Video & Transcript Research : 'shared use agreements'
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee Dec 15th, 2025
Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The Coast Guard determination helps us land on fixed and movable options that will allow us to get to
- Now, the agreements that we have do spell out when payment would be made based on those agreements.
- So it's a very, very useful process for the agencies to use.
- Specifically, one of the things we commonly hear is the issue of locating the shared use path on the
- us and that staff share those responses, and that when we meet again and Share those responses and that
Summary:
The Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee met for a work session and public hearing on the Interstate 5 bridge replacement program. Program staff outlined major milestones, including the recent biological opinion, the Coast Guard’s opening of a public comment period on the Navigation Impact Report, expected decisions in early 2026 on navigational clearance and the final supplemental environmental impact statement, and a possible amended record of decision in 2026. They also discussed the Bridge Investment Program grant amendment deadline, the need for an initial finance plan, and ongoing community outreach and contractor engagement. Greg Johnson announced he was stepping down as program administrator, and Carly Francis introduced herself as interim administrator.
A large portion of the meeting focused on design and cost questions. Staff said the program is studying fixed and movable spans, single- and double-deck configurations, and one versus two auxiliary lanes, with final recommendations to be made through the federal environmental process. They said the Coast Guard’s decision is central to what bridge configuration is permittable and to the timing of the updated cost estimate, which has not yet been released. Members pressed for more detail on cost drivers, potential impacts to businesses upriver, and whether the states would need to seek additional funding. Staff said they had reached agreements with four impacted river users, but the underlying evaluation materials are protected and not publicly releasable.
The committee also reviewed transit-related questions. Staff explained that light rail remains part of the modified locally preferred alternative and that ridership and operations estimates are being updated using federal modeling methods. They said projected opening-day transit operations and maintenance costs have dropped from an earlier estimate of $21.8 million to about $10.3 million annually because the current model assumes lower frequency, with Oregon and Washington shares split by geography and fare recovery. Members raised concerns about TriMet’s financial stability and the need for a funding plan by fall 2027, ahead of a planned federal transit funding application in fall 2028.
During public testimony, several speakers criticized the delay in releasing a new cost estimate and argued the project scope should be reduced if costs continue to rise. Testifiers from City Observatory and the Just Crossing Alliance said the project appears to be avoiding bad news, urged the committee to consider scope reductions, and questioned whether the active transportation and freeway components align with the project’s core purpose. The meeting ended with thanks to Johnson for his service and a transition to public hearing testimony.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 05/21/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- formal agