Transcript Highlights:

• Let me begin by thanking the chair and the committee staff for working so diligently in California.
• Let me begin by thanking the chair and the committee staff for working so diligently with my office on
• We submitted amendments to staff and to your office, and we understand you're not supportive of the amendments
• the way of this what I think is a is a fairly small request and that is we submitted amendments to staff
• and we also submitted we submitted amendments to staff and we also submitted them to your office and

Committee: House Emergency Management

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That young squad leader was a 26-year-old staff sergeant Josh West.
• The tentative plan, which is subject to change, is to have our staff recognition in honor Of Signeeye
• Our staff and try to attempt to get back on this speech that Caroline drafted for me, from processing
• Peaker staff. Minority Caucus Leadership Team and our friends, the Democrats, the Minority Caucus.
• But until then, let's give a round of applause for our members, for our staff, for Marc Carter for all

Bills: HCR1030 , HB1370 , SB893 , SB2 , SB1589

Keywords: legislative procedure, session calendar, deadline schedule, bill deadlines, joint resolution, Oklahoma Legislature, 61st Legislature, regular session, adjourn sine die, floor deadline, third reading, committee deadlines, bill drafting, appropriations, budget bills, ethics commission, agency rules, administrative procedures act, local and special laws, pension legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• They do not have anywhere near the staff to handle those cases, and the estimated cost is in the tens
• And in reading the staff report, just as an aside, the limited lines licensure requirements for rental
• I want to start by thanking the committee staff for all their hard work on this bill, and I just want
• If his staff is watching the committee, could you please send him over? Thank you.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, members and staff.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senate Resolution 1758, honoring Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis, posthumously. >> It is a privilege
• to honor the life and memory of Staff Sergeant Ollis, a true American hero and proud Staten Islander
• On August 28, 2013, while stationed at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, Staff Sergeant Ollis
• of meeting Lieutenant Trapiza and his family, including his young son Michael, who is named after Staff
• Staff Sergeant Ollis's bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to his fellow soldiers and nation

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up a series of previously adopted resolutions recognizing individuals, communities, and state traditions. The chamber honored Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis posthumously after his Medal of Honor recognition, with remarks from Senator Scarcella-Spanton and others praising his sacrifice and welcoming his parents. Senators also celebrated New York maple producers and Maple Weekends, Bangladesh Independence Day and the contributions of Bangladeshi New Yorkers, York Middle/High School girls varsity volleyball for winning a state championship, Pavilion/York Air Rifle for winning the state invitational championship, and Tartan Day. These resolutions were adopted, and the sponsors opened them for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved through the regular calendar and passed multiple bills, including measures on environmental conservation, personal property, agriculture and markets, insurance, state law, executive law, workers’ compensation, election law, correction law, public health, and parks/historic preservation. Most passed with broad support, though some drew a handful of negative votes. One bill on election law, allowing certain 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election, prompted supportive floor debate from several senators and passed 43-17. Another bill on correction law also passed after debate. A notable controversy arose over Calendar 227, a Public Authorities Law bill related to school energy planning and electric buses. Senator Borrello challenged an amendment as nongermane, the Chair ruled against it, and the Senate voted 22-0 to sustain the ruling. The underlying bill then passed, despite criticism from senators who argued the state should repeal the electric bus mandate and instead study safer, more practical alternatives for school districts. The Senate then completed its business and adjourned until March 24 at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most recently, he served as the Eighth Army wartime Chief of Staff at Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea
• Immediately prior to retirement, he served as the Eighth Army wartime Chief of Staff at Camp Humphreys
• Combined Forces Commander and the Combined Ground Component Commander with a Korean four-star-led staff
• s and staff. And so on the floor, we have a lot of members' kids in the gallery. LA's and staff.
• We have members of our staff and their kids.

Bills: HR1038 , HB3263 , HB3127 , HB2997 , HB3115 , HB2123 , HB3587 , HB3028 , HB2035 , HB3369 , HB3620 , HB3621 , HB3622 , HB3624 , HB3175 , HB3173 , HB3178 , HB1979 , HB4476

Keywords: Oklahoma Youth Expo, OYE, 4-H, FFA, agriculture, agricultural education, youth expo, livestock show, junior livestock, scholarships, youth leadership, Oklahoma City, rural communities, ag mechanics, engineering contest, farm youth, student recognition, ceremonial resolution, house resolution, livestock competition

