Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we've been gearing up for that and promoting driver's education.
• c><00:04:37.199><c> Uh,</c><00:04:37.440><c> we've</c><00:04:37.680><c> been</c><00:04:37.840><c> gearing
• Uh, we've been gearing up Public Safety.
• Uh, we've been gearing up for<00:04:38.400><c> that</c><00:04:38.560><c> and</c><00:04:38.720><c> promoting

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division B

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything we're talking about in this original bill, but also this amendment, is geared around section
• original bill, but also this amendment original bill, but also this amendment is<00:12:03.920><c> geared
• around</c><00:12:04.880><c> section</c><00:12:06.079><c> 15,</c><00:12:06.720><c> whether</c> is geared
• around section 15, whether is geared around section 15, whether it's<00:12:07.360><c> 151</c><00:12:

Summary: The committee met in executive session to consider HB 314, which would prohibit the use of federal, state, or local funds for lobbying activities. Representative Turkot offered a replace-all amendment intended to be a compromise measure focused on transparency and local control. He explained that the amendment narrows the bill to registered lobbyists, clarifies that public officials and employees who are not required to register as lobbyists are not restricted from testifying, and adds a process allowing municipalities to opt in to lobbying-related spending if approved locally and disclosed in annual reports. He also said the amendment was designed to address confusion he believes has been caused by misinformation about the bill’s effect on municipalities and associations. Committee members raised repeated concerns about how the amendment would apply to school districts, cooperative districts, counties, and other associations beyond the New Hampshire Municipal Association. Turkot and others said the language in RSA 15 and the added references to RSA 318-A were intended to cover lobbying entities generally, while the NHMA section was included because it is separately addressed in statute. Several members questioned whether the amendment’s intent was clear enough without explicit references to schools and counties, and whether the committee should have held a public hearing on the substantially revised language. Supporters argued the amendment was clear, that school districts and municipalities are distinct legal entities, and that cooperative districts could handle the issue through their existing annual-report and voting processes. The discussion also covered how local approval would work, including whether the proposal would require an opt-in vote and how county budgets would reflect lobbying-related dues or expenses. Members noted that in cooperative districts and county settings, approval would likely be handled through existing budget or annual report procedures, with majority vote rules applying where relevant. No final vote on the amendment or bill is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee spent most of the session debating the scope, clarity, and transparency requirements of the proposed changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Meyers, that 4-H has programs that are geared towards some urban areas where you may not have access
• :33.440><c> are</c> Meyers um that 4 has programs that are Meyers um that 4 has programs that are geared
• 35.960><c> some</c><00:20:36.280><c> urban</c><00:20:36.720><c> areas</c><00:20:37.039><c> where</c> geared
• towards um some urban areas where geared towards um some urban areas where you<00:20:37.280><c> may<

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee first spent much of the meeting recognizing the large number of 4-H and FFA students and guests in attendance, with members from several counties introducing their groups and praising the programs for developing future agricultural and civic leaders. Comments emphasized the value of youth involvement in agriculture, leadership, and public speaking, and several members noted their own 4-H or FFA backgrounds. The committee then took up House Bill 356, and adopted a committee substitute before hearing testimony on the revised measure. House Bill 356, sponsored by Representative Carney, would create the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative, expanding the original urban farming concept into broader agricultural education, agribusiness, advocacy, and work-ready skills. The substitute removed the requirement that participants have access to farmland, lowered the age floor from six to five, broadened participation, and established a pilot program with implementation left to Cooperative Extension. Supportive testimony came from a 4-H student and Kentucky 4-H representatives, who described how the program helps youth explore many interests and removes barriers for urban students. Members from both parties praised the bill as a way to reach more youth and strengthen agricultural education. The committee approved House Bill 356 as amended by the committee substitute on a roll call vote, with all members present voting yes. The committee then heard House Bill 315 from Representative Sharp, a foreign adversary land bill intended to limit certain foreign entities’ ability to purchase Kentucky land. Before member questions, Tim Shank of the Kentucky Bankers Association testified in opposition to one section of the bill, saying banks already screen borrowers through federal systems and that Section 8’s reference to an Attorney General lien for “actual costs” was too vague. He warned the language could create uncertainty for mortgage holders and potentially affect credit availability for farmers. Representative Sharp said he had just learned of the concern and may need to work with the Attorney General’s office to address it. He also said the bill was largely the same as last year’s version, except for the removal of a leasing-related paragraph, and the committee began discussion of the bill after that testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I want to shift gears, if you don’t mind.
• > okay um anybody else no um I want to okay um anybody else no um I want to shift<00:37:46.280><c> gears
• 47.200><c> mind</c><00:37:48.079><c> um</c><00:37:48.880><c> I</c><00:37:48.960><c> want</c> shift gears
• if you don't mind um I want shift gears if you don't mind um I want to<00:37:49.560><c> just</c><00:

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services held its first meeting and received an overview from the Department for Medicaid Services on Medicaid’s behavioral health and substance use disorder services. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beal said Kentucky Medicaid serves about 1.4 million members, including over half of Kentucky children, with 485,000 expansion members, more than 69,000 enrolled providers, and total fiscal year 2024 expenditures of $18.5 billion. They said Kentucky covers a broad range of behavioral health services, and behavioral health provider enrollment has grown from a little over 4,500 in 2019 to nearly 8,000 in 2024. They also described how Medicaid spending and utilization are tracked through claims and encounter data, with most members served through managed care organizations. Members focused on sharp increases in certain behavioral health billing codes, especially peer-to-peer services, and asked about reimbursement, utilization review, and whether the growth reflected increased need or expanded coverage. DMS said the rise was partly tied to combining facility and nonfacility behavioral health fee schedules in 2023, choosing the higher reimbursement rate to avoid cuts, and that the department has seen an uptick in peer-to-peer services. In response to concerns about overutilization, DMS said it mailed a letter to behavioral health providers, is considering limits and prior authorizations for some services, and plans to create a standardized monthly behavioral health report to monitor trends consistently and identify when controls may be needed. Lawmakers also asked whether the provider network is sufficient and whether access is adequate, especially for children. DMS said provider enrollment has expanded because behavioral health services were added to Medicaid in 2014 and because demand increased after COVID, but acknowledged studies showing children have less access than adults and said that would be an area of focus. The department said managed care organizations are required to ensure access to needed services and that current trends indicate access is available, though one member disagreed and said workforce shortages remain a major concern. Another member asked about non-emergency medical transportation spending, and DMS explained that it is handled through a capitated arrangement administered by the Transportation Cabinet rather than directly by the managed care organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Switching gears a little bit, the MDH budget proposes a 54% increase in fees for our assisted living
• Switching gears a little bit, the MDH budget proposes a 54% increase in fees for our assisted living
• Switching gears a little bit, the MDH budget proposes a 54% increase in fees for our assisted living
• Switching gears a little bit, the MDH budget proposes a 54% increase in fees for our assisted living

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• southeast Minnesota for 27 years, I've seen steady economic growth in this region because of the outdoor
• c><01:35:58.320><c> because</c><01:35:58.639><c> of</c><01:35:58.800><c> the</c><01:35:59.040><c> outdoor
• </c> in this region because of the outdoor in this region because of the outdoor activities<01:35:59.960
• </c><01:36:24.639><c> Outdoor</c> employing local people. Outdoor employing local people.
• Outdoor recreation<01:36:25.840><c> is</c><01:36:26.080><c> a</c><01:36:26.239><c> growing</c><01:36:

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:45.079><c> power</c><00:37:45.280><c> sports</c> food Sciences outdoor power sports food Sciences
• SFIA works to store carbon and provide multiple benefits for water quality, quantity, habitat, outdoor
• benefits for water quality quantity benefits for water quality quantity habitat<00:54:20.720><c> outdoor
• ><00:54:21.000><c> recreation</c><00:54:21.440><c> Wood</c><00:54:21.720><c> Products</c> habitat outdoor
• recreation Wood Products habitat outdoor recreation Wood Products Etc<00:54:23.119><c> which</c><00:

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The current biennium, the total is 7,000 from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, 6,000 from Clean Water, 3,000
• The current biennium, the total is 7,000 from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, 6,000 from Clean Water, 3,000
• The initiative will be culturally sensitive, a culturally responsive outdoor learning and leadership
• The initiative will be culturally sensitive, a culturally responsive outdoor learning and leadership
• The initiative will be culturally sensitive, a culturally responsive outdoor learning and leadership

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• We just played an outdoor concert with the veterans and chairs on the loading dock.
• Now, the band is used to a little wind at an outdoor concert, but these gusts were not to knock music
• c><00:20:58.640><c> just</c><00:20:58.799><c> played</c><00:20:59.080><c> an</c><00:20:59.280><c> outdoor
• </c> absolutely not we just played an outdoor absolutely not we just played an outdoor concert<00:21:
• </c> used to little wind at an outdoor used to little wind at an outdoor concert<00:21:11.760><c> but

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• So what this would do is just create a revolving fund that any monies geared to home and community-based

Bills: HB3390 , HB4199 , HB4407 , HB4412

Committee: House A&B Human Services Subcommittee

Keywords: home care, community services, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, rating system, inspection reports, substantiated complaints, agency oversight, child care, workforce, pilot program, affordable care, income eligibility, long-term care, revolving fund, options counseling, funding, consultation services, Medicaid, community-based services, seniors

Transcript Highlights:

• have to meet: hospitality management, venue management, tourism, promotion, real estate development, outdoor

Bills: SB1327 , SB2065 , SB2155 , SB2159

Committee: House Tourism

Summary: The committee first considered SB 265, which would restore full authority to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Board. The bill establishes listed qualifications for board members, keeps the board at eight members with five needed for a quorum, and preserves the governor’s authority to appoint the chair, vice chair, and secretary. After a brief question about the rationale for the change, the committee moved the bill and passed it by a vote of three ayes and one nay. Representative Eves then presented SB 265 as a state pollinator act, with 15-year-old 4-H State Ambassador Lucille Moorhouse explaining the bill and her pollinator project. She described pollinator decline and its importance to agriculture, ecosystems, and grocery prices. Members praised her presentation, and the bill passed unanimously, four ayes and zero nays. She also shared pollinator seeds with members. The committee next heard SB 2155, which updates the Route 66 Commission and its grant program by allowing memoranda of understanding with state agencies, mainly to hire a project manager to keep multiple projects on schedule. It passed by three ayes and one nay. Finally, SB 2159 designated wheat as Oklahoma’s official crop, citing the state’s large annual wheat acreage and more than $1 billion in yearly economic impact. After a question about whether Oklahoma already had a state grain, the bill passed unanimously, four ayes and zero nays. The chair then noted it was the last meeting and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• People in our area, through urban sprawl, through backyard chicken coops, through bird feeders, outdoor
• People in our area through urban sprawl, through backyard chicken coops, through bird feeders, outdoor
• pet food, all kinds of things that we are doing ...through bird feeders, outdoor pet food, all kinds

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held public hearings on several bills, with most of the discussion focused on tribal representation and natural resource management. On HB 2117, which would add a tribal representative to the Board of Natural Resources, the prime sponsor and DNR officials said the bill would strengthen government-to-government relationships without replacing existing consultation duties. Tribal leaders from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation testified in support, as did the Commissioner of Public Lands and DNR’s tribal relations director. County and timber interests said they were not opposed to tribal representation but raised concerns about trust responsibilities, beneficiary interests, and whether the representative should come from a tribe with commercial forest management experience. The committee later closed testimony on HB 2117 and read into the record 192 pro, 124 con, and zero other sign-ins. The committee also heard HB 2516, which would impose a two-year moratorium on the use of certain anticoagulant rodenticides and bromethalin after a Department of Agriculture report and while the Washington State Academy of Sciences studies alternatives and impacts. The prime sponsor argued the bill balances rodent control with concerns about wildlife, groundwater, and human exposure, while opponents from the pest management industry warned it would remove effective tools and worsen rodent problems, especially for low-income and manufactured-home communities. Supporters included the Washington Poison Center, wildlife rehabilitators, Birds Connect Seattle, the Stillaguamish Tribe, and other advocates who cited poisonings in wildlife and children and pointed to non-toxic alternatives and integrated pest management. The committee read into the record 754 pro, 176 con, and five other sign-ins. For HB 2554, which would repeal RCW 77.110 and related language tied to Initiative 456 and tribal fishing rights, the sponsor and the Attorney General’s Office said the statute is unconstitutional and inconsistent with federal treaty law and court rulings. The Department of Fish and Wildlife also supported repeal, describing the measure as removing an unenforceable anti-tribal statute. The committee then moved on to HB 2327, a bill directing JLARC to audit the county forest board lands trust and DNR’s management of those lands. The sponsor, former Rep. Jim Buck, county representatives, and forest industry witnesses supported an independent review of the trust structure and performance; some asked for amendments to address reconveyance options, broader legal and ecological considerations, and consultation with tribes and the Board of Natural Resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it takes a lot of time and resources just to gear up to file an intervention if one's needed.
• Um, it takes a lot of time and resources just to gear up to file an intervention if one's needed.
• Um, it takes a lot of time and resources just to gear up to file an intervention if one's needed.
• codified properly within the bill as drafted, but it could mean any facility, and I think this is geared
• codified properly within the bill as drafted, but it could mean any facility, and I think this is geared

