Transcript Highlights:

• The final area I want to address is that I would like you to consider is related to our Native American
• respect to that case, what has to happen is we need to grow the number of teachers who are in our Native
• One being, obviously, working to increase the number of Native American students who go into teaching
• The College of Hest currently has four Native American faculty members in our full-time faculty ranks
• We are understanding ways in which NMSU can improve and be better with respect to recovery for Native

Transcript Highlights:

• What's also different from your experience and my experience is that my ancestors, as well as our Native
• Black and Native Americans. Those who have the lowest educational outcomes, guess what?
• Black and Native Americans.
• Black and Native Americans. Those who have the lowest educational outcomes, guess what?
• Black and Native Americans. And I can go on and on and on.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several measures, beginning with SCA 5, Senator Cortese’s proposal to create an Equalization Reserve Account to help reduce long-standing per-pupil funding disparities between basic aid and non-basic aid school districts. Supporters, including education leaders and school employees, argued the measure would provide a stable, long-term funding source to improve student services and staffing. Charter school representatives opposed the bill, saying it excluded charter schools from the benefits and could raise equal protection concerns. Senator Cortese responded that the bill only addresses district funding and does not alter charter funding formulas. After quorum was established, SCA 5 was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard S.J.R. 18, a resolution by Senator McNerney condemning the Citizens United decision and urging limits on corporate influence in elections. The author argued that corporate and dark money have overwhelmed campaign finance and weakened public trust. There was no formal witness testimony in support or opposition, and members discussed the resolution’s symbolic nature and its relationship to free speech and campaign finance rules. The resolution was adopted and referred onward. The committee then took up ACA 7, Assembly Member Jackson’s constitutional amendment to clarify Proposition 209 and allow more race-conscious tools in education to address racial equity gaps. Supporters said current law prevents targeted, evidence-based interventions and that the measure would help close persistent disparities; opponents argued it would weaken Prop. 209, invite discrimination, and likely fail at the ballot or in court. After extensive debate, the measure was approved as amended and sent to Appropriations. The committee next heard ACA 18, which would add a second student voting seat to the University of California Board of Regents, ensuring both undergraduate and graduate student representation. The author and student regent witnesses said the UC board is the only major higher education governing board in California with just one student vote, and that more student representation would improve decision-making and reflect the student body. The measure drew support from student organizations and was approved. Finally, AJR 29 was heard, opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail administration and defending California’s mail voting system as safe and secure. The author said the order would improperly interfere with state election administration. The resolution was adopted. Items 3 and 4 on consent were also approved, and the committee adjourned after all agenda items were acted upon.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have about 70% of the Native population living in urban centers.
• <00:05:23.680> Today native peoples across the country.
• Today native peoples across the country.
• <01:40:57.040> So foreign for native English speakers.
• So foreign for native English speakers.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• students studying education who transfer to EKU complete on average an additional 24 hours beyond EKU native
• c><00:08:31.360> with<00:08:32.039> 8,000<00:08:33.440> 350<00:08:34.640> native
• and is compared with 8,000 350 native and is compared with 8,000 350 native students<00:08:35.719
• average an additional 24 hours<00:10:01.520> beyond<00:10:02.120> EKU<00:10:02.720> native
• <00:10:03.120> students hours beyond EKU native students hours beyond EKU native students

