Transcript Highlights:

• county.
• county.
• county.
• County, an unconnected part of L.A.
• are participants as well.

Summary: The Communications and Conveyance Committee held an oversight hearing on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), focused on telecommunications, broadband deployment, resiliency, and the California Teleconnect Fund. Chair Tasha Boerner said the hearing was intended to examine structural issues at the CPUC, including whether telecommunications oversight should remain within the commission, while also reviewing major programs such as Last Mile, BEAD, carrier of last resort, and emergency preparedness. CPUC President John Reynolds and Deputy Executive Director Anna Maria Johnson described the commission’s work on public safety, universal service, broadband grants, Lifeline modernization, and network resiliency, including the 72-hour backup power requirement and merger review. Members questioned CPUC officials about the pace and metrics for Last Mile and BEAD projects, the relationship between middle-mile and last-mile buildout, and how the commission balances carrier obligations with the risk of driving providers out of high-cost areas. They also pressed the CPUC on the California Lifeline home broadband pilot, asking when enrollment would be available, which providers were participating, how much of the state would be covered, and what the surcharge impact would be. CPUC said 15 providers had been approved, one was already serving customers, and the rest were still onboarding, and it committed to provide follow-up information on timelines, coverage, and costs. A major portion of the hearing centered on the California Teleconnect Fund and proposed changes to how schools would access the program. Superintendent Tony Thurmond argued strongly against shifting administration from county offices of education and districts to individual schools, saying it would add burden, worsen inequities, and risk underuse of a valuable broadband subsidy. Committee members echoed concerns that smaller schools and districts may lack the staff to manage direct applications and reporting. In public comment, the Los Angeles County Office of Education supported the CDE’s position and urged changes that would align the program more closely with E-Rate and reduce administrative burdens. No formal vote was taken, and Chair Boerner closed by saying she remained committed to pursuing reforms to the CPUC and referenced her bills AB 2289 and ACA 9.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of what constitutes the new amendment codes is a result of county participation.
• I would recommend you participate in the Public Works, Maui County. >> Okay.
• And then, yeah, I'll participate as Molly County. >> Okay, we have you down at six.
• And all four county members are in there. >> Um, county, no, there's two who are participating, which
• Hawaii County if there is one that wants to participate.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill has support from the Alachua County School District, the Broward County School District, Florida
• County Health Department. County Health Department. And they have resources available to do that?
• Ronnie Gray, Superintendent, Suwannee County.
• Johns and Polk County Schools, waiving in support, and Marquise McMiller, Orange County Public Schools
• And those students can already participate.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The Pre-K-12 Education Committee took up a series of education, school safety, health, and student access bills. SB 754 on International Baccalaureate bonus funds was amended to clarify the theory of knowledge course and then reported favorably. SB 370 would allow routine non-invasive school health screenings, such as vision, hearing, and dental checks, to proceed with written notice and an opt-out process rather than active parental consent; supporters said it would improve participation and access, while opponents argued it was too broad and weakened parental rights. After debate over scope, funding, and consent, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also advanced SB 1070, which would require ECG screenings for student athletes under a phased rollout beginning in 2026, with religious and medical opt-outs. The bill was renamed the Second Chance Act in honor of Chance Gainer. Supporters described it as a life-saving measure to detect hidden cardiac conditions, while some members raised cost and implementation concerns. SB 508, the Family Empowerment Scholarship bill, would require private schools to disclose in writing what accommodations and services they will provide to students with IEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans before enrollment; it was supported by parents, advocacy groups, and some school representatives and was reported favorably. School safety measures were also considered. SB 1470 would refine campus locking and supervision rules, create clearer exceptions, expand training and security options for school safety personnel, and allow district-employed law enforcement officers to use canines for threat detection. Witnesses from school safety and Parkland-related advocacy groups supported the bill but urged caution on exemptions and implementation details. SB 1472 would extend a public records exemption to certified school security guards, matching the protection already given to school guardians, and it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 248 would expand participation in FHSAA sports for private school and home education students at public schools when their own schools do not offer the sport, and SB 1618 made broad changes to VPK through grade 12 policy, including reading instruction, financial literacy, school funds restrictions, teacher certification, and advisory council rules; both bills were reported favorably. Several members later recorded votes in support of specific tabs before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Graves County all the way over to Johnson and Floyd County.
• County.
• </c> Floyd County. Floyd County.
• The next two are Edmonson County at $5.165 million and Perry County at $30 million.
• Both Edmonson County and Perry County were 100% instructional. Do you have any questions?

Summary: The committee first discussed and approved a new airport-related project involving two 60-by-80 corporate hangars. Members asked about how the project would generate revenue, and staff explained that hangar rent and fuel sales would help repay the costs, with more than half of the funding coming from the FAA. The project was approved by roll call vote. The committee then approved two large capital pool projects: a $1,715,120 roof replacement and skylight project for the Libraries and Archives building in Frankfort, and a $2,105,400 exterior renovation project for several state buildings, including Health and Family Services, the Kentucky History Center, and the State Office Building. After that, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented one loan increase and five grant reallocations. The loan increase was for Springfield’s wastewater treatment plant project, rising by $262,300 to just over $2.88 million because bids came in higher than estimated. Members asked about the delay between approval and bidding, and staff explained the design, environmental review, and state approval process can take one to two years. The committee approved the six action items, and then received informational updates on additional water projects that required no action. The Cabinet for Economic Development next presented one forgivable loan and 11 KPDI/KPDI EDF grant projects. The loan was a $1 million forgivable loan for the Perry County Economic Development Board to acquire the Coalfields Industrial Building, with repayment forgivable if a project creates at least 75 jobs. The grant projects included site-readiness and industrial development work in Pendleton, Elizabethtown/Hardin, McCreary, Floyd, Marion, Fleming, Graves, Eddyville/Lyon, Caldwell, Mercer, and Johnson counties. Members asked how local match percentages are set and were told they are based on county population and updated every two years; staff also explained that beneficiaries usually provide the match and are reimbursed after submitting costs. The committee approved the action items. Finally, the Office of Financial Management presented two new debt issues and three SFCC debt issues. The new debt items were a Kentucky Housing Corporation bond authorization of up to $600 million for single-family mortgage revenue bonds, including a $100 million initial transaction, and a $5.5 million multifamily conduit bond for 98 apartments in Lexington. Informational items covered University of Kentucky refunding bonds and Turnpike Authority refunding bonds, both of which produced savings. The three SFCC debt issues for Campbell, Edmonson, and Perry counties were then approved by roll call vote. The meeting ended with brief discussion of the upcoming calendar and scheduling before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• county.
• County, an unconnected part of L.A.
• participants as well.
• At the CPUC, across the 58 counties, a certain amount of funding allocation was identified in each county
• At the CPUC, across the 58 counties, a certain amount of funding Alabama. see across the 58 counties

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• liaisons and all-county letters for our county support teams with our segments.
• liaisons and all-county letters for our county support teams with our segments.
• The participation rate is high.
• The participation rate is high.
• So imagine you're a CalFresh participant. You walk into one of the participating locations.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on food insecurity in California and how state and federal nutrition programs, agricultural production, and food distribution systems intersect. Assemblymembers emphasized that many Californians, including farmworkers, seniors, children, and communities of color, remain food insecure despite California’s agricultural abundance. Panelists and members discussed CalFresh, WIC, school meals, Sun Bucks, food banks, and the impact of federal policy changes, including possible nutrition cuts, tariffs, and immigration enforcement, on access to food and the agricultural workforce. Secretary Karen Ross described CDFA programs aimed at improving access to fresh food and supporting local agriculture, including the senior farmers’ market program, California Nutrition Incentive Program, Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, Community Food Hubs, Farm to School, urban agriculture, and a proposed tribal food sovereignty program. She said these efforts help connect local producers to consumers, expand healthy food access, and build infrastructure such as refrigeration, mobile markets, and aggregation hubs. Department of Social Services Deputy Director Alexis Fernandez Garcia outlined CalFresh, CFAP, Sun Bucks, CACFP, emergency food programs, and tribal nutrition assistance, noting that CalFresh and related programs significantly reduce poverty and food insecurity, but participation gaps remain for non-English speakers, some Asian American communities, and undocumented households. PPIC researcher Tess Thorman presented data showing that 13% of California households experienced food insecurity in 2023, with higher rates among households with children and Latino, Black, and other households. She said nutrition programs reduce poverty and food hardship, but federal rules, income thresholds, immigration restrictions, and high living costs limit their reach. Members asked about simplifying applications, improving call center access, increasing outreach in multiple languages, and adjusting benefits for inflation. Officials said the state has used available federal options to streamline enrollment, improve customer service, and target outreach, but many core rules and benefit levels are set federally. The second panel shifted to food production and market access. A farmer, a UC food systems leader, and a produce distributor described efforts to connect small and medium farms with food banks, schools, universities, and Medi-Cal food-as-medicine programs. They highlighted programs such as Farms Together, the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center, Farm to School, food hubs, and climate-smart infrastructure grants as ways to create stable markets for local growers while improving food access. Speakers also raised concerns about land tenure, consolidation, regulatory burdens, labor constraints, and the loss of federal funding, and members discussed whether state investments and Prop. 4 funds could help sustain and expand these efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• John Kennedy with the rural counties.
• to participate without teleconferencing allowance.
• They're actively participating in that.
• Also here to answer any technical questions is Arthur Wyland, the former county counsel of Tehama County
• Education and California County Superintendents.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda focused heavily on housing, local government, Brown Act teleconferencing, and public agency administration. Early bills included AB 39, which would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning for EV charging and building decarbonization; AB 76, which clarifies Chula Vista’s university innovation district housing requirements; AB 259, AB 409, and AB 467, which extend or modernize Brown Act teleconferencing provisions for local agencies, community college student bodies, and Los Angeles neighborhood councils; and AB 428, which would let water corporations join joint powers authorities for pooled insurance. Supporters emphasized climate planning, housing access, public participation, safety, and cost savings, while several bills were amended to address stakeholder concerns. Most of these measures advanced on bipartisan votes, generally 6-1 or 7-0, and were left open for additional members to add on later. The committee also heard AB 632, which would strengthen local enforcement tools for serious code violations, fire hazards, illegal cannabis operations, and unsafe housing by allowing unpaid administrative fines to be converted into money judgments and liens. Local government and code enforcement groups supported the bill as a way to improve compliance and reduce costly litigation. AB 670 would let local governments count investments in preserving naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element reporting and require broader reporting of demolitions and replacement housing compliance; supporters argued preservation is essential because many unsubsidized affordable homes are at risk. AB 761 would allow Monterey-Salinas Transit to place a future sales tax measure on the ballot with approval from two-thirds of its board, rather than separate approval from each member jurisdiction, to preserve transit funding for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. These measures also moved forward, with the committee noting amendments and sending them to the next committees of referral. Another major item was AB 810, which would require special districts and joint powers authorities to migrate public-facing websites and email addresses to .gov or CA.gov domains by 2031. The author argued the change would reduce fraud and improve public trust, especially after emergency-related scams, while opponents from special districts and IT organizations said the transition would be costly and difficult for smaller agencies. Several school-related opponents withdrew after amendments, and committee members discussed possible aliases and tribal-government language. The bill passed 7-1 to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. Finally, AB 1206 proposed a pre-approved design catalog for single-family homes and small multifamily developments, modeled on a prior ADU bill, to speed rebuilding and reduce design costs; supporters from Habitat for Humanity and housing advocates said it would help both wildfire recovery and broader housing production, and the bill drew at least one opposed-unless-amended position as the committee moved into further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The counties have their own templates for cost participation policies as well, so you get it from that
• The counties have their own templates for cost participation policies as well, so you get it from that
• The counties have their own templates for cost participation policies as well, so you get it from that
• The counties have their own templates for cost participation policies as well, so you get it from that
• </c><00:14:52.399><c> own</c> counties the counties have their own counties the counties have their own

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• John Kennedy with the rural counties.
• to participate without teleconferencing allowance.
• Also here to answer any technical questions is Arthur Wyland, the former county counsel of Tehama County
• Also here to answer any technical questions is Arthur Wyland, the former County Council of Tahoma County
• Education and California County Superintendents.

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of bills, with testimony largely focused on housing, Brown Act teleconferencing, local government authority, transit funding, and cybersecurity. The chair opened by emphasizing in-person testimony rules and public order. AB 39, requiring larger cities and counties to plan for electrification and EV charging infrastructure, drew broad support from clean energy, utility, environmental, and local government groups and passed 7-0 to the Utilities and Energy Committee. AB 76, clarifying affordable housing requirements for Chula Vista’s University Innovation District, also passed, 6-1, to Housing and Community Development. The committee then approved several Brown Act-related bills extending or modernizing remote participation rules: AB 259 to extend AB 2449 teleconferencing flexibilities for local agency board members, AB 409 for community college student body associations, and AB 467 for Los Angeles neighborhood councils. Supporters said these measures improve participation, safety, and access; some members raised concerns about overuse and the need for physical quorum and screen-on requirements. All three measures advanced with committee support and were left open for additional members to add on. Other measures advanced included AB 428, allowing water corporations to join joint powers authorities for pooled insurance if it lowers rates or improves service; AB 1007, shortening the housing permit “shot clock” for responsible agencies from 90 to 45 days; AB 632, giving local governments an expedited way to collect penalties for serious code violations such as unsafe housing, fire hazards, and illegal cannabis operations; AB 670, allowing local governments to count preservation of existing affordable housing toward housing goals and requiring broader demolition reporting; AB 761, authorizing Monterey-Salinas Transit to place a sales tax measure before voters with board approval; and AB 810, requiring special districts and JPAs to migrate public websites and email to .gov or ca.gov domains by 2031. AB 810 drew the most opposition over cost and implementation concerns, but it still passed 7-1 after amendments removed school districts from the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• County.
• We think limiting participation in competitive counties would reduce consumer choice and disrupt healthy
• She said requiring carriers to participate in counties with extreme provider consolidation does not address
• She said this would have increased carrier participation in low-access counties and asked that it be
• This would have increased carrier participation in low-access counties, and we're asking that be part

Summary: The House Health Care & Wellness Committee held public hearings on HB 2564 and HB 2599, then moved into executive session on several bills. HB 2599, which would restrict the use of AI in therapy and psychotherapy services, drew strong support from the prime sponsor, mental health professional groups, a privacy advocate, and an AI ethics researcher, all of whom warned that chatbots can mislead users, encourage delusions or self-harm, and lack licensure, accountability, and confidentiality protections. Several witnesses from health systems and telehealth organizations supported the bill’s intent but asked for narrower definitions and amendments to avoid unintended impacts on clinician-supervised tools, screening questionnaires, scribes, and other legitimate uses of AI. No vote was taken on HB 2599 during the hearing. HB 2564, which would give the Health Benefit Exchange authority to adopt market-factor certification criteria for exchange plans, was presented as a way to address affordability, bare counties, and plan duplication. Supporters included the Exchange, consumer advocates, rural and tribal representatives, navigators, and some individual consumers, who said the bill could improve access, preserve bronze plan availability, and help stabilize the market in counties with too few carriers. Opponents from health plans, Regence, Premier, and insurance producer groups argued the bill would expand exchange authority without clear standards, could reduce competition and carrier participation, and might conflict with existing OIC filing and confidentiality processes; the OIC supported the bill but requested an amendment on rate disclosure timing. The committee then moved to executive session and later reported out HB 1784, HB 2242, HB 2384, and HB 2505 with due pass recommendations, while deferring action on HB 1809 and HB 2261. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute for HB 1784 on certified medical assistants by an 18-0 vote, adopted one amendment and passed a substitute for HB 2242 on preventive services and immunization recommendations by an 11-7 vote, and passed a substitute for HB 2384 on actuarial reviews for continuing care retirement communities by a 16-2 vote. It also adopted an amendment and passed a substitute for HB 2505 on limited adult family home licensure exemptions for certain foster family situations by an 18-0 vote. The meeting adjourned after those actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Statewide, these offices receive both state and county funding.
• We have another officer based out of Elmore County, who also covers Valley and Boise County.
• That position is funded by both the state and all three counties.
• Participants either meet expectations or they're terminated.
• Statewide, mental health court participants are charged with new crimes. 31% of our participants are

