Video & Transcript : 'defense activities' :
Page 59 of 500
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Feb 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The core goal of IGRA is to promote lawful and protected gaming activities for the purposes of promoting
- and the state compacts address these shared public interests to ensure that there are no criminal activities
- occurring, gaming is fair and honest, and activities are limited to those that are authorized and minimize
- And then another new author’s activity is electronic table games, which many other tribes now have as
- Thank you. ...that we can show defense on it if we need to, and then we're also submitting it to OFM.
Summary:
The committee held a special hearing on a tentative amended, restated gaming compact between the State of Washington and the Squaxin Island Tribe. Washington State Gambling Commission Director Tina Griffin said the state and tribe had reached tentative agreement after collaborative negotiations, and explained the approval process: public comment and a commission vote with ex officio legislative members, followed by governor review, tribal submission to the Secretary of the Interior, and Federal Register publication before the compact becomes effective. Squaxin Island representative Ray Peters said the tribe supports the amendments, describing them as clarifications that improve casino regulation and align the compact with other state compacts while supporting jobs and funding for housing, health care, and other services.
Commission staff member Johnny Bray walked through the compact changes, including restating several appendices, removing the CX2 addendum, and adding new appendices on limitations and electronic table games. He said the limitations appendix raises certain wagering and facility ceilings, including higher table-game and tribal lottery system limits, authorization for credit for qualified patrons, and screening requirements for high-limit areas. He also described the new electronic table games appendix, which allows wager limits up to $500 and a nine-to-one ratio of electronic games to gaming stations, along with additional responsible-gaming commitments. Members asked about the location of the tribe and whether higher limits could increase problem gambling; staff said the limits are ceilings, other tribes already have similar authorizations, and the tribe must screen patrons and implement protections.
The committee then held a work session with Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and staff on the office’s fiscal note process. Tim Gallivan explained the office’s three-day turnaround, workload-based FTE estimates, use of assumptions and ranges, and how fiscal notes include both salary/benefit costs and broader operating costs such as enterprise support and administration allocations. He also described how litigation costs are estimated in coordination with the Attorney General, including when costs are known, estimated from comparable cases, or marked indeterminate. Members questioned whether fiscal notes can reflect policy disagreements and how assumptions differ across agencies, and discussed examples involving the Washington Voting Rights Act and ranked choice voting. Hobbs and staff said fiscal notes are based on bill language, not intent, and that early sponsor contact can help refine estimates. No votes were taken in the work session.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the Freedom of Information Act, focusing on perspectives from public requesters. Apr 8th, 2025 at 09:15 am
Senate Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- Government officials know, through FOIA, information about their activities and decisions will not remain
- One can argue that the most ambitious and energetic and active agency of government is not an agency
- What activities are they engaged in? What disclosures should they make to the American public?
- That is specifically not. a defense of executive privilege.
- frivolous allegations or defenses that may be made by the government?
Committee:
Senate Senate Judiciary
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> stop to the dangerous judicial activism stop to the dangerous judicial activism that<00:19:41.760
- That idea that a merchant engaged in a commercial financial activity due to payment activities in the
- Speaker, we're done playing defense. Mr. Speaker, we're done playing defense.
- Stand up in defense of Medicaid. Stand up in defense of veterans' benefits.
- Stand up in defense of Medicaid. Stand up in defense of veterans<05:03:10.160><c> benefits.
Keywords:
federal budget, deficit reduction, economic growth, national debt, bipartisan support, House resolution, congressional subpoena, subpoena enforcement, Oversight Committee, House Oversight and Government Reform, judicial proceedings, declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, House counsel, private counsel, contempt of Congress, Pamela J. Bondi, Department of Justice, DOJ records, Jeffrey Epstein
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, wildfires are activities. Mr.
- from</c><03:56:46.560><c> air</c> prescribed fire activities from air prescribed fire activities from
- </c><04:34:30.400><c> and</c> health promotion activities and health promotion activities and enhancing
- </c> his defense contractor friends. his defense contractor friends.
- </c> increase to the Department of Defense increase to the Department of Defense since<06:35:22.080><
Keywords:
H.Res. 1202, HR1202, House resolution, committee assignment, standing committee, House Committee on Homeland Security, Homeland Security Committee, committee membership, committee ranking, seniority, Ms. Mejia, Mr. Walkinshaw, House organization, procedural resolution, internal House rules, congressional committee, hydropower, construction, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, license extension
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Either we need to add affirmative defense language to this bill or add 13-1428 as a reference in the
- 13-1407 affirmative defense bill.
