in his justification some statements in his justification just
• In fact, in one particular statements.
• There's other an inaccurate statement.

Bills: SB141, SB124, SB56, SJR116, SB94, SB37, SB127, SB197, SB66, SB70, SB133, SB160, SB214, SB312, SB52, SJR62, SJR75

Keywords: legal advertisements, tax rates, public hearings, transparency, local government, sick leave, education, teacher retirement, benefits, employee compensation, Medicaid, nonopioid analgesics, pain management, health care regulation, utilization controls, physician shortage, health care access, medically underserved areas, medical education, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I think that's really strong language and it's clearly a purpose statement.
• Uh, I think that's really strong language and it's clearly a purpose statement.
• Uh, I think that's really strong language and it's clearly a purpose statement.
• Uh, I think that's really strong language and it's clearly a purpose statement.
• statement. Uh it's an opinion. statement. Uh it's an opinion.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh returning to this gain loss statement Uh returning to this gain loss statement um<00:48:55.600
• Second, the actuary takes these gain-loss statements and adjusts future budget requests over a 20-year
• The actuary takes these gain loss The actuary takes these gain loss statements,<00:51:29.560> and<
• , and they adjust our future statements, and they adjust our future budget<00:51:31.280> requests<
• <00:51:34.120> is every single gains loss statement is every single gains loss statement is

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:12 Approval of Minutes: 00:01:34 Actuarial Valuation Update – KPPA: 00:02:10 Actuarial Valuation Update – TRS: 00:25:32, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, and approval of the prior minutes. The main presentation was from KPPA officials Ryan Barrow and Erin Saratt on the annual actuarial valuations for the retirement and insurance systems. They said the systems’ funding status improved overall, with three of five insurance funds fully funded, CERS hazardous dropping from over 100% funded to 90.9% because of premium changes, and KRS receiving $650 million in supplemental funding over the biennium. They also reported strong investment returns above assumed rates, higher payroll and membership counts, and resulting actuarial losses tied to higher salaries and premiums, especially on the insurance side. Members asked several questions about what drove the actuarial losses and whether legislation affected them. KPPA said the CERS insurance loss was driven by premium increases and Senate Bill 10, while the pension-side losses were largely due to higher payroll and benefits for Tier 1 and Tier 2 members. They explained that new Tier 3 employees are designed to add no additional unfunded liability, and that the state administers the systems but does not directly control all hiring. Questions also focused on retiree health premiums, which KPPA said rose about 15% for non-Medicare retirees and 38% for Medicare retirees, with the increase attributed to utilization, prescription costs, and the Inflation Reduction Act. The committee then heard from TRS Deputy Executive Secretary and General Counsel Beau Barnes on the 2025 TRS actuarial valuation. He reported that the Retirement Annuity Trust and Health Insurance Trust both received full funding, the retirement trust’s funded ratio improved to 61%, TRS 4 remains well funded with no liability, and the health insurance trust improved to 89.1%. Barnes said TRS is on track to fully fund legacy liabilities within the amortization period, with 2044 as the point when the system reflects 100% funding and 2046 as the last year needing additional dollars for the legacy liability. He also explained that lower assumed investment returns and updated mortality assumptions increased liabilities, but that TRS uses direct rate smoothing for budgeting purposes. At the end of the meeting, the chair circulated a proposed set of “do’s and don’ts of pensions,” emphasizing that future legislation should not create unfunded liabilities. Barnes also noted he would later discuss several legislative proposals for the 2026 session, but the transcript provided ends before that discussion or any votes on those proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as for the examples that are shared in the opening statement, those are heartbreaking.
• ,<00:47:08.640> those<00:47:08.880> are in the opening statement, those are in the
• environmental impact statement projects. environmental impact statement projects.
• Um and what impact statement projects.
• An EIS is the statement projects.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, um, I personally don't agree with the statement that we're not teaching to the tests in a lot of
• Chair, we have one other testifier, a statement to be read.
• I believe the statement is Josh Donham, but she can't cross.
• <01:15:42.719> to<01:15:42.840> be<01:15:43.199> read statement to be read statement
• <01:15:49.120> is<01:15:49.400> Josh statement is Josh statement is Josh Donham<01:15:51.520

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• was um at the the mission statement was um at the direction<00:12:03.680> of<00:12:03.839>
• <01:09:36.679> sounded<01:09:37.199> like but your previous statement sounded like
• but your previous statement sounded like you<01:09:38.199> were<01:09:38.400> saying<01
• <02:55:24.000> and of my problem statements and of my problem statements and solutions<02:
• They may need adjustment, too, but I didn't try to address that in this particular statement.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is partly her statement on behalf of HB 537.
• The statement of purpose is stated in that form.
• form and basically the state statement form and basically the state statement of<01:17:55.320>
• so this resolution is merely a statement so this resolution is merely a statement saying<02:20:14.960
• I don't think we need to have multiple statements about it.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a statement of equality. Well, I will leave it at that as far as background.
• <00:18:41.360> that So in a way making a statement that So in a way making a statement that
• So this is a statement of branch.
• Representative Lai, if you'd like to elaborate from your original statement on that. >> Yeah.
• Uh, original statement on that. >> Yeah, I thank you, Madam Chair. I think we've covered that.

Bills: HB0117, HB0126

Keywords: informed consent, abortion, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, fetal heartbeat, termination of pregnancy, medical emergency, Wyoming legislation, rights of minors, healthcare regulations, parental consent, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:47:22.160> that<00:47:22.480> you vision and mission statements that you vision
• and mission statements that you see<00:47:23.119> in<00:47:23.280> the<00:47:23.520>
• authorities financial statement authorities financial statement and<01:04:06.559> um<01:04
• <01:18:02.480> So, final financial statement for 2025.
• So, final financial statement for 2025.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first received several information items, including University of Kentucky reports on medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts’ planned bond issues, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues. Members then heard and approved an appropriation increase for a federally funded University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. The project will construct a terminal building and is tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school; members asked about the public funding, the role of EKU, and possible aviation expansion, and the item was approved by roll call. The committee next approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for an 85,000-square-foot facility at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead for $6.4 million. UK said the property, formerly the Rowan County Board of Education site, is directly across from UK St. Clair and will be used for multiple purposes; members questioned the quarterly payment structure and why the county preferred not to receive the full amount upfront, but the item was approved. The committee then heard three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Fish and Wildlife pump project at Ballard Wildlife Management Area and two Lake Barkley State Resort Park repair projects. Finance staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies after bids came in close to available funding, and the committee approved the action items. Janice Thomas then presented four pool projects requiring no action: HVAC upgrades at the Future Farmers of America Leadership Training Center in Hardinsburg, geothermal and HVAC work at the Kentucky School for the Blind, a Brady Hall HVAC project at the Kentucky School for the Blind, and a renovation of Shanti Hall at Kentucky State University for the School of Engineering Technology. Members asked no substantive questions on those items. Finally, Natalie Broner presented a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the rent, the lack of other bids, and whether another county location might be preferable; CHFS said it maintains county-seat offices statewide and that the Wayne County site would replace an existing office. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing services with renovation costs largely absorbed by the lessor. Both lease items were presented for action after the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It removes the provision requiring the DMV to approve the disclosure statement that must be provided
• It removes the provision requiring a copy of the signed disclosure statement be provided to DMV, and
• Today, we have a statement.
• Today, we have a statement of principles signed by the White House Council on Energy Dominance and the
• And my statement to PJM was a compliment to them, not a slight.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on energy, public safety, and environmental cleanup. House Bill 455 would create a historic preservation license plate to raise funds and awareness for Delaware preservation efforts, and House Bill 471 would tighten rules and penalties for off-highway vehicles on shared private roads, with golf carts excluded. House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 439, the Truth in E-Bike Marketing Act, would require clearer disclosures when selling electric mopeds and electric motorcycles so consumers understand classification, power, and licensing/insurance requirements. House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 407, related to the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act and brownfields, would shift funding for brownfield cleanup from the original realty transfer tax approach to a dedicated share of the hazardous substance cleanup fund and raise civil penalties for fraudulent acts. The committee also approved the June 18, 2026 minutes once quorum was reached. Most of the meeting centered on House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 233, as amended, a large-load/data center bill intended to protect ratepayers from costs tied to massive new electricity users. The sponsor and Public Advocate said PJM’s warnings about a coming reliability backstop auction made it urgent to establish a Delaware framework now, requiring large energy users to sign utility agreements, cover their share of transmission, distribution, and capacity costs, and comply with curtailment and other protections. Supporters from environmental groups and some labor and business voices said the bill was needed to prevent cost shifts to households and small businesses, while opponents argued it was being rushed, could deter investment, and might unintentionally affect other industries; several asked for more time and clearer definitions. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also took up House Bill 470, which would authorize Delmarva Power, with PSC approval, to build and operate utility-owned battery storage and spread costs across the customer base. The sponsor and Delmarva said the bill would improve reliability quickly and help avoid outages, while the chair expressed concern that the state had not yet fully studied whether utility-owned or competitively procured storage is the best model, noting a recent SEU storage study and broader policy questions. Supporters said utility storage could be deployed faster and help with peak shaving, while others urged a competitive process; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 470.

Transcript Highlights:

• that a CPA firm or an auditor can provide over a set of financial statements.
• The second was related to the preparation of the financial statements.
• financial statements.
• If I can get down to our statements here, we have an appropriation statement in here, and it'll show
• It might be your background, your personal statements, your references.

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.