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the pledge, and several recognitions, including Veteran of the Week Major General (ret.) Tony L. Wright, Doctor of the Day Dr. Jeanette Kelly, Capitol Day students, Girl Scouts, and family members of legislators. Members also adopted House Resolution 1038 honoring the Oklahoma Youth Expo and its agricultural education and scholarship impact, including recognition of top ag mechanics exhibitors. The chamber then considered and passed several bills, including HB 3263 designating the morel mushroom as the state mushroom; HB 315 setting qualifications and a term limit for the Department of Corrections director; HB 2123 revising authorization for an Arkansas River bridge project near Bigsby; HB 3587 allowing court-ordered outpatient mental health treatment; HB 3028 allowing career techs in public schools to pass along credit card surcharges; HB 2035 clarifying transportation protection agreements related to funeral services; HB 3369 allowing food trucks to use two fire extinguishers and training in lieu of an automatic suppression system; and a series of census-related bills creating a census count committee, reestablishing a state data center function, and updating Commerce technology for census address work. The House also passed HB 3624 to standardize county boundary mapping, HB 3175 creating an Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 3173 allowing repurposing of orphaned and abandoned wells for geothermal or energy storage uses, and HB 4476 creating a revolving-fund rebate program to help smaller communities compete for music events and tourism. Two measures failed on final passage: HB 3178, which would have created a standard depreciation table for county assessors to value farm equipment, and HB 1979, which would have created an Early Childhood Task Force. In both cases, members later served notice of intent to reconsider the failed votes. The House also reconsidered and passed previously failed motions on HB 3127 and HB 2997. Most bills that reached final passage were approved by recorded vote, with HB 3178 failing 43-45 and HB 1979 failing 46-43. The House adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• looking through this budget, they have, I guess it'd be number 21, Division of Purchasing Medicaid staff
• I guess it'd be number 21, Division of Purchasing Medicaid staff.
• Add $78,600 ongoing and $1,200 one-time for Division of Purchasing Medicaid staff.
• Add $78,600 ongoing and $1,200 one-time for Division of Purchasing Medicaid staff.
• Add two FTPs and $275,863 from dedicated funds for Enhancement 2 for Medicaid staff.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and first took up the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Medicaid. Members approved a 2026 supplemental for the Medicaid forecast adjustment, increasing general fund and dedicated fund spending while reducing federal funds, and also approved a separate budget-neutral 2026 supplemental to move hospital assessment funding into a dedicated fund and create a new hospital assessment budgeted program, as required by House Bill 345. Both motions passed with do-pass recommendations after roll-call votes. The committee then considered the 2027 Medicaid budget. Testimony covered MMIS procurement, estate recovery staffing, program integrity contract support, Medicaid purchasing staff tied to the Department of Administration, hospital assessment fund alignment, population forecast adjustments, and an additional governor’s initiative reduction. Three competing motions were offered: one from Representative Bruce, one from Senator Cook, and one from Senator Wintrow. After debate over provider-rate cuts, RESHAB funding, forecast assumptions, and whether to reduce the governor’s requested $22 million adjustment, the Bruce motion failed and the Cook substitute failed, while the Wintrow motion passed and received a do-pass recommendation. The committee next approved Idaho State Police budgets. It passed a Brand Inspection Division request for $288,100 in dedicated funds for replacement vehicles and equipment, a Division of Idaho State Police motion adding funds for the commercial vehicle safety grant, a mobile live scan pilot, and replacement items, and a POST Academy motion for $324,100 in dedicated funds for replacement items. The Department of Juvenile Corrections budget was also approved, including a clinician services transfer from Health and Welfare, replacement items, IT hardware, and restoration of direct care and mentoring funding with six FTPs. Finally, the committee considered the Department of Administration and Military Division budgets; after debate over Medicaid procurement staffing and a training position transfer, the committee approved a Department of Administration motion with reduced general fund and increased dedicated funding, then approved the Military Division’s request for emergency management overhead recovery and state education assistance funding. The meeting ended with announcements of the next Monday agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• looking through this budget, they have, I guess it'd be number 21, Division of Purchasing Medicaid staff
• I guess it'd be number 21, Division of Purchasing Medicaid staff.
• Add $78,600 ongoing and $1,200 one-time for Division of Purchasing Medicaid staff.
• Add $78,600 ongoing and $1,200 one-time for Division of Purchasing Medicaid staff.
• Add two FTPs and $275,863 from dedicated funds for Enhancement 2 for Medicaid staff.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met to consider several Department of Health and Welfare Medicaid items, Idaho State Police budgets, the Department of Juvenile Corrections, and the Department of Administration and Military Division. The committee first approved a FY 2026 Medicaid forecast supplemental, then approved a budget-neutral FY 2026 hospital assessment fund shift and creation of a separate hospital assessment budgeted program. For FY 2027 Medicaid, members heard extensive discussion of MMIS procurement, estate recovery, program integrity, purchasing staff, hospital assessment alignment, population forecast adjustments, and proposed reductions tied to provider rates and RESHAB. After debate among three competing motions, the committee rejected two alternatives and passed the original motion, which included the governor’s recommended Medicaid adjustments and the $22 million reduction concept, sending it with a do pass recommendation. The committee then approved Idaho State Police Brand Inspection replacement items for trucks and equipment, as well as Idaho State Police division requests for a commercial vehicle safety grant increase, a mobile live scan pilot, and replacement patrol vehicles and equipment. POST Academy replacement items were also approved. For the Department of Juvenile Corrections, members approved clinician service transfer funding from Health and Welfare, replacement items, IT hardware, and restoration of six FTPs and related funding for direct care staff and substance use disorder mentoring services. In the Department of Administration budget, the committee debated Medicaid procurement staffing and related transfers. A substitute motion to fund three FTPs failed, and the committee ultimately approved a compromise motion funding two FTPs, utilities alignment, program transfers, inflationary utilities, IT hardware, and a prior rescission adjustment. The Military Division enhancement request for indirect cost recovery for emergency management and state education assistance funding was also approved. The committee adjourned after announcing its Monday agenda, which included DEQ, public school support and financing, services for the deaf and blind, Idaho Digital Learning Academy, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Education.

Transcript Highlights:

• the legal work and transactional work of the board became so much they needed more than just some staff
• to do it. ...work in transactional work of the board became so much they needed more than just some staff
• You know, we do have a good relationship with the Attorney General's office and staff, and ...we do have
• a good relationship with the Attorney General's office and staff, and, you know, we do work closely
• Like I said, we always have a tent—our staff tries to get everybody to comply and find them and hunt

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, David Menicki, staff to the committee.
• I'm Mark Madsen, staff to the committee.
• For the record, Jennifer Harris, staff to the committee.
• Jennifer Harris again, staff to the committee.
• Representative Barkis, I think this might be for staff.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Emily Poole, staff to the committee.
• I have a question for staff. If I remember the House version, it was for minors.
• I have a question for staff. the Thank you. I have a question for staff.
• And you used to staff us, so welcome. Nice to be back.
• And we do have a staff report for the record, Martha Whaling, staff to the committee.

Bills: SB6046

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: SB 6046, Civil Air Patrol, Washington Military Department, Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol, volunteer air patrol, search and rescue, disaster relief, cadet training, communications support, cyber security, emergency response, governor call-up, active state service, federally chartered Civil Air Patrol, Washington Wing, Title 38 RCW, military department, tribal cooperation, public safety aviation, aerospace cadets

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, Management Services includes the executive team and fiscal staff and provides support to the
• will be overall the solicitation and the existing contracts managing those, and then he'll have two staff
• The procurement staff is there to implement that. And we actually thought...
• After funds are appropriated, public works project managers work with state agency or institution staff
• After funds are appropriated, public works project managers work with state agency or institution staff