- It's important to know that the affirmative defense that exists in 13-1407 most often applies to what
- I'm a local criminal defense attorney, member of AACJ. AACJ is opposed to this bill.
- I'm a local criminal defense attorney, member of AACJ. AACJ is opposed to this bill.
Bills:
HB2076 , HB2135 , HB2175 , HB2186 , HB2223 , HB2345 , HB2364 , HB2417 , HB2440 , HB2666 , HB2763 , HCR2043
Committees:
House Judiciary , House House Judiciary Committee of Reference
Keywords:
school safety, employee training, firearm certification, crisis response, school policies, reimbursement fund, local law enforcement, HB2135, Arizona, civil liability, private right of action, DEI, diversity equity and inclusion, critical race theory, anti-racism, race stereotyping, sex stereotyping, race scapegoating, sex scapegoating, gender identity
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Alicia Prygoski, Animal Legal Defense Fund, speaking in favor.
- My name is Alicia Prygoski with the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
- Again, Aaron Waite, President-elect of Floor Association, Criminal Defense Lawyers.
- So conceivably and practically, a defense attorney can set the plea date out.
- Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, speaking for information.
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Summary:
The committee took up a series of criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 1084, which exempts certain identifying and location information for non-legal support staff in state attorneys’ offices from public records requests, was supported by prosecuting attorneys and reported favorably. SB 212, as amended, created new restrictions related to sexual offenders and predators, including a 200-foot restricted presence provision near certain locations and updated notification/supervision requirements; it drew strong opposition from researchers, advocates, and affected families who argued it lacked evidence and would increase homelessness, but it was reported favorably. SB 682, addressing domestic violence, coercive control, strangulation, animal abuse, injunctions, and related training and enforcement issues, received emotional survivor testimony and support from animal welfare and law enforcement groups and was reported favorably. SB 656, creating and renaming FDLE Internet Crimes Against Children funding and grant programs, was amended and reported favorably and unanimously.
The committee also considered SB 810 on sealing criminal history records, which would expand eligibility for some non-conviction records and one low-level misdemeanor conviction after waiting periods and judicial review; supporters said Florida is unusually restrictive, while one senator raised concerns about the scope, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 890, creating a standalone battery by strangulation offense applicable outside domestic relationships, was reported favorably after the sponsor said it would close a gap in current law. SB 892, revising habitual offender and violent career criminal sentencing procedures and notice requirements, was reported favorably, with defense lawyers supporting the clearer pretrial notice. SB 928, “Missy’s Law,” requiring immediate remand to custody after conviction of certain dangerous crimes, was amended to include computer pornography/child exploitation offenses and reported favorably after a family member of the namesake victim testified in support.
Later, SB 1284 modernized arrest and search warrant statutes, expanding judicial summons options for some misdemeanors and broadening warrant/arrest authority in certain DUI, injunction, domestic violence, and misdemeanor force cases; defense lawyers supported the judicial-discretion portions but raised concerns about DUI/BUI arrests, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 812, a technical companion to SB 810 updating public records treatment for sealed criminal history records, was amended to clarify prosecutorial access for later cases and reported favorably. Several bills were supported by law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocacy groups, while others drew opposition from civil liberties, treatment, homelessness, and criminal defense advocates. The meeting adjourned after members recorded additional votes on selected tabs.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Alicia Pragoski, Animal Legal Defense Fund, speaking in favor.
- So conceivably and practically, a defense attorney can set the plea date out.
- Aaron Waite, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, speaking for information.
- Aaron Waite, President-elect of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
- Aaron Waite, President-elect of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Keywords:
sexual offender, sexual predator, sex offender registry, child protection, residency restriction, loitering, proximity restriction, public swimming pool, school safety, child care facility, day care center, park, playground, conditional release, probation, community control, warrantless arrest, background check, registry screening, minor victims
MI
Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session
Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety 26-06-18
Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Force Detroit have assisted me with ensuring that Seize the Smoke is not just an idea, but a real, active
- Forest Detroit has assisted me with ensuring that seize the smoke is not just an idea, but a real active
- work happening in this city. an idea, but a real active work happening in this city and other surrounding
- I speak as the owner and chief instructor of APEX Defense Solutions LLC, where I teach firearms safety
- And every person who owns a firearm for self-defense, family protection, hunting, sports shooting, or
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety met with a quorum and adopted the June 4, 2026 minutes. The committee first took up Senate Bill 712, adopting the S-2 substitute, which expands residency requirements to include adjoining districts and removes a provision allowing a district to appoint someone employed by the district. The committee then reported SB 712 to the floor. It also considered House Bills 4025 and 4026, described as safe storage tax exemption bills; the committee heard one supportive written card and reported both bills to the floor, each on a 5-1 vote.
