Transcript Highlights:

• You had the foresight to do this and the wisdom to include an Assistant Secretary for Native American
• Mind you, my district is very much Native American New Mexico, and you keep mentioning your appreciation
• I also have to commend your former Native American Secretary, Secretary...
• But in Native country, it was Head Start, but we didn't know what a Head Start II was.
• Simulation of our Native American cultures, languages, etc.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aspen, the star of the show, is a North American porcupine, so a Minnesota native here.
• The fisher, a Minnesota native animal, also is one that has been able to figure out a way to hunt after
• The fisher, a Minnesota native animal, also is one that has been able to figure out a way to hunt after
• Sounds good. >> [applause] the fisher, a Minnesota native animal, the fisher, a Minnesota native animal

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Minnesota Zoo presented its infrastructure and animal health needs to the committee, beginning with an educational demonstration featuring Aspen, a North American porcupine. Staff used the animal to explain porcupine biology and correct common myths, including that porcupines cannot shoot their quills and that the quills are not poisonous. Members asked about the animal’s natural predators and care, and staff explained that porcupines are protected by their quills but can still be preyed on by animals such as bobcats, cougars, great horned owls, and fishers. Zoo leadership then shifted to the facility request, describing the zoo as a major state attraction and education center with about 1.4 to 1.5 million annual visitors, nearly 100,000 students served, and significant economic impact. They said the 50-year-old campus is in poor condition, with a third of its 125 structures in poor or crisis condition and more than $78 million in deferred maintenance, creating safety risks for visitors, staff, and animals. The zoo said it is seeking to use the governor’s recommended $4 million for critical life-support and infrastructure needs. The main funding request discussed was an additional $6 million for the zoo’s animal hospital project. Zoo officials explained that the original plan for a standalone new hospital was no longer affordable, so they are now proposing a new wing attached to the existing A Building hospital. The extra funds would renovate A Building for staff, storage, and support spaces, remove asbestos, meet code, and improve safety so the new hospital can function as intended. Members asked about incidents at the zoo, and staff described examples such as close calls with animal enclosures and injuries tied to aging facilities and outdated equipment. No vote or formal action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• “As a proud native Floridian, I’ve seen firsthand how vital our state university system is to expanding
• I'm a native of Palm Beach County.
• attribute that and connect it back to the blessing that I've received in the state of Florida as a native
• And so whether you're a native to Palm Beach County or you've moved here five months ago, one thing that
• I'm a fifth-generation Polk County native and a fourth-generation chairman, CEO, and president of a formerly

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education convened with a quorum and first took up CS for SB 1694 on technology education. The bill would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and would encourage high school computer science courses that include AI to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal settings. The bill sponsor and several supporters emphasized preparing students for an AI-driven workforce while teaching critical evaluation and ethical use; one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the need to preserve real-world skills. Senator Davis supported the measure and suggested introducing similar instruction earlier, possibly in middle school. The committee voted the bill favorably, with Senator Leak later recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a large block of confirmations for higher education boards, including appointees to Tallahassee State College, the University of South Florida, the University of North Florida, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally highlighted backgrounds in education, health care, law, business, technology, and public service, and described priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, affordability, fiscal responsibility, and institutional growth. One nominee to Tallahassee State College was asked about low NCLEX pass rates and said the college had a plan approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Another nominee discussed Florida Poly’s STEM mission, and several members praised the nominees’ community ties and professional experience. After hearing the appointees, the committee voted to report the block of confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The committee then received a high-level overview of the higher education budget, totaling $11.9 billion, with major emphasis on workforce training and development. Highlights included increases for school district workforce education, the Florida College System, workforce development capitalization, a rural educator recruitment program, funding for the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s literacy and math initiatives, UF’s autism and neurodevelopment center, and a postsecondary guardian program for campus security. Members asked a brief question about a workforce fund transfer, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds added. No public comment was offered, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, and a lot of respect to the Native American community too, I love them too, but this is something
• I cannot agree on with the Native Americans for letting this happen on their soil.
• I just wanted to make a correction in your speech: Native American people did not choose for the Japanese
• And I just want to comment on the Native Americans.
• I know that's, I just want to comment on the Native Americans.

Bills: SB1152, SB1156, SB1157, SB1213, SB1232, SB1268

Keywords: immigration, public benefits, asylum, verification, Arizona Revised Statutes, appropriation, public safety, detention, unauthorized aliens, local government funding, border security, fencing, appropriations, southern border, local government, immigration enforcement, probation, law enforcement, court notification, civil rights

Summary: The Military Affairs and Border Security Committee met and approved the January 26, 2026 minutes, then took up several bills related to veterans, immigration, and border security. SB 1268 was described as an emergency cleanup measure clarifying that a 100% service-connected disabled veteran’s primary residence is fully exempt from property tax, including when jointly owned with a spouse; county assessors supported it as needed to fix ambiguous language before the 2026 tax year, and it passed 7-0. SB 1152 would make people with pending asylum applications eligible for state or local public benefits until asylum is granted; supporters framed it as limiting state spending on pending cases, while opponents argued it was redundant, could encourage racial profiling, and conflicted with humanitarian and economic considerations. It passed 4-3. SB 1156 would appropriate $20 million to reimburse cities, towns, and counties for short-term detention costs involving unauthorized persons; supporters said local governments were bearing an unfair burden, while opponents said the money should go elsewhere and that the state was already spending heavily on border issues. It passed 4-3.

Transcript Highlights:

• the site where Milam is built along the Sabine River was well known, stopover on the trail used by Native
• Committee members, it is crucial that the Texas legislature works towards the protection of our native
• Let's continue prioritizing the lives of our native critters and Texans by ensuring we have wildlife

Transcript Highlights:

• the site where Milan is built along the Sabine River was a well-known stopover on the trail used by Native
• Committee members, it is crucial that the Texas legislature works towards the protection of our native
• Let's continue prioritizing the lives of our native critters and Texans by ensuring we have wildlife

Bills: HB370, HB738, HB2935, HB3227, HB4103, HB5259, SB519, SB1350, SB1247, SB1248, SB2112, HCR81, HCR83, HCR84, HCR59, HCR109, HCR111, HCR135, SCR6

Keywords: HB 370, Events Trust Fund, Texas events funding, sports eligibility, women's sports, girls' sports, biological sex, transgender athletes, sex-segregated sports, athletic competition, event subsidies, tourism funding, site selection organization, anti-trafficking plan, female athletes, public funding, economic impact, sports policy, Rosenwald Schools, historical preservation

Transcript Highlights:

• That's for the history and the culture, and the other one is for Native American essential understanding
• Native American essential understanding.
• science centers, but the 5.7 is the one-time for dyslexia, statewide reading, school board training, Native

Bills: HB1540

Keywords: education savings account, ESA, school choice, private school vouchers, nonpublic school, tuition assistance, education tax credit, homeschool exclusion, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Public Instruction, public funding for private education, voucher program, student scholarships, special education, parental choice, curriculum funding, tutoring, online learning, state per-pupil payment, income-based eligibility

Summary: The committee first took up amended bill 10-13, a school funding and education appropriations measure. Senator Schaible walked through the final version, which included changes to foundation aid, transportation grants, free and reduced-price meals funding, paraprofessional and teacher support programs, Native American education items, library and school facility projects, and several one-time grants. Members discussed removing the science center grant funding, and Senator Meyer objected to that removal, arguing that Grand Forks had raised matching private and local funds and that other cities had received similar state support. The committee also agreed to adjust regional education association funding to reflect six centers rather than seven, reducing that line to $600,000. The committee then adopted the amendment to 10-13 unanimously and passed the bill as further amended on a unanimous roll call, with Senator Shively designated as carrier. After a brief recess, the committee turned to bill 1540, but no formal action was taken. Bank of North Dakota and OMB representatives raised concerns that the draft included policy changes and procurement/IT exemptions that needed further discussion. Members agreed the bill would be delayed until Monday so the Bank, OMB, and NDIT could confer and work through the mechanics and policy issues before the committee moved it forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• California Native American tribes are best positioned to identify their own TCRs and how to best protect
• SB 1326 empowers California Native American tribes to better protect their TCRs and preserve their culture
• United Auburn is proud to be co-sponsor of SB 1326, and we are honored to work with other California Native
• SB 1326 ensures that California Native American tribes have the authority to use our tribal cultural
• lead agency does not adopt the identification, avoidance, mitigation, or treatment that a California Native

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Eleven to 13% of our fellows are Native American and serving Bernalillo, Cuba, Ojo, Academy, and Zuni
• It also removes the economic barriers that have historically excluded Native American, Hispanic, and
• Native-speaking teachers.
• Native-speaking teachers.
• them in terms of learning how to teach a second language, in terms of learning how to support the native

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on strategic resource management in public education. LESC staff and PED officials argued that New Mexico has increased school funding, but local budgeting and planning remain fragmented and overly compliance-driven. They described long-term pressures including declining enrollment, rising special education costs, falling cash balances, changes in federal funding, and leadership turnover, and said schools need more intentional multi-year planning tied to student outcomes. They also outlined the many disconnected planning requirements schools must complete, compared New Mexico’s current approach with Ohio’s three-year budget forecasting model, and recommended continuing multi-year appropriations, adding $2.5 million for state grants in the unified application, and directing LESC, LFC, and PED to develop a long-term financial planning proposal. PED said it is working to reduce administrative burden through school accreditation, a unified application for federal and state funds, and internal alignment of guidance and coaching, with pilot schools reporting time savings and better alignment. Members raised concerns about four-day school weeks, the burden on small districts, the need for outcomes and return on investment, and whether the state should move toward a two-year or three-year planning cycle; staff clarified that the proposal was to streamline or eliminate redundant requirements, not add another layer. The committee then received an update on the Educator Fellows program. PED described it as a Grow Your Own pipeline that employs candidates as supplemental educational assistants while they work toward licensure, providing salary, benefits, paid leave, mentoring, and coursework support. Officials said the program helps address teacher shortages, improves student-to-teacher ratios, increases workforce diversity, and supports the Martinez-Yazzie action plan. They reported 370 current fellows across 86 LEAs and about 180 schools, with many fellows being people of color, first-generation college students, or second-career educators; roughly 85 are expected to become certified this year. A local HR director from Belen testified that the program has been especially valuable in small communities, where fellows are already rooted in the community and several have moved into teaching roles. Members asked about high school recruitment, tuition, retirement and benefits, the relationship to the Higher Education Department’s Grow Your Own scholarship, and the role of university partners. PED said fellows choose among accredited higher education partners, the program is separate from the scholarship but complementary, and the state is also building an apprenticeship model and seeking to expand the program to more LEAs, though some districts are on a waiting list because of funding and local match requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a 100-bed commitment to serve the Native American community within our health care system, and
• On the second or third page, the UNM Hospital and Native American Health Services on that 100 inpatient
• Chair, and Representative Little, yes, we will follow up with you on data regarding our Native American
• and Representative Little, we look forward to following up with you on the issues of OMI and our Native
• Many Native American students are first-generation college attendees, and the opportunity to earn college

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had one natural resource manager, one specialist to steward all of the land at MINRA, one native mussel
• Indigenous Food Systems, which is what Natives says the acronym for.
• in Minneapolis which nonprofit natives in Minneapolis which is<01:29:50.440> North<01:29:50.719
• Food Systems uh which is what natives Food Systems uh which is what natives say<01:29:54.480>
• Bob Meyer said there's already a work group, right, or some kind of native work group that's already

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• shows, you know, Black Minnesotans are incarcerated 14.3 times the rate of white Minnesotans and Native
• American motans at 14.3 times the Native American motans at 14.3 times the rate.<01:29:31.440> And
• Carlton County jails, for instance, you know, a fairly large Native population.
• They are very cognizant of the fact that they have a very high population of Native Americans there and
• uh you know, a fairly large native population.<01:31:41.120> And<01:31:41.440> one<01:

Bills: HF3700, HF3982, HF3927, HF3933, HF3949, HF4238, HF4275, HF4476, HF4504

Keywords: Duluth, Lake Superior Zoo, capital improvements, funding, bonds, appropriations, capital investment, port development, grant caps, state assistance, navigation facilities, Dakota County, state bonds, park improvements, infrastructure, transportation, safety, congestion, water infrastructure, bond issuance

Transcript Highlights:

• The Choctaw Academy was unique in that it was on the request of the Native chiefs.
• the first formally trained Native the first formally trained Native American<01:42:30.920> physician
• One<01:42:48.480> of<01:42:48.600> the<01:42:48.720> 600<01:42:49.440> Native
• <01:43:14.360> Native<01:43:14.880> artifacts<01:43:15.520> in<01:43:15.640>
• the<01:43:15.720> state Native Native artifacts in the state Native Native artifacts in the

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's great, except one of the things I noticed is that there is no Native American workforce.
• There's no codified Native American workforce, and I'm wondering why we aren't putting that first to
• Madam Speaker and gentlelady, the state, of course, engages with Native Americans.
• We have the statewide Native New Mexico Indian Affairs Department, for instance, that works with our
• I'm Native American, I'm here. I'm Hispanic, I'm here. I'm wherever you're from.

Bills: HB111, HB103, HB109, HB128, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB49, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB124, HB145, HB154, HB158, HB164, HB180, HB291, HJR6, HJR7, HR1, HJM1, HM13, HM47

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• those who were appointed because of their Native heritage.
• those who were appointed because of their Native heritage.
• But if we don't see otherwise, I'd be apt to look to end it next year if we don't see progress. native
• Heritage um to me that brings a native Heritage um to me that brings a pretty<00:20:35.559> troubling
• <00:24:31.440> American conflict within the Native American conflict within the Native American

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1/CAC 1, which concerned gubernatorial succession and incapacity. Members supporting an ITL motion said the bill was not workable as written and that New Hampshire already has a constitutional structure that has functioned for more than 200 years. Others noted the state’s two-year gubernatorial term and said the existing protections were sufficient. The committee voted 16-0 to inexpedient to legislate, and the item was placed on consent. The committee then considered House Bill 96, the energy code bill. Supporters argued that updating the code would reduce long-term energy costs, improve climate resilience, help the construction industry, and keep New Hampshire eligible for federal funding. Opponents of ITL said the bill was premature because the 2024 energy code was already under review, housing costs were a major concern, and the testimony on costs was conflicting and not well supported. The committee voted 12-4 for ITL, and a minority report was requested. House Bill 161, dealing with the Native American Affairs Commission, was also sent to ITL by a 16-0 vote and placed on consent. Members cited serious concerns about vacancies, expired terms, missing annual reports, and whether the commission was functioning effectively. Several members said the committee lacked the expertise to resolve the underlying cultural and intergovernmental disputes and that the issues were beyond the committee’s scope. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 428 and adopted Amendment 0328 by a 16-0 vote. The amendment would preserve municipalities’ ability to make administrative building-code amendments, such as permit, inspection, occupancy, and fee procedures, while still barring local governments from setting higher construction standards than the state code. Testimony emphasized that the amendment was meant to clean up and consolidate related language and make the bill administratively workable. After the amendment passed, members discussed the bill in amended form, with supporters and opponents focusing on housing costs, local control, flood protection, and the risk of inconsistent local codes.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I also want to focus that the benefits not just to the tribe or to the Native American community,
• it is now, but also on that tribe itself, the local community, its contributions to it, and other Native
• And so it'll go from being a closed park that no one can... ...to it and other Native American tribes

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee met as a subcommittee because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established quorum and heard several bills. AB 445 by Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry would grant Colusa County 10 on-sale liquor licenses to address a long-standing shortage and support local economic development; the author said she would accept committee amendments. The bill was later approved on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with the roll held open for absent members before additional aye votes were added. AB 766 by Assemblymember Sharp-Collins would require state agencies and departments to conduct an equity analysis before implementing budgets or regulations, with the review performed by a DEIA coordinator or qualified equivalent. Supporters, including a college administrator and a nursing instructor, argued the bill would protect diversity, equity, inclusion, and access efforts and help address systemic barriers in education and health care. The committee voted 13-? on the measure after a due-pass motion to Appropriations, with the roll held open and later additional aye votes recorded. AB 971 by Assemblymember Alvarez would facilitate transfer of about 3.83 acres of city-owned land in San Diego to the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians, contingent on affirmative action by the City of San Diego. The author and tribal witnesses described the bill as a step toward correcting historical injustices and reopening a currently closed park as a tribal-operated historical park and museum. The measure passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, again with the roll held open for absent members before additional votes were added.

Transcript Highlights:

• Native American youth are absolutely overrepresented in our client base, and having the feedback and
• So in Bismarck, I would say roughly 70 to 80% of the youth that we serve are Native.
• able to— I can absolutely get you a breakdown, because I would want to be able to give you not just Native

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on HB 1308 met to review Senate amendments related to the Human Trafficking Commission and continuing education language for regulated professions. Senator Beauchay explained that the bill would make the commission more independent and robust by changing permissive language to mandatory language, adding members from DHS/Children and Family Services, school districts, the State’s Attorneys Association, and the governor’s office, and designating the Attorney General or designee as presiding officer. The committee also discussed a new duty for the commission to provide annual human trafficking prevention and awareness education for students, with a proposed cross-reference to DPI curriculum law to avoid conflict with HB 2330. Members raised questions about the size of the commission, quorum concerns, and how the existing human trafficking task force differs from the commission. Testimony from Amy Boyd-Bomey of YouthWorks supported broader representation, especially from child welfare, schools, and tribal entities, and emphasized that trafficking of youth in North Dakota disproportionately affects Native youth. Committee members discussed the need for tribal representation, including a single representative chosen by tribal chairs, and suggested adding language to ensure that perspective. Boyd-Bomey also noted that the statute already references designees from state, local, and tribal agencies, though the committee considered making that more specific. No final action was taken. Representative Davis was asked to draft possible language changes, and the committee agreed to stand at ease and reconvene later, but ultimately the chair announced that more time would be needed and that another meeting would be scheduled.

Transcript Highlights:

• And um the this bill aims to honor and recognize the remarkable contributions of Native Americans that
• Americans that are serving in of Native Americans that are serving in our<00:16:14.000> military<
• very beginning of our nation, the Native very beginning of our nation, the Native Americans<00:16
• Americans served in the US 12,000 Native Americans served in the US armed<00:16:45.240> forces
• <00:16:50.000> Americans the contributions of Native Americans the contributions of Native

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• collect 1,000 samples to submit so that we could establish the baseline of the genetics across the native
• The native herd is 80% S alleles.' The reality is, members, they did not do that.
• That genetic testing of the native population requires money to fund.
• That genetic testing of the native population requires money to fund.
• I do still want the native herd genetic makeup. I do think it is extremely important.

Bills: HB4338, HB3977, HB2100, HB2975, HB3056, HB3406, HB3720, HB4316, HB3405, HB1907, HB3142, HB3173, HB3270, HB3728, HB2440, HB2596, HB3466, HB3469, HB4338, HB3977, HB2100, HB2975, HB3056, HB3406, HB3720, HB4316, HB3405, HB1907, HB3142, HB3173, HB3270, HB3728, HB2440, HB2596, HB3466, HB3469

Keywords: HB4338, Oklahoma Brine Development Act, brine unitization, produced water, produced water unit, oil and gas wastewater, produced water recycling, reclaimed water, constituent elements, brine rights, solution gas, Corporation Commission, unitization, royalty interests, surface owner, oil and gas produced water, recycling and reuse, wastewater disposal, mineral extraction, lithium extraction

Transcript Highlights:

• Immigrants in Massachusetts are more likely to have a graduate degree than native-born residents of Massachusetts
• immigrants—20% have less than a high school graduate degree compared to 5.2% in the Massachusetts native-born
• And here we're showing that the native-born labor force has grown only 6% since 1990.
• They do tend to be, so foreign-born householders tend to be larger than native-born householders.
• So 51% are three or more people, as compared to only 35% of native householders.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census heard presentations on Massachusetts population trends and how they affect state housing planning. Susan Strait of the UMass Donahue Institute reviewed recent Census Bureau estimates, saying Massachusetts grew strongly over the last decade but that growth has slowed sharply in the newest estimates, largely because net international migration has fallen from a post-pandemic surge. She also described the four components of population change—births, deaths, domestic migration, and international migration—along with aging trends, declining fertility, the importance of the millennial cohort, and the role of foreign-born residents in births and the labor force. Committee members asked about college students in group quarters and about counting incarcerated people, and Strait explained the Census Bureau’s current methods and noted that some issues remain under discussion. Jesse Guerrero of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council then explained how MAPC uses UMass Donahue population projections to build household and local land-use forecasts for MassDOT and the statewide housing plan. He said the earlier transportation projections anticipated slower statewide growth and regional decline in western Massachusetts and on the Cape, with more growth in eastern Massachusetts. He also described how household formation, development patterns, zoning, and affordability are modeled, and noted that newer housing-plan scenarios use updated Census data and different assumptions about migration. Senator Miranda raised concerns about Cape Cod population loss and whether seasonal residents are being counted, and Guerrero and Strait said the projections focus on permanent residents, not seasonal populations. Tim Reardon of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities tied the demographic forecasts to the statewide housing plan, saying housing demand exists even under low-growth or slight-decline scenarios. He said the plan estimates about 115,000 homes are needed to address existing shortages, including doubled-up households, shelter families, seasonal conversion losses, and the need for healthier vacancy rates, plus additional units tied to future household formation. He added that the state’s total housing target is about 222,000 units, or as high as 262,000 under a higher-growth scenario. Senators pressed him on whether the scenarios are now too high given the recent drop in immigration, on affordability and out-migration, and on whether the housing plan adequately reflects homelessness and overcrowding in Boston and elsewhere. Reardon said the plan includes production, rental assistance, shelter prevention, and preservation strategies, and noted that HLC is also using grant programs and MBTA Communities-related infrastructure funding to support housing production statewide.