Transcript Highlights:

• Idaho State Police and the Forensic Services Program.
• I'm a budget policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.
• court participants, including peer support services.
• versus the community service—what is it?
• Or is it service or treatment? Which one actually is it?

Summary: The committee first considered trailer appropriations for House Bill 684 and Senate Bill 1226. HB 684 would allow sheriffs to seek reimbursement for costs of collecting absconded prisoners, probationers, or parolees from out of state, with a fiscal impact estimated at up to $200,000; the committee approved a FY 2027 addition of $200,000 ongoing to the Department of Correction and recommended a due-pass. SB 1226 would add sexual battery and domestic violence misdemeanors to crimes requiring DNA samples and thumbprints, with an estimated annual cost of $63,000; the committee approved a FY 2027 addition of $63,000 ongoing to the Idaho State Police and also recommended due-pass. The committee then revisited the Secretary of State budget after House Bill 909 failed on the floor. The analyst reviewed the requested voter pamphlet funding, overtime transfer, and ITS replacement items. The committee adopted a revised FY 2027 motion adding $235,800 from the General Fund, including a one-time $350,000 voter pamphlet appropriation, a $20,000 transfer to personnel, and a 2% base reduction, and sent the budget forward with a due-pass recommendation. A major portion of the meeting focused on restoring behavioral health programs using a mix of Millennium Income Fund, opioid settlement funds, and federal matching dollars. Members debated options to restore ACT, peer support, skills training, transportation, partial hospitalization, and early serious mental illness programs. A broader restoration motion failed in the House committee, but a narrower FY 2027 motion for ACT and peer support services passed, as did a separate $250,000 opioid-settlement appropriation for peer support services in mental health courts. The committee also adopted language directing the Department of Health and Welfare to identify savings for future continuation of the restored programs and approved a FY 2026 supplemental of $200,000 for a legislative consultant to support oversight of the Medicaid managed care transition under HCR 30, despite objections that it duplicated department efforts. The committee adjourned after noting it would likely meet again Wednesday to handle remaining trailers, transfers, and supplemental items.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Idaho State Police and the Forensic Services Program.
• I'm a budget policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.
• court participants, including peer support services.
• versus the community service, what is it?
• “Or is it service or treatment? Which one actually is it?

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee considered several trailer appropriations and related language items. It approved $200,000 ongoing for the Idaho Department of Correction tied to House Bill 684, which allows sheriffs to seek reimbursement for costs of collecting absconders from out of state, and approved $63,000 ongoing for the Idaho State Police under Senate Bill 1226 to cover DNA sample and thumbprint collection for certain misdemeanor offenses. The committee also reconsidered the Secretary of State budget after House Bill 909 failed on the floor, and passed an amended FY 2027 budget with a $235,800 general fund increase, including a one-time $350,000 voter pamphlet appropriation, a $20,000 transfer from operating to personnel, and a 2% base reduction. A major portion of the meeting focused on restoring behavioral health programs in the Department of Health and Welfare using one-time Millennium Income Fund and opioid settlement dollars. Analysts outlined options to restore ACT, peer support, skills training, transportation, partial hospital, and early serious mental illness programs. The committee first rejected a broader restoration package, then approved a narrower FY 2027 package restoring only assertive community treatment and peer support services with $4.619 million from the Millennium Fund, $5.555 million from the opioid settlement fund, and $20.525 million in federal funds. It also approved $250,000 from the opioid settlement fund for peer support services in mental health courts and adopted language directing the department to identify savings for future funding needs, though a broader language motion failed. The committee then approved a FY 2026 supplemental of $200,000 for the Legislature to hire a consultant for the Medicaid Legislative Review Panel under HCR 30, despite objections that it duplicated work already being done by the Department of Health and Welfare’s consultant. Members also discussed that the one-time behavioral health funding would only carry programs through FY 2027 and may require general fund support later. The committee adjourned after announcing it would likely meet again Wednesday to handle year-end transfers, remaining trailer bills, and other pending budget items.