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis County and St.
• First, as a member of the cost participation policy steering committee and on behalf of counties, I'd
• First, as a member of the cost participation policy steering committee and on behalf of counties, I'd
• </c> Association of Minnesota Counties. Association of Minnesota Counties.
• Louis County Public Works Director Jim Fesey regarding the updates to the MnDOT cost participation policy

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Lower when compared with other counties, essentially larger counties were getting most of the CCS funding
• DHCS has also provided counties with annual funding allocated for county CCS monitoring.
• To date, six counties have signed the MOU, and DHCS is committed to working with counties as needed.
• On behalf of the California County Superintendents, representing the 58 County Superintendents of Schools
• This program will allow the transition for county and state participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, where we have tended to see claims, either prior to or in non-participating counties, is
• I'm not aware of Dona Ana County participating in raids, although I don't dispute that it has happened
• I know of one in Travis County.
• I'm glad to see we've been joined by the county manager for Bramalea County again.
• , the County Sheriff's Office.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to participate on this panel and talk about the county perspective related
• Thank you for the opportunity to participate on this panel and talk about the county perspective related
• counties.
• county outreach to any of their impacted participants; direct support in the services that they directly
• County.

Summary: The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk. The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care. The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentleman from Greene County. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Gentleman from Green County. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• I appreciate the gentleman from the Boone County.
• County. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Louis County has moved for adoption of House Amendment 3. Lady from St. Louis County.

Summary: The House convened after a quorum call and welcomed several guests and advocacy groups, including disability rights advocates, American Heart Association volunteers, and special guests connected to public safety, transportation, and Miss Missouri. After quorum was established, the chamber moved into House bills on perfection and formal passage. Members first debated House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2587, which would update Missouri law on unmanned aircraft and give trained law enforcement clearer authority to detect, track, and respond to dangerous drone activity around critical infrastructure and major events such as the upcoming FIFA World Cup matches. Supporters said it was needed for public safety and to align with federal law; some members raised concerns about FAA jurisdiction, commercial drone use, privacy, and possible future expansion. The substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House then took up House Bill 1977, which removes notarization requirements for detention and evaluation applications and related documents when completed by certain qualified professionals; members said it would help rural hospitals and streamline 96-hour commitment paperwork. That bill was also adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The chamber next considered House Bill 2593, a Missouri National Guard and military affairs bill modernizing Guard authority to respond to cyber threats, updating awards and emergency relief provisions, and adding veterans’ recognition language. Three amendments were adopted: one creating a living organ donor leave/status provision for Guard members, one providing a monthly allowance to cover TRICARE or similar premiums for certain service members on state active duty, and one extending legal protections to Guard personnel activated for state emergency duty, similar to federal servicemember protections. The amended bill was then ordered perfected and printed. Finally, the House debated House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1948, the fatherhood bill creating a state fatherhood program to support community organizations and nonprofits that help fathers overcome barriers to involvement with their children. Supporters cited child welfare, poverty, incarceration, and reintegration benefits; opponents questioned whether it was an appropriate government role. An amendment was adopted to preserve certain driving, hunting/fishing, and occupational license relief for participating fathers who comply with child support or custody obligations. The amended bill was then ordered perfected and printed. The House also adopted House Bill 2473, which clarifies rules for real estate brokers’ trust accounts by allowing limited personal funds for service charges and permitting interest to be withdrawn within 30 days, and then adjourned after announcements and notice of bills to be considered on the next legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as you know, Counties and even Bear Counties.
• County.
• We think limiting participation in competitive counties would reduce consumer choice and disrupt healthy
• in every county.
• Requiring carriers to participate in counties with extreme provider consolidation does not address the