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:00 Bills for Consideration: 26RS HB 94 – 2:40 26RS HB 307 – 15:00 Adjournment: 20:15, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education met with a quorum, welcomed new member Representative Beverly Chester-Burton, and recognized interns in attendance. The committee then took up House Bill 94, which would require the Council on Postsecondary Education to host an online transfer portal for students, require annual university updates to transfer data, and convene academic officers to study and report on streamlining high-demand pathways such as teaching and nursing. Representative Vanessa Grossl said the bill was revised in response to prior concerns and emphasized that the goal was to improve transparency, reduce time to degree, and lower student debt. Travis Powell of CPE supported the measure, saying the portal and study would improve transparency and help identify barriers to transfer. The committee adopted the committee substitute for House Bill 94 and then passed the bill out favorably by roll call vote, sending it to the House floor. The committee also reconsidered House Bill 307, dealing with proactive postsecondary admissions, after earlier discussion and additional meetings. Chair James Tipton explained that the new substitute made several changes, including addressing a FERPA concern by having KDE share student information directly with universities, limiting social security number use to the last four digits plus date of birth, and adding provisions for KIA to include a link or QR code to the common online application in KEYS scholarship notifications. Members adopted House Committee Substitute 3 for House Bill 307, with Representative Stalker noting support for the social security number change. The committee then passed House Bill 307 as amended with a favorable recommendation to the House floor. No other substantive actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, thank you, Madam Speaker, and today I rise on behalf of the Native American.
• Native culture honors our women as leaders and cultural bearers.
• Jade, a Yurok tribal member and mother, is an education leader for rural and native communities.
• An Oakland native, she is committed to increasing gender and racial equity and improving community health
• A Southern California native, San Bernardino County 3rd District Supervisor, Don Rowe, has served since

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's also a big educational curve: what is a Native American reservation?
• So the MHA is taking it upon themselves, and then also just some schools with a higher Native American
• population have also taken upon themselves to hire a Native American studies teacher and do that.
• They received a Native American grant, so we have three students placed there that are getting a full
• So we have about an 18% non-Native student body.

Summary: The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and heard an extended discussion with Spirit Lake tribal leaders and program directors about government-to-government relations with the state. Chairwoman Street and others outlined a number of concerns and requests, including taxation of tribal and trust lands, state school support for non-beneficiary students, homelessness services, Indian-managed health care, gaming/e-tabs, the Feather Alert system, industrial farming near waterways, tourism and cultural issues, and the need for more consistent tribal consultation. Committee members responded that many of these issues had previously been passed along without direct action, and several members emphasized the committee’s role in education, communication, and preparing possible legislation or resolutions for the next session. Tribal representatives also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to help legislators better understand tribal jurisdiction and billing issues. A major portion of the meeting focused on Spirit Lake Fish and Wildlife concerns, especially jurisdictional “gray areas” around hunting and fishing on the reservation, recognition of tribal licenses, and the boundary of the reservation around Spirit Lake/Devils Lake. Tribal officials said they wanted a co-stewardship agreement or MOU with the state to clarify jurisdiction, improve cooperation, and address invasive species and aquatic nuisance species. Committee members discussed whether to draft legislation or a resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and they asked for further input from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at a future meeting. The committee also discussed county involvement in land status changes and trust land issues, with Spirit Lake leaders describing a past Benson County resolution that tried to block fee-to-trust transfers and saying it was later rescinded. The committee then heard from Benson County tax equalization director Randy Thompson, who explained how the county values land and handles tax-exempt, inundated, and fee-to-trust parcels. Members asked about the impact of tax-exempt lands on county services and discussed prior legislation that helped counties with large tax-exempt bases. The committee also received a presentation from Dr. Steven Smith of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, including support for non-beneficiary students and workforce training. Members asked about expanding tribal college education into correctional settings, and Smith said the idea was worth exploring through the tribal college system. Finally, HHS interim medical services director Christoph Framing presented remotely on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion, explaining current state funding mechanisms for inpatient and residential behavioral health services and the bill draft directing HHS to pursue a waiver for IMD payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• the African-American, and the Native the African-American, and the Native American,<00:37:11.599
• A 5-year longitudinal study showed a 20-times increase in native bumblebees and other pollinators on
• A 5-year longitudinal study showed a 20-times increase in native bumblebees and other pollinators on
• <01:15:44.960> stature<01:15:45.440> native shorter stature native stature native shorter
• stature native stature native prairie<01:15:47.120> under<01:15:47.440> solar<01:15:47.840

