Transcript Highlights:

• So for the reclamation and restoration slide, Daniel B.
• OSMRE, the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement, is our federal oversight group.
• The federal side permitting history is similar.
• And a detailed mining operation and reclamation plan.
• It's really a deferral of reclamation, because the focus of our program is on the reclamation of the

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• grants or the reclamation fund.
• pays for wells on federal lands.
• to plug federal wells.
• wells on federal and state land?
• The millions spent by OCD to plug wells came directly from federal funds and the reclamation fund, funded

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not in the main section, the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund, 70-2-37.
• House Bill 80 strengthens the oil and gas reclamation fund.
• HB 80 complements, not replaces, industry's ongoing work in reclamation.
• and one-time federal support.
• And there's no reclamation fund.

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Then our reclamation, when we think of reclamation, we think of it as a temporary, large-scale manipulation
• The federal government took over and required coal mine reclamation nationally.
• It went back to the federal government.
• Our mines get to this federal coal and Our mines get to this federal coal and they can't mine it.
• And then also the federal government trying to say, you know, there's a federal powers act.

Committee: Joint Energy Development and Transmission Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal government took over and required coal mine reclamation nationally.
• The federal Oh, God.
• But as a Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act was passed in August, the federal government took
• And then also the federal government trying to say, you know, there's a federal powers act.
• And then also the federal government trying to say, you know, there's a federal powers act.

Summary: The committee met at the Coteau Freedom Mine in Mercer County, approved the June 2 minutes, and heard an overview of the mine from Coteau Properties president Andrew Hawbaker. He described the Freedom Mine’s production history, customer mix, safety record, reclamation practices, workforce, community involvement, and economic impact. Members asked about how long land stays in production before reclamation, how quickly it returns to agriculture, labor shortages, groundwater impacts, and which skilled trades are hardest to fill. Hawbaker said the mine typically disturbs land for three to five years, reclamation returns much of the land to agricultural use, and the biggest hiring challenges are electricians, welders, mechanics, operators, engineers, and accountants. The committee then heard from Public Service Commission Chairman Randy Christman on coal mining reclamation. He reviewed the history of North Dakota and federal reclamation laws, the PSC’s permitting and inspection authority, bonding requirements, contemporaneous reclamation standards, and how the state handles topsoil, subsoil, drainage, and revegetation. He emphasized that North Dakota’s program is well regarded, with frequent inspections and no corrective-action issues in recent federal reviews. Christman also discussed problems caused by federal coal ownership that can delay mine plans, and he answered questions about reclamation timing, wildlife easements, wind and pipeline reclamation, and whether similar bonding concepts could apply to data centers. In the afternoon, the committee received an update from Lignite Energy Council President and CEO Jonathan Fortner on the lignite industry. He highlighted the industry’s long-term role in providing reliable electricity, jobs, and tax revenue, along with North Dakota’s low electricity rates and strong grid reliability. Fortner discussed severance and conversion tax revenues, federal regulatory changes, litigation over EPA rules, carbon capture, critical minerals, and the potential for large-load customers such as data centers to support new coal generation. He said the industry sees a window of opportunity for growth and expressed support for new large-load development, while noting that diversified energy companies are also pursuing natural gas and other resources. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning for the tour.

Transcript Highlights:

• large hospital, a small hospital, a It doesn't matter if it is a large hospital, a small hospital, a federally
• contractors that are very handsomely benefiting from government contracts, both state, local, and federal

Bills: HB145 , HB164 , HR1 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HB99 , HB206 , HB213 , HB270 , SB104 , SB193 , HB38 , HB254 , HB256 , SB58 , SB64 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM59 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB253

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, lobbying, transparency, public records, government oversight, accountability, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation, subpoena power, public corruption, criminal activity, Zorro ranch, Santa Fe County

Transcript Highlights:

• How does this state, how does this eliminate a federal loan program, Mr. Chair? Mr.
• In 1977, the reclamation fund was created.
• This bill helps add funds into the Reclamation Fund.
• And reclamation as originally intended.
• We were faced with this shortfall through the federal legislation.

Bills: SB241 , SB145 , HB2

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> proposed an amendment to the federal proposed an amendment to the federal constitution<00:26:18.799
• Since the convention is federal authority, delegates are participating in a federal process.
• This is going to be a federal issue.
• This is going to be a federal issue.
• This is going to be a federal issue.

Bills: HB433 , HB443 , HB433 , HB443

Committee: House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections

Keywords: tax distribution, Talladega County, economic development, public safety, rural infrastructure, HB443, Underground Damage Prevention Program, One-Call Notification System, utility locate, dig law, excavation safety, damage prevention, underground utilities, pipeline safety, public utilities, buried facilities, excavation notice, demolition notice, Alabama Public Service Commission, sunset extension

Transcript Highlights:

• sharing space in federally owned or leased...
• sharing space in federally owned or leased...
• sharing space in federally owned or leased...
• BOTH TESTIMONY, -- FEDERAL FACILITY SECURITY.
• The Federal Protective Service, or FPS, is responsible for protecting nearly 9,000 federal facilities

Bills: HB2181 , HB1510 , HR1000 , HB3425 , HB3424 , HB3428 , HB3423 , HB3055 , HB2591 , HB4550

Keywords: Inspectors General, removal standard, government oversight, accountability, transparency, IG, watchdogs, federal oversight, executive branch, presidential removal, for-cause removal, independent oversight, anti-corruption, waste fraud and abuse, malfeasance, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, inefficiency, neglect of duty

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:11:02.960><c> AI</c> Authorization Act, and the Federal AI Authorization Act, and the Federal
• </c> certification process so federal certification process so federal agencies<03:34:43.600><c> have
• </c> innovation to bear in our federal innovation to bear in our federal government.<03:44:00.800><c>
• Stabber from the great state of Minnesota. federal programs. We know this is just federal programs.
• And yes, the federal programs.

Bills: HB1804 , HB1642 , HB1621 , HB1634 , HR789 , HR787 , HB1816 , HB3490 , SB160

Keywords: 7(a) loan program, Small Business Administration, SBA, small business lending, loan brokers, loan consultants, referral agents, loan intermediaries, fraud oversight, transparency, reporting requirements, loan fees, referral fees, interest rates, business financing, small business loans, lender oversight, application assistance, Congressional reporting, small business

Transcript Highlights:

• How does this state, how does this eliminate a federal loan program, Mr. Chair? Mr.
• In 1977, the reclamation fund was created.
• This bill helps add funds into the reclamation fund.
• Chair and Representative Dow, the state and federal dollars. So, okay. Thank you, Mr.
• We were faced with this shortfall through the federal legislation.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 7, the Apprenticeship Assistance Act, which would keep apprenticeship trust fund distributions at $2.5 million rather than reducing them and remove a reference to the tobacco settlement permanent fund. Labor, construction, business, and environmental groups testified in support, emphasizing workforce development, retention of workers in New Mexico, and expansion of apprenticeship opportunities. The bill was moved and adopted without opposition. Members then considered House Bill 66, as amended, to increase funding for health professional loan repayment and related workforce supports. The amendment struck an appropriation because the funding was already included in House Bill 2. Testimony from health care providers, chambers of commerce, social workers, and physical therapy advocates supported the bill as a way to address provider shortages and improve recruitment and retention. After questions about eligibility, repayment terms, and overlap with similar Senate bills, the committee voted to do pass the bill as amended. House Bill 96, creating a working group to study a possible New Mexico Space Commission, was also amended to strike an appropriation. Support came from the chamber, Virgin Galactic, and aerospace advocates, who said a commission could help coordinate economic development and workforce efforts in the space sector. Members asked about other states’ commissions, workforce pathways, and the working group’s timeline, and the sponsor agreed to add clearer dissolution language later. The committee then passed the bill as amended. The committee then took up House Bill 80, a committee substitute to redirect more of the oil and gas conservation tax to the reclamation fund for orphan well plugging and site remediation. Supporters from industry, environmental groups, tribal advocates, and chambers said the bill would better align the tax with its original purpose and provide stable funding for cleanup, while an opponent argued the bill shifts costs from industry to the public and should instead raise the tax or bonding requirements. After discussion of backlog, phase-in timing, and procurement reforms, the committee voted do pass. The committee also heard House Bill 4, as amended, which phases in a larger share of premium surtax revenue to the Health Care Affordability Fund over three years. Supporters said it would sustain BeWell enrollment and affordability programs, while opponents questioned the burden on private payers and the size of the general fund impact. The committee adopted the substitute and then passed it on a 10-7 vote. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 65, as amended, creating a Foster Care Plus pilot project for children in CYFD custody, with testimony both supporting the need for better services and cautioning that implementation should respect tribal law, cultural practices, and family reunification. The committee also tabled House Bill 68 at the sponsor’s request. The transcript then began discussion of House Bill 88, which would make minor changes to the land grant assistance fund, including capturing reverted payments that currently go back to the general fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, like, for instance, Lahaina, a lot of these positions were federally funded and we had to create
• Is the funding going to continue to come from the federal side, or will that be picked up by the state
• At this time, it's continued to be provided by the federal side.
• 01:16.880><c> law</c><01:01:17.119><c> with</c><01:01:17.359><c> established</c><01:01:17.839><c> federal
• </c> state law with established federal state law with established federal standards<01:01:18.720><c>

Bills: SB3082 , SB3110 , SB3251

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: military families, family leave, qualifying military exigency, Hawaii Revised Statutes, financial support, Hawaii National Guard, civil-military program, education, collective bargaining, exemption, SB3251, Hawaii public safety, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol, law enforcement hiring, state employment ban, police powers, Department of Law Enforcement, DLNR

Transcript Highlights:

• As you all are likely now familiar, DNR regulates surface mine reclamation.
• As you all are likely now familiar, DNR regulates surface mine reclamation.
• As you all are likely now familiar, DNR regulates surface mine reclamation.
• So last year, you'll remember that we had the surface mine reclamation bill.
• So last year, you'll remember that we had the surface mine reclamation bill.

Bills: HB2104 , HB2348 , HB2454

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, timber sales, land sales, process efficiency, legislation, department language, regulatory burdens, small producers, infrastructure materials, economic growth, manufacturing

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not spend any dollars in the federal resources.
• I actually have a couple related to reclamation.
• And so that's just during reclamation.
• That's a federal environment. That's the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
• Federal lands, it's considered a mineral.

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• I see multiple applications important to digitize the maps of federal to digitize the maps of federal
• </c> regulations and restrictions on federal regulations and restrictions on federal waterways<02:29:
• </c><02:30:40.080><c> outdoor</c> strive to ensure that Federal outdoor strive to ensure that Federal
• Additional Federal employees.
• </c> habitat for Hawaii's federally habitat for Hawaii's federally endangered<03:22:21.080><c> Forest

Bills: HR187 , HR186 , HR375 , HR165 , HR204 , HR197 , HR207

Keywords: government oversight, accountability, federal employees, transparency, administrative leave, Elon Musk, conflict of interest, government efficiency, federal contracts, renewable fuels, ethanol, E15, ethanol-15, renewable fuel standard, RFS, RINs, renewable identification numbers, refinery capacity, farmers, refiners

Transcript Highlights:

• Institute University saw $3.3 million of its $6.3 million federal budget canceled by the federal administration
• Federal priorities.
• But by the federal administration or CO2 capture project.
• And then only then go to the reclamation fund.
• So, I view the bonds as the insurance policy, not the reclamation fund, but I think the reclamation fund

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The Federalism and Family Law Committee is called to order.
• Because it's a state body, not a federal body that has to do with international policies.
• And then we have the federal government, limited and discrete powers given it by the states.
• And under federal law, the designation of an FTO is a highly structured national...
• We couldn't ever be qualified as a foreign terrorist organization under federal law.

Bills: HB2908 , HB4042 , HCM2001 , HCM2002 , HCM2005 , HCM2006 , HCR2047

Committees: Senate Federalism and Family Law , Senate Senate Federalism and Family Law Committee of Reference

Keywords: constitutional convention, faithless delegates, state delegates, oath of office, class 2 felony, civil penalties, parent-child relationship, termination of parental rights, child welfare, court procedures, abandonment, neglect, reunification services, felony conviction, Muslim Brotherhood, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, national security, Islamist extremism, Congress

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:51.520><c> actions</c> belief that federal immigration actions belief that federal immigration
• </c> recently sent a letter to federal recently sent a letter to federal immigration<00:05:05.919><c>
• Paul Federation of Educators.
• Paul Federation of member of the St. Paul Federation of Educators. Educators. Educators.
• </c> this bill does not regulate federal this bill does not regulate federal activity.<01:00:24.559><

Bills: HF3435 , HF3409

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: school access, school site, school district, charter school, federal agents, DHS, Department of Homeland Security, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CBP, Customs and Border Protection, USCIS, immigration enforcement, judicial warrant, student privacy, school safety, sanctuary schools, warrant requirement, federal warrant, school grounds

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, is the elimination of the like the student support services that were done by the federal government
• Article 12 outlines the compact construction in relationship to both the federal Constitution and different
• construction in relationship to<01:46:46.639><c> both</c><01:46:46.800><c> the</c><01:46:47.040><c> federal
• </c><01:46:47.360><c> constitution</c><01:46:47.760><c> and</c> to both the federal constitution and
• to both the federal constitution and different<01:46:48.239><c> state</c><01:46:48.480><c> constitutions

Bills: HF3435 , HF3409

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: school access, school site, school district, charter school, federal agents, DHS, Department of Homeland Security, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CBP, Customs and Border Protection, USCIS, immigration enforcement, judicial warrant, student privacy, school safety, sanctuary schools, warrant requirement, federal warrant, school grounds

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> federal exemptions, tuition subsidies, federal exemptions, tuition subsidies, land<00:08:42.640
• HR 2255, the Federal Law enforcement.
• </c> Criminal Investigative Agencies, Federal Criminal Investigative Agencies, Federal Law<02:18:45.120
• ><c> is</c><03:05:26.640><c> weaponized</c> federal government that is weaponized federal government
• </c> allow concealed carry in many federal allow concealed carry in many federal buildings.<04:35:58.240

Bills: HCR24 , HR352 , HB2243 , HR405 , HB2215

Keywords: Jewish American Heritage Month, Jewish Heritage Week, antisemitism, anti-Jewish hate, Jewish Americans, Jewish community, Hamas, October 7, Israel, hate crimes, civil rights, religious freedom, campus antisemitism, synagogues, public education, heritage month, diversity, inclusion, Holocaust remembrance, community safety