Transcript Highlights:

• In a state of panic, I went to my Wells Fargo Bank to withdraw the cash.
• my mistake and demanded the difference my mistake and demanded the difference in<00:21:19.799><c> cash
• so they would not have to report in cash so they would not have to report this<00:21:22.919><c> to</
• </c> Wells Fargo Bank to withdraw the cash Wells Fargo Bank to withdraw the cash cash<00:21:29.400><c
• </c> took tens of thousands in down payment took tens of thousands in down payment from<00:24:31.960>

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Prorate payments when students withdraw or fail.
• Right now, the cash basis of the investments is just over a billion dollars.
• </c><01:08:44.799><c> So</c> charter schools receive a payment.
• So charter schools receive a payment.
• They get a half a payment in September and a half a payment in March.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm wondering, since you work with AMA, why wouldn't a landlord accept the payment? Mr.
• Chairman, Representative Vegas, that's Wouldn't a landlord accept the payment? Mr.
• or non-payment to a consumer reporting agency is defined as a consumer lender.
• They characterized the second payment, where it goes out of your check back to the advance.
• crunch does not cascade into missed payments, overdrafts, or a turn to higher-cost credit.

Bills: HB2118 , HB2181 , HB2308 , HB2309 , HB2402 , HB2476 , HB2682 , HB2698 , HB2875 , HB2877 , HB2903 , HB2910

Committees: House Commerce , House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Keywords: mobile food vendors, licensure, food safety, statewide regulations, health standards, zoning, temporary vendors, HB2181, death certificate, death certificates, vital records, funeral establishment, funeral home, human remains, medical certification of death, death registration, state registrar, local registrar, county medical examiner, alternate medical examiner

Transcript Highlights:

• awards to students in one year but paying for them a year later, and the state's using a General Fund cash
• loan to cover the payments to students.
• The state is using a General Fund cash loan to cover the payments to students.
• So, for example, through our I Can Go to College campaign, we host Cash for College workshops at our
• So, for example, through our I Can Go to College campaign, we host Cash for College workshops at our

Summary: The subcommittee on Education Finance heard an overview of the governor’s budget proposals and higher education financial aid trends, with a major focus on the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS), Cal Grant spending, and the effects of recent federal student aid changes. The Department of Finance said the budget would fully fund Cal Grant at projected levels and reduce MCS coverage from 35% to 17.5% of unmet need in 2026-27, while the Legislative Analyst’s Office supported considering the reduction as a cost-saving measure given out-year deficits. UC and CSU representatives opposed the cut, saying MCS is important to affordability and debt-free degree goals; they estimated average awards would fall substantially and that campuses do not have funds to backfill the loss. The Student Aid Commission said the proposal would reduce aid but simplify administration, and members questioned how lower awards would affect students, borrowing, and work-study options. No vote was taken, and the issue was held open for possible future action. The committee then discussed federal changes to student loans and Pell Grant policy under H.R. 1, including caps on Parent PLUS loans, elimination of Grad PLUS loans, and new proration rules for federal direct loans based on enrollment intensity. The LAO said these changes would likely push some borrowers into the private market, especially graduate and professional students and some parents of students at private institutions. CSU said the changes would affect thousands of graduate and part-time students and could reduce access by about $97 million in loan availability for part-time borrowers, while UC said the new definitions of professional degrees were too restrictive and would reduce access for nursing, teaching, law, dentistry, and other programs. Community colleges said they use relatively little federal loan aid but are monitoring Workforce Pell. Members raised concerns about workforce impacts, social mobility, and whether the state should consider alternative loan programs or other ways to reduce student costs. This issue was also held open. In the segment financial aid update, the LAO reported Cal Grant spending is projected to rise to about $3.2 billion in 2026-27, driven by more recipients and higher awards tied to UC and CSU tuition increases, while CSAC said FAFSA and CADAA applications are up significantly year over year. CSU, community colleges, and UC described their aid packaging and rising aid totals, with CSU reporting over $5.5 billion in aid to 381,000 students, community colleges reporting over $4.3 billion to more than 920,000 students, and UC reporting $3.17 billion in grant aid to undergraduates. Members asked about Cal Grant reform, application trends, and long-term outcomes; UC and community colleges pointed to alumni and wage dashboards, and the LAO noted the state’s Cradle to Career data effort. The committee then took public comment, including testimony on library funding and other education-related priorities, and concluded by holding the issues open without formal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposal before you relies on available debt limit bond capacity, CCA account money, and other cash
• The proposal before you relies on available debt limit bond capacity, CCA account money, and other cash
• There's also $1 billion in cash resources, which is typically different.
• There's also $1 billion in cash resources, which is typically dedicated to capital, but has now been
• Most of that's $22 million in the VW settlement case interest payments.

