Transcript Highlights:

• but allowing utility ownership of nuclear and natural gas facilities up to 10% of a utility's peak load
• Nope, we don't want the load to go up," then my members say, "Okay, well then you've got it set.
• Nope, we don't want the load to go up," then my members say, "Okay, well then you've got it set.
• Nope, we don't want the load to go up," then my members say, "Okay, well then you've got it set.
• Nope, we don't want the load to go up," then my members say, "Okay, well then you've got it set.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's a loaded word that really doesn't capture what's an issue.
• </c><03:27:22.239><c> firearm</c> was uh the definition of loaded firearm was uh the definition of loaded
• </c><03:28:21.680><c> I</c> because he now can have a load of gun.
• I because he now can have a load of gun.
• I'm okay with them being loaded in a boat, quite honestly, as long as they're not discharging it.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, first, the business impact is probably more front-loaded to this FY26 than even it shows here.
• Highlights in this photo are the loading dock area.
• The loading dock will continue to progress quickly through the next couple of months in order to be utilized
• Also adding snowmelt in the loading dock and the interior courtyards, providing concrete paving instead

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity in North Dakota. Ron Ness said production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with efficiency gains and longer laterals helping offset lower rig counts. He discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, northward movement of drilling activity, and the importance of new infrastructure and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) pilots. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, pipeline impacts, and the outlook for Continental and other operators. Ness said the industry is likely to remain steady rather than see a major ramp-up or decline. Matt Pearl of the State Tax Department then explained the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. He said the law extends or makes permanent several federal provisions and creates temporary deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest, with the biggest state impact coming from the standard deduction increase and business tax changes. He revised earlier estimates downward, saying the net cash impact on state collections is likely in the $30 million to $35 million range after accounting for business prepayments and one-time FY25 oilfield transaction effects. Committee members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns. OMB staff gave a detailed update on major capital projects and facility funding. Topics included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, seating, lighting, tree management, and restroom and lobby upgrades; security work at the governor’s residence, which has been delayed by the discovery of human remains; and space reconfiguration efforts in Bismarck-Mandan to reduce leases and create shared offices and conference rooms. They also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, including roof, window, boiler, and kitchen projects at state facilities, and on the state hospital project in Jamestown, which remains on budget and on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028. OMB also updated the committee on the Minot North Central State Office Building, the use of federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds, and the status of legislative intent and trust fund reports, including school aid turnback, the school construction loan program, the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund, the Legacy Fund, and the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. The committee ended by discussing future agenda items, including government efficiency, cash management, Bank of North Dakota lines of credit, and the rural health transformation program, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• two things that I offered to the body and to Chair Torkelson for whoever is going to pick up this load
• going to pick Torkelson for whoever is going to pick up<00:19:46.160><c> this</c><00:19:46.640><c> load
• 48.480><c> in</c><00:19:48.640><c> there</c><00:19:48.880><c> it</c><00:19:49.000><c> talks</c> up this load
• Um in in there it talks up this load.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had federal law enforcement in our area follow a custodian up onto a loading dock just because
• onto</c><00:38:07.960><c> a</c> area follow a custodian up onto a area follow a custodian up onto a loading
• :08.840><c> because</c><00:38:09.200><c> of</c><00:38:09.320><c> what</c><00:38:09.480><c> he</c> loading
• dock just because of what he loading dock just because of what he looked<00:38:09.840><c> like.

Transcript Highlights:

• navigation, scrolling, or typing issues, and students can focus entirely on the content, reducing cognitive load
• Assessment experts note this is often because screens add extra cognitive load...
• Assessment experts note this is often because screens add extra cognitive load, navigation, typing demands
• person, but it's very helpful to touch the paper, read the words, and then add that to the cognitive load

Bills: HB2020 , HB2032 , HB2033 , HB2249 , HB2313 , HB2318 , HB2378 , HCR2003

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Keywords: interference, disruption, educational institutions, public order, conduct rules, statewide assessment, student testing, academic standards, third grade reading, reading retention, promotion and retention, school accountability, assessment window, testing window, test scores, school report cards, nontest data, graduation rates, dropout rates, education data privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• sufficient funding to participate in several high-demand technical programs due to their high credit load
• limit the number of credits available to students, preventing many from maintaining a full-time course load
• By completing prerequisites early, she was able to balance her course load and graduate high school with
• ability to maintain ...from 1.4 to 1.2 FTE, removing a student's ability to maintain a full-time credit load