Bills: HB2564 , HB2599 , HB1809 , HB2242 , HB2261 , HB2384 , HB2505

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, certification, state regulation, health plan, therapy, psychotherapy, mental health, regulation, professional standards, behavioral health, mental health crisis, crisis response, co-response, co-responder, first responder, EMS, emergency medical services, paramedic, EMT

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, your hesitance for Hennepin County, um, your hesitance for Hennepin County, representing Hennepin
• The cost participation policy for expressway conversions to freeways limits MnDOT's participation on
• Are counties able to use any of those dollars to help out in some of this local cost participation?"
• This would be of the 7-county metro area sales tax, of which 17.7% goes towards counties.
• This would be of the 7-county metro area sales tax, of which 17.7% goes towards counties.

Bills: HF192 , HF268 , HF1214 , HF494

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• populated counties?
• For those defendants in Burke County versus Burleigh County or another smaller populated county, there's
• He's got to find a participating county, a county that wants to participate, before he can even apply
• He's got to find a participating in a county, a county that wants to participate before he can even apply
• It's hard because right now my county is the coldest county in the lower 48.

Committee: Joint Judiciary Committee

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to continue its study of charitable gaming, especially the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations and the relationship between charities, site owners, and gaming manufacturers/distributors. Legislative Council reviewed the background memo and Attorney General’s Gaming Division explained the legal framework, including site authorizations, rent limits, allowable expenses, and restrictions on distributors and manufacturers. Members focused heavily on electronic pull tabs, asking about the large gap between gross proceeds and adjusted proceeds, how much is paid out in winnings, how much is retained for expenses, and whether the 60% allowable-expense cap is being used as intended. The AG’s office said e-tabs account for most gaming volume, that winnings make up much of the difference, and that some organizations do not use the full 60% while others may exceed it, though only the capped amount counts as gaming expense. The committee also discussed the number of gaming organizations that appear to own or be affiliated with bars, the ways those ownership structures are formed, and whether some arrangements may create conflicts or site-selection pressure. The League of Cities and the Association of Counties described the local site-authorization process and recent model policies adopted after the 2025 session. Cities said they can require signed agreements, limit games and machines, set qualifications, and charge up to $100 for site authorization, but cannot require charities to donate net proceeds or force a specific charity or site. They said the new policies are meant to add transparency and local control, though the more controversial parts involve requiring a local nexus or community connection. County representatives said the issue is mostly a city matter and that counties generally take a lighter-touch approach. Committee members raised concerns about whether local rules could unfairly exclude larger regional charities or create inconsistent standards across cities. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance said it supports the study and provided information on charities that own or are affiliated with bars, emphasizing that most gaming organizations do not own alcoholic beverage establishments. Its representative said some charities may pursue bar ownership for site stability and diversification, while others decide against it because operating a bar is difficult. He also said a ban on charity-owned bars could raise federal tax-law issues depending on how it is written, and agreed to provide more detail. The committee asked Legislative Council and the Gaming Alliance for additional information on ownership structures and federal-law questions before the next meeting. Later, the Racing Commission gave a separate update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, and related charitable partnerships, and the State Hospital superintendent reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, staffing, and wait lists; no votes were taken on these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mounds View is different from Murray County.
• doesn't have jurisdiction over the counties, but the schools are required to communicate with the counties
• That's going to be the county.
• Then the county will try to figure out where the kid is within the county.
• , Mille Lacs County, or another County across the state.

Committee: House Education Policy