Transcript Highlights:

• and video conferencing, which includes the audio and video of remote participants, is being streamed live
• It appears that other pineapple growers have transitioned away to other alternatives.

Bills: HB1979

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: environmental review, affordable housing, clean energy, judicial proceedings, public participation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee held an AEN hearing on Friday, March 20, in Room 224 with remote participation streamed live. The first measure, HB 1880 HD3, would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2030, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-D (Telone). Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and HAPA, argued that 1,3-D is a probable carcinogen, can drift off target, and poses risks to farm workers, nearby families, children, and vulnerable communities, while safer alternatives exist. Opponents, including the Western Plant Health Association and Dole Food, said the product is federally registered and regulated, is needed for pineapple production, and that banning it could threaten jobs, local food production, and the pineapple industry; Dole also noted a petition signed by 95 employees opposing the bill. The chair recorded 73 in support, seven opposed, and two comments for the measure. The committee then took up HB 1931 HD2, which would establish a state noxious weed coordinator, update the process for designating and managing noxious weeds, allow public proposals to change designations, require notice and reporting, classify weeds into three categories, and strengthen enforcement and penalties. Testimony was generally supportive, with DLNR and DAB submitting support and CGAPS backing the bill as a modernization of outdated 1950s-era statutes, arguing that more flexible administrative rules would better address changing agricultural and invasive species conditions. The measure received 38 supportive testimonies, with no opposition or comments recorded. Because the committee did not have quorum, no final decision was made on the measures. The chair announced that decision-making would be rolled to Wednesday, March 25, at 3:05 p.m. in Room 224, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, we went through a big transition middle of last month for a much more robust and user-friendly
• Yeah, you know, I had a lively conversation earlier today about laws and constitutionality.

Committee: House Rules

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When someone's experiencing a mental episode, to preserve and protect their own life and the lives of
• While Idaho is blessed with exceptional foster parents, the transition is still frightening to a child

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• these conversations about chronic absenteeism and truancy, remember that these are real kids, real lives
• these conversations about chronic absenteeism and truancy, remember that these are real kids, real lives
• And this is the unique perspective that what we do in the school then transitions over to county.
• And this is the unique perspective that what we do in the school then transitions over to county.
• </c><00:52:53.200><c> and</c> and obligation to provide services and and obligation to provide services

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• > I</c><02:28:17.840><c> don't</c><02:28:18.000><c> really</c> service thing, but I don't really service
• Have you started that transition?
• No, I'm HTA has started that transition?
• And that doesn't look like a transition.
• So for that and marketing service. Yeah.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism held an informational briefing on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract updates, destination management action plans, and state auditor findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson described her role as temporary and said she was focused on identifying problems, gathering information, communicating with stakeholders, and implementing solutions. She said HTA is now operating as a typical state agency subject to state controls, but noted that HTA’s work often involves nontraditional programs that can create process errors. She also said she had directed staff to review the auditor’s findings on the destination management action plan process and that the review was posted publicly. A major topic was the search for a permanent CEO and the agency’s restructuring under SB 1571. HTA board chair Tata Po said he hoped to select a CEO within about four months, with three to six finalists expected in roughly two to two-and-a-half months, and said the job description would largely remain the same except for compensation and reporting changes under the new law. Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism representatives explained that HTA’s board is now advisory and does not approve the budget, while DBEDT retains budget authority. They also said HTA is working with the governor’s office and DBEDT on contract and budget transitions, including a possible shift to a calendar-year process so grantees and contractors have more certainty. Members pressed HTA on staffing, oversight, and accountability, especially around the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB contracts. HTA said the destination stewardship team supports destination management and product development, including workforce development, sports, and implementation of destination management action plans, and that staff provide direction to contractors rather than simply handing work over to them. Anderson said the stewardship team had 11 people and that the destination management side covered about 15 contracts, while the branding side had three managers overseeing nine contracts. She said the agency had 47 contracts overall and that the major contracts included CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB. Several members criticized HTA’s management history, questioned staffing qualifications and compensation, and expressed concern that the agency had lost public trust. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> fuels, uh residential water services, fuels, uh residential water services, and<00:11:32.320><c
• > sewer</c><00:11:32.720><c> services.
• So those are three exemptions services.
• </c> services was enacted in 1979. services was enacted in 1979.
• </c><00:30:24.799><c> uh</c> So the congressional research service uh So the congressional research service