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations for the Department of Administration and the Permanent Building Fund. For Administration, analysts reviewed the agency’s divisions, staffing, dedicated-fund structure, recent budget growth, and the governor’s and JFAC’s recommended changes. The department requested shifts of utility costs from the general fund to dedicated funds, three new positions and funding for Medicaid procurement and contract management, transfers of some positions between divisions, and one-time IT replacement funding. Members also discussed office-space utilization, vacant buildings and land at Chinden and elsewhere, and the department’s efforts to consolidate space and reduce general fund reliance. Director Bailey said the department has reduced or repurposed positions, closed duplicate printing operations, is exploring digital workflows and AI tools, and is trying to move toward a fully dedicated-fund model. He also explained the decision to remove GLP-1 weight-loss coverage from the state health plan due to rapidly rising costs, while noting diabetes coverage remains in place. Committee members questioned the need for higher-level procurement staff for Medicaid contracts, the role of Deloitte and the Department of Health and Welfare in the process, and the status of the MMIS procurement, which Bailey said is currently stayed by the courts after a legal challenge from the second-place vendor. He said the delay will affect MMIS implementation and, in turn, the timing of the broader managed care rollout. Members also asked about vacant state office space, the possible sale of older buildings, and whether agencies such as ITD and Health and Welfare could be moved into state-owned space to reduce lease costs. Bailey said the department is actively working on those facility-planning questions and that agencies at Chinden are paying rent for occupied space. The committee then reviewed the Permanent Building Fund budget, which finances state construction, repairs, and deferred maintenance through dedicated revenue sources and interest earnings. Analysts highlighted the fund’s multi-year project structure, the large deferred maintenance program funded in prior years, and a proposed one-time transfer of $33.75 million in canceled capital project balances to the general fund. They also described a possible redirection of fiscal year 2027 interest earnings to the general fund and a recommended new capital project for an Idaho National Guard readiness center. Administrator Barard reported that the Division of Public Works is managing 595 active projects, with most FY 2025 projects under construction, in design, or complete, and said the division continues to face labor shortages and rising construction costs. Members asked about canceled projects, including the North Idaho reentry center, the Carnegie Library purchase, the ISU pedestrian crossing, the Idaho State Police Lewiston facility, and other projects; staff said some are unlikely to return soon, while others may come back once land or other prerequisites are secured. The committee concluded the hearing and announced it would meet the next day for the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Office of the State Public Defender.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go to our excellent committee staff who's stepping in today to call the roll, please.
• And that person is also in charge of hiring new staff, or to provide staff, rather, for the Commission
• One last question on page nine, line two: provide staff for the commission.
• Tell me what kind of staff we're going to have with this commission, Mr. Chair and Representative.
• We had staff looking at it because... you know, having conversations with groups.

Bills: HB97 , HB280 , HB183 , HB151 , HB202

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: Shaken Baby Syndrome, abusive head trauma, child safety, training and education, healthcare funding, youth internships, workforce development, education, grant funding, employment, drinking water, water quality, environment, public health, water filtration, private well testing, federal funding, childhood sexual abuse, time limitations, civil actions

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm assuming that, and they would need to train staff and personnel on how to make sure that they follow
• I'm assuming that, and they would need to train staff and personnel on how to make sure that they follow
• One part of the question I did ask was how we're going to train personnel and staff.
• each university would have to set up their training for whatever other training they do for their staff
• I've had people tell me they had their opponents put on staff at a university as an adjunct professor

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up two bills. The first, PCS for HB 725 on political activity at public institutions of higher education, would require colleges and universities to notify students and employees about existing campus political activity rules at orientation and on their websites, and to adopt standardized policies through the State Board of Education and Board of Governors. The sponsor said the bill is intended to mirror federal IRS/501(c)(3) guidelines, protect institutions from risking federal funding, and clarify what is and is not allowed; supporters framed it as an awareness and free-expression measure, while opponents warned it could chill speech, create vague enforcement standards, and lead to unintended consequences for students and faculty. Public testimony was largely opposed, with speakers from student, civil liberties, education, and advocacy groups raising free-speech concerns. The committee passed the bill 13-5. The second measure, PCS for HB 1437, addressed disputes under mutual management plans between conversion charter schools and district school boards. The sponsor said the bill fills a gap by providing a clearer dispute-resolution path through mediation by the Department of Education or, ultimately, an administrative law judge at DOAH. Members asked about appeal rights and whether DOE is perceived as favoring charter schools; the sponsor said the bill simply sets the process for the current issue and that the administrative law judge provision serves as the final step. There was no public testimony, and the bill was reported favorably 18-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, staff, can you give us a briefing on 5941?
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, Matt Sheper Conning, staff.
• For the record, Kim Cushing, staff to the committee.
• For the record, Kim Cushing, staff to the committee.
• I was just wondering if staff can confirm.

Bills: SB6171 , SB5965 , SB5982 , SB6004 , SB6010 , SB5941 , SB6050

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: energy facilities, large energy consumers, regulation, environment, sustainability, retail bags, pollution, customer impact, consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, renewable energy, public entities, electric generation, contracting, SB 6010, Washington energy siting, EFSEC

Transcript Highlights:

• We think that reducing it by six months will free up our staff to administer the application processes
• But they still need the staff to do the work, and they have also had an increase in their activity levels
• From the Finance Authority staff, the amount of projects is significant, but because the intensity of
• A vast majority of which don't have professional staff and will have the problem of leadership levels
• That's not the kind of staff we have, and they all really have their hands full with the project loads

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to start by thanking the committee staff for working with my office to make technical changes
• I'm here to present SB 48, which implements critical protections to ensure students, parents, staff,
• SB 98, the SAFE Act, requires K-12 schools and higher education institutions to notify students, staff
• I, when I was in high school, unfortunately was in a situation in which a staff member approached me
• I'd like to start off by accepting committee amendments and thanking your staff for their incredible

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their space is the third floor, but this allows us, as Gopher staff fluctuates depending on the demand
• And as BEA might expand or shrink staff-wise as well depending on the staffing needs, this allows us
• staff f fluctuates depending<00:10:37.920><c> on</c><00:10:38.160><c> the</c><00:10:38.399><c> demand
• And as BEA might expand or<00:10:50.640><c> shrink</c><00:10:51.680><c> staff-wise</c><00:10:52.240><
• or shrink staff-wise as well depending on<00:10:53.040><c> the</c><00:10:53.279><c> staffing</c><00:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee approved the April 14, 2025 minutes and then considered several capital items, mostly Department of Transportation property dispositions and one Department of Business and Economic Affairs lease amendment. BEA requested approval to amend its Granite Center LLC lease to absorb space used by Gopher, explaining that the arrangement would keep both agencies in the same building, allow flexible space allocation, and produce a modest net savings while using federal funds reimbursed through an interagency arrangement. The committee asked about Gopher’s role, the floor layout, and whether federal money was indirectly subsidizing the lease; the item was approved. DOT items approved included sale of a former maintenance parcel in Raymond, vacant land in Dover, a permanent utility easement in Conway for the Conway Water Precinct, and a direct sale of limited access right-of-way in Seabrook to C&J Seabrook LLC for parking expansion. Members asked about environmental liability on the Raymond parcel, the size and location of the Conway easement, and whether C&J would charge for parking; C&J said the expansion would support a successful facility and that parking revenues help fund improvements such as paving, lighting, and security cameras. The committee also approved a small Salem parcel sale to Brooks Property LLC. The Department of Environmental Services received approval to transfer 37 acres near a New Ipswich flood control site to the town as part of a long-running settlement involving cemetery encroachment onto state land. DES said the agreement, reached with the town in 2023, reflects prior legislation and includes payment to the state; members asked whether there was any current dam damage, and DES said there was none. In miscellaneous business, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission said the governor had directed cancellation of the planned RFP sale and that the matter would instead proceed as a ground lease through a new RFP process. The committee also noted informational items on Council on Resources and Development minutes and surplus land reviews, set the next meeting for September 29 at 9:30, and adjourned by motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• would give, you know, as we progress through this process, we will probably ask those questions of our staff
• would give, you know, as we progress through this process, we will probably ask those questions of our staff
• would give, you know, as we progress through this process, we will probably ask those questions of our staff
• would entertain a motion directing the co-chairs to work with the Legislative Research Commission staff
• Um, and it questions of our staff.