Bills: HB1979

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1979 HD3, which would shorten the time to file certain judicial challenges to environmental assessments and environmental impact statements for affordable housing and clean energy projects, and would also affect transfer of some environmental court appeals to the Supreme Court. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the amended bill, saying the changes were improved from earlier versions and that the shorter filing period was reasonable for these priority projects. Hawaii Gas asked that the bill’s clean energy definition be broadened to align with existing renewable energy law so emerging technologies like renewable hydrogen and renewable gas would be included. Kauai Island Utility Co-op and Greenpeace Hawaii testified in support and opposition, respectively, with supporters arguing the bill would reduce litigation uncertainty and opponents saying the shorter deadline would limit public participation and not solve the real causes of project delays. Opposition testimony came from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, 350 Hawaii, and others, who argued the bill could chill legitimate public-interest claims, especially where there is limited public notice, and that environmental review was being unfairly blamed for delays caused by permitting, financing, or infrastructure problems. Several speakers said the measure would reduce transparency and make it harder for communities to respond in time. One testifier from Earthjustice said the environmental review process itself is not the problem and should not be weakened for projects that still need public disclosure and community engagement. The committee then moved to decision-making and, citing the volume of opposition and concerns about public participation, transparency, and whether the bill would actually improve timelines, the chair deferred HB 1979 HD3 indefinitely. The hearing was adjourned after the vote decision was announced. The transcript then shifted to HB 2585, relating to tourism and statewide standards for agritourism. Testimony was mixed: farmers and agricultural groups described agritourism as essential to keeping small farms and ranches viable, while also urging safeguards so it would not be abused or displace real agricultural production. Some speakers warned the bill’s revenue-based limits could unintentionally shut down existing farm stays and related operations, especially in Maui County. The Hawaii Farm Bureau said it supported the intent but wanted clearer protections for bona fide agriculture and more flexibility around revenue requirements and force majeure situations. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our children's education and our emergency messaging cannot pause while we reinvent the gears of our
• Our children's education and our emergency messaging cannot pause while we reinvent the gears of our
• while<00:27:13.160><c> we</c><00:27:13.320><c> reinvent</c><00:27:14.000><c> the</c><00:27:14.120><c> gears
• </c><00:27:14.520><c> of</c><00:27:14.640><c> our</c> while we reinvent the gears of our while we reinvent
• the gears of our operation. operation. operation.

Bills: HF3455 , HF3936 , HF3860 , HF3656 , HF4060

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It is geared for workforce development, and it is for teachers who are pursuing credentials or wanting
• This is made up of a GEAR UP grant that we received from the U.S.
• > made</c><00:53:48.079><c> up</c><00:53:48.240><c> of</c><00:53:48.400><c> a</c><00:53:48.640><c> gear
• This is made up of a gear up receive.
• This is made up of a gear up grant<00:53:49.280><c> that</c><00:53:49.520><c> we</c><00:53:49.680><c>

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met and approved the July 15, 2025 minutes before hearing a presentation from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA/KIA) on student financial aid ahead of the January biennial budget session. KHEAA outlined its role administering 17 state-funded grant and scholarship programs, 529 plans, and outreach services, and emphasized that net lottery proceeds after a $3 million literacy appropriation are statutorily dedicated to student aid. The agency focused on the major need-based programs—College Access Program (CAP), Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG), and KEES—along with dual credit, Work Ready Kentucky, teacher scholarship, and National Guard tuition assistance. Officials said the new federal FAFSA methodology created a major increase in eligible students, especially for CAP, and thanked lawmakers for adding substantial funding this biennium to meet the higher demand. Staff explained that CAP is for Pell-eligible, low-income students, while KTG is a need-based grant for students at private Kentucky colleges; both use FAFSA data, but schools verify final eligibility. They said CAP awards are first-come, first-served and that the higher funding level allowed the program to last the full 21-month application cycle in FY 2024-2025, compared with much shorter periods in earlier years. KHEAA reported about $232 million spent on CAP for roughly 72,000 students last year, with current applications running about 10% ahead of the prior year. Members asked about the difference between applicants and recipients, the effect of lower lottery revenues, and whether recent federal legislation would affect state aid; KHEAA said it does not expect major impacts on grants and scholarships, though student loan changes could affect graduate students. The committee also discussed KEES and dual credit. KHEAA said KEES has been fully funded since its creation and that its forecast was within $76,000 of actual need last year. For dual credit, staff said a recent bill consolidated work-ready dual credit and career/technical education under one scholarship program, and KHEAA will seek growth funding because participation and costs continue to rise. The agency said FY 2025 dual credit spending reached $26.4 million across dual credit and work-ready funding, requiring transfers from Work Ready Kentucky to keep dual credit fully funded. Members asked about transferability of dual credit hours and whether the program reduces later college costs; KHEAA said it does not have hard data on every credit transfer, but it does see higher bachelor’s completion rates and lower student debt, suggesting positive effects. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a few weeks ago, as we geared up for back-to-back-to-back statewide snow, ice, and flood events,
• Just a few weeks ago, as we geared up for back-to-back-to-back statewide snow, ice, and flood events,
• weeks</c><00:24:57.080><c> ago</c><00:24:57.360><c> as</c><00:24:57.480><c> we</c><00:24:57.640><c> geared
• </c><00:24:57.920><c> up</c><00:24:58.040><c> for</c> Just a few weeks ago as we geared up for Just a
• few weeks ago as we geared up for back-to-back-to-back back-to-back-to-back back-to-back-to-back statewide

Summary: The committee received testimony from Personnel Cabinet Secretary Mary Elizabeth Bailey and Deputy Secretary Robert Long on the state’s telecommuting policy. Bailey explained that telecommuting in the executive branch is governed by a statewide policy requiring eligible employees to work in the office three days a week and telecommute up to two days a week. Eligibility depends first on the position, not the person: public-facing jobs, roles requiring special equipment or insecure document handling, and other duties that cannot be performed remotely are not eligible. Employees and managers must complete training, sign agreements, comply with safety and IT requirements, and telecommuting privileges can be revoked for poor performance or discipline. She said the cabinet audits compliance and that telecommuting has helped maintain services during inclement weather, disasters, and building renovations. Bailey also said about 33% of the workforce is hybrid, 11% telecommutes full-time, and 56% does not telecommute. Members asked about cost savings, eligibility, discipline, and technology requirements. Bailey said she did not have statewide cost-savings figures and referred that question to the Finance and Administration Cabinet. She said employees must have reliable connectivity and appropriate equipment, but there is no fixed broadband speed requirement; if an employee cannot connect, they must come into the office. She also said telecommuting postings indicate whether a position is eligible, and that performance issues are handled through progressive discipline rather than being ignored. Transportation Cabinet officials then described how their agency manages remote work. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock, along with IT and human resources leaders, said the cabinet follows the executive branch policy and actively manages telecommuting employees through Microsoft Teams, VPN access, daily standups, project tracking, and manager oversight. They said more than 2,600 of the cabinet’s 4,000 employees cannot telecommute because their jobs are public-facing or field-based, while about 35% are eligible to telecommute up to two days per week. The cabinet also has 13 state employees and 94 contract employees working full-time remotely in IT. Officials said telecommuting has improved recruitment and retention, supported emergency response and weather operations, and allowed the cabinet to continue working during storms and other disruptions. Members asked about phone equipment, monitoring, and “mouse jiggler” devices; officials said phones are often forwarded to personal or state devices, Teams shows real-time availability, and managers rely on daily accountability and project management tools to monitor work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, outdoor is very low and indoor is higher, and the average is here.
• And so changing the AMR should be beneficial to help outdoor growers across Colorado.
• And the outdoor growers in particular are seeking some variation.
• c> in</c><04:39:06.840><c> particular</c> And the outdoor growers in particular And the outdoor growers
• outdoor unprocessed retail marijuana. marijuana. marijuana.

Transcript Highlights:

• And originally it was geared to offer education for fourth through 12th grade.
• And originally it was geared to offer education for fourth through 12th grade.
• Originally, it was geared to offer education for 4th through 12th grade.
• Okay, then I'm going to shift gears to just some policy considerations.
• roofing and... and looking at what topics from a legislative standpoint we're hoping to see as we gear

Committee: Joint Protection and Victim Services Committee

Summary: The committee first approved the December 16 minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their economic and public-system impacts. She explained that ACEs are population-level risk indicators, not individual diagnostic tools, and said higher ACE exposure is associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare and justice involvement, and lower workforce participation. She cautioned that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across the life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based interventions and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, trends in ACEs, and home visiting; she emphasized supportive relationships, protective factors, and the importance of positive childhood experiences. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco, along with a recorded family story from Abby, about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota. Abby described how Healthy Families North Dakota supported her family after a premature birth and NICU stay by providing weekly in-home coaching, developmental screenings, postpartum mental health check-ins, referrals, and parenting support. The presenters explained that home visiting is voluntary, relationship-based, and usually begins prenatally or shortly after birth, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, pregnancy navigators, human service zones, self-referrals, and other community partners. They said North Dakota currently has four main evidence-based models operating through 12 organizations, with Healthy Families available in all 53 counties, though only a fraction of eligible families are served. Funding was described as a patchwork of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E, Medicaid, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and other grants; members discussed whether the Legislature or agencies should expand support and how to improve outreach and sustainability. Finally, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, focusing on AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and chatbot-related risks. The report summarized federal and state law, including North Dakota’s existing computer-generated image provisions, the federal PROTECT Act, the Take It Down Act, and recent federal executive orders on AI policy. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI’s effect on critical thinking and misinformation. The committee then heard from BCI Special Agent Cassidy Halsef, who said AI is already driving a sharp rise in child exploitation cases in North Dakota, including AI-generated explicit images of real minors and school-based incidents involving mass-shared manipulated images. She said investigators are seeing more cyber tips, more difficult forensic work, and lasting harm to victims and families, and urged stronger legal penalties, specialized training, victim services, and prevention education in schools and communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• My questions are geared in. particular case geared towards rail.
• Okay, let me switch. gears somewhat dramatically but also something that I was came across in reading
• chaired by the secretary. state and so we support those efforts through TxDOT and what's that that's geared
• Okay, and I want to switch gears because in keeping what ports, but a different type of port.
• Services and support geared to young adults can help youth like me be successful and prevent long-term

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:

• Mountain Club on the occasion of its 150th anniversary and its outstanding service and commitment to outdoor

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two congratulatory resolutions: one honoring Douglas Fire Chief John J. Furno on his retirement and another recognizing the Appalachian Mountain Club’s 150th anniversary and its conservation and outdoor recreation work. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to be referred, including a creditable service petition for Thomas Brooks, a retirement-related petition for Springfield Empowerment Zone teachers, and a bridge designation petition for a bridge in Gardner. The House then took up several bills on the calendar. It ordered to a third reading bills authorizing Berkeley to increase its Board of Selectmen, banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops, and relating to land interests in West Brookfield. It later passed to be engrossed bills authorizing South Hadley to grant additional all-alcohol licenses and Westford to grant an additional off-premises all-alcohol license. After a recess and a moment of silence honoring Constance “Connie” Ellen Kruger of Amherst, the House returned to consider House Bill 5478, a bill creating a temporary summer 2026 pilot allowing municipalities to opt in to extended liquor-license hours and public consumption in designated districts. The House adopted a further amendment, concurred with the Senate as amended, adopted the emergency preamble, and then passed the bill to be enacted. The House also adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until the next formal session on Wednesday at 11 a.m.