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But the reality is we are living consistently with this crisis on a daily basis.
• Who lives here in the South Bay? Yeah, show a hand. All right. How many of you?
• We also surveyed the people that live in those homes.
• The place where we go to live out our lives. And I.B. is a working-class community.
• I live a block from the beach, excuse me. And now, Ms.

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly Environmental Quality/Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials informational hearing focused on the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis, with members from both parties emphasizing that the problem is long-running, cross-border, and severe enough to require federal, state, local, and binational action. Opening remarks described the crisis as an environmental and public health emergency affecting beaches, air and water quality, marine life, tourism, and residents’ quality of life in South Bay communities. Assembly Member Boerner and Senator Jones both stressed the need for continued funding and cooperation, while Senator Padilla said the issue is underappreciated because of where it occurs but has major public health, economic, and educational consequences. Congressman Mike Levin’s office reported more than $650 million in federal funding secured for infrastructure and cleanup, along with federal legislation and requests for CDC and EPA involvement. Supervisor Paloma Aguirre gave a detailed overview of county efforts and the scope of the crisis, citing decades of sewage flows from Tijuana, nearly four years of beach closures, and the county’s expanded water-quality monitoring. She said the county is pursuing warning signs, an air purifier distribution program, an epidemiological study, soil testing, an economic impact study, and a feasibility analysis to remove the “hot spot” near Saturn Boulevard, which she described as a key local source of airborne pollution. She also pointed to binational funding for treatment plant upgrades and said the county is seeking state support, including from Proposition 4 cross-border river funds, to expand relief and mitigation efforts. Scripps researchers Dr. Sarah Giddings and Dr. Kimberly Prather presented scientific findings on water and air transport. Giddings described a high-resolution forecast model that predicts wastewater movement and beach closure risk up to five days ahead, using real-time observations and showing about 72% accuracy against county measurements. Prather said the main exposure route is through air, not just water, and reported that turbulence at the river hot spot aerosolizes pollutants, with hydrogen sulfide and other gases spiking at night and dropping when river flow is diverted. She said the team has identified thousands of gases and linked measurements closely to odor complaints, while also noting that air purifiers can reduce indoor exposure but are not a permanent solution. Dr. Paula Stigler Granados added that community health surveys and CDC assessments show widespread symptoms, sleep disruption, anxiety, and daily life impacts, especially during nighttime odor events. She said her team has found more than 900 contaminants in river water and 106 chemicals uniquely associated with the Saturn Boulevard hot spot, with passive air sampling showing similar chemical fingerprints in nearby homes. The panel discussion ended with questions about standards and accountability, and witnesses and legislators agreed that the crisis requires updated air-quality standards, more health research, and continued coordination to reduce exposure and address the source of pollution.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> where that where that student um lives where that where that student um lives and<00:19:42.720><
• ><c> food</c><01:37:08.000><c> service</c><01:37:08.480><c> program</c> sorry the summer food service
• </c><04:42:53.840><c> in</c> provide special ed services in provide special ed services in accordance
• and mental health services.
• ><c> it's</c><04:54:20.480><c> One-Stop</c> health services so it's One-Stop health services so it's