Keywords: 00:02 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:55 FB 2026-2028 Executive Branch Budget 15:17 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on budget instructions for the 2026-2028 state budget, as required by KRS Chapter 48. Staff from the Office of State Budget Director outlined three recommended changes: restructuring Form B4 for additional budget requests to emphasize the problem, solution, and quantitative data; adding page numbers to the Record P report so agencies’ additional budget requests can be located more easily; and updating the budget calendar to reflect the December 20 presentation of the consensus forecast to LRC under changes made by House Bill 360. Members asked follow-up questions about contribution rates, debt service template rates, and employee health rates. Staff said the fiscal 2026 KS non-hazardous contribution rate is 42.76%, but fiscal 2027 and 2028 rates have not yet been set; debt service rates would be posted later; and employee health rate assumptions are still being discussed with the Personnel Cabinet. Members also asked how program reductions or terminations would be handled, and staff explained that agencies base requests on statutory and federal requirements, while budget reductions are handled through the appropriations act. The committee discussed whether Form B4 should ask agencies to describe alternative options considered and how they were evaluated. Staff said the current instructions do not specifically require that, though some implications may appear in narrative responses, and members agreed to continue working on the instructions. The committee then adopted a motion directing the co-chairs to work with LRC staff to finalize the 2026-2028 budget instructions and present them for adoption, with the motion approved by roll call. Members also noted that federal budget developments, including possible SNAP cost shifts to states, are being monitored but are too early to incorporate into the instructions at this time.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, contingent on available funding and staff resources.
• ><00:05:07.840><c> and</c> contingent on available funding and contingent on available funding and staff
• Uh, mahalo for the staff resources.
• um I guess logistical hurdles in in um I guess logistical hurdles in in expanding<00:13:48.880><c> staff
• </c> expanding staff adoption statewide. expanding staff adoption statewide.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and then voted on several concurrent resolutions. HCR 71, asking the Coalina Golf Club to work with the Department of Transportation to prevent golf balls from reaching Fington Highway, drew no opposition in testimony; a member thanked the golf club for cooperating after a constituent’s windshield was struck, and the measure was passed unamended. HCR 19 HD1, supporting Taiwan’s international participation and a U.S.-Taiwan trade agreement, received only DBED testimony in support and was passed with technical amendments. HCR 163, urging the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to establish an annual Pacific Island culture and arts festival, was supported by DBEDT and the foundation itself, which said it would welcome such a festival subject to funding and staff resources; it was passed unamended. In the later joint session, HCR 70 on accelerating sustainable aviation fuels received support from the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, while DOT said it is already working on clean fuels through its greenhouse-gas reduction efforts and that the resolution would mainly require a more targeted progress report; the measure passed, with one no vote in the joint committee vote. HCR 123, on a restricted parking zone pilot program in West Oahu neighborhoods, had no oral testimony and was passed with technical amendments. HCR 57, on a traffic mitigation and calming study in Waipahu, also had no testimony and was passed unamended. HCR 112, urging Honolulu to adopt a pedestrian-first policy, drew broad support from public health, planning, bicycling, and student witnesses, though one testifier urged coordination with existing county plans; it passed unamended. HCR 177, encouraging a summer streets pilot program, also passed unamended. For HCR 203, urging Maui County to prioritize planning for the Kihei North-South Collector Road, the chairs proposed technical amendments to correct the responsible agency from the Planning Department to the Public Works Department, and the measure passed with those amendments. Across the meetings, the committee repeatedly noted when there were no further questions or testimony, and each resolution was adopted by the committee after the stated recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we're a staff of four people. And so that's kind of the issue, too.
• You have four staff members. I don't know if this could turn into something unintended.
• I think it's already the duty of the Indian Affairs Commission and their tribes and the staff they have
• For the record, Sarah Barron, staff attorney, State Court Administrator's Office.
• For the record, Sarah Barron, staff attorney, State Court Administrator's Office.

Bills: HB1455

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: tribal consultation, Indian Affairs Commission, tribal governments, tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relations, Native American, tribal nations, consultation requirement, legislative process, jurisdiction, sovereignty, North Dakota tribes, government-to-government consultation, tribal chairpersons, 908, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first heard House Bill 1455, which would require the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission to review introduced legislation for tribal implications and conduct consultation with affected tribes. Rep. Collette Brown said the bill was intended to formalize and strengthen tribal consultation, and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe representative Ross Bell testified in support. Brad Hawk, executive director of the Indian Affairs Commission, testified neutrally, saying the office already does much of this work but that the bill would add structure; several senators raised concerns about duplication, possible future staffing costs, and whether the bill was necessary. The committee amended the bill to replace “each measure” with “all legislation,” then passed a do-not-pass recommendation on HB 1455 by recorded vote, with Sen. Luick designated as carrier. The committee then took up House Bill 1032, dealing with municipal courts, appeals, and judge qualifications. Legislative Council and court staff walked through proposed amendments, including making municipal courts courts of record on a delayed effective date, clarifying appeal procedures, and adding standards for municipal judges. Members discussed whether to use the term “ethical standards” or “judicial conduct”; after questions about definitions and enforcement, the committee settled on replacing the language with “judicial conduct” in the amended bill. The committee adopted the amendments and then passed HB 1032 as amended on a do-pass vote, with Sen. Cory to carry. Later, the committee heard House Bill 1263, which would make it easier for people with criminal records to seek sealing after a denial by allowing an appeal and reducing the waiting period for a new petition from three years to one year. Rep. Nels Christensen, Christopher Davis, Travis Fink, and Brad Peterson all supported the bill’s goal of giving people a better path to rehabilitation and employment. The main point of disagreement was whether to keep the statutory presumption that the benefit to the petitioner must outweigh the presumption of openness of criminal records; several witnesses urged removing that language, while others said it was part of the compromise that created the current law. The committee closed the hearing without taking final action and said it would review the House discussion before deciding later.