Bills: SB6003 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB1983

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: capital budget, funding, infrastructure, state projects, budget allocation, HB 2353, predesign thresholds, capital construction, major capital projects, Office of Financial Management, OFM, Washington state, state agencies, infrastructure planning, construction costs, inflation adjustment, capital facilities, project review, allotments, lease approval

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> program integrity and improper payment program integrity and improper payment tools<02:20:39.600
• During the four years of payment.
• payment infrastructure.
• </c> separate from the payment system. separate from the payment system.
• We cannot trust<07:51:45.360><c> Cash</c><07:51:45.840><c> Patel</c> trust Cash Patel trust Cash Patel

Transcript Highlights:

• is that because we were trying to show him a paycheck and how much a paycheck really is, and so we cashed
• "They gave us $17 an hour, and I can pay good money to pay all my bills and keep my car payment up."
• And even though I was telling him, get me off the cash register, and that boss wouldn't get me off the
• cash register.
• They also provided some outcome payments to providers. ...coming in.

Summary: The meeting was a 14(c) Task Force hearing focused on employment experiences of Oklahomans with disabilities and the state’s use of subminimum wage. Numerous self-advocates and workers testified about their jobs, accommodations, pay, transportation barriers, and the importance of community integration. Several speakers described positive experiences in competitive or community jobs, while others recounted being underused, fired without explanation, or paid by piece rate or minimum wage in sheltered or enclave settings. Many emphasized that fair pay, independence, ABLE accounts, and supportive employers matter to them, and several said they want future careers, promotions, or even to own businesses and help others with disabilities find work. Task force members discussed recurring themes from the testimony: transportation as a major barrier, the importance of community and self-advocacy, employer misconceptions and stigma, the need for better transition services from school to work, and the difficulty families face navigating benefits and employment systems. Members also raised concerns about people being fired without explanation and about the need for meaningful options for those not ready for competitive employment. Suggestions included more employer education, reverse job fairs, job coaching, benefits planning, better coordination between DDS and DRS, and stronger transition supports in schools and through programs like Project SEARCH. Staff then presented research on how other states have phased out or eliminated 14(c) certificates. Examples included Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington, with common approaches such as phase-out timelines, technical assistance, provider transition plans, and support for competitive integrated employment. The presenters noted that Oklahoma still has 40 entities using 14(c), most of them DDS providers, but many providers are already moving away from it. Members discussed potential unintended consequences, the need for a clear timeline, the possibility of blending or braiding services, and whether Oklahoma should create a more one-stop, employer-friendly system. No votes were taken, and the group agreed to continue gathering information and return in June to begin shaping priorities and possible policy directions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know what that has to do with, if I want to purchase your good and I have the cash, or you can
• more valuable today when you can report it by the midnight deadline than if you receive those same payments
• more valuable today when you can report it by the midnight deadline than if you receive those same payments
• And lastly, House Bill 1269 allows a pawnbroker to accept online payment through an online payment system
• Again, these are pawn brokers that represent quick same-day cash, emergency cash for unbanked communities

Bills: HB2229 , HB2274 , HB2294 , HB1269 , HB1078

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: professional engineers, registration act, licensing, engineering practice, state regulations, email regulation, commercial communications, consumer protection, data privacy, electronic mail, consumer access, real property, food security, medicine access, restriction, pawnbroker, fees, interest rates, financial regulation, pet insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know what that has to do with if I want to purchase your good, and I have the cash, or you can
• more valuable today when you can report it by the midnight deadline than if you receive those same payments
• more valuable today when you can report it by the midnight deadline than if you receive those same payments
• And lastly, House Bill 1269 allows a pawnbroker to accept online payment through an online payment system
• They represent quick same-day cash, emergency cash for unbanked communities like mine in South King County

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2229 would update the professional engineers registration act by removing the U.S. citizenship requirement for board members, increasing pro tem board positions, giving the board more discretion over experience and continuing education requirements, removing some registration exclusions, and making various technical updates. The bill sponsor and the board described it as a cleanup and modernization measure, and a board representative said one naming change in the draft was unintended and would be corrected. No public testimony was taken before the hearing was suspended and later closed. House Bill 2274 would revise the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act after a Washington Supreme Court decision led to a wave of lawsuits over email subject lines. The bill would require a sender to have a “reliable basis” to know an email is held by a Washington resident, narrow when a subject line is actionable, require recipients to show they reviewed and relied on the email to recover damages, and repeal the act’s per se Consumer Protection Act violation while keeping statutory damages. Retailers, small business owners, hospitality groups, and e-commerce representatives supported the bill, saying the current interpretation is producing costly, technical lawsuits over ordinary promotional language and creating settlement pressure even without consumer harm. Consumer advocates opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections against deceptive subject lines and that the current law already targets false or misleading claims. The committee took no final action on the bill. House Bill 2294 would prohibit future negative use restrictions on real property that block grocery stores or pharmacies, with exceptions for existing restrictions, relocations, and certain retail centers. The sponsor said the measure is intended to improve food and pharmacy access, especially after grocery closures such as the one in Lake City, and noted similar local ordinances already exist. Food industry and grocery association witnesses generally supported the bill as a way to reduce barriers to food access and help independent grocers, while also asking for clearer guardrails to avoid unintended effects on legitimate business arrangements. The sponsor said she was open to working on enforcement and other details. The committee then moved to executive session and passed House Bill 1269, which would adjust pawn broker loan terms, interest, document preparation fees, storage fees, and allow online payment for renewals. Members described it as a modest increase after 11 years without changes, and the bill was reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation by voice vote, with 15 members voting in the affirmative.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill does not allow cash prizes and does not authorize open online gambling.
• And also... ...who secures payment capabilities by using a third-party credit card processing company
• There have been some instances with people demanding cash and not providing receipts, and there is language
• Did you pay cash? Yes. Did you get a receipt?
• You know, these sort of aggressive people in parking lots demanding payment say, "If you have a problem

Bills: HB589 , HB705 , HB1842 , HB1874 , HB2349 , HB2614 , HB2827 , HB3012 , HB3214 , HB3308 , HB3385 , HB3529

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• collaborator for the recommendation of the SIC and the FRI and adds the stipulation regarding the cash
• to get through this so-called value of death where they get to a point where they're starting to be cash
• All the health care providers who receive payment from Medicaid are required, unless they're a non-profit
• The problem is that the MCOs do not show the GRT as a standalone item in the billing and payment, so
• such that the provisions of that payment directly or indirectly guarantee to hold taxpayers harmless

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• managed care payments have decreased.
• This is payments toward the private providers.
• And the third piece, which I think is quite innovative, is cash bonus payments to eligibility workers
• And the third piece, which I think is quite innovative, is cash bonus payments to eligibility workers
• to LDH for the cash assistance program.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Issuers pay interest on the outstanding bonds, usually semi-annually, and the interest payments will
• come almost always. really from the same source of revenues as the principal payments come from.
• And that'll just soak up that capacity so that then you can use it on those payments.
• They’re accepting payments and making payments to the bondholders of the principal and interest as they
• They get the benefit if the IRS ever comes knocking to find out where all the bond payments went.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m sure most of you have had loans or credit cards where you try to track down a payment and you’re
• Another great benefit is our down payment closing cost assistance.
• They can get into it with less using this down payment assistance program.
• And again, it can be used for down payment or closing costs, whichever side is needed.
• They may need to hedge more aggressively in order to protect their cash flows through that time.

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division of the budget section and received updates on several Industrial Commission-related agencies and programs. Legislative Council first reviewed base budget materials, then the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported on its current appropriation and staffing, noting that its new FTEs were being filled gradually and that it remained largely funded through special and federal funds. Agency leaders described homeownership lending, loan servicing, and housing incentive fund activity, including below-market mortgage rates, down payment assistance, and a growing servicing portfolio that has increased workload but not yet required additional FTEs. Housing Finance also detailed use of the Housing Incentive Fund and homeless grant dollars. Officials said the multifamily HIF round drew more than $73 million in requests and awarded $25 million, while the single-family program supported rural development and community land trusts. Homeless grant funding was split between emergency shelter, prevention, and rapid rehousing, with performance-based scoring used to renew or reallocate awards. Members discussed housing affordability, aging households, rental assistance, and the need to coordinate housing and site-preparation messaging with Commerce. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased in the next session. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and operations update. Staff said the agency was on track financially, had filled most of its new reclamation FTEs, and was not expecting major litigation costs beyond normal late-biennium invoices. The director reviewed agency initiatives including Project North Star IT modernization, organizational restructuring, succession planning, rulemaking, and implementation of the development incentive well tax program and critical minerals rules. He also discussed oil and gas activity, explaining that longer laterals, especially three- and four-mile wells and the first five-mile spacing case, are helping keep production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. Members asked about gas capture, hedging, break-even prices, and the effects of Iran and Venezuela on oil markets. The committee also heard about enhanced oil recovery grants and the Pipeline Authority. The EOR program’s $25 million appropriation was fully allocated to six projects, with total awards reaching about $45.1 million when other fund balances were included, subject to a possible 5% reduction if federal DOE money does not materialize. Officials said the projects are public, reimbursement-based, and will produce results over the next several years. Finally, the Pipeline Authority outlined natural gas transmission projects, including the imminent Bakken Express line and the proposed Bakken East project, which WBI was selected to advance after an Industrial Commission RFI process. The project is moving through open season, survey permission, and regulatory work, with in-service dates projected for 2029 and 2030.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure most of you have had loans or credit cards where you try to track down a payment and you're
• Another great benefit is our down payment and closing cost assistance.
• They can get into it with less using this down payment assistance program.
• And again, it can be used for down payment or closing costs, whichever side is needed.
• They may need to hedge more aggressively in order to protect their cash flows through that time.

Summary: The committee met as the Budget Section’s Regulatory Division and first reviewed base budget materials for the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Mineral Resources. Legislative Council explained the blue-sheet budget summaries and historical funding trends. The Housing Finance Agency then reported on its ongoing homeownership, housing incentive, and homelessness programs, noting that its new FTEs are being filled, loan servicing remains above benchmark, and the agency is operating largely on special and federal funds rather than general fund dollars. Housing Finance officials said the Housing Incentive Fund continues to be heavily oversubscribed, with requests far exceeding available dollars, and described how funds are being used for multifamily gap financing, rural single-family development, community land trusts, and homeless prevention/rapid rehousing. Members asked about performance measures, the number of people served, and the relationship between housing costs, wages, and homelessness. The agency said it uses scoring criteria tied to performance and outcomes, and requested that the Legislature maintain or increase funding for HIF, single-family housing, and homeless grants. Committee members also discussed the need to coordinate housing finance efforts with Commerce and broader site-preparation and workforce issues. The Department of Mineral Resources reported that it is on track with its budget, has filled most of its newly authorized reclamation positions, and is moving ahead on several initiatives, including IT modernization through Project North Star, organizational succession planning, and rulemaking for critical minerals and oil and gas programs. The director gave an extensive update on oil and gas activity, explaining that longer laterals and operational efficiencies are keeping production relatively flat even as rig counts decline, and that gas capture remains around 95 percent. Members asked about oil prices, hedging, spacing units, and the effects of geopolitical events on markets and state revenues. The committee also received an update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program and the Pipeline Authority. The EOR program’s $25 million appropriation was fully allocated to six projects, with additional oil and gas research funds also committed, and officials said the projects will require public status reports and final reports. The Pipeline Authority described major natural gas transmission projects, including the upcoming Bakken Express line and the proposed Bakken East project, which recently completed a binding open season after the Industrial Commission selected WBI Energy’s proposal to move forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure most of you have had loans or credit cards where you try to track down a payment and you're
• Another great benefit is our down payment and closing cost assistance.
• They can get into it with less using this down payment assistance program.
• And again, it can be used for down payment or closing costs, whichever side is needed.
• They may need to hedge more aggressively in order to protect their cash flows through that time.

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division budget section and first reviewed the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s budget and program update. Legislative Council outlined the agency’s base budget and historical funding, and Housing Finance staff reported on homeownership lending, housing incentive fund (HIF) awards, and homeless grant spending. Agency officials said the five new FTEs approved last session are mostly filled, with one homeless program manager still open. They described strong demand for HIF, noting that September 2025 multifamily requests exceeded $73 million while only $25 million was available, and that single-family and homeless programs are also heavily subscribed. Members discussed the agency’s local loan servicing workload, interest-rate benefits, down payment assistance, and the need to coordinate housing discussions with Commerce and site-preparation efforts. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased, and committee members emphasized accountability and statewide access for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing funds. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and agency initiatives. Staff reported that the department is on track financially, that most of the five new reclamation-related FTEs are hired, and that litigation costs tied to oil and gas matters are expected to continue appearing late in the biennium. The director reviewed ongoing modernization and organizational efforts, including the North Star IT project, succession planning, training, and rulemaking for oil and gas and critical minerals. Members asked about longer laterals, spacing, and production trends; the department said operators are increasingly drilling three-, four-, and even an initial five-mile lateral, which is helping keep North Dakota oil production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. The director also discussed oil price volatility tied to Middle East conflict, hedging practices among producers, gas capture remaining around 95%, and the likelihood that current production levels will stay near flat unless prices or geopolitical conditions change significantly. An update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program followed. The Industrial Commission’s grant administrator said the full $25 million appropriation was allocated in the fall to six projects, and because the oil and gas research fund also had carryover and biennial tax revenue, total awards reached about $45.1 million. The projects are expected to run two to four years, with meaningful results not likely until mid-2026 or later. Members questioned whether the public would have access to the research findings and how accountability would be maintained; staff said the grants are reimbursement-based, require regular status reports, and will culminate in public final reports. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, which updated members on natural gas transmission projects, especially WBI Energy’s proposed Bakken East pipeline. The authority said the project has advanced through a nonbinding and then binding open season, with WBI now securing survey permissions and moving through regulatory and landowner processes, while other related gas transmission projects near Minot and Epping are also in development.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I also want to make interest payments on car loans tax deductible, but only if the car is made in
• </c><01:24:55.840><c> on</c> also want to make interest payments on also want to make interest payments
• Cash, wherever you may be. Good luck. Good luck. Pam Bondi, good luck. So important.
• Cash, thank you. They've already started very strong. They're going to do a fantastic job.
• </c><01:52:01.360><c> thank</c> to do a great job cash thank to do a great job cash thank you<01:52:03.840

Transcript Highlights:

• As the commissioner noted, the proposed 407 E9 is the provision that speaks about the payment of the
• As the commissioner noted, the proposed 407 E9 is the provision that speaks about the payment of the
• </c><01:00:06.319><c> they</c> outside of um uh the payments they outside of um uh the payments they
• He said the second payment was for $1,509, and the insurer asked them to pay back the $326.
• </c> not going to get an automatic payment not going to get an automatic payment from<02:31:19.279><c

Summary: The committee took up HB 297 with a non-germane amendment proposed by the Insurance Department to create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Commissioner DJ Beton explained that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce rising insurance premiums and avoid surplus lines coverage by funding proactive home and property improvements such as roof fortification, exterior and foundation work, flood protection, and tree removal. He said the proposal was developed after leadership asked for more statutory detail and for the idea to be vetted through policy committees rather than handled only in the budget process. Beton said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. He described the program as modeled on similar efforts in other states, with means testing tied to the Department of Energy’s weatherization/home heating assistance criteria. He also said the department would administer the program using one existing staff position, with coordination through Treasury, and that unspent funds would roll over for several years before reverting to the general fund. Members asked about the unusual use of a non-germane amendment and how the bill would be handled procedurally, since the underlying bill and the new insurance proposal were unrelated. The chair explained that the amendment was being used as a vehicle to move the department’s proposal through the committee process and that the committee could later accept one part, both parts, or neither. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting shown; the discussion ended with questions about administration, staffing, and the relationship between the underlying bill and the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they're likely to be down to approximately 15 days remaining of cash and reserves.
• </c> approximately 15 days remaining of cash approximately 15 days remaining of cash and<00:28:50.640
• </c><00:28:59.760><c> and</c> to maybe around 15 days of cash and to maybe around 15 days of cash and
• If they do not do that, there's an explicit trigger equivalent to about half a month's worth of cash
• Is it a one-time payment? Would they have a year over? I mean, how would you get that money?

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• , payments, payments, and<01:04:30.400><c> a</c><01:04:30.559><c> sharp</c><01:04:30.960><c> increase
• Remember, it's not cash or a check. It's just a letter of guarantee.
• Remember, it's not cash or a check. It's just a letter of guarantee.
• </c> up with cash and just catch people up. up with cash and just catch people up.
• So, that is non-payment of rent case.

Bills: HF3403 , HF3410 , HF3424

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy