Transcript Highlights:

• new revenue rate or accepting state grant dollars for the following five fiscal years after the judgment
• Because the 15th Court, when you look at the... process is there when there's a final judgment.
• That's when the case is over, when you have a final non-appealable judgment or when it is appealable
• in the final judgment issue.
• Until the trial court judge reaches a final judgment, those penalties are going to be in place.

Bills: HB5691, SB427, SB2623, SB2858

Keywords: municipal management district, bonds, assessments, property taxes, economic development, eminent domain, special district, SB 427, local government, political subdivision, state loan, state grant, financial reporting, annual financial statement, annual report, county report, municipal finance, water district, municipality, county auditor

Transcript Highlights:

• These victims have now spent 15 years trying to enforce their judgment against frozen assets of terrorists
• It is specifically limited to post-judgment proceedings for terrorism victims with judgments against
• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1430, a bill to be entitled an act relating to post-judgment execution
• The claimant and South Broward Hospital District agreed to a consent judgment for $6.4 million.
• This is a bill with a settled excess judgment claim for $200,000.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several introductions recognizing guests, family members, and a USF Day at the Capitol presentation. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar, where it first passed two Open Government Sunset Review bills: CS/SB 7010, preserving a public records exemption for certain Department of Financial Services receiver information, and SB 7008/HB 7003, preserving confidentiality for financial technology sandbox application records. Both measures passed unanimously. The Senate also passed CS/SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, a bill intended to help victims enforce judgments against terrorist entities, and CS/CS/SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, aimed at improving veterans’ access to benefits and transition support. Additional measures passed included CS/CS/CS/SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, CS/CS/CS/SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, and several claims bills, including relief for Darlene Angerville and J.R., Eric and Jennifer Miles on behalf of EEM, and Marcus Button. SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements also passed after an amendment making texting while driving a moving violation with points and a distracted-driving course requirement. The most extended debate centered on CS/CS/CS/SB 700, where senators discussed provisions on fluoride in drinking water, labeling of plant-based products, drone penalties, charity registration, agricultural housing, and other agriculture-related policy changes. Several amendments on fluoride were offered and defeated, while a technical amendment on financial institution definitions was adopted. Senators also briefly discussed the policy implications of the bill’s fluoride language and its relationship to local control and public health. Several other bills on the calendar were temporarily postponed, and at the end of the session the Senate adopted motions to certify passed bills to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and remove CS/SB 7016 from the special order calendar. The Senate then adjourned until April 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clinical judgment is a medical tool.
• :01:03.600> healthcare the clinical judgment of healthcare the clinical judgment of healthcare
• <04:20:13.600> to clinical judgment remains central to clinical judgment remains central to
• intelligence to change clinical judgment intelligence to change clinical judgment which<04:46:19.920
• <04:54:17.520> do judgment is overridden, patients do judgment is overridden, patients do

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, you're making judgments about who's qualified and sometimes you get someone who's very good
• And number two, that goes beyond summary judgment.
• You have the defense file a motion for summary judgment.
• And judges are pretty judicious about dismissing summary judgment or Judgment as a matter of law at that
• And among the judgments that I got in that case from the jury In Gallup was a judgment against UNM Hospital

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to the issuance of a transcript by a post-secondary education institution to a student who is in default

Summary: The House met to read a large slate of newly filed bills and resolutions and refer them to committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including health care and insurance, public education, elections, criminal justice, public safety, taxes, transportation, agriculture, environmental regulation, higher education, housing, and local government. Several proposals focused on abortion and reproductive health, firearms, voter registration and ballot access, school curriculum and accountability, property tax and homestead issues, and state contracting and agency oversight. A number of constitutional amendments were also filed, including proposals on initiative and referendum, veto override authority, vaccination refusal, parental rights in education, gun rights, Medicaid expansion, and various tax exemptions. No substantive debate, testimony, or votes occurred during this portion of the meeting; the clerk simply read the bills and resolutions and announced their committee referrals. The list included both general legislation and joint resolutions, with many items sent to standing committees and several to subcommittees. The House then adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Tort Claims Act is the principal expression of that legislative judgment.
• From a base policy level, any type of judgment that a private citizen gets against the government is
• Here's what I'm getting at: if we had no cap and City A got sued and they had a $10 million judgment
• And we were definitely talking about, well, if they go to enforce that judgment, how is that going to
• But that is the risk, and I believe the judgment in that case actually exceeded the value of the city

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In either case, it raises, at least for this senator, serious questions about your judgment.
• I salute your service to our country, but I have serious doubts about your judgment.
• Again, in my mind, this is a question of judgment. 702 is critical.
• Just in complete hindsight, would you view this trip as good judgment? Yes, Senator.
• I'm questioning her judgment. That's the issue that's at stake here.

Transcript Highlights:

• produce permanent rules due in large part to the disruption of COVID-19, the temporary rules became default
• times is what I as far as like response times is what I I<01:45:18.920> I<01:45:19.080> default
• 20.080> is<01:45:20.600> that's<01:45:20.800> a<01:45:20.880> big I I default
• back to is that's a big I I default back to is that's a big thing<01:45:21.320> that<01:45:21.480

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it is well understood that when people are presented with a tax question on a ballot, many voters default
• tax question on a ballot,<01:22:27.920> many<01:22:28.239> voters<01:22:28.800> default
• <01:22:29.280> to<01:22:29.520> no ballot, many voters default to no ballot, many voters
• default to no because<01:22:30.239> they<01:22:30.400> do<01:22:30.639> not<01:

Bills: HB0147, HB0127

Keywords: property tax, homeowner exemption, Wyoming, voter initiative, tax legislation, HB0127, recreation mill levy, recreational facilities, public recreation, mill levy, local tax, county commissioners, school district levy, voter approval, ballot measure, general election, tax referendum, special purpose tax, Wyoming taxation, W.S. 18-9-201

Transcript Highlights:

• difficult for us to contact all of our family members, get everybody in agreement, and we will just default
• And they just default.
• difficult for us to contact all of our family members, get everybody in agreement, and we will just default
• And they just default.

Keywords: 908, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, for the affidavit of candidacy, the address on those defaults to public, and you can ask for your
• affidavit of candidacy, the address on affidavit of candidacy, the address on those<00:35:32.800> defaults
• 33.599> and<00:35:33.839> you<00:35:34.000> can<00:35:34.079> ask those defaults
• to public and you can ask those defaults to public and you can ask for<00:35:34.480> your<00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, those are not by default what we'll call mechanical conformed items.
• are<00:03:27.120> not<00:03:27.519> uh<00:03:27.680> by<00:03:28.000> default
• <00:03:28.720> what So, those are not uh by default what So, those are not uh by default what

Bills: HR1, HF387

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, Blaine, local sales tax, special tax, restaurant tax, lodging tax, admissions tax, amusement tax, hotel tax, redevelopment, capital improvements, municipal finance, bonding authority, tourism tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Too often defendants default because of non-attendance.
• Too often defendants<00:14:13.560> default<00:14:14.560> because<00:14:14.800> of
• > defendants default because of defendants default because of non-attendance.<00:14:16.760> Additionally

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not in student loan default or more than 30 days behind on child support, and they meet satisfactory
• ><00:11:04.560> loan degree they're not in student loan degree they're not in student loan default
• 11:05.720> 30<00:11:06.079> days<00:11:06.760> behind<00:11:07.079> on default
• or more than 30 days behind on default or more than 30 days behind on child<00:11:07.600> support

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and in the purview of this committee, I drew them up to have them here in front of me, so not my default
• me<00:04:53.759> so<00:04:53.880> not<00:04:54.039> my<00:04:54.199> default
• <00:04:54.560> setting front of me so not my default setting front of me so not my default

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also a default that is typically used, which is 115% of the federal poverty guidelines for a
• law<00:58:21.839> there's<00:58:22.039> also<00:58:22.240> a<00:58:22.440> default
• <00:58:23.079> that<00:58:23.240> is law there's also a default that is law there's
• also a default that is typically<00:58:23.920> used<00:58:24.359> which<00:58:24.480><

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Higher Ed Finance and Policy Committee met to begin a budget overview for higher education. The chair noted quorum, committee member introductions, and that Democratic members were absent. The chair also said the Office of Higher Education would not be appearing for the planned budget deep dive, so nonpartisan fiscal staff would present instead. Ken Savory, the committee’s nonpartisan fiscal analyst, introduced a presentation on the higher education finance structure and timeline. Savory explained the state budget cycle, the difference between direct appropriations, statutory appropriations, open appropriations, base funding, tails, and one-time appropriations, and how those concepts apply to higher education. He described the committee’s usual budget areas: the Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, the University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Foundation. He also reviewed historical spending charts showing higher education’s share of the general fund over time, the 2/3-1/3 funding policy in statute, and how tuition and general fund support have shifted. He noted that the FY 26-27 base for the Office of Higher Education area is about $725 million, including roughly $450 million for the State Grant program and about $99 million for North Star Promise. Members asked about comparing the current budget to earlier biennia, and staff responded that they would need to calculate the percentage difference. The chair then summarized prior budget growth, saying the previous budget was about $650 million over base and the current budget/tail was about $450 million over base. Staff also reviewed the 2024 omnibus higher education bill, including a roughly $5 million reduction to North Star Promise that was redirected to the Fostering Independence Grant program and a $500,000 appropriation for Minnesota State’s Kids on Campus program. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• reiterate entirely, the basis for the bill and what it's supposed to do, but I can say that the sort of default
• :28:57.000> of um but I can say that the the sort of um but I can say that the the sort of default
• 58.360> a<01:28:58.440> worker's<01:28:58.840> comp<01:28:59.159> case default
• position of a worker's comp case default position of a worker's comp case is<01:29:00.000> that

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it is dangerous and frankly irresponsible to let insurance companies override medical judgment in
• And it is dangerous and frankly irresponsible to let insurance companies override medical judgment in
• And it is dangerous and frankly irresponsible to let insurance companies override medical judgment in
• And it is dangerous and frankly irresponsible to let insurance companies override medical judgment in
• And it is dangerous and frankly irresponsible to let insurance companies override medical judgment in

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• tightness of timelines and appreciate that some counties have enacted 30-day comment timelines, but the default
• tightness of timelines and appreciate that some counties have enacted 30-day comment timelines, but the default

Summary: The committee held a work session on state environmental policy act (SEPA) implementation and carryout bags. Ecology staff Diane Buterak described the Clean Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements (PEISs) completed for utility-scale solar, onshore wind, and green hydrogen, plus a new PEIS underway for sustainable aviation fuel. She explained that PEISs provide broad planning-level analysis to help developers and agencies avoid or mitigate impacts, but do not replace project-level review. Members asked about permitting timelines, greenhouse gas emissions from different hydrogen production methods, water use, agricultural land conversion, battery fire risk, and tribal consultation. Buterak said the PEISs identify potentially significant impacts and mitigation measures, including fire response planning, early tribal outreach, and agrovoltaics as an option for solar projects. EFSEC’s Amy Hofkimer then presented the transmission-facility programmatic EIS required by SB 5165 for 230 kV and higher transmission projects. She said the statewide review covers new lines and certain upgrades/modifications, analyzes impacts to water, cultural and tribal resources, habitat, and other areas, and uses general measures, design considerations, avoidance criteria, and sensitivity maps to guide siting and corridor planning. She said the final document would be issued in early October. Questions focused on reconductoring, tribal lands, scenic areas, and whether the review could affect existing lines crossing tribal lands. A Grant County planning director, Jim Anderson Cook, said Ecology’s PEIS would help with cumulative impacts for clustered solar projects, but noted tight local review timelines and the need for strong pre-application coordination, especially on cultural resource studies and decommissioning plans. Yakama Nation attorney Shona Leverett argued SEPA is only an assessment tool and said tribes face barriers from short comment periods, limited confidential tribal input, weak cumulative impact analysis, and challenges in the FSEC process; she urged better upfront developer diligence and more effective tribal coordination. Puget Sound Energy’s Sarah Leverett said the utility needs efficient and predictable permitting to meet clean energy mandates while maintaining reliable service and aging infrastructure. She described the scale of needed clean energy and transmission buildout, including a 10-year process for the Energize Eastside transmission rebuild, and said more consistent SEPA and PEIS processes could help. Members asked about future generation sources, reliability, and hydropower as a firming resource; she said PSE is pursuing an “all of the above” approach and would welcome more firm, dispatchable clean energy options. The committee then shifted to carryout bags. Staff Jacob Lipson and Tracy Taylor reviewed Washington’s bag law, its preemption of local ordinances, the current 8-cent charge, the scheduled increase to 12 cents, and the 2025 change delaying the 4-mil thickness requirement until 2028 while adding a temporary 4-cent penalty for thicker bags. Ecology’s Peter Lyon said the agency emphasizes education and complaint-based enforcement, has received 872 reports, and has not yet imposed any fines. Commerce’s Kirk Esmond summarized a WSU study finding fewer plastic bags distributed but more plastic by weight, and said Commerce and Ecology support keeping the 2.25-mil standard and not allowing thinner single-use bags again. Retail industry testimony from Brandon Housekeeper said grocers comply with the law but oppose the added 4-cent penalty and thicker-bag requirement, citing higher costs and confusion in the policy changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• In an agency that small, there's no second set of eyes by default.
• say, give as little power to the Department of Corrections as possible to override the sentencing judgment

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence honoring a deceased member, then approved the April minutes. The first major presentation was from Chelsea Florey of Child and Family Services on the Diversion Task Force and related grant programs created with one-time funding from HB 1012. She reported that five of six proposals were funded, with youth diversion services operating in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and a Red River Children’s Advocacy Center program focused on problematic sexualized behavior. Members discussed barriers such as staffing shortages, voluntary family engagement, service fatigue, and the need for better coordination, broader outreach, and possible changes to diversion eligibility rules so low-level cases can remain in diversion longer. Several legislators pressed for more practical system changes and clearer service navigation, while Florey said the task force is trying to build a service array or hub and is leaning on the Children’s Cabinet for broader recommendations. The committee then heard from North Dakota Lottery Director Thomas Lawler, who gave an operational overview and biennium report. He described the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, Pick and Click subscriptions, Players Club membership, and revenue distribution. For the 2023-25 biennium, about $67 million in tickets were purchased, with roughly $16.2 million transferred overall, including money for the general fund, drug task force grants, and compulsive gambling prevention and treatment. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether the amount is set by statute. A lengthy presentation followed from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on criminal justice data connectivity and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that North Dakota’s jail, court, HHS, and correctional systems use multiple separate databases that do not communicate in real time, requiring manual cross-checks and staff communication. He said the department is exploring a centralized hub or other integration approach, but noted challenges with identifiers, vendor contracts, confidentiality, and cost. Robin Schmolenberger then updated the committee on a Medicaid data-sharing project with HHS, saying monthly application assistance is now occurring in correctional facilities and that automated bi-directional data exchange is expected in late 2026 to help suspend and reactivate Medicaid coverage and identify former foster care youth. Members also discussed parole, probation, transitional housing, and the need for better real-time notifications and clearer data definitions. The committee also received an update from county representatives on the 24/7 sobriety program, including a recent attorney general opinion that if a court waives 24/7 fees, sheriffs may use the cheaper twice-daily breath test or urine testing instead of SCRAM bracelets or drug patches. Finally, Bruce Johnson of the Racing Commission presented on an audit report, acknowledging serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, grant documentation failures, a breeders fund eligibility reversal, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has already changed its procedures by tracking fund limits monthly, requiring grant applications and itemized reports, enforcing breeders fund rules as written, and routing purchases through procurement with written contracts. The committee asked follow-up questions throughout but took no formal votes on these presentations.