Bills: SB6130 , SB6247 , SB6260 , SB6268 , SB6278

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: voter registration, elections, national holiday, civic engagement, government initiative, school funding, financial management, budgeting, transparency, district governance, SB 6260, public education, K-12, Washington State, OSPI, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, education finance, school transportation, school buses, zero-emission bus

Transcript Highlights:

• sufficient funding to participate in several high-demand technical programs due to their high credit load
• limit the number of credits available to students, preventing many from maintaining a full-time course load
• By completing prerequisites early, she was able to balance her course load and graduate high school with
• ability to maintain from 1.4 to 1.2 FTE, removing a student's ability to maintain a full-time credit load

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education-related bills. Senate Bill 6130 would move public high schools’ voter registration events from Temperance and Good Citizenship Day in January to National Voter Registration Day in September, with schools offering Future Voter registration to eligible students in history or social studies classes. The sponsor, Sen. Krishnadasan, and supporters from King County Elections, Pierce County, OSPI, and the Legislative Youth Advisory Council said the change would better match student interest and improve youth civic engagement at no fiscal cost. A senator asked about community service opportunities, and the sponsor said that could potentially fit within existing community service recognition programs. Senate Bill 6247 would expand financial oversight and training for school districts, especially those in financial distress or binding conditions. It would require additional ESD involvement, add WASDA training on budgeting and financial health for school directors, and impose stronger consequences for knowing financial misconduct, including future employment bars and state reimbursement of certain unrecovered damages. Sen. Dozier said the bill responds to district financial problems, including Prescott School District. OSPI supported the bill, while the Association of Educational Service Districts, WSSDA, and WEA raised concerns about ESDs being placed in an oversight role, the need to align the bill with other pending training legislation, and whether some enforcement duties should instead rest with the state auditor. Senate Bill 6268 would require OSPI to keep an online record of final special education community complaint decisions for 20 years instead of the current five years on its website. OSPI supported the bill, saying it would improve transparency and help families, educators, and policymakers identify patterns and understand how complaints are resolved; the sponsor said the retention period may be amended. Advocates from Washington Autism Alliance, The Arc, and parent advocates testified in favor, saying the records help families avoid repeated disputes and reveal systemic issues. Senate Bill 6278 would change how PESB reviews teacher and principal preparation programs and adjust student-teaching field placement plan submission timing; the sponsor said the goal is to ensure educators are better prepared, and PESB testified neutral, saying many of the review elements already exist and the bill would add flexibility. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6260, a budget-savings bill affecting public education. It would lengthen school bus depreciation to 15 years, withhold up to 1.9% of MSOC funds to pay for the High School and Beyond Plan platform, and reduce Running Start funding from 1.4 to 1.2 FTE. OFM supported the bill as part of the governor’s budget approach, but many testifiers opposed it, arguing it would cut district resources, keep older buses on the road longer, shift costs to schools, and reduce access to Running Start—especially for low-income, rural, and technical-program students. School district, college, PTA, counselor, and student witnesses said the current 1.4 FTE model has expanded access and completion, while supporters of the bill emphasized state budget pressures and said the changes would preserve other priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• OPD chose to front-load $4.7 million in the first fiscal year of the biennium in order to maintain services
• 27, OPD will need to reduce its direct representation costs by 59%, in part because of the front-loading
• Three counties had no foreseeable funding for increasing their attorney ratio and case load standard
• Attorneys are carrying twice the load that is recommended. And appellate cases may need...

