Transcript Highlights:

• It harms taxpayers, but also harms the very people that these programs are designed to help.
• It harms taxpayers, but also immoral.
• It harms taxpayers, but also harms<00:16:07.600> the<00:16:07.839> very<00:16:08.079>
• > people<00:16:08.240> that<00:16:08.480> these harms the very people that these harms
• <01:43:17.360> in eligibility in terms of reduction in eligibility in terms of reduction in

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• it chills speech and p pushes harmful it chills speech and p pushes harmful ideology.<02:12:43.920
• long-term harm. long-term harm. people.<03:09:03.920> I<03:09:04.160> think<03:09:
• Reduction, that's getting rid of your NOx.
• coal fire power plants are causing harm coal fire power plants are causing harm to<03:30:30.160>
• safety to this legislation. reduction I think that u we should reduction I think that u we should raise

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate came to order, established a quorum, and approved the journal. It then took up several introductions and resolutions, including House Bill 1139 on artificial intelligence in healthcare and House Bill 1263 on requirements for conversational AI services, both referred to the Business, Labor, and Technology Committee. The chamber also moved out of order to consider resolutions and adopted Senate Joint Resolution 25, recognizing the 150th anniversary of the Colorado Mining Association and its role in Colorado’s history and economy. The resolution passed 34-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate also adopted House Joint Resolution 1030, designating a portion of Colorado Highway 14 in Weld County as Mono and Matt Road in memory of Eduardo Mono Hernandez and Matthew Garcia. Supporters described the resolution as a tribute to the two Greeley Central High School student-athletes and to the community’s response after their 2014 deaths. The resolution passed 34-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. Later, the Senate considered a gubernatorial appointment to the Transportation Commission: Juan Marano of Aurora, to represent the Third Transportation District. The appointment was confirmed on a 19-16 vote. The chamber then took up the third-reading consent calendar and passed House Bill 1235 on medical assistance updates, House Bill 1299 on reducing regulatory burdens on local education providers, and Senate Bill 175 on workers’ compensation experience modification factors. House Bill 1235 passed 31-4, House Bill 1299 passed 35-0, and Senate Bill 175 passed without recorded opposition. On final passage, the Senate adopted a technical third-reading amendment to House Bill 113 on election law changes, then passed the bill 23-12 after debate over election-related vulnerabilities. It also passed House Bill 1346, allowing the Department of the Treasury to sell unsold insurance premium tax credits to non-insurance entities, by 23-12; House Bill 1252, updating state entities responsible for emergency response, by 33-2; House Bill 1010, increasing support for older adults in the workforce, by 23-12; and Senate Bill 177, concerning limited access to adjoining property for repairs, after extended debate in which Senator Kirkmeyer argued the measure infringed on private property rights and should be rejected.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bill that requires landfill permit applicants to submit a report listing potential harms and
• submit a report listing potential harms submit a report listing potential harms and<00:18:19.360
• If we're going to think about citing a landfill, we should have a list of potential harms, a list of
• It was reduced this year to $7 million based on budget reductions.
• The agency did that budget reductions.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a work session on 17 retained bills and moved through several measures, often with motions to ought to pass or inexpedient to legislate. House Bill 54, allowing alternative treatment centers to operate for profit, was supported as a way to improve efficiency and potentially lower costs for medical cannabis users, and it was recommended OTP by a 9-0 vote. House Bill 97, an appropriation for wastewater infrastructure, drew mixed views: supporters said the Senate’s reduced funding still met the bill’s intent, while opponents argued the funding was inadequate for critical infrastructure needs; the committee voted 5-4 to ITL. House Bill 111, extending the Right to Know Ombudsman and exempting certain assistance from unauthorized practice of law, was recommended ITL 9-0. House Bill 197, concerning state payment of a portion of local retirement contributions, was discussed as a recurring issue; members noted an amendment could fund it starting in fiscal 2027, but the committee ultimately voted 5-4 to recommend the bill itself rather than ITL. House Bill 215, requiring landfill permit applicants to submit a harms-and-benefits report, was amended to narrow its scope to future privately owned landfills only; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed 9-0. House Bill 216, on workers’ compensation credit toward retirement service, was ITL’d 9-0 after the sponsor said the proposal was too open-ended and could affect unknown numbers of people.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we are, and we know we're creating harm if we add in the prohibition.
• But we are and we know we're creating But we are and we know we're creating harm<01:34:24.480> if<
• So you're saying this doesn't change the status quo and it avoids some harm.
• Well, to me quo and it avoids some harm.
• <01:36:37.120> and is have we considered all the harms and is have we considered all the harms

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the training misrepresented Child Protection as potentially harmful to families and included
• <00:14:39.000> to<00:14:39.199> families<00:14:39.639> and potentially harmful
• to families and potentially harmful to families and included<00:14:40.240> guidance<00:14:40.639
• in there for other costs due reduction in there for other costs due to<00:48:36.880> people<00
• that just minutes I million reduction that just minutes um um um okay<00:59:41.480> Senator<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of carbon taxes from 8% to 5%, a reduction on slot machine revenue taxes from 35% to 34%, the elimination
• The amendment contains a total reduction of $272.2 million in state and local tax revenues.
• The total reductions include $10.3 million in recurring funds, $6.4 million in general revenue funds,
• Chair Andrade, I noticed that for DCF, there's, well, overall in the HHS silo, there's a reduction in
• There's, well, overall in the HHS silo, there's a reduction in FTEs.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Donnell C. Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. A quorum was announced, the journal was approved, and the Speaker said the chamber would take up 11 budget conference reports, with debate and final votes on each report. The first report considered was HB 7031E, the tax package, followed by HB 501E, the state budget appropriations bill. On HB 7031E, Chair Duggan explained that the conference report included a range of tax reductions and tax-related changes, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related provisions, reductions in certain taxes and fees, and new exemptions or administrative clarifications. He said the package also added items such as sales tax relief for certain university construction projects, a tennis admissions exemption, and changes to agricultural property tax treatment, and that the amendment reduced state and local tax revenues by $272.2 million. Members questioned the bill about the child care tax credit reduction from three years to one, the homestead exemption provision for certain diplomats and foreign service personnel, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the inclusion of firearm accessories and tennis tickets in sales tax holidays. After structured debate, the House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began the conference report on HB 501E, the $114.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which was described as below the prior year’s spending level and leaving more than $14 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major allocations across education, higher education, IT, health care, transportation and economic development, justice, state administration, and agriculture/natural resources. Highlights included increased FEFP funding and veteran teacher raises, full funding for Bright Futures, major IT modernization projects, Medicaid and behavioral health funding, transportation and local infrastructure spending, correctional and law enforcement investments, fire station and emergency response funding, and large environmental and water-quality appropriations. Members asked detailed questions about school voucher fraud oversight, scholarship funding, teacher raises, preeminence funding, ADAP changes, SNAP data tools and error rates, Medicaid rate changes, prison wastewater monitoring, and other budget items, but the transcript ends during the budget questions before final action on HB 501E is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, as you mentioned before, there is no reduction in quality.
• This bill is not a response to harm.
• And I want to be clear, I don't condone or excuse his actions or minimize the harm that was done.
• It only creates more harm, more division, and more hopelessness. I... ...justice.
• It only creates more harm, more division, and more hopelessness.

Bills: HB240, HB2097, HB2731, HB3087, HB3234, HB3319, HB3394, HB3687, HB4105, HB4205, HB4350, HB4462, HB4642, HB4801, HB5403

Keywords: quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code

Summary: The subcommittee on county and regional government heard a long agenda of county-related bills, with most measures left pending after testimony. HB 2097, by Rep. Martinez, would let counties that opt in use an independent hearing examiner instead of a civil service commission for certain deputy sheriff discipline appeals; the bill drew support from CLEET’s Robert Leonard, who said it would be fairer and faster, and it was left pending. HB 4642, by Rep. Gonzalez, would require counties that contract with out-of-state jail facilities to include Texas jail-standard protections and oversight; Gonzalez, detainee Jess Hampton, his wife, Texas Jail Project’s Krish Kundu, and TCJS director Brandon Wood all discussed deaths and poor conditions in Louisiana facilities, staffing shortages, and the need for guardrails and data collection. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4350, by Rep. Capriglione, allowing peace officers to request redaction of personal information from online real property records. Supporters said officers face targeted threats and should have protections similar to judges; a title industry witness warned about preserving the integrity of land records. The bill was left pending. HB 3687, by Rep. Harless, would require county fire marshals in counties over 100,000 to meet training and certification standards within set timeframes; Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen supported professionalization, and the bill was left pending. HB 4105 would let very large counties give a local-bid preference for construction and infrastructure contracts, and HB 4205 would require pay parity for similar law enforcement ranks within large counties; both were supported by Harris County officials and constables and left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 5403, which would repeal a special rule limiting Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs’ control over commissary funds; the author said it would remove an outdated population bracket, and the bill was left pending. HB 4462 would require large counties to allow elected officials named in civil suits to seek outside counsel and have a role in settlement decisions; supporters argued county attorneys and commissioners court can have conflicts of interest, while questions focused on who qualifies and whether the bill could complicate settlements. The bill was left pending. Finally, HB 240, by Rep. Swanson, would restore a five-member quorum requirement for Harris County tax levies, effectively preventing tax action without all commissioners present and defaulting to the no-new-revenue rate if quorum is not met; urban counties opposed it as a potential budget obstruction, while supporters said it protects taxpayers and representation. That bill was also left pending. The transcript ends as the committee begins HB 3319, which would create a civil service system for constable department employees in large counties, but the discussion is cut off before testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And by the same token, if they wanted to adopt a tax rate reduction, I don't know if they do that in
• And then, as you mentioned before, there is no reduction in quality.
• This bill is not a response to harm.
• It only creates more harm, more division, and more hopelessness. I justice.
• It only creates more harm, more division, and more hopelessness.

Bills: HB240

Keywords: tax exemption, farm products, ad valorem taxation, tax code, producer ownership

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of county and regional government bills, with most measures left pending after testimony. HB 2097 would let counties that opt in give sheriff’s deputies an alternative appeal route for certain discipline cases through an independent hearing examiner instead of the Civil Service Commission. The author and a CLEET witness said it would be faster, cheaper, and fairer; questions focused on why the bill was needed and whether sheriffs could already use such a process. No opposition testified, and the bill was left pending. HB 4642 drew extensive testimony after the author said it was prompted by a death involving an out-of-state jail contract. The bill would require counties contracting with out-of-state jail facilities to include Texas-like jail standards and oversight provisions. The author, a former detainee held in Louisiana, his wife, and a Texas Jail Project advocate described poor conditions, lack of accountability, and multiple deaths of Texans housed out of state. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards director said five counties are currently housing 1,251 Texas inmates out of state, mostly because of staffing shortages, and said the bill would give the commission more authority and oversight. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4350, which would allow peace officers to request redaction of personal information from online real property records. Supporters said officers face retaliation risks and should have protections similar to judges and other officials; a title industry witness cautioned that redaction should not compromise the integrity of land records. The bill was left pending. HB 3687 would require county fire marshals in counties over 100,000 to meet specified training and certification standards, and HB 4105 and HB 4205 would give Harris County preferences in construction contracting and require pay parity for comparable law enforcement ranks within the county, respectively; all drew support from county officials and were left pending. HB 5403 would repeal a special rule requiring Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs to get commissioners court approval for commissary disbursements, and it was also left pending. Later, HB 4462 would let elected county officials in large counties choose outside counsel in civil cases involving them, rather than relying solely on the county attorney. Supporters argued this would reduce conflicts of interest and protect officials’ reputations; questions centered on who qualifies and whether it could conflict with county interests. Finally, HB 240 would restore a five-member quorum requirement for Harris County tax levies, effectively requiring all commissioners to be present before a new tax rate can be adopted; supporters framed it as a taxpayer protection, while the Conference of Urban Counties opposed it as giving one member a de facto veto and potentially disrupting the budget process. Both bills were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Disposable menstrual products to disclose the concentrations of potentially harmful contaminants in their
• bloodstream more directly than through exposure through the mouth, creating a higher potential for harm
• The bill does not permanently shield a water provider from harm caused and does not affect in any way
• is your goal that not only is the able to bring an action to punish but that also an individual's harmed
• We're not asking that the, Parts per billion reduction change in any way where the water agencies are

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really about, I think it's the Hippocratic oath that doctors take that says first do no harm.
• <00:36:07.440> So<00:36:07.760> part take that say first do no harm.
• So part take that say first do no harm.
• <00:40:11.599> by reduction by reduction by 2030.<00:40:13.760> But<00:40:13.920> the
• What could be worth the myriad harms What could be worth the myriad harms that<00:51:50.160>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• back of the budget reduction. back of the budget reduction.
• So, it occurs to me if we're not willing to make an investment to support the SNAP program's reduction
• 01:44:29.880> and<01:44:30.000> I<01:44:30.040> believe alleviate a a current harm
• and I believe alleviate a a current harm and I believe we<01:44:30.520> heard<01:44:31.280>
• You know, you also saw a net effective reduction to the county contribution in that year because of the

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: Division Three of the Finance Committee met in work session on April 20, 2026, to consider Senate Bills 481, 603, and 663, with the discussion focused primarily on SB 481, relative to the sale of the Sununu Youth Services Center property. The chair explained that the bill was advisory only and that the committee’s recommendations would go to full Finance on April 27. For SB 481, members reviewed conflicting provisions in the prior budget law about whether sale proceeds should go to the general fund or the Youth Development Center Claims and Administration Settlement Fund, and the bill was described as a compromise that would direct proceeds to the general fund before June 30, 2027, and to the settlement fund after that date. It was noted that the settlement fund had originally received about $20 million and had roughly $10 million remaining. The committee also received an extensive update from DCYF Director Marie Noonan on the new Youth Development Center in Hampstead. She reported that construction remained on schedule, with major structural and interior work complete, substantial completion expected in late summer or early fall 2026, and occupancy anticipated in early 2027. The presentation highlighted the facility’s design features, including single-occupancy bedrooms, sensory rooms, an education wing, medical and clinical suites, visitation space, a gym, and multiple outdoor courtyards, all intended to support a trauma-informed setting. Members asked about the facility’s funding, square footage, fencing, and scanner; staff said the building is about 34,000 square feet, funded entirely with federal ARPA state recovery funds to date, and that the scanner is on site but not yet operational pending policy and staff training. Committee members also raised concerns about the facility’s design and security. In response, DCYF said some concrete walls are required for structural and safety reasons, but they are being painted to maintain a brighter environment, and that the fencing will be about 15 feet high with privacy netting because the campus is shared with Hampstead. Officials said the new facility is legislatively limited to a maximum of 12 youth, while the current center can house 12 to 18, and emphasized that courts ultimately determine placements. No votes or final actions were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Facing economic uncertainty and reductions in federal funding for wildlife conservation, much of the
• These involve service reductions, delayed capital improvements, and diminished emergency response.
• access to critical health care, hospital, and food assistance services in light of the significant reductions
• net for those communities that are traditionally the most disproportionately impacted by budget reductions
• So we don't want our institutions to be further dismantled, to be further harmed by not having adequate

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee heard several bills, mostly related to Proposition 19, voluntary tax checkoffs, and local tax authority. SB 288 would clarify that the one-year residency and exemption deadline for inherited homes held in probate begins when legal ownership is established; it received support from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and others, no opposition, and was referred to suspense. SB 974 would explicitly include special needs trusts in Prop. 19-related inheritance rules; it had support from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and passed 5-0 to Appropriations as amended. The committee also heard SB 575, which would restore the Sea Otter Voluntary Contribution Fund for voluntary tax return donations to sea otter conservation. Supporters cited sea otter recovery, research, and habitat protection needs; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 999 would delay the Franchise Tax Board’s annual report on the health care individual mandate from March 1 to June 1 to allow more complete data; Health Access California supported it, and it passed 5-1 to Appropriations. SB 762 would authorize certain cities and counties, including Hercules, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara, to seek voter approval for local transaction and use taxes to address budget pressures, public safety, infrastructure, and safety-net service cuts. Local officials, labor groups, and health advocates supported it, while the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association opposed it; the committee adopted the urgency clause and then passed the bill to Local Government with urgency, with some no votes. SB 1073 would create a voluntary tax contribution fund to support the Historic South Los Angeles Black Cultural District; arts advocates and community supporters backed it, and the bill passed unanimously to the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Facing economic uncertainty and reductions in federal funding for wildlife conservation, much of the
• These involve service reductions, delayed capital improvements, and diminished emergency response.
• access to critical health care, hospital, and food assistance services in light of the significant reductions
• net for those communities that are traditionally the most disproportionately impacted by budget reductions
• So we don't want our institutions to be further dismantled, to be further harmed by not having adequate

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee heard several bills, beginning with housekeeping remarks about filing position letters and the committee’s suspense file process for measures with revenue impacts over $150,000. SB 288, which would clarify that the Prop. 19 one-year timeline for inherited family homes in probate begins when ownership is legally established, drew support from the author and outside groups and was referred to suspense. SB 974, which would explicitly include special needs trusts in Prop. 19 guidance so eligible heirs do not lose the exclusion, passed 5-0 to Appropriations as amended. The committee also heard SB 575, which would restore the Sea Otter Voluntary Contribution Fund on tax returns to support sea otter conservation, and SB 999, which would move the Franchise Tax Board’s annual report on the health care individual mandate from March to June 1 to capture more complete data. Both measures received support and no opposition; SB 575 passed 5-0 to Appropriations, and SB 999 passed 5-1 to Appropriations. SB 762, a local government tax-authority measure allowing certain cities and counties to seek voter approval for a transaction and use tax, drew extensive testimony from local officials and advocates citing budget pressures, public safety, infrastructure, and safety-net service cuts, while one taxpayer group opposed it. Committee members debated tax burdens and local fiscal needs. The committee first adopted the urgency clause, then passed the bill as amended to Local Government. SB 1073, which would create a voluntary tax contribution fund for the historic South Los Angeles Black Cultural District, also passed unanimously as amended to the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee after supportive testimony about cultural preservation and the need for broader arts funding. After the votes were finalized, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• At some point, someone makes a decision to attempt to harm someone else; it is they know what they're
• someone else, it is they know what harm someone else, it is they know what they're<00:18:48.080>
• the officer because purpose was to harm the officer because of<00:19:37.039> his<00:19:37.360
• them because of their to harm them because of their involvement<00:22:27.520> as<00:22:27.760
• Okay, moving on to SB 53 relative to natural organic reductions of human remains.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are going to be some amazing people talking about the catastrophic injuries that are going to be harmed
• A person or company who does great harm should not walk away as if nothing happened, as if the person
• harmed was not important or significant.
• Harm to many injured Texans.
• These result in long-term harms for the injured. This is one of the reasons why I oppose HB4806.

Bills: HB4806

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That way, we could possibly have a reduction in some of these premiums for our residents, and that's
• Governor Landry and this department do not support the emission reduction goals in the 2022 Climate Action
• Governor Landry and this department do not support the emission reduction goals in the 2022 Climate Action
• Do harm. So my bill doesn't change any of that authority.
• So if you are going to cause harm, there is opportunity to restore.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of natural resources and environmental measures, mostly local property transfers and Wildlife and Fisheries bills. It reported favorable on Senate Bills 229 and 71, which authorize property transfers in Bossier and Lafayette parishes, and on several department bills dealing with fishing and boating rules: SB 203 on possession of catch during multi-day trips, SB 429 on registration of lapsed or “orphan” boats, SB 204 on commercial fishing gear licenses for nonresidents, SB 205 reducing duplicate registration for federally documented boats, SB 213 on titling certain vessels and outboard motors, SB 257 removing Social Security number requirements from certain tags, and HB 662, a substitute bill setting a hierarchy for handling seized sick, injured, or orphan wildlife. The committee also adopted amendments and reported favorable SB 379, a technical cleanup bill tied to the Department of Conservation and Energy reorganization, though an opposition witness warned it could reduce minimum oil and gas royalties and asked for a fiscal note. Members also advanced several measures aimed at coastal and flood-related concerns. HCR 62, by Rep. Domangue, urges FEMA to review flood maps every five years instead of every ten and to better account for local flood-protection projects; members broadly supported it and discussed the burden of flood insurance in coastal parishes. SB 214 would give the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District authority to stop pumping during immediate flood risk events identified by the National Weather Service or GOSEP, and it was reported favorable. SB 274, as amended, requires lead hazard risk assessments and remediation for certain child care and pre-kindergarten facilities, with DEQ and LDH testimony supporting the update. HCR 78 memorializes Congress to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026, which supporters said would help Louisiana’s seafood industry and access federal loans and grants. The committee also debated broader policy resolutions. HCR 216, by Rep. Owen, sought to repudiate the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022, but after extensive discussion about its purpose, possible effects on existing projects, and whether the legislature should instead hold a hearing, the resolution was voluntarily deferred. Finally, the committee took up SCR 24 on chronic wasting disease rules, adopted amendments raising the prevalence threshold from 1.5% to 2.5% and adjusting zone and baiting provisions, and continued discussion of the bill’s reset of management rules for deer disease control.

Transcript Highlights:

• Knowing how harmful such cuts could be, I urge our federal representatives to act as true partners on
• Easter Plumas Health Care, declined their grants—free money—because they are worried that federal reductions
• Of course, I think any Medicaid cuts will be very Harmful to the state of California.
• Though I should note that this does not reflect the efficiency and position reductions, which have not
• The second is the California Enhanced Cost Sharing Reduction Program, which you just heard about.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is a real harm here.
• And the judge said, 'This is harming people every day in our community.
• This fentanyl is harming people.' And this person has now been convicted.
• The judge looked at the potential harm, looked at all the sentencing factors, looked at the criminal
• The judge looked at the potential harm, looked at all the sentencing factors, looked at the criminal

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• alcoholic beverage products that are being sold in the state, and it can function to address or promote harm-reduction
• <00:14:20.920> reduction address uh or promote harm reduction address uh or promote harm reduction
• of an alcoholic beverage to somebody, that person then gets intoxicated and causes harm.
• of an alcoholic beverage to somebody, that person then gets intoxicated and causes harm.
• There was a reduction in the number of organizations required to have a CPA audit each year.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• state's projected budget deficit, the high administrative costs to run the program, and the proposed reductions
• 2026, both at the University of California system... the California State University system, and a reduction
• According to the Surgeon General quote, the harmful consequences of a society that lacks social connection
• is proving to be a lifeline for stress communities fearful from drastic federal policies that will harm
• subcommittee requesting that CPPA's budget. remain open due to its proposed regulations which will severely harm

Keywords: 988, house, all