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HB 651, a school-funding bill that would raise the base cost of an adequate education and increase differentiated aid for students in poverty, English language learners, and special education. The chair opened with housekeeping notices about parking and eating in committee spaces, and noted a revised fiscal note would be distributed. Representative David Luneau presented the bill as part of a broader package of public school funding measures, explaining that HB 651 builds on HB 550 and is intended to respond to court rulings and the ongoing school-funding litigation by adjusting both the base adequacy amount and equity-based funding factors. Luneau said the bill would raise the state’s adequacy grant from about $4,100 to $7,351 per student and increase differentiated aid, while also updating statutory language so future recalculations include the court-identified resource elements. He argued the measure is about fairness and shifting more of the burden from local property taxpayers to the state, not about increasing overall education spending. He reviewed fiscal-note figures indicating the bill would add roughly $576 million to the state share of school funding, bringing the total state share to about $1.65 billion, and said the note also mentions possible effects on charter schools and vouchers. Committee members asked about the evidence supporting higher costs for low-income and English learner students, how long ESL funding should continue, why free-and-reduced-lunch aid remains higher than special education aid, whether the formula is based on enrollment or average daily membership, and whether the bill is truly equitable across districts of different sizes and needs. Luneau and later witness Zach Shen of the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project said the bill is supported by research and court findings, that the current formula relies heavily on local property taxes, and that shifting more funding to the state would reduce property-tax pressure and help address disparities among districts. Shen also cited broad public support for the related HB 550 testimony and said HB 651 is intended as a step toward a more equitable funding system. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis region created a powerful legacy of service.
• It means higher taxes on goods and services.
• live freely and safely.
• Any goods and services? What does that include?
• It was a stifling way to live.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 443 will clarify the process for public employees to retain their CalPERS retirement when transitioning
• to PEPRA-tier retirement benefits despite their prior classic designation and uninterrupted public service
• penalizes experienced public safety professionals from joining cooperative ventures and enhancing local service
• million classified staff, including paraeducators, bus drivers, custodians, clerical workers, food service

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several retirement and school employment measures. SB 301 by Sen. Grayson would prevent CERL-covered cities and districts from amending retirement contracts to exclude certain employee groups, closing a loophole similar to one previously addressed for CalPERS. The bill was supported by California Professional Firefighters and received no opposition. SB 443 by Sen. Rubio would clarify that employees transferring into a joint powers authority can retain CalPERS classic status even when the JPA expands later; the city of La Verne, a flood management agency, and AFSCME supported the bill, and it also drew no opposition. Both bills were moved out of committee on unanimous votes and sent to Appropriations, with the consent calendar items SB 521, SB 581, and SB 853 also approved. The committee then heard SB 494 by Sen. Cortese, which would give classified school employees the right to have disciplinary appeals heard by an administrative law judge rather than by the school board. Supporters, including CSEA, AFSCME, and CFT, argued the bill would create parity with teachers and community college faculty and provide a fairer appeal process. Opponents, including the California School Boards Association, county superintendents, school business officials, and community college groups, argued it would remove local control, impose a one-size-fits-all process, and shift costs to districts. The bill was passed out of committee and referred to the Committee on Higher Education. The committee also considered SJR 2 by Sen. Cortese, a resolution urging Congress and the President to enact federal protections for classified school employees, including better wages, benefits, safety, and workplace rights. Support came from CFT, CSEA, and other labor groups, with no opposition. The resolution was adopted and moved forward. At the end of the hearing, the committee reopened the roll to add votes, and all listed measures ultimately passed unanimously or near-unanimously before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• services.
• As someone who's lived this and sees the broader impact through public service, I believe this legislation
• What we had lived through.
• Today, patients routinely live 20 years or more—and not just live, they thrive.
• Today, patients routinely live 20 years or more—and not just live, they thrive.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery opened its first public hearing of the 2025–26 session with remarks from the Senate and House chairs outlining the committee’s priorities. They noted recent work on addiction and recovery legislation, the ongoing youth behavioral health crisis, and that members might need to leave periodically for floor votes. The chairs explained hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, written testimony deadlines, and reporting deadlines for Senate and House bills. The hearing then focused on several bills related to youth mental health, overdose prevention, and psychedelic treatment research. A major portion of the hearing centered on bills to improve youth crisis response and overdose prevention. Testimony strongly supported bills to print the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on student ID cards, with speakers from mental health organizations, crisis centers, and individuals sharing personal stories of depression, suicide attempts, and the importance of making 988 as familiar as 911. Another set of bills would require schools to stock naloxone and provide overdose prevention education. Physicians, harm reduction advocates, students, and grieving family members testified that school-based Narcan access and education could save lives, reduce stigma, and help students recognize overdoses and understand Good Samaritan protections. Senator O’Connor and Tamika Perry also testified for a bill to strengthen substance use prevention education and reduce overdose abandonment, emphasizing the need to teach students about overdose risks and the legal protections for calling 911. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to authorize a pilot program for psychedelic treatment in licensed facilities. Senator Friedman and several medical and behavioral health professionals argued the proposal was a narrow, research-based approach distinct from the broader ballot question rejected in 2024. They said the bill would allow only a small number of supervised clinics to use psychedelics for conditions such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, and substance use disorders, with data reporting and Department of Public Health oversight. Supporters described it as a cautious way to study promising treatments while avoiding unsupervised or commercialized use. Finally, the committee heard support for a bill to create a special commission and five-year strategic plan for children’s behavioral health services, with testimony that the current system is fragmented, difficult for families to navigate, and strained by workforce and funding challenges. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge your due pass for HB 4623 as someone whose family has lived the long, painful consequences of
• They're children, their lives destroyed. We owe it to them.
• In late 2024, Child Protective Services released the investigative file on the perpetrator to me.
• I got that from Child Protective Services. The schools would not give it to me.
• Thank you for your time and for your service to our state. Perfect timing. Okay, go ahead.