Summary: The committee received agency updates on several behavioral health and justice programs. The Health Care Authority reported that assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) has expanded from two counties to eight, with a ninth expected in December, and described AOT as a court-ordered, least-restrictive treatment model that depends on close coordination among courts, treatment providers, and local officials. The agency also reviewed Joel’s Law, which lets family members, guardians, conservators, or tribes petition for an initial involuntary detention when they disagree with a designated crisis responder’s decision. Judges Ferreira and Larson said petition use has increased significantly statewide and in Snohomish County, but many cases do not proceed beyond the initial detention stage; they also noted family frustration, disjointed processes, and bed shortages as ongoing issues. Committee members asked about expansion criteria, the law’s effectiveness, and how the system fits together with other mental health interventions. The Attorney General’s Office presented on the hate crimes and bias incidents hotline created by SB 5427. The hotline began a pilot in King, Clark, and Spokane counties on July 1, 2025, with a statewide launch planned for 2027. Officials said the advisory committee helped shape the referral process, intake questions, outreach materials, and public branding. In the first five months, the hotline received 301 reports, with roughly 45% from King County and about 38% from outside the pilot counties; 42% requested follow-up, and only about a quarter of those wanted law enforcement referral. Testimony emphasized that the hotline is non-emergency, anonymous if desired, and focused on referrals rather than investigation. Members asked about why callers do not seek law enforcement involvement, how the hotline compares with Oregon’s launch, and what kinds of incidents are being reported. The Office of Independent Investigations reported progress on its work investigating police deadly force fatalities. Director Roger Rogoff said the agency has grown to 66 employees, including 31 investigators, and has completed six fatality investigations, with two public final reports posted. He said the office now operates in Region 1 and plans to expand statewide as staffing allows, with a future east-side expansion dependent on additional investigators. He also said the office has 29 requests to review prior cases, but those reviews are time-intensive and limited to cases with new evidence. Committee members asked about staffing needs, local cooperation, and whether the office conducts parallel investigations; Rogoff said OII performs the criminal investigation, while agencies may still do administrative reviews. The committee then heard a lengthy panel on public defense caseload standards and funding. The Washington State Bar Association, Washington Defender Association, county representatives, and city representatives all discussed the new caseload standards and the implementation timeline. Speakers said the standards reflect modern public defense realities but warned that funding, attorney recruitment and retention, office space, and data collection remain major barriers. Survey results from county offices showed wide variation in readiness, with many counties uncertain about timelines and most citing lack of funding as the biggest obstacle; attorney attrition was also described as high. County and city representatives argued that the new standards will require far more attorneys and support staff, and that local governments cannot absorb the cost without substantial state funding. They urged the Legislature to increase state support, improve workforce pipelines, and address structural issues in the public defense system.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the more stringent protections that were under the Clean Water Act, such as total maximum daily load
• And the Senator mentioned total daily maximum loads, which is a federal Clean Water Act tool.
• And the Senator mentioned total daily maximum loads, which is a federal Clean Water Act tool.
• Total maximum daily loads, which is a federal Clean Water Act tool.

Summary: The committee heard SB 404 on metal shredding facilities, SB 601 on water quality protections after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision, SB 682 on phasing out PFOS in certain consumer products, and later SB 646 on prenatal vitamins and toxic metal contamination. SB 561 had been pulled from the hearing. In each of the measures, the authors and supporters emphasized environmental and public health protections, while opponents raised concerns about overregulation, implementation, and unintended economic impacts. The committee also spent time on the policy details of each bill, including how smaller operators would be treated under SB 404, how “nexus waters” would be defined under SB 601, and whether alternatives and testing standards were adequate under SB 682 and SB 646. For SB 404, Senator Caballero said the bill would create a permitting and enforcement framework for metal shredding facilities, with operational standards for fire prevention, stormwater, and releases of shredder residue, while supporters argued it would bring needed certainty to a critical recycling industry. Opponents, including small recyclers and community/environmental advocates, said the bill was either too broad or not strong enough, with some warning it would burden smaller facilities and others arguing it would fail to protect overburdened communities. The committee approved SB 404 on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with recorded support from the chair and some members and opposition from others. SB 601 sought to restore state-level protections for waters that lost federal Clean Water Act coverage after Sackett, using a “nexus waters” framework and revised enforcement provisions after amendments removed the private right of action. Supporters said California needed to preserve protections for seasonal streams and wetlands and avoid backsliding, while opponents from business, agriculture, water districts, and local governments argued the definition remained too broad and could create uncertainty, costs, and unintended consequences. The committee also approved SB 601 on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, again with split votes. SB 682, which the committee also advanced, would phase out intentionally added PFOS in six product categories, including cleaning products, cookware, dental floss, ski wax, food packaging, and juvenile products, with an amendment delaying cookware implementation until 2030. Supporters framed it as a source-control measure to reduce PFAS contamination and lower long-term water treatment costs, while manufacturers and cookware interests argued the bill was overbroad, lacked workable testing standards, and could push consumers and businesses toward uncertain alternatives. The committee chair recommended an aye vote, and the measure passed to Appropriations. SB 646 was then introduced on prenatal vitamins, with supporters saying it would require testing and disclosure of heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, while the opposition said disclosure must be handled carefully so as not to confuse consumers or undermine confidence in prenatal supplements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Development Department on the status of EDD next, and the status of unemployment and the work increase load
• We're frustrated and had a lot of tension, but ultimately we're just carrying the load of the fear and
• That is our budget change proposal, subsequent injuries, benefit trust fund, SIBTF and work load.
• Our examiners have a lot to do. when the average load in the industry is about 400.

