Transcript Highlights:

• [laughter] have very high speed limits.
• Today, the community power aggregation.
• have an aggregate cap as well. well. well.
• Um, what do you think about the idea of limiting the number of devices for maximum aggregate?
• of devices in aggregate in statute as we start.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, California allows a community choice aggregator to apply to administer... Thank you.
• Finally, California allows a community choice aggregator to apply to administer ratepayer-funded energy
• With our other PAs and planning to limit duplication.
• The costs not be strictly limited to what the ratepayer-funded collections from the PPP?
• So that's more of an ongoing proceeding that isn't limited in time.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on how CPUC-overseen energy efficiency programs are budgeted and evaluated, with a focus on whether ratepayer-funded programs are delivering sufficient value. The chair framed the issue as not whether energy efficiency works, but how to measure success as programs have shifted from simple measures like lighting to more complex retrofits, electrification, and equity-oriented offerings. CPUC staff outlined the statutory framework, the four-year budget cycle, recent spending of about $795 million in 2025, and the use of the Total System Benefit (TSB) goal metric and the Total Resource Cost (TRC) test for cost-effectiveness, noting that some programs, such as equity and market-support offerings, are exempt from TRC requirements at the program level. Utility, regional network, implementer, and public-interest witnesses largely agreed that energy efficiency remains important for affordability, reliability, and decarbonization, but differed on how to evaluate it. PG&E and SoCal Regional Energy Network representatives emphasized portfolio-level management, the value of third-party implementers, and the need to keep cost-effectiveness at the portfolio or segment level rather than the individual program level. The Energy Coalition argued that the current TRC framework undervalues efficiency because it counts participant costs without fully capturing participant benefits, and urged changes to the metric and to how savings are credited. CalTF staff similarly said programs should receive credit for all savings they influence and that current rules can disadvantage efficiency relative to other demand-side resources. The Public Advocates Office countered that ratepayer-funded programs should produce benefits greater than costs, supported TRC as a useful check, and raised concerns about the growing share of budgets going to programs that have not demonstrated cost-effectiveness. Committee members repeatedly said the math was difficult to explain to constituents and pressed witnesses on whether participant costs should be included in TRC, how TSB is calculated, and whether a simpler or more consistent framework should be used across programs. CPUC staff said the relevant issues are already in two open proceedings, with the budget application proceeding expected to conclude in roughly Q2 or Q3 of the following year and broader policy questions remaining in a separate rulemaking. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with general agreement that the portfolio should remain accountable, but continued disagreement over the best metric and how to balance affordability, equity, and grid benefits.

Transcript Highlights:

• The dedication to academic excellence, community service, and fostering strong bonds of sisterhood is
• register as a sex offender for 151f years, 25 years, or perhaps for their entire lifetime, which limits
• Does this bill set any outer limit on how long after driving a chemical test may be taken and still be
• know there's no members in this body that would ever speed down the highway in excess of the speed limit
• And if they're evicting someone that is not making proper payment, limiting the times that they can do

Bills: SCR17, SB2104, SB2155, SB1428, SB1250, SB1651, SB1794, SB444, SB1061, SB1327, SB1425, SB1455, SB1458, SB1460, SB1480, SB1530, SB1543, SB1555, SB1593, SB1209, SB1730, SB1733, SB1769, SB1805, SB2069, SB2095, SB1503

Keywords: Oklahoma Ireland relations, Ireland, Irish heritage, St. Patrick's Day, Choctaw Nation, Choctaw famine relief, Irish-American, cultural resolution, concurrent resolution, ceremonial resolution, economic development, trade commission, international relations, Tulsa IrishFest, ShamROCK the Gardens, Oklahoma City St. Patrick's Parade, Irish ancestry, Senate of Ireland, Aubrey McCarthy, Phil Thompson

Transcript Highlights:

• The state's in a critical need right now, water is our limiting factor, it's not land, water.
• We have about 500 million in bonding capacity for that. So we have a lot of different ways.
• But in the great state of Texas, we have been limited on our The effects of it.
• And as those move up, I mean, the fly also is not limited.
• they haven't they haven't actually surpassed the time that they have to give the water that five-year limit

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• discuss further when presenting the conforming bill, the legislature has approved $50 million in bonding
• we're trying to do in this budget is move toward new infrastructure, which is why we have decided to bond
• the fixed capital outlay and have a recurring fund for bonding a new 600-bed hospital and $56 million
• It limits the maximum a charitable organization can receive at $10 million per year, and it increases
• The term includes, but is not limited to, organizations that engage in fact-checking.

Summary: The Senate took up the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27, with Chair Hooper and the appropriations chairs walking through the $114.5 billion budget. Major highlights included pay increases for state law enforcement, firefighters, park rangers, and correctional officers; funding for teacher salary increases and K-12 enrollment stabilization; workforce and university funding in higher education; major Medicaid, nursing home, waiver, and opioid-related investments in health and human services; corrections and prison-capacity funding; transportation, housing, and emergency management spending; and large environmental appropriations for Florida Forever, Everglades restoration, and water quality projects. Members then asked detailed questions about specific items. Senators pressed on the Hamilton Center at UF, the difference between assistant state attorney and public defender pay, declining student enrollment funding, private school scholarship vouchers, mental health funding in schools, the lack of preeminence funding, APD’s iBudget waiver wait list and provider rates, ADAP premium assistance and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, prison staffing and air conditioning, Florida Forever land-buying versus easements, SNAP and Sun Bucks funding, Hope Florida, election audit funding, and the IDD managed care program. Chairs generally explained the negotiated compromises, noted where funding was flat or omitted, and in several cases said items would be revisited next year or depended on agency implementation. Several senators used debate to praise the budget while also criticizing major policy choices. Leader Berman argued the state should have expanded Medicaid, invested more in public schools instead of vouchers, and accepted federal summer EBT funds. Other senators highlighted local wins such as Biscayne Bay restoration, Tri-Rail, housing assistance, ADAP funding, and declining enrollment support. The transcript ends with debate remarks thanking Chair Hooper for his work on the budget; no final vote is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we provide more support to more students in California, given our limited resources?
• to just aggregate-level reporting.
• Currently, the limited student data is done on an aggregate basis.
• Also, as was mentioned, typically are sharing aggregate information.
• Well, in aggregate, it's probably a mix of everything, right? No question. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So those personal income numbers are an aggregate for everybody in Washington.
• So what you see there is the number that those, when you aggregate them all together, that's what you
• And there's not a statute of limitations, essentially, on sex abuse cases.
• There's not a statute of limitations, essentially, on sex abuse cases.
• The tort laws and the statutes of limitations and things like that.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session covering the state revenue outlook, caseload forecasts, wildfire costs, budget balance, tort liability, water supply, and pension policy. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reported modest near-term U.S. growth, no near-term Washington employment growth in 2026, continued personal income growth, and elevated inflation, with tariffs and federal policy cited as major risks. Revenue forecasts were slightly improved for the current biennium by about $105 million but down about $185 million for the next biennium. Members asked about income inequality and housing permits; staff said personal income is an aggregate measure and housing production remains below long-term needs. The Caseload Forecast Council then reported that most forecasts were unchanged or only slightly changed, but several programs increased, including Washington College Grant, Working Connections, aged/blind/disabled cash grants, nursing homes, home and community services, and developmental disabilities personal care. The largest policy-driven change was in Medicaid low-income adult caseloads, where federal H.R. 1 was projected to reduce coverage substantially through narrower eligibility, community engagement requirements, and shorter eligibility periods. The committee also heard a wildfire funding update and a 2025 fire season review. Staff explained that the state budgets $93 million annually for suppression and uses supplemental appropriations for costs above that level, with an estimated state supplemental need of about $139 million for the current year. Department of Natural Resources officials said 2025 fire activity remained below the 10-year average in acres burned, but fires were more complex and closer to communities, contributing to higher residence loss. They described expanded use of aircraft, firefighters from other states, corrections crews, and the Arcadia 20 hand crew, and said the state did not need National Guard ground support this year. A budget preview then showed that the near general fund outlook had worsened after vetoes, lapses, and forecast changes, and that maintenance-level costs alone would leave a projected negative balance by fiscal year 2027 and about $4.3 billion by fiscal year 2029, before any policy decisions. Jason Seams, the state risk manager, reported a sharp rise in tort claim costs, with indemnity expenses nearly doubling from fiscal year 2023 to 2025 and DCYF accounting for most of the increase. He said the state self-insurance liability account has run deficits for four straight biennia and is now facing nearly $600 million in deficits, driven largely by a surge in DCYF claims, especially juvenile rehabilitation and long-running sex abuse cases. Members asked about the role of old claims, comparisons with other states, excess insurance, and whether more Attorney General staff could reduce special assistant attorney general costs. The committee then shifted to water policy, hearing from tribal leaders, Ecology, and the Washington Water Trust. Tribal witnesses emphasized overappropriation, declining flows, climate impacts, and the need for legislative oversight and tribal participation in water policy. Ecology described major projects in the Odessa sub-area, Yakima Basin, and Dungeness, along with the need for storage, recharge, conservation, and policy changes to support water supply development. The Washington Water Trust argued that climate change is reducing summer flows and that the state needs more funding, enforcement, and long-term commitment to restore instream flows. The final item was a pension update on LEOFF 1 surplus assets; staff reviewed two 2025 bills that would have merged or restructured the plan and used surplus assets, but neither passed, and instead the budget directed the Select Committee on Pension Policy to study the issue and report back.

Transcript Highlights:

• amends HRS section 11-364 to provide that an excess contribution of more than $100 in cash in the aggregate
• So, for instance, we do not have an aggregate reporting of, let's say, for example, $25,100, of which
• So for instance, we do not have<00:38:58.640><c> an</c><00:38:58.800><c> aggregate</c><00:38:59.359><
• reporting</c><00:38:59.839><c> of</c><00:39:00.079><c> let's</c><00:39:00.320><c> say</c> have an aggregate
• reporting of let's say have an aggregate reporting of let's say for<00:39:00.800><c> example</c><00:

Bills: HR11, HB1872, HB2171, HB2161, HB2416, HB2518, HB2617, HB2159, HB2606, HB2362, HB2385, HB2476, HB1923, HB2444, HB1608, HB1967, HB1968, HB2502, HB1782, HB2357, HB2445, HB1870, HB1838, HB2137, HB2208, HB2458, HB1972, HB2007, HB2160, HB2343, HB2315, HB2505, HB1857, HB469, HB1452, HB814, HB1621, HB1880, HB1831, HB1572, HB2119, HB2139, HB2459, HB2194, HB2561, HB2017, HB1931, HB1700, HB1719, HB1726, HB1737, HB1742, HB2049, HB2383, HB2116, HB2446, HB2249, HB2255, HB2320, HB2360, HB2581, HB2443, HB1531, HB2622, HB9, HB2290, HB2291, HB2235, HB2263, HB2498, HB1579, HB1728, HB1900

Keywords: 808 Elite, youth football, American Youth Football National Championships, AYF, Hawaii football, youth athletics, sports recognition, commendation, House resolution, student-athletes, sportsmanship, teamwork, state pride, Hawaii youth sports, national championship, early learning, apprenticeship, child care, education funding, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a 1-minute per testifier time limit. We have the 1-minute per testifier time limit.
• Some of those funds are also looking at bond financing, which we haven't done for a long time.
• </c><00:49:11.120><c> treated</c><00:49:11.480><c> as</c> Page two, line 11, to read: "Revenue bonds
• treated as refunding bonds under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or successor thereto,
• shall not count against the aggregate principal amount authorized under this section."

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing, meeting jointly with the Committee on Health and Human Services, heard testimony on Senate Bill 2787, which would expand use of the rental housing revolving fund to provide loans or grants for purchasing rental units, and Senate Bill 2957, which addresses tenant displacement and relocation protections, as well as Senate Bill 2866, which would make the state rent supplement program for kupuna permanent and appropriate funds for it. Testimony on SB 2787 included support from DHHL, HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, and others, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying language and standards for grants, and the Tax Foundation questioned whether grants fit the revolving-fund structure. On SB 2957, supporters including OHA, PACT, medical-legal advocates, and tenant representatives emphasized relocation hardships from the KPT redevelopment, language access, and the need for clearer minimum safeguards; the Attorney General suggested defining “comparable units” and correcting a drafting error. On SB 2866, HPHA, Catholic Charities, AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the kupuna rent supplement program permanent to prevent homelessness among low-income seniors. During discussion on SB 2957, members questioned HPHA and tenant counsel about the KPT low-rise relocation process and what “comparable housing” meant in practice. HPHA said all tenants were relocated, but counsel described disputes over comparability, disability and family-size issues, and at least one offered unit that was not livable. For SB 2787, members questioned DHHL about why it sought funding from the rental housing revolving fund rather than other sources; DHHL said it was still exploring options and had mostly used its funds for infrastructure, with only a small portion used as revolving funds. The chair expressed concern about relying on scarce housing funds and urged more efficient use of DHHL’s existing resources. In decision-making, the committees voted to pass SB 2957 with amendments and SB 2866 with amendments. For SB 2957, the amendments would replace the bill with a working group on tenant displacement and relocation, include a blank appropriation and defective date, and request $75,000 for the working group; the motion was adopted unanimously by the members present, with Senator Favela excused. For SB 2866, the amended version would include a blank appropriation, defective date, and committee report language noting requests for $110,160 for two HPHA public housing specialist positions and $2.16 million for the state rent supplement program; this motion was also adopted, with Senator Favela excused. After the joint hearing adjourned, the committee returned to the housing-only agenda and continued discussion of SB 2787 before moving on to SB 3089, which would amend the down payment loan assistance program for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers; testimony on SB 3089 was beginning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, moreover, other limitations that many gun ranges suffer, PSTC, for example, second floor could
• </c> And then moreover, uh other limitations And then moreover, uh other limitations that<00:11:13.440
• Last year, our initial bond proposal received 42%.
• </c><00:39:35.119><c> and</c><00:39:35.680><c> um</c> about 4 million for a local bond and um about 4
• It's it's fish and general fund bonding. It's it's fish and game<00:44:54.880><c> funds.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on proposed improvements to the New Hampshire State Police gun range and training facility. Commissioner Robert Quinn and Major Brendan Davy said the range is used for realistic, scenario-based training that cannot be replicated at a standard static range, including movement, use of cover, vehicle-based drills, elevation, and training under elevated heart rates and stress. They said the facility is important not only for state troopers but also for local and federal partners, and that it is used regularly for qualifications, requalification, and special unit training. Members asked about specific limitations and costs. Major Davy said the PSTC range is handgun-caliber only because the backstop is not rifle-rated, and local law enforcement can use the State Police range for qualification. Representative Kazinski questioned the size and cost of the project, and Public Works Director Theodore Copper then explained the estimate: $1.5 million for building and site work, plus soft costs, utilities, design, and inflation, bringing the total to $2.3 million. He said the proposed facility would include office space, two classrooms, restrooms, and heating and air conditioning, and that the estimate was reasonable. The committee also heard from Milford School District Superintendent Christy Misho in support of CTE funding. She said Milford has been working for years to secure support for an applied technology center renovation, that prior local bond efforts fell short of the required threshold, and that the district now plans a CTE-only local bond of about $4 million while seeking $10 million from the state. She argued the investment is needed to modernize outdated equipment and support workforce training, and said the district remains committed to the project. In work session action, the committee corrected a prior vote on the Pease Development Authority warehouse removal and replacement project, increasing the amount by $353,300 to $1,973,300 and raising the agency subtotal to $4,155,300. The committee also approved adding two Community College System items: $500,000 for an energy management system and $1.3 million for critical maintenance, for a total addition of $1.8 million. No objections were raised to these motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> or lengthen the statute of limitations or lengthen the statute of limitations is<00:10:24.560><c
• </c> precludes the statute of limitations. precludes the statute of limitations.
• We would of limitations is 5 years.
• ><c> requirements</c> This bill limits retention requirements This bill limits retention requirements
• </c> very limited uh storage space. very limited uh storage space. &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Yeah.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills related to bribery and public corruption. On SB 2249, which would increase penalties for bribery under certain circumstances, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure, arguing that Hawaii’s current class B felony penalty is probationable and too weak to secure cooperation in corruption cases, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Snyder decision narrowed federal bribery prosecutions. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that elevating bribery to a class A felony and making it non-probationable was excessive, overbroad, and would remove judicial discretion. Multiple individuals also testified in support. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about removing deferred acceptance of plea provisions and asked HPD about the $20,000 threshold; the prosecutor said alternative charges could still be used in plea bargaining, and HPD said the threshold aligns with first-degree theft. The committee also discussed how current law tolls the bribery statute of limitations while an official remains in office, with the prosecutor explaining it can extend up to six years total. The committee then heard SB 2494, which would set a nine-year statute of limitations for bribery offenses. The Public Defender opposed the extension, saying the justification based on the length of federal investigations was too broad and that bribery already has a longer limitations period than most felonies. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill, saying bribery cases often involve coordination with federal investigators, that federal and state evidence-gathering methods may differ, and that a longer period would help ensure admissible evidence and allow state prosecution when federal law no longer applies. Members asked whether there were public examples of cases lost to the current limitations period; the prosecutor said he was not aware of any publicly available examples, but maintained nine years was a reasonable period. The committee also considered SB 2737, which would create a misdemeanor for failure by a state or county elected official to report bribery. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments and suggested changing the term to “public servant” for consistency with existing law. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the intent but warned the reporting requirement could create Fifth Amendment issues for witnesses who might otherwise be useful in grand jury proceedings. The bill drew broad public support, with 33 supporters and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up SB 3071, which revises sex trafficking and promoting prostitution statutes by redefining “profits from prostitution” and adding an affirmative defense for certain lawful transactions. The Public Defender opposed the measure, saying it still could reach people without the required criminal intent and that the affirmative defense language could be applied unevenly. The Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported the bill, saying it better addresses concerns raised by the State v. Ibarra decision while closing loopholes that allow traffickers to disguise profits as loans or gifts. The prosecutor emphasized that traffickers are sophisticated and can structure transactions to evade current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• All bond proceeds were invested in CDs when the bond was issued at BND, and this was for the construction
• I see they have $2.46 billion in bonds outstanding.
• to in regards to the bonds, when we talk about the receivables for bonds, all that gets used for debt
• When we did our work, again, we were limited to 90 days.
• We were limited in collecting them. We talked about it.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• discuss further when presenting the conforming bill, the Legislature has approved $50 million in bonding
• In bonding to build a 600-bed prison hospital.
• the fixed capital A and have a recurring fund for bonding a new 600-bed hospital and $56 million of
• It limits the maximum a charitable organization can receive at $10 million per year, and it increases
• The term includes, but is not limited to, organizations that engage in fact-checking.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in 2024-25 and 2025-26, an increasing amount came from Proposition 4, the climate bond passed by
• We aggregate the GGRF funding into two main programs for forest health and wildfire prevention, as well
• When we outgrew WhatsApp's 1,000-person limit, we moved to Discord.
• And we set up about 50 channels. 1,000-person limit, we moved to Discord.
• So the county, for example, is basing their bond off of projected property tax revenues 45 years into

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• testimony from this point have to limit testimony from this point forward<01:00:05.160><c> to</c><01
• </c><01:16:38.480><c> on</c> couple Pages I'm I'm super limited on couple Pages I'm I'm super limited
• business will tell you, it's also very helpful for aggregation programs to be able to ping this kind
• </c><04:25:21.119><c> applicant</c> date but the aggregate applicant date but the aggregate applicant
• <05:15:43.440><c> everybody</c><05:15:43.798><c> all</c> aggregators everybody all aggregators everybody

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I um but limits the discretion.
• ><c> and</c><00:28:34.159><c> validation</c> fairly limited utility and validation fairly limited utility
• The limitations we have are that the funding that we were given, a vast majority of it, does have limitations
• The limitations we have are that the funding that we were given, a vast majority of it, does have limitations
• So I think currently it would be limited, and the no-cost option that we've discussed would have limited

Bills: HF751, HF3550, HF3764, HF1490

Keywords: parental notification, school safety, bullying, harassment, violence, prohibited conduct, student discipline, charter school, school district, data practices, student privacy, parent rights, guardian notification, school incident reporting, cyberbullying, restraint, reasonable force, anti-bullying policy, school administration, student conduct

Transcript Highlights:

• is provided to customers not just by the investor-owned utilities, but also by community choice aggregators
• You can aggregate all that generation. So we feel really good about the potential for that.
• You can aggregate all that generation. So we feel really good about the potential for that.
• You know, I just, I have about 30 questions here, but I'll just limit it to one really long, 30-part
• And so, obviously, the CARE program is a limited number of folks. It's the lowest-income people.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held an oversight hearing with leaders from the CPUC, Public Advocates Office, CAISO, the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, and the Energy Commission. Chair Petrie-Norris framed the hearing around high utility bills, wildfire risk, grid reliability, clean energy buildout, and the state’s long-term decarbonization goals, and also noted it was CPUC President Alice Reynolds’ final week at the commission. Each agency gave an update on its role: the CPUC described efforts to reduce rate increases while maintaining reliability and clean energy procurement; the Public Advocates Office focused on affordability and the need to control underlying utility costs; CAISO discussed transmission planning, market operations, and the upcoming extended day-ahead market; Energy Safety reviewed wildfire mitigation oversight and inspections; and the Energy Commission highlighted clean energy growth, EV adoption, storage, efficiency, and gasoline price monitoring. A major theme was affordability versus the costs of the clean energy transition. Reynolds said the CPUC has lowered utility revenue requests, reduced utility returns, adopted a base services charge, and reworked net metering, while also continuing to manage wildfire-related costs and support resource adequacy and demand flexibility. Sarazawa argued that recent rate decreases may not be durable because billions of dollars in wildfire and other utility costs are still pending or unbilled, and she urged tighter use of general rate cases, lower-cost financing, program reform, and more equitable rate design. Members pressed the agencies on whether state policy is sufficiently accounting for labor, local economic development, and the cost impacts of transmission and procurement decisions, especially where out-of-state resources are being considered. CAISO and the Energy Commission emphasized that the state’s planning and market reforms are helping lower costs and improve reliability. CAISO said the Western Energy Imbalance Market has produced billions in benefits, the extended day-ahead market is on track to launch, and transmission planning is being aligned with long-term resource needs while reducing queue delays. The Energy Commission said California is now getting roughly two-thirds of its power from clean sources, has added massive amounts of storage and renewables, and is seeing strong EV and charger growth that can help spread fixed grid costs. Energy Safety reported thousands of inspections, hundreds of notices of non-performance, and a decline in reportable ignitions, while noting that major fires show more work is needed. Members also raised concerns about the SB 100 report delay, memo and balancing accounts, the future of battery storage, and whether decarbonization zone pilots will affect residential and commercial customers.

Transcript Highlights:

• That bond speaks to the lasting imprint she leaves on every child she touches.
• So although it's not, in my opinion, the worst idea out there to limit expenses for our taxpayers,” “
• Lady, is there a limit on how much it should cost the state before it goes to Fiscal Review?
• I'm just going to shortly rebut those because of the short time limit that I have.
• But it does this by limiting wager amounts and winnings, winning percentages, and so on.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 134-0 roll call vote. Members then moved through a series of personal privileges and introductions of guests, including Turning Point USA chapters, CASA volunteers and staff, JAG students, university students, nursing students, interns, and other visitors recognized from across the state. On third reading, House Bill 1766, dealing with personal property tax treatment and new construction, was debated as a taxpayer relief measure. Supporters said it would treat personal property more like real estate under Hancock-style limits, while opponents warned it could reduce revenue for taxing districts. The bill passed 94-50. The House then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2989, a major gaming bill aimed at cracking down on illegal “gray market” machines while creating a regulated local-option video lottery terminal system. Debate focused on enforcement, local control, consumer protection, revenue for education, veterans, and disability programs, and whether the bill effectively legalized gambling in a new form. A motion to send it to Fiscal Review failed 69-44, and the bill ultimately passed 83-66 with one present. The chamber next considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2014, the supplemental appropriations bill. The sponsor said it provides a little over $3 billion in additional authority for the rest of FY2026, including tax refunds, disaster response, St. Louis tornado relief, Medicaid-related spending, and Missouri Department of Transportation operations. Members discussed the size of supplemental spending, the use of federal and general revenue funds, and the first-time use of general revenue for the adult expansion Medicaid population. The House adopted an amendment reducing some unused Medicaid authority, then adopted the bill as amended and perfected it for printing. The session ended with announcements, including a notice that the Super Committee on Tourism would meet immediately in Hearing Room 6.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a finding related to the CDs for the bond stuff.
• And all bond proceeds were invested in CDs when the bond was issued at BND, and this was for the construction
• I see they have $2.46 billion in bonds outstanding.
• When we did our work, again, we were limited to 90 days.
• We were limited in collecting them. We talked about it.

Summary: The Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with approval of the prior meeting minutes and a review of the state’s annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and the Office of Management and Budget reported a clean opinion on the state’s financial statements and described continued growth in net position, strong general fund balance, and significant Legacy Fund investment income. Committee members asked about how the report reflects long-term finances and how North Dakota compares with other states, and OMB noted that the ACFR is based on audited actual results rather than budget forecasts. The committee then heard the North Dakota University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund construction money, insufficient monitoring of service organizations, improper bank reconciliations at several campuses, and investment/cash recording issues at Bismarck State College. University System officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations and greater use of shared services. Members also questioned practices such as campus use of certificates of deposit and whether repeated findings were being adequately addressed. Additional audits were presented for the State Fair Association, State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Securities Department, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Most received clean opinions with no findings; exceptions included a repeat component-unit issue at the State Fair Foundation, a securities personnel-evaluation finding, and a Housing Finance Agency finding involving a late return of escrow surplus. The committee also discussed broader oversight issues, including the need for independent auditing of the Ethics Commission, possible legislative changes to give the State Auditor more subpoena power and independent legal counsel, and future work on data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, and audit capacity. The meeting recessed for lunch after these discussions.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> a</c> $5,000 in the aggregate it provides a $5,000 in the aggregate it provides a downward<00:53
• a candidate’s use of his or her own funds to the limits provided in 11-357, and would also limit the
• The proposed aggregate loan limit does not accurately reflect... $1,000 in order for someone to buy two
• The proposed aggregate loan limit does not accurately reflect the financial demands of campaigns for
• The proposed aggregate loan limit does not accurately reflect the financial demands of campaigns for

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held its first hearing of the 33rd Legislature and heard several measures, beginning with HB 131, which would allow agencies to disclose government records to researchers for certain purposes and direct the Office of Information Practices to adopt uniform rules. OIP supported the bill, saying it would help researchers access government records, while DLNR questioned whether the bill was necessary, raised concerns about costs and exemptions, and suggested a definition change regarding media. The Public First Law Center and other supporters said the bill would not remove existing exemptions or create new disclosure requirements, but would simply authorize rulemaking to create a clearer process for research access. Common Cause Hawaiʻi raised concern about including news media in the measure. The chair emphasized that the rulemaking process would allow agencies and the public to work through details, and the committee moved on without a recorded vote in the transcript. The committee then heard HB 411, which would create uniform administrative penalty procedures under the state ethics code and lobbyist law, and HB 412, which would expand lobbying definitions to cover certain communications with high-level executive officials about procurement and make some contracts voidable if awarded through unethical lobbying. The Ethics Commission supported HB 411 as an efficiency measure that would streamline the charge process without changing substantive rights, while HB 412 was described as a narrow transparency measure modeled on other states. The State Procurement Office warned that voiding contracts could cause delays, warranty issues, third-party complications, and higher reprocurement costs. The Ethics Commission responded that any contract revocation would be at the Attorney General’s discretion and likely reserved for egregious cases, and that the threat of voiding a contract would help deter noncompliance. The committee also heard HB 413, which clarifies that lobbyist campaign contribution prohibitions apply during periods when both houses of the Legislature are in session; the Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission both supported the bill and the Ethics Commission requested amendments to clarify jurisdiction between state and county lobbyist enforcement. Finally, the committee took up HB 149, which would require domestic and foreign corporations to report independent expenditures and political contributions to shareholders. The only testimony noted in the transcript was written comments from Matson, which said the requirement would be expensive and cumbersome and that the information is already publicly available through existing campaign finance reporting websites. No votes or final committee actions on the bills were recorded in the provided transcript.