The committee next heard testimony on Senate Bill 885, which would create a statewide Parent and Child Legal Representation Commission and Office within LARA to address child protective legal representation. Senator Singh and Alicia Moon of the Michigan Supreme Court described the current county-by-county system as uneven, with attorney shortages, inconsistent pay, and limited specialized training. They said the bill would set standards for training, caseloads, client contact, and compensation, while requiring public comment and future appropriations before implementation. Testimony and written cards from a broad range of organizations and judges supported the measure, and the committee reported SB 885 to the floor on a 6-0 vote.
The committee then heard extensive testimony on Senate Bills 1015 and 1016, which would create an Office of Community Violence Intervention and Prevention within MDHHS and establish a grant program to support community violence intervention efforts statewide. Sponsors and witnesses from Force Detroit, D-Live, Seize the Smoke, Advance Peace, public health, law enforcement, and advocacy groups described CVI as a public health and public safety strategy that reduces shootings, supports survivors, and saves public costs. Several witnesses cited local data showing reductions in shootings and homicides in Detroit and Lansing, while one witness from the Michigan Sheriff's Association opposed the bills as written. The committee voted to report both SB 1015 and SB 1016 to the floor, each on a 5-0 vote with one pass, and then adjourned after additional testimony and reading of support cards.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Jan 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Code Red Defense. Thank you, NDI, thank you, dancers, thank you.
- literacy, cultivating healthy habits, building conflict resolution skills, encouraging physical activity
- An act relating to lobbying, requiring a lobbying activity report on the legislation lobbied, in position
- taken by a lobbyist or lobbyist's employer, preserving lobbying activity reports for at least 10 years
- To initiate the United States Department of Defense Military Aviation and Installation Assurance, citing
OK
Oklahoma 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Finance Subcommittee Oct 28th, 2025
A&B Finance Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- We have about 5,400 nonprofits that are actively doing work.
- To prove you're actively doing work, even though...
- But for example, Oklahoma County has almost 1,500 active nonprofits in it.
- Tasers and nonlethal defensive choices promote officer safety and safety for the general public.
- PEBAL launchers, another defensive tool for officers, were funded after the Taser initiative.
Committee:
House A&B Finance Subcommittee
Summary:
The committee heard an interim study on expanding or simplifying sales tax exemptions for Oklahoma nonprofits. Representatives Stark and Schreiber said the issue has been filed repeatedly over several sessions and framed it as a bipartisan effort to keep more charitable dollars in service of communities rather than paying sales tax. Schreiber also suggested broader tax reform or an omnibus approach rather than continuing to add individual exemptions.
Marnie Taylor of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits gave an overview of the sector, describing nonprofits as a major part of the state economy and safety net, and argued that many organizations are highly regulated, under-resourced, and facing declining donations and funding. She said the current patchwork of exemptions is uneven and that a blanket or broader exemption would help organizations serving public needs. Committee members asked for sources behind some of the poverty, education, and health rankings cited in her presentation.
Several nonprofit leaders testified about how sales tax affects their operations. RG Foods described the cost of opening neighborhood grocery markets in food deserts and said sales tax on a Tulsa project would divert about $85,000 from programming. Jubilee Partners, Skyline Urban Outreach, the Pencil Box, the Tulsa Police Foundation, Blue Rose Ranch, and Legacy Parenting Center each explained how exemption status or the lack of it affects food assistance, school supplies, public safety equipment, animal rescue, and diapers and family support. Members asked follow-up questions about food desert definitions, budgets, and how much sales tax savings would change operations. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but the study concluded with closing remarks emphasizing that the exemption would keep more money in direct services and support the nonprofit sector statewide.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 8, February 18, 2026-PM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:25:02.559><c> and</c> changes because the federal activity and changes because the federal activity
- And that's when the criminal activity may continue.
- And that's when the criminal activity may continue.
- And that's when the criminal activity may continue.
- And I think that is council of defense.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Texas remains an active participant and partner in those ongoing security efforts.
- The Secretary of Defense was just confirmed. ...the Secretary of Defense was just confirmed.
- That is the **Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant Program (DEAG)**.
- Item four discusses the revenue related to the private activity bond program.
- Thirdly, we administer the private activity bond program for the state of Texas.
Committee:
Senate Finance
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs May 6th, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- How would this activity not work without that exception? Representative Spell: Why?
- How would this activity not work without that exception?
- So the activities of that nurse, yes, do fall under HIPAA.
- So the activities of that SANE nurse, yes. But also...
- “Don’t pick it up, or are the activities in that office we believe need to be removed?