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually, yesterday or today I did see them loading sheetrock into the space, and so we're starting the
• This highlights the loading dock area.
• Both of the retaining walls are almost This highlights the loading dock area.
• Both of the retaining walls are almost completed, and the loading dock will continue to progress quickly
• the patient room, fitting up the northwest and southwest patient courtyards, adding snowmelt in a loading

Summary: The committee was called to order, the roll was taken, and the March 18 minutes were approved. Members then received several project and program updates, beginning with CHI St. Alexius’s behavioral health buildouts in Bismarck, Williston, and Grand Forks. St. Alexius reported that the Bismarck project remains on track for June 2027 completion, with demolition underway and final design work nearing completion. Williston reported construction is progressing, staffing recruitment is underway for psychiatrists and other staff, and an air handler replacement is creating a roughly $750,000 unbudgeted barrier that will slightly delay the timeline. Grand Forks reported its expansion is about 30% complete, with no major barriers beyond weather, and leaders said the project should be substantially complete in the first quarter of 2027. The Department of Health and Human Services then presented a series of budget and program updates. Donna Ockland explained several recent line-item transfers as technical corrections that net to zero and do not require new spending, then reviewed salaries, wages, and FTE counts, noting the department remains within its authorized staffing levels. Pat Rainer followed with an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying 12 opportunities have been posted, 422 applications received, and $8.4 million obligated so far, with a goal of obligating the full $199 million by September. He described grants for workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community gardens, school wellness, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, equipment, technology, EMS, and other initiatives, emphasizing that the program is intended to be transformational and tied to metrics. Members asked extensive questions about how rural eligibility is defined, how grants will support both rural facilities and hub hospitals, and how future years of funding will build on current awards. The committee also heard an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller, who said North Dakota has been accepted as a demonstration state, implementation is underway in Williston, North Central/Minot, Fargo, and Dickinson, and care coordination and service counts are increasing. Rebecca Askins then reviewed SNAP payment error rates, saying the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89%, with the state aiming to get below 6% through policy updates, training, data tools, and a quality assurance team. Members pressed her on the causes of the error rate, the role of the SPACES software system, and the need for accountability and improvements. Finally, Dirk Wilkie reported the state laboratory project reached substantial completion on June 12 and is on budget at about $69.95 million, though a service elevator had to be redesigned because it was too small for equipment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually, yesterday or today I did see them loading sheetrock into the space, and so we're starting the
• This highlights the loading dock area.
• Both of the retaining walls are almost This highlights the loading dock area.
• Both of the retaining walls are almost completed, and the loading dock will continue to progress quickly
• the patient room, fitting up the northwest and southwest patient courtyards, adding snowmelt in a loading

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on health-related projects and Department of Health and Human Services budget matters. Representatives from CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck and Williston, and Altru in Grand Forks, reported progress on behavioral health expansion projects, including demolition and construction milestones, updated timelines, funding status, staffing plans, and barriers such as an unbudgeted air handler replacement in Williston. Members asked about original completion dates, use of telehealth, recruitment of psychiatrists and other staff, and whether the new beds might reduce the need for patients to travel to Jamestown State Hospital. The projects were described as on track overall, with completion expected in 2027 for the larger builds and earlier openings for some phases in Williston. The committee then heard from HHS leadership on technical line-item transfers and the Salaries and Wages Block Grant. Donna Ockland explained that recent transfers were administrative corrections to place spending in the proper budget lines and did not involve new spending, and she reviewed FTE counts and vacancies across the department. Questions focused on behavioral health staffing changes and the use of consultants in the Rural Health Transformation Program. Pat Rainer outlined the rural health program’s first-year grants and priorities, including workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community wellness initiatives, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, hospital equipment, suicide prevention training, technology, and EMS support. He said North Dakota’s plan was drawing positive national attention, but the department still needed to obligate roughly $199 million by September and was working with CMS on timing and compliance. The committee also received an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller. She said North Dakota had been accepted as a demonstration state, with certification efforts underway in Williston, North Central, Fargo, and Dickinson. Members asked about care coordination, service growth, staffing, and whether certification would expand to all clinics; the department said it was still collecting baseline data and evaluating impacts before making future recommendations. Finally, Rebecca Askins reviewed SNAP payment error rates, explaining that the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89 percent and that the department is working on training, system changes, and quality assurance steps to get below 6 percent. Members pressed on the causes of monthly variability, the performance of the SPACES system, and accountability for ongoing errors, and the department said it expects improvement over the next 6 to 12 months.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we are thinking about future electrification load in California and the amount of generation
• So when we are thinking about future electrification load in California and the amount of generation
• recognize in that is how can we use historically available data to understand what is the credible load
• state agencies have to be very prudent that some of these applications are not duplicative, and this load
• How much is the load? So we are able to adequately bake that risk into the forecast.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first handled several routine actions, including approving three governor’s appointments not required to appear: Anthony Surich as Executive Director of the California Housing Finance Agency, Craig Snelling J.D. to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and Nicholas Mueller to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission. The committee also approved referral of bills to committees, all by 4-0 votes. It then took up appointments requiring testimony, beginning with Jereen DiAdamo to the State Water Resources Control Board. DiAdamo focused her remarks on safe drinking water, groundwater sustainability, conservation, and Bay-Delta restoration. She said the number of Californians without safe drinking water has fallen from 1.6 million to 800,000 since 2019, credited the SAFER program, technical assistance, and mandatory consolidation authority, and described ongoing work on failing and at-risk systems, domestic well mitigation, SGMA implementation, and the Bay-Delta Plan. Senators pressed her on audit follow-up, measurable goals for reducing the remaining unsafe systems, funding uncertainty, and concerns from environmental and tribal groups that the board has favored water users over ecosystem protections. Supporters from water, agriculture, business, and local agencies praised her collaborative style and consensus-building, while opponents argued she had not done enough to protect the Delta and called for new leadership. The committee ultimately voted 4-0 to advance her appointment to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Sivagunda Gunda for reappointment to the California Energy Commission. He highlighted progress on grid reliability, zero-carbon generation, and planning for California’s energy transition, including transportation fuels, building electrification, and the eventual retirement of Diablo Canyon. Senators questioned him about the future of Kern Energy and small refineries, the state’s transportation fuels plan, fuel imports and costs, and whether California can retire Diablo Canyon by 2030 without harming reliability. Gunda said the state is planning as if Diablo Canyon retires in 2030, that current resource additions make reliability manageable, and that affordability and market coordination remain key issues. The committee then voted 4-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate, and the hearing recessed afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we are thinking about future electrification load in California and the amount of generation
• So when we are thinking about future electrification load in California and the amount of generation
• recognize in that is how can we use historically available data to understand what is the credible load
• state agencies have to be very prudent that some of these applications are not duplicative, and this load
• How much is the load? So we are able to adequately bake that risk into the forecast.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• looking at doing some geo-mapping and things like that where, you know, where the cars could stop, loading
• looking at doing some geo-mapping and things like that where, you know, where the cars could stop, loading
• looking at doing some geo-mapping and things like that where, you know, where the cars could stop, loading
• looking at doing some geo-mapping and things like that where, you know, where the cars could stop, loading
• looking at doing some geo-mapping and things like that where, you know, where the cars could stop, loading

Transcript Highlights:

• and to date, approximately $545 million has been allocated to support activities, really to front-load
• The Section 100 process helps a lot because, you know, we can front-load some of that to alleviate it
• we have run into problems with some of the regions, we have actually transitioned the call-taking load
• And that system has performed well and is designed to carry the load and all the load necessary.

Transcript Highlights:

• AI data centers, electrification, and renewable integration are driving unprecedented load growth.
• I will mention, you know, I will have a bill this year on industrial load.
• I will mention, you know, I will have a bill this year on industrial load.
• And so I think people are focusing now more on this notion of beneficial load, right?
• So how can we bring on new industrial load and encourage it at those times, especially during the day

Transcript Highlights:

• It was 20% of our load.
• So just imagine in your business, if you lose 20% of your load, you know, Chevron was a good customer
• There's still about 18% that use wood, and the balance, very little electric load here.
• We're not really competing against natural gas if it's a battery because natural gas is more a base load
• like an SPP so that you can get the benefits of lower transmission and then the SPP will match the load

Transcript Highlights:

• know, again on an intent, um, would your priority number seven, which is the application firewall load
• know, again on an intent, um, would your priority number seven, which is the application firewall load
• know, again on an intent, um, would your priority number seven, which is the application firewall load
• 56.480><c> the</c><00:09:56.720><c> application</c><00:09:57.360><c> firewall</c><00:09:58.399><c> load
• </c> is the application firewall load is the application firewall load balancing<00:09:59.360><c> do<

Committee: Joint Appropriations