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I also, uh, coming from the Bernalillo County area, represent, uh, over Approximately 70,000 Native
• Uh, coming from southern New Mexico, we don't have as much of a native influence down there anymore.
• the first things I'd like to mention is this is probably the most representation we have had of our Native
• So, I, I'm looking forward to seeing how we tackle some of the issues for our Native American population
• this committee has been in Gallup, primarily because 70% of the population in McKinley County is native

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'm a native to the state of New Hampshire.
• on Native on Native CAU<00:22:18.279> at<00:22:18.480> this<00:22:18.640> time<
• We do not allow non-native species.
• process regulatory to allow clean native process regulatory to allow clean native fish<00:33:12.720
• Chairman: Can you tell us the native bait, how you regulate it?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:52.879> fish, up into spawning areas for native fish, up into spawning areas for native
• let uh fish passage include non-native let uh fish passage include non-native fish.<00:03:00.160
• So, as many as 42,000 native fish per year. That's a lot of fish.
• So, as many as 42,000 native fish per year. That's a lot of fish.
• So, as many as 42,000 native fish per year. That's a lot of fish.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• students to have um an um our native students to have um an educational<01:15:23.920> opportunity
• Um, it means that the parent committee sees areas with room for improvement for the Native students.
• Issuing a vote of native students.
• between advocating for their native between advocating for their native students<01:18:04.159>
• Indian ed programs and the native Indian ed programs and the native students.<01:18:23.360> So

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we even heard, which was a surprise to us, that for some native English speakers, these videos are
• :50.880> their with um English or or even with their with um English or or even with their native
• :52.480> And<00:40:52.800> we<00:40:53.119> even<00:40:53.359> heard, native
• And we even heard, native language.
• <00:40:57.040> English<00:40:57.440> speakers,<00:40:58.000> these some native

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Down in the Las Cruces area, there aren't a whole lot of Native American people still around, but Fort
• I learned about Native American struggles in the Northwest United States, including the fishing rights
• That was my introduction to Native American struggles, particularly fishing rights.
• Believe it or not, the natives in Washington are the only non-agricultural, non-nomadic tribe.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Alex Lumer, on behalf of the Native American Environmental Protection Coalition.
• Good afternoon, Kim Delfino, on behalf of the California Native Plant Society. Afternoon, Mr.
• Good afternoon, Kim Delfino, on behalf of the California Native Plant Society. Good afternoon.
• Kim Delfino, on behalf of the California Native Plant Society, in support.
• Diversity, Mojave Desert Land Trust, and the Native American Land Conservancy.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several natural resources bills, with most testimony focused on balancing conservation goals with transportation, utility, and local property impacts. SB 1393 by Senator McGuire updated Fish and Game Code provisions for steelhead trout and the Dungeness crab fishery, extending and refining management programs and vessel transit rules in closed crab areas. Supporters from The Nature Conservancy and Trout Unlimited said the bill would implement longstanding task force recommendations, preserve a valuable fishery, and improve the steelhead report card program; there was no opposition, and the bill was moved out on a 4-0 vote to Appropriations as amended. SB 1250 by Senator Cortese would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning, including performance targets, coordination with Fish and Wildlife, and recognition of crossings, culverts, and fencing as transportation assets. Support came from a broad coalition of conservation, animal welfare, open space, and local government groups, who argued the bill would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, improve public safety, and save money by integrating projects into routine maintenance. The California Building Industry Association said it would move to neutral after amendments clarifying the bill would not create exactions or apply to private property; the bill was approved 4-0 to Appropriations after those amendments were discussed. Senator Jones presented SB 1212 to repeal California’s ban on kangaroo products, arguing kangaroo harvest in Australia is tightly regulated, does not increase killing, and would restore consumer choice and business opportunities in California. Opponents, including Humane World for Animals, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and others, said the commercial kangaroo industry is cruel, raises animal welfare and public health concerns, and should remain barred. The bill was not advanced during the portion of the transcript provided. Senator Gonzalez presented SB 1268 to codify the state’s Outdoors for All initiative, which aims to expand equitable access to parks and outdoor recreation, especially in underserved communities. Supporters said many Californians lack nearby park access and that the initiative links outdoor equity with public health, climate resilience, and biodiversity. The committee chair expressed strong support; the bill was voted 3-1 to Appropriations, with Senator Grove voting no. Senator Ochoa Bogh presented three bills concerning the Western Joshua tree. SB 1061 would allow limited relocation of trees without triggering the same permitting burden as removal; SB 1062 would require Fish and Wildlife to consider proportionate, tiered mitigation fees for public utilities and infrastructure; and SB 1063 would create an expedited, fee-free pathway for certain residential utility, safety, and wildfire-hardening projects. Supporters from water agencies, local governments, and industry said the current framework imposes heavy costs on desert residents and ratepayers, while opponents argued the species still needs protection and that existing administrative processes can address fee and permitting concerns. SB 1061 and SB 1062 were each moved forward on 2-0 and 3-0 votes respectively, and SB 1063 was also advanced on a 3-0 vote, with the committee noting ongoing administrative fee and permitting reforms at Fish and Wildlife.