Committee:
House House and Governmental Affairs
Keywords:
human rights, individual liberties, Magna Carta, constitutionalism, free speech, law enforcement, public records, criminal history, transparency, witness protections, SB49, Louisiana elections, party primary, primary elections, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, school board elections, election law, candidate qualification, ballot access
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- We are also proud to have a Massachusetts chapter with over 600 active members.
- We are also proud to have a Massachusetts chapter with over 600 active members.
- All right, we'll move on to Allison Blank from the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Welcome.
- They have evidence since 2002 of the illegal activities.
- So to conclude, I... ...22 of the illegal activities.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Summary:
The committee opened with procedural guidance for a very large hearing, explaining testimony limits, written testimony procedures, and rules for maintaining order. Members then heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including proposals to define antisemitism using the IHRA definition, regulate facial recognition technology, restrict weaponized robotics and drone use, expand protections for journalists’ confidential sources, address access to decedents’ email accounts, and create or adjust rules around municipal enforcement and animal cruelty fines. Several sponsors and advocates asked for favorable reports, and committee members asked clarifying questions on implementation, costs, and how the bills would interact with existing law.
On facial recognition, sponsors and advocates described the technology as a threat to privacy, due process, and civil liberties, and urged adoption of the Special Commission’s recommendations, including warrant requirements, notice to defendants, and limits on untargeted surveillance. Support came from legislators, the ACLU, CDT, EFF, and a UMass professor, while committee members asked about current state law and municipal bans. On robotics, Senator Moore and industry witnesses from MassRobotics, Boston Dynamics, and AUVSI supported a bill prohibiting weaponized robots and requiring warrants for certain law enforcement uses, describing it as a public-safety and trust-building measure. On the shield law bill, newspaper publishers, journalists, NEFAC, and the Reporters Committee argued Massachusetts needs statutory protection for confidential sources, citing costly subpoenas and chilling effects on reporting.
The committee also heard testimony on a bill to expand the right of publicity to cover image and voice, with SAG-AFTRA members supporting protections against AI-driven exploitation and some discussion about viral content and consent. Another bill would allow limited access to a decedent’s email accounts, with one witness describing a family’s inability to use a deceased relative’s email to notify friends. The committee then took testimony on psilocybin-related bills: supporters described medical and personal benefits and argued for narrow decriminalization or study, while an opponent warned of public-health risks, impaired driving, and youth exposure; the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society supported limited, safety-based decriminalization. Finally, the committee heard strong support for a “safe reporting” bill for sex workers and trafficking survivors, with advocates saying immunity would encourage victims and witnesses to report crimes without fear of arrest, and members raised questions about how the immunity would work in practice.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, January 21, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He was active in We Believe We Vote and active in civics and government in Stevens County.
- </c> the defenses in place that they need. the defenses in place that they need.
- . activities. activities.
- </c> Now, I serve on the defense committee. Now, I serve on the defense committee.
- </c> it's used for its own defense weapons. it's used for its own defense weapons.
Keywords:
home sales, tax exemption, real estate, capital gains, personal residence, military intervention, Venezuela, Congress, war powers, foreign policy, federal lands, Bureau of Land Management, land withdrawal, Minnesota, congressional disapproval, pregnancy centers, support services, social security, family support, maternity care
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Combatting Antisemitism Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- of civil liberties, the defense of our constitutional principles in the way...
- Speaking to these issues of the defense of civil liberties, the defense of our constitutional principles
- And I am proud to have played an active role in both of these episodes.
- These are actively propagating antisemitic sentiment knowingly or unknowingly.
- These are actively propagating antisemitic sentiment knowingly or unknowingly.
Summary:
The meeting began with roll call, approval of the May 5 minutes, and opening remarks thanking commissioners and the public for their attendance. The commission then heard testimony from former Ambassador Alan Solomont, who argued that antisemitism is rising in multiple forms, including white nationalist antisemitism and antisemitism tied to anti-Israel rhetoric after October 7. He said campus antisemitism should be addressed with nuance, distinguishing protected political speech from conduct that targets Jewish students, and warned against weaponizing antisemitism to attack higher education, civil liberties, or federal research funding. He urged the commission to use multiple definitions and frameworks, including IHRA, Nexus, and the Jerusalem Declaration, and to focus on campus-specific solutions, civic education, and civil discourse. Commissioners asked him about Tufts’ antisemitism training, the role of the federal government, the use of the IHRA definition, and how to improve civic education; he emphasized local campus responses, broader civics instruction, and protecting democracy and due process.
