Transcript Highlights:

• So the 23-24 performance audit: no findings. The 21-22 performance audit: no findings.
• . ...our housing unit to pay for those bonds.
• of a CFO while you're in a bonding process can impact that funding.
• But it's basically tied to particularly the highest-performing students, academically performing students
• But it's basically tied to particularly the highest performing students, academically performing students

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WE FINISHED BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN EXPANSIONS, SOLD 3 MILLION WORTH OF BONDS AND 18 AIRLINES, 10 MILLION
• IN PASSENGERS WHILE WORTH OF BONDS AND 18 AIRLINES, 10 MILLION IN PASSENGERS WHILE IMPROVING THE INTEGRITY
• IT DOESN'T REALLY GO IN MY OPINION TO THE BOTTOM LINE OF ADMISSION WHICH IS TEACHING STUDENTS, PERFORMING
• FUNDING AS THE THE BOG PRIOR TO MY ARRIVAL SET OUT PERFORMANCE FUNDING AS THE STANDARD FOR EXCELLENCE
• MODEL THEY DO THESE THINGS YET WHILE WE DO AS YOU KNOW HAVE FUNDING FOR PERFORMANCE FUNDING IS OFTEN

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Looking at the effectiveness and performance-related scores, there's a lot more we could do with it.
• So upon request, if they reach out to us, we can actually walk them through and scope out and perform
• The bonds were paid in full in 2013.
• Performance needs, to your point, right?
• So we actually took a bond out? We bonded this last time we did it? Yeah. Interesting. Okay.

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then received a quarterly update on major IT projects from NDIT. Staff reported the portfolio included 116 major projects totaling about $546 million, with the overall portfolio under budget but slightly behind schedule. They reviewed projects over the 20% variance threshold, including an Industrial Commission grants management system and DOT’s roadway pre-construction replacement, and then heard startup and closeout reports from HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT. Several previously troubled projects were closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning; some projects finished under budget and ahead of schedule, while others were significantly behind schedule or over budget but were now closed or being remediated. The committee also reviewed NDIT’s annual report, including service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how service-fund revenue and grant administrative charges are accounted for, how chargebacks work, and whether NDIT tracks customer satisfaction scores. NDIT said it does track CSAT-type measures in some service areas and has survey data, but it is not planning another customer survey this summer. Members encouraged more regular reporting of customer satisfaction, service-level metrics, and performance data to help guide future improvements. A major portion of the meeting focused on the state’s mainframe modernization effort. NDIT said the overall effort is still targeting about 2030, with multiple HHS and DOT projects underway and a $15 million tech-debt appropriation already removing some components. Staff described the main obstacles as data cleanup, complex integrations, limited staff capacity, retirements, and vendor constraints, and said they are seeking a vendor with modernization support in the next contract cycle. Members pressed for clearer accountability and faster progress, and NDIT and HHS emphasized that they are working jointly but need continued support and better tools. The committee then heard a cybersecurity update on NDIT’s statewide services and maturity assessments. NDIT explained that it provides vulnerability scanning, endpoint protection, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that these services are tied to a cybersecurity maturity assessment based on CIS controls. Members questioned the sharp drop in participation since 2020 and whether the self-assessment should be mandatory or tied more strongly to StageNet access or insurance incentives. NDIT said participation is voluntary, but Enderf is now requiring annual assessments to keep a 4% insurance discount, and members discussed whether stronger requirements or audit authority may be needed. The meeting ended as the committee began a follow-up discussion on BEAD broadband connection costs and why some locations are much more expensive to connect than others.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allows a pharmacist to independently order, perform, or interpret certain tests, outlined on point two
• to a school district and lists bond uses that must be printed as a separate ballot proposition.
• the uses of previously approved bonds if the school district's enrollment-capacity ratio is less than
• We did have some concerns too with some of the taxing and bonding that Representative Carter brought
• We did have some concerns too with some of the taxing and bonding that Representative Carter brought

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of bills and resolutions, with staff giving brief descriptions and members flagging which items were on consent, had unanimous committee votes, or should be pulled for further discussion. Topics included education, health care, public safety, labor, water, taxation, housing, and elections. Several measures were noted as party-line or mixed votes, while many others were reported as unanimous and placed on third-read or consent calendars. Among the more discussed items were bills on school and labor policy, including a proposal to prohibit teacher strikes, a measure restricting school district bond actions, a bill requiring school safety protocols and assigning felony penalties for noncompliance, and a resolution limiting public money for labor organization activities. Members also raised concerns or requested further review on bills involving pharmacist testing authority, expired opioid antagonists, a county sheriff-related measure, a housing affordability district proposal, and a tobacco/vape regulation bill. Some measures were explicitly pulled from consent, including a Medicaid audit resolution, a budget-related pay-withholding resolution, and several education and public safety bills. The caucus also heard multiple health and human services measures, such as genetic counselor licensing, nursing board and pharmacy board continuations, foster care rights, psychiatry access funding, and free school meals. In addition, there were water and energy bills on Colorado River management, groundwater, transmission-line review, and renewable energy valuation, plus election and campaign-related proposals. The meeting ended with announcements, including an upcoming Colorado River breakfast briefing and an internal award recognizing Representative Brian Garcia, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• or bond obligations that they may have.
• Or bond obligations that they may have.
• You know, of bonds.
• I'm sure that, you know, they would be able to perform that task because they perform similar tasks in
• identifying residency. ...that, you know, they would be able to perform that task because they perform

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just like higher ed funds bonding bill.
• it develops some performance-driven it develops some performance-driven transit<00:58:45.560> system
• requirements into employee performance requirements into employee performance reviews. reviews.
• And so, for setting uh clear performance And so, for setting uh clear performance measures,<01:55
• And lastly, uh it performance measures.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My bill does not address performance-based funding. The 95% addresses preeminent funding.
• I mean, they're a pure testament to the bonds that are created at all of these events.
• These bonds are what... ...testament to the bonds that are created at all of these events.
• These bonds are what keeps all of us debaters going.
• Speech and debate—I don't think I told people I had a school for the performing arts.

Summary: The committee first took up PCS for CS for HB 1279, a higher education bill focused on Florida’s preeminent universities. The sponsor said the measure would increase access for Florida students, strengthen accountability and transparency, update accreditation references, adjust performance metrics, and address issues such as GPA weighting, engineering credit-hour differences, and certain fee-waiver and dental-program provisions. Members raised questions about the 95% Florida-resident enrollment target, possible funding impacts, Pell Grant metrics, and whether the bill would affect community college pathways; the sponsor said the bill was aimed at first-time-in-college students and that the 95% standard would be measured on a three-year rolling average. After an amendment removing an adjustment to the four-year graduation metric was adopted, the bill was reported favorably by a 17-2 vote. The committee then heard PCS for CS for HB 1059, which would strengthen speech and debate education by designating the Florida Debate Initiative as the statewide organization, supporting coach and judge training, statewide data collection, tournaments, and a Florida Speech and Debate Week. The sponsor and several students and advocates testified that speech and debate builds confidence, civics knowledge, leadership, and opportunities for English learners and other students, with multiple speakers describing how the program changed their lives. Members from both parties spoke strongly in support, and the bill was reported favorably without opposition. Finally, the committee considered PCS for HB 725 on political activity at public institutions of higher education. The sponsor said the bill would standardize campus policies, require notice to students and employees about free-expression and political-campaign rules, and align state practice with federal guidelines while preserving free speech and nonpartisan voter engagement. An opponent argued the bill could create barriers to civic engagement and student organizing, while supporters said it would clarify existing rules and prevent institutions from favoring one viewpoint over another. The sponsor closed by emphasizing that the bill was about information and neutrality rather than restricting speech.

Transcript Highlights:

• Subdivision 3 provides the city the authority to issue the bonds to finance the cost of the project.
• Establishes the limit on the bonds must not exceed that they may be paid from the secured by the funds
• issuing the bonds. issuing the bonds.
• The service performed by an individual who's a school resource officer and not performed in the individual's
• the subdivision three is the bonding the subdivision three is the bonding authority authority authority

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bond word the um revenue bond uh<00:42:37.760> language.
• Um, with the issuance of revenue<00:43:13.200> bonds, revenue bonds, revenue bonds, um,<00:43:
• and revenue bonds.
• No, this is all revenue bonds. Revenue bonds. Yes.
• revenue bonds. Revenue bond. Yes. revenue bonds. Revenue bond. Yes.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard three University of Hawaiʻi-related measures. HB 718 HD1 would appropriate funds for faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in cardiovascular, law, biology, tropical medicine, quantitative health/biostatistics, and environmental health and safety. Testimony was in support, including from university representatives and others who submitted written testimony. Members asked whether the positions were additional and how they would affect enrollment; the university said the hires would teach medical students and conduct biomedical research, helping increase the class size to about 77 and eventually 80, and noted a workforce paper requested by the committee would be provided soon. The committee then discussed SB 1170 HD1, which would grant resident tuition at any UH campus to certain graduates of Hawaiʻi high schools enrolling in undergraduate programs. UH supported the bill and said it had adjusted its testimony in response to prior committee concerns. Members focused on the proposed four-year window, asking why that timeframe was chosen and whether the change was needed at all. UH explained that four years would allow students who left the state to return and still complete an undergraduate degree or prepare for graduate school, and said the bill would help students who come back after one or two years but otherwise would have to wait a year to reestablish residency under current rules. UH also said it was discussing possible administrative rule changes as an alternative if the bill did not pass. Finally, the committee heard HB 1300 HD1, which would fund a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center pilot study on cancer disparities among Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, and people living near landfills in Nanakuli, focusing on social determinants of health, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and resilience factors. Testimony from researchers and advocates strongly supported the measure, saying the study could help explain cancer disparities and support future research funding. Members questioned the cost, the reliance on future federal or foundation funding, and the practical outcome of the study. The Cancer Center said the pilot would cost about $500,000 per year for two years, with later funding sought from federal, nonprofit, or private sources; it said the study would produce longitudinal data that could help identify at-risk groups and provide evidence for policy decisions, though members expressed concern that the project needed a clearer end goal and stronger case for public investment.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're not a risk to the community, you can be let out on a bond.
• As of September 5th, bond has been taken away from folks who are at no risk to the community.
• Well, we hope that the judiciary steps in to overturn the bond decision. ...to overturn the bond decision
• And so my question is to the folks that are performing some of these different workshops: is there any
• Is seeking out information for these officers about what their performance standards are and what laws

Transcript Highlights:

• We actually did a performance evaluation under the Legislative Finance Committee.
• So they get independent money for that and their performance, and then for their research and public
• If the project's funded by severance tax or bonds themselves, but if it's a straight general fund, you
• I will say that the process, to your point about the bonding, like the TIF funding versus the general
• In the bonding IG, it usually includes more language regarding the bonds and the expenditures, but the

Transcript Highlights:

• Ours relates to the bond issuance.
• As a bond issuer, that's what we look at. It's relatively technical in nature.
• So we'll get closer to the bond issuance, which is very typical in a TID bond; you may get the authorization
• About the bond indemnification process. Is that the way it? Yeah.
• and payment bond.

Transcript Highlights:

• The SNAP benefit program at the state level, they've got performance metrics, and one of the key performance
• I've never seen that kind of pay for performance, hard pay for performance kind of policy proposal from
• You know, all the performance research evidence, those types of things.
• They are doing well, performing well on juvenile justice services, whereas they don't really perform
• Uh, the forensic library has two, troubling performance indicators.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or I'm gonna have them put up a bond that I can draw on. And I think it'll work itself out.
• You could require, you know, we have a bonding system that runs to the benefit of the state.
• Chairman, on how this would affect an operator's ability to get bonding?
• blanket bonds with maximum. amount, so it would not affect that.
• bonds?

Transcript Highlights:

• Our word is our bond. So when we say we're on it, we're on it.
• That reduces their capacity to take on or even support existing bonds. Are you concerned with that?
• I had many meetings with people who write bonds.
• So one of my concerns along with the bond is that a few years ago we passed Redbud funding.
• have A lot of businesses were having challenges with capital investments because they weren't able to bond

Bills: HR1051, HR1048, SB2074, SJR39, SJR47, SB1983, SB444, SB1503, SB1561, SB592, SB1501, SB1946, SB1567, SB1833, SB2026, SB904, SB2178, SB1651, SB1558, SB1565, SB1553, SB1257, SB65, SB1749, SB1242, SB1642, SB640, SB667, SB1436, SB1484, SB1562, SB1794, SB1644, SB1533, SB933, SB1555

Keywords: livestock, judging, Oklahoma State University, championship, agriculture, military children, recognition, community support, military families, April 15, pharmacy benefits managers, reimbursement, healthcare, prescription drugs, cost regulation, property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly

Transcript Highlights:

• Some are called GO bonds, or general obligation bonds.
• By contrast, a really useful type of bond, especially for smaller projects, is called a revenue bond.
• > bonds.
• <02:08:59.480> That's or general obligation bonds. That's or general obligation bonds.
• <02:09:47.760> bonds obligation bonds, these revenue bonds obligation bonds, these revenue

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House resumed consideration of H.606 on firearm procedures and first took up Section 3 and its effective dates. A member from Northfield spoke at length in support, arguing the provision is narrowly tailored, based on actual dangerousness rather than mental illness alone, and is more limited than federal law because it applies only to specific court findings and is temporary, with rights restorable upon recovery. The House then approved Section 3 and its effective dates, approved the remainder of the Judiciary Committee report, and ordered third reading. The chamber then moved through third readings and passed H.385 on remedies and protections for victims of coerced debt, H.556 on exceptions to the state minimum wage, H.559 on the parole board, H.723 on posting of land, and H.757 on manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives. On H.814, relating to neurological rights and AI in health and human services, the House adopted an amendment offered by the member from Burlington that required the advisory council to include proposed definitions for neurotechnology, artificial intelligence, and related terms in its report; the House Health Care Committee reported the amendment favorable 11-0-0, and the bill then passed. H.816, regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of mental health services, also passed, as did H.927, technical corrections for the 2026 session. The House then took up H.930 on chronic absenteeism. The committee member from Manchester described the bill as an AOE proposal responding to high post-pandemic absenteeism rates and their impact on learning, and outlined provisions adding definitions, updating compulsory attendance language, requiring a state model policy, strengthening notification and truancy procedures, and preserving existing penalties. The member said the Education Committee heard from a wide range of education and child welfare witnesses and passed the bill 11-0. After a brief clarification on the absences section, the House proceeded toward third reading of H.930.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, these thresholds are set for a capital project and bond oversight approval.
• This is just setting the thresholds for capital projects and bond oversight approval.
• :05:23.400> capital<00:05:23.759> projects<00:05:24.080> and<00:05:24.199> bond
• thresholds for capital projects and bond thresholds for capital projects and bond oversight<00:05
• and efficiency by government performance and efficiency by attracting<00:10:06.720> and<00:10

Keywords: Consideration of HB 491 02:14 Consideration of HB 738 07:58 Guest presentation by Taiwan Consul General Elliott Wang 25:20 Consideration of HCR 50 36:37 Consideration of SB 19 49:29, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 491 by Representative Steve Riley. The committee adopted a proposed committee substitute, then heard that the bill would raise the threshold for certain capital project and equipment purchases from $200,000 to $500,000, remove a requirement for a special board meeting when replacing a board of regents member, allow certain employees or contractors to perform capital construction work up to $500,000, remove limits on retired police officers working at postsecondary institutions, and speed release of pension information to employers. Members asked about reporting and oversight of the higher threshold, and the witness said the records are maintained by institutions and available upon request. HB 491 passed on a 19-0 roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 738 by Representative Griffey, relating to state personnel and the constitutional officers. The bill would give independently elected constitutional officers more flexibility to hire unclassified employees and set salaries for classified employees up to the midpoint without Personnel Cabinet approval, while leaving pay scales, appropriations, and funding limits unchanged. Representative Griffey and witnesses from the auditor’s office said the measure was intended to reduce red tape, address salary compression, improve pay equity, and help recruit and retain staff; they also said it would allow offices to fill policy roles needed for audits and other work. Members questioned the fiscal note, salary caps, and whether the bill would affect future budget requests. The bill passed 18-1, with one pass, and the chair noted it would move favorably to the House floor. After those bills, the committee briefly welcomed Taiwan’s consul general, Elliot Wang, and Representative Adam Bowling spoke about Kentucky’s relationship with Taiwan, including trade, investment, and prior assistance during disasters. Wang described Taiwan’s economic ties with the United States, ongoing trade and investment developments, defense and education cooperation, and people-to-people exchange programs, noting Kentucky was the first state to sign an education cooperation MOU with Taiwan in 2021.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> House Bill 143, an act relating to fiduciary bonds. >> Representative Elliott. >> Gentleman from
• <00:06:36.560> Representative<00:06:37.120> Elliott, fiduciary bonds.
• Representative Elliott, fiduciary bonds.
• be signed by the fiduciary in the bond be signed by the fiduciary in the presence<00:07:01.120> of
• The board retains responsibility for planning, fiscal oversight, rate setting, and performance under

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:04 Orders of the Day 06:01 HB 143 06:11 HB 164 08:07 HB 314 11:07 HB 398 21:17 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 29:02 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 34:01 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 35:40 ConC/Rules Report 40:15 Floor Amendments 41:15 Adjournment 41:26, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call showing 95 members present. The chamber approved the prior journal, received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 20 and 68 and requested concurrence, and then moved to floor action on several bills. House Bill 143, relating to fiduciary bonds, was explained as removing the requirement that a fiduciary sign a bond in the presence of a court clerk or notary public; it passed 94-0. House Bill 164, relating to hearing aid coverage and related services, was described as increasing the coverage cap from $1,400 to $2,500, updating the definition of hearing aid, and adding network adequacy requirements; it passed 93-0 with one abstention. The House then considered House Bill 314, relating to the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and declared an emergency. Supporters said the bill was intended to address long-standing concerns about KentuckyWired management and oversight. A committee substitute and floor amendment were adopted, and the bill was explained as moving KCNA into the Finance and Administration Cabinet, transferring its functions to the Commonwealth Office of Technology, abolishing the separate executive director position, and reconstituting the board with new members and appointments. The bill passed 80-13. House Bill 398, relating to decommissioning costs for electric generating units, was presented as allowing terminal net salvage to be included in rates so utilities can recover end-of-life plant costs over time rather than through larger future spikes; after questions about PSC authority and safeguards, it passed 78-15. After the orders of the day concluded, members made announcements about upcoming committee meetings and a birthday recognition. House Resolution 7, recognizing guiding principles for elections in Kentucky, was reported as having passed unanimously in committee and was adopted without objection. The House also received the report of the Committee on Committees and the Rules Committee, which referred several bills and resolutions to standing committees and posted House Bills 194 and 393 for the next regular orders. The chamber then adjourned until 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know, as Senator Dever talked earlier about that mother and child bond, attachment and bonding is
• the connotation of sexual performance.
• away the connotation of sexual performance.
• and the performance for production.
• It's opting for the term production rather than performance and replacing any references to sexual performance

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know, as Senator Dever talked earlier about that mother and child bond, attachment and bonding is
• ...away the connotation of sexual performance.
• And then we redefine performance for production.
• and the performance for production.
• It's opting for the term production rather than performance and replacing any references to sexual performance

Summary: The committee first approved the December 16 minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their economic and public-system impacts. She explained that ACEs are population-level risk indicators, not individual diagnostic tools, and said higher ACE exposure is associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare and justice involvement, and lower workforce participation. She cautioned that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across the life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based interventions and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, trends in ACEs, and home visiting; she emphasized supportive relationships, protective factors, and the importance of positive childhood experiences. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco, along with a recorded family story from Abby, about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota. Abby described how Healthy Families North Dakota supported her family after a premature birth and NICU stay by providing weekly in-home coaching, developmental screenings, postpartum mental health check-ins, referrals, and parenting support. The presenters explained that home visiting is voluntary, relationship-based, and usually begins prenatally or shortly after birth, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, pregnancy navigators, human service zones, self-referrals, and other community partners. They said North Dakota currently has four main evidence-based models operating through 12 organizations, with Healthy Families available in all 53 counties, though only a fraction of eligible families are served. Funding was described as a patchwork of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E, Medicaid, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and other grants; members discussed whether the Legislature or agencies should expand support and how to improve outreach and sustainability. Finally, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, focusing on AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and chatbot-related risks. The report summarized federal and state law, including North Dakota’s existing computer-generated image provisions, the federal PROTECT Act, the Take It Down Act, and recent federal executive orders on AI policy. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI’s effect on critical thinking and misinformation. The committee then heard from BCI Special Agent Cassidy Halsef, who said AI is already driving a sharp rise in child exploitation cases in North Dakota, including AI-generated explicit images of real minors and school-based incidents involving mass-shared manipulated images. She said investigators are seeing more cyber tips, more difficult forensic work, and lasting harm to victims and families, and urged stronger legal penalties, specialized training, victim services, and prevention education in schools and communities.