Bills: HB4 , HB20

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2853, which would allow the UT System Board of Regents to adjust the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee above the current statutory cap, subject to student approval, to help fund a new student union building. Senator Blanco explained the bill and the committee substitute, there were no questions or witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then heard House Bill 610, which would limit severance payments for terminated independent school district superintendents to six months’ salary and benefits. Senator Paxton described large severance payouts and said the bill had passed the House overwhelmingly. There were no witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the bill was left pending. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 4623, which would waive school district immunity in certain cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or employment of professional school employees who commit abuse or related misconduct against students. Senator Paxton and several witnesses, including survivors and parents, argued the bill was needed to address cover-ups, delayed reporting, and repeated failures to remove dangerous employees; some members raised concerns about liability caps, litigation, and how the bill would interact with the Tort Claims Act. The committee also heard from TEA staff and employee-group witnesses who discussed possible injunctions and stronger no-hire protections. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4, an accountability and assessment bill that would restore A-F ratings, change the state testing system, and replace STAAR with shorter, more instructionally useful assessments. Senator Bettencourt explained the committee substitute, including annual ratings, limits on taxpayer-funded lawsuits, and a phased-in testing redesign with beginning, middle, and end-of-year assessments. Testimony was generally supportive from education and business groups, though some witnesses favored norm-referenced testing while others emphasized criterion-referenced, TEKS-aligned assessments; one witness noted social studies assessments were restored in the bill. The hearing concluded with additional invited testimony and no final vote reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• recognize the departure of Representative Jackson, Tarver, and Terry Landry, and we thank them for their service
• Next up would be the Cameron Family Services. No, no, no, wrong one.
• Next up would be the Cameron Family Services. No, no, no, wrong one.
• complexes, the downtown post office, the 911 operations building, and City of Lake Charles Public Transit
• Tammany Parish Hospital Service. We have three guys up here. Is that complex?

Summary: The joint Senate and House Transportation, Highways, and Public Works committees met on March 3, 2026, and first considered several requests for approval to use the construction manager at risk (CMAR) method for local projects. The first item, Caddo Parish’s proposed $9.6 million pickleball park, drew extended questioning about whether the project was truly complex, whether CMAR would save money versus public bid, the project’s location and accessibility, and whether it fit the statute’s timing and risk criteria. The House initially voted to deny the request, while the Senate had moved to approve; after discussion about the statute and CMAR policy, the House motion was reconsidered and the Caddo project was ultimately approved. The committee then approved CMAR requests for an Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office indoor shooting range, a Calcasieu drainage district pump station rehabilitation/replacement project, St. Tammany Parish Hospital District No. 2’s Slidell Memorial emergency department expansion, St. Charles Parish Hospital’s entry registration/PACU renovation, and the Port of Vinton dock project in Calcasieu Parish. Testimony on the approved projects emphasized complexity, operational continuity, and schedule concerns. The Ascension Parish shooting range was described as involving bullet protection, ventilation and lead-control systems, and multiple training configurations; the drainage district project was presented as critical infrastructure serving much of Lake Charles and requiring staged construction to maintain flood protection; the hospital projects were justified by work inside operating facilities and the need to avoid disrupting patient care; and the Port of Vinton project was tied to an LED-related deadline and the need to keep port operations running during construction. Members generally supported these projects, with motions to approve made on both sides and no objections recorded. The meeting also featured a broader policy discussion about CMAR use. Several members, especially Representative Fontenot, questioned whether the committee had been too permissive in approving CMARs for projects that did not appear especially complex, and raised concerns about public bidding, taxpayer savings, and impacts on minority contractors. Senator Price said future legislation may tighten CMAR requirements, while Senator McMath and Senator Carter noted that the statute’s listed factors are not exhaustive and cautioned against abruptly changing practice for pending projects. The committee recessed after completing the CMAR agenda and planned to hear a DOTD presentation afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> differentiation in the kind of services differentiation in the kind of services that<00:24:03.039
• We have many students on 504 plans who receive very similar services to some of the IEP services.
• services.
• </c><01:50:41.679><c> Services</c><01:50:42.199><c> it</c> contract out for transition Services it contract
• out for transition Services it was<01:50:42.440><c> really</c><01:50:42.599><c> challenging</c><01:50

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on HB 563, which would revise the education funding formula for pupils receiving special education services by replacing the current single special education amount with three differentiated categories. Representative Rick Ladd, the prime sponsor, said the bill largely tracks a House-passed version from the prior session with minor figure adjustments, and explained that the proposal uses projected FY26 amounts for three categories based on time in general education versus more intensive placements. He also noted that the bill does not address catastrophic aid directly, but that special education aid, CAT aid, and proration all remain issues for later work sessions. Ladd and supporters argued that weighted categories better reflect actual costs and are more sustainable than treating all IEPs the same. Representative Margaret Drye said the approach was one of the best ideas from the education funding subcommittee and urged the committee to support differentiated aid. Representative Ames asked how the category amounts were derived, and Ladd said Category A follows the FY26 base, Category B is a higher weight, and Category C is a still higher weight for more intensive services, though he acknowledged the exact multipliers were developed earlier and could be revisited. He also said the committee would continue discussing whether the weights are appropriate and how they interact with CAT aid. Testimony from Bonnie Dunham strongly opposed the bill. She argued that funding based on placement rather than actual service need would create incentives to move students into more restrictive settings, could stigmatize children with labels such as "Category C," and would undermine the least restrictive environment requirements under federal special education law. She described her son’s experience in inclusive settings as beneficial and said the bill would have penalized the district for serving him there. In response to questions, she said schools and parents should base funding on the child’s actual needs and costs, not on placement, and urged the committee to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate.

Transcript Highlights:

• This leadership transition process began in late 2023 when the Bank of North Dakota president search
• If you take that Texas example, which we lived through 10 years ago, and everybody was stifling their
• You cannot make a 52-page strategic plan lived every day by 179 staff members.
• They can live by one page.
• Again, back to our mission: the health and resiliency of the financial services of the state.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee received a compliance and status update on Industrial Commission programs and the Bank of North Dakota. Staff reviewed appropriations and spending for several Industrial Commission funds and grant programs, including lignite research, oil and gas research, clean sustainable energy, grid resiliency, salt cavern analysis, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members discussed the timing of reimbursements, uncommitted balances, and the structure of the pipeline capacity and enhanced oil recovery funding. The Industrial Commission also reported on its administrative budget, grant management system project, and recent leadership transitions across several agencies. Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described active grant rounds and the status of major projects. She said the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority approved three projects in its sixth round, with remaining uncommitted cash and loan capacity still available, though no new funding was appropriated this session. She also said the Oil and Gas Research Council approved six enhanced oil recovery projects and expects additional funding after a federal Department of Energy award replaces one project’s state funding. For grid resiliency grants, she said some projects have been funded, some commitments were returned or reallocated, and some DOE funds remain pending. She also updated the committee on the salt cavern business case study, which replaced an earlier larger development proposal, and on the NDSU research park grant, where the nonmatching portion was paid and the matching portion has moved slowly because the match must be in cash. Ron Ness then gave an extended presentation on enhanced oil recovery and North Dakota oil and gas trends. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, especially gas takeaway and projects like the Bakken East pipeline. He argued that enhanced oil recovery using CO2, natural gas, surfactants, and other methods could extend Bakken production for decades, but that the state needs more CO2 supply, better storage, and updated tax and regulatory incentives. Members asked about lateral lengths, CO2 availability, pipeline impacts, and the role of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and Ness emphasized that the projects are intended to share technical learning across operators and attract follow-on investment. The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and strategic update. President Don Morgan said the bank’s mission remains to support North Dakota agriculture, commerce, and industry while cooperating with the state’s financial sector. He reviewed the bank’s main business lines: participation lending with community institutions, student loans, disaster lending, mission-based programs, and a new fintech-focused effort. Morgan said deposits are flattening, so the bank is managing balance sheet growth carefully, while still reporting improved net income and strong efficiency. He also introduced Rough Rider Coin as a bank-to-bank payment rail, not a public cryptocurrency, intended to speed and modernize payments within North Dakota’s banking and credit union system. Committee members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster program use, and how credit lines and liquidity would be affected if deposits shrink.

Transcript Highlights:

• see the department here today, but I was wondering how much we've spent on House Bill 345 or this transition
• And it just doesn't feel good to potentially, and it may not be a duplication of services, but to maybe

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard House Bill 777, which updates Idaho’s Controlled Substances Act. Testimony from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses explained that the bill adds several substances to Schedule I and two opioids to Schedule II, makes clarifying and cleanup changes, updates registration to biennial registration, and expands limited prescription drug monitoring program access for certain federal and tribal investigators. The bill was described as having no expected fiscal impact and no public opposition was reported. The committee voted to send HB 777 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee also approved the minutes from February 11, 2026. It then took up House Concurrent Resolution 30, which seeks legislative authorization to hire an independent consultant to assist the Medicaid Legislative Review Panel as Idaho moves toward comprehensive managed care under House Bill 345. Senator Van Orden said the panel is facing a large volume of contract and RFP material tied to a roughly $5.5 billion Medicaid budget and needs help meeting an October deadline. Supporters argued an independent consultant would provide needed oversight on a complex contract, while opponents questioned whether the work would duplicate the Department of Health and Welfare’s consultant and raised concerns about added spending and the broader direction of Medicaid managed care. After debate, the committee voted by roll call 6-3 to send HCR 30 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would meet again the next day on additional bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• disparity caused by extensive federal ownership of land within states that makes funding essential services
• As Hawaii transitions to renewable energy, we need leadership in both departments that support our state's

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they required, upon their release and reentry, to give notification wherever they live?
• being celebrated outside, it is the service that should and could be protected.
• , the lives of their families and their communities.
• Jury service is fundamental, right?
• Jury service is part of that.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee first handled housekeeping items, voluntarily deferring HB 63 and HB 622 at the authors’ requests. It then heard HB 131 on post-conviction relief, which would remove the word “inexcusably” from the PCR statute and delay bail eligibility after relief until the state’s appeals are exhausted through the Louisiana Supreme Court. The bill drew support from the Attorney General’s office and district attorneys, with opposition cards from the Southern Poverty Law Center, and it was reported favorably. HB 789, concerning seizure of off-road vehicles used unlawfully on roadways, was amended to direct forfeiture proceeds to the Attorney General when acting as district attorney ad hoc; it was then reported as amended with support from law enforcement and no opposition testimony.