The second major witness was Professor David Weber of Boston University, who testified on the BDS movement and anti-BDS laws. He described BDS as a campaign targeting Israeli businesses, universities, and institutions, and argued it functions as a propagandistic and discriminatory effort that fuels antisemitism and chills dialogue on campuses and in public life. He cited examples such as SodaStream, Ben & Jerry’s, and Brown University, and said anti-BDS laws in 37 states have been effective and constitutional because they regulate government economic activity rather than suppress speech. Weber urged Massachusetts to adopt an anti-BDS statute or executive order, saying the state’s large Jewish population and economic ties to Israel make the issue especially important. Commissioners questioned him about which states have such laws, the impact on dialogue and campus culture, possible legal frameworks, and whether BDS is really aimed at the Israeli government or at individuals and institutions; he maintained that BDS targets people and entities connected to Israel and that anti-BDS measures can help draw a line against illiberal conduct.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- They got rid of the nullification of a... ...of an individual's right to rely as an affirmative defense
- No, sir, not if raised as a defense. The only limitation was on pre-enforcement challenges.
- We're going to know what that window is, or how is a sexually active woman really going to know?
- Will continue to be available to prosecutors as well as to defense attorneys.
- The defense attorney also, for the officer, would have access to this information.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 22 (2-6-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:09:39.200><c> at</c><00:09:39.360><c> businesses</c> illegal activity at businesses illegal activity
- President, this existing<00:10:19.360><c> affirmative</c><00:10:20.320><c> defenses</c><00:10:21.120>
- <c> remain</c><00:10:21.640><c> in</c> existing affirmative defenses remain in existing affirmative defenses
- <00:10:53.520><c> to</c><00:10:53.720><c> persist,</c> activity to persist, activity to persist, all<
- </c> there might be an affirmative defense there might be an affirmative defense that<00:14:50.400><c
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Sep 9th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In the event that an undocumented student is subject to immigration enforcement activity, the institution
- Do not conceal your identity if you are legitimately engaging in law enforcement activities.
- It is supported by the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, the Mexican American Legal Defense and
- Assembly Member Brian, you were recognized. justice, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education
- He taught self-defense classes at Biola as an adjunct professor since 2003.
Summary:
The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, offered a prayer, observed a moment of silence for John Burton, and then proceeded through a long floor session with numerous procedural motions, committee referrals, and bill actions. Members also suspended rules to allow certain speeches and committee notices, and later recessed for caucuses before resuming business. Several items were moved to the inactive file or held on the file, and one rule-suspension motion to allow chaptering-out amendments on SB 271 and SB 67 passed 54-12.
The chamber then took up many Senate bills on third reading, with most measures passing on strong bipartisan votes. Topics included civil rights and enforcement (SB 477), reparations-related administration (SB 518), autism provider licensing parity (SB 402), protections for undocumented students (SB 307), juvenile records access (SB 413), cancer registry funding (SB 717), protections for unhoused service providers (SB 634), EV charging payments (SB 533), tribal gaming compacts (SB 864), locomotive emissions (SB 30), battery storage safety (SB 283), Jack London Square land use (SB 304), campus enrollment planning (SB 486), vehicle-related cleanup (SB 586), public official roster updates (SB 482), threats against sensitive locations (SB 19), pregnancy as a qualifying event for insurance (SB 257), port emissions planning (SB 298), rural telehealth for farmworkers (SB 338), habitat conservation funding (SB 427), public defender removal standards (SB 485), privacy protections for legally protected health care (SB 497), Medi-Cal access standards (SB 530), chosen-family paid leave (SB 590), charter school loan fund reserves (SB 631), wildfire property tax relief (SB 663), maternity care access in rural areas (SB 669), direct CSU admission (SB 640), indoor heat safety in housing (SB 655), health data exchange governance (SB 660), demographic reporting on appointees (SB 702), solar property tax exclusions (SB 710), tax conformity (SB 711), menstrual product contaminant disclosure (SB 754), counterfeit lighter safety (SB 793), and price gouging after disasters (SB 36). Vote totals were generally high, with a few measures drawing notable opposition, including SB 580, SB 660, SB 610, SB 485, SB 41, and AB 1340.
The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 671, a restaurant permitting bill, and then took up AB 1340, a major gig-worker labor bill. Supporters described it as a historic expansion of collective bargaining rights for rideshare drivers, while opponents argued it would raise consumer costs and mainly benefit unions and political interests. The transcript ends during debate on AB 1340, before the final vote is recorded.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Energy Development and Transmission Committee Feb 26th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- We actually filed that last week, so that is active now.
- We actually filed that last week, so that is active now.
- So that's been active for several years.
- Essentially, this activity is already happening.
- NextEra has been active in North Dakota since...
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.