Transcript Highlights:

• Achievement gaps remain but are narrowing, especially for Native American and economically disadvantaged
• I point out that American Indian, Native American, and economically disadvantaged students are among
• Focused progress gains are evident, particularly among Native Americans.
• We see some modest gains from Hispanic students, and we see the largest achievement gains with Native
• Learning gaps for low-income students, English learners, Native students, and students with disabilities

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's also a big educational curve: what is a Native American reservation?
• So the MHA is taking it upon themselves, and then also just some schools with a higher Native American
• population have also taken upon themselves to hire a Native American studies teacher and do that.
• bills... ...for Native tribes in North Dakota to be aware of what's being passed at the House level
• So we have about an 18% non-Native student body.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's also a big educational curve: what is a Native American reservation?
• have also taken it upon themselves to hire a Native American studies teacher and do that.
• dedicated toward... ...of studies, and I would say a supermajority of it was dedicated toward the Native
• bills. ...on some of the House bills and Senate bills that are being passed on, for Native tribes in
• So we have about an 18% non-Native student body.

Summary: The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and first heard welcoming remarks and introductions from tribal leaders and program directors. Chairwoman Street and other tribal representatives outlined a range of concerns and requests for state action, including taxation of reservation lands, support for non-beneficiary students at the tribal school, homelessness funding, Indian-managed health care, gaming and e-tabs, Feather Alert improvements, industrial farming near waterways, tourism, and better state-tribal consultation. Committee members responded that the meeting was intended to improve understanding and communication, and several members suggested future legislation or resolutions could be used to advance some of the issues. The tribe also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to legislators and staff. A major portion of the discussion focused on Spirit Lake fish and wildlife jurisdiction and the lake boundary. Tribal representatives asked for an MOU or co-stewardship agreement with the state to clarify hunting and fishing rights, recognize tribal licenses, and reduce recurring disputes over “gray areas” on the reservation and lake. Committee members discussed whether to draft a bill or resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and asked that North Dakota Game and Fish be invited to a future meeting. Related concerns included aquatic nuisance species prevention, with both sides agreeing that more aggressive boat inspection and cleaning measures would be beneficial. The committee also discussed taxation and county relations. Tribal leaders raised concerns about county resistance to fee-to-trust transfers and about property and vehicle taxation affecting members living on or near reservation lands. Committee members and tribal counsel reviewed federal treaty principles and court cases, and one member noted that the committee had previously taken no formal action on similar issues. Later, Benson County’s tax equalization director explained how the county values taxable land, handles inundated land applications, and tracks land coming off the tax rolls when the tribe repurchases acreage. The discussion ended with a presentation from the president of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, followed by an HHS presentation on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion as the committee moved to its next topic.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have those Native Americans. We have those English language learners.
• Our Native American students, and to talk about the actual programs that are supporting those students
• And for those of us that have children in our communities that are Native American, English language
• I worked at a school for seven years as a coach with 1,150 kids, 10 percent Native American, 30 percent
• Where do we get to the point where we recognize the capacity of our Native American and students with

Transcript Highlights:

• say that, quote, for Alaska Native say that, quote, for Alaska Native peoples,<03:28:11.360>
• Under the Alaskan Native Claims Settlement Act, Alaskan Native Corporations, including the Chugach Alaskan
• Alaskan Native Corporations, including Alaskan Native Corporations, including the<03:28:51.360> Chugach
• The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was enacted to resolve Alaska Native land claims and support
• ><03:30:07.920> was<03:30:08.120> enacted Native Claims Settlement Act was enacted Native

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The impact on Native communities has been especially severe.
• You continue to see people posting about being able to help Native Americans as long as they have this
• And I for sure know that this bill will help in stopping this abuse, especially against Native American
• Especially Native American people of the state, and, like we heard in testimony, other states that are
• I'm a native of Arizona, and I'm a registered nurse at a very busy local hospital.

Bills: SB1051, SB1114, SB1115, SB1122, SB1132, SB1162, SB1169, SB1171, SB1172, SB1173, SB1174, SB1175, SB1179, SB1188, SB1233, SB1236, SB1242, SB1316, SB1368

Keywords: SB1051, Arizona hospitals, immigration status, patient intake, admission forms, registration forms, health care reporting, uncompensated care, emergency department, lawfully present, undocumented immigrants, noncitizen patients, hospital funding, Arizona Department of Health Services, ADHS, border security, health care institutions, patient privacy, medical access, immigration policy

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee approved the January 21 minutes and then heard a series of bills focused on developmental disabilities oversight, behavioral health fraud, AHCCCS operations, child safety, and state hospital capacity. SB 1179 would make the Developmental Disabilities Group Home Monitoring Program permanent and remove the appropriations contingency; Disability Rights Arizona and program managers testified that Commit had identified systemic care problems, while the sponsor said the work should continue. The bill received a 6-1 do-pass recommendation. SB 1114 would appropriate $1 million to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for behavioral health patient brokering investigations; Native advocates described widespread recruitment and exploitation of vulnerable people, especially Native Americans, and the bill passed 8-0. SB 1115 would prohibit AHCCCS from allowing remote work for Access employees; the sponsor argued in-person oversight was needed, while AHCCCS warned of space and staffing problems. It passed 4-3. SB 1051 would require hospitals to collect and report patients’ citizenship or immigration status for cost accounting; supporters called it a data-collection measure, while nurses and physicians said it would create fear and deter care. It passed 4-3. SB 1122, as amended, would replace prior authorization with 100% prepayment review for certain behavioral health services under the American Indian Health Plan, and passed 7-0 after AHCCCS said it had worked on the amendment. SB 1132, to appropriate unspecified funds for a new Arizona State Hospital wing, drew testimony from families and advocates describing severe shortages of state hospital beds and the need for more long-term treatment capacity; it passed 7-0. SB 1169, to fund graduate medical education and a new residency program, passed 6-0. SB 1171, requiring AHCCCS to check for dual enrollment in exchange plans and AHCCCS, passed 4-2-1 after AHCCCS said implementation would require system changes and costs. SB 1172, requiring more experienced DCS investigators for repeated abuse/neglect reports and court notification of hotline calls in dependency cases, passed 7-0. SB 1173, requiring behavioral health facility applicants, owners, and licensees to be U.S. citizens or lawfully present permanent residents with fingerprint clearance cards, passed 4-3 after an amendment clarifying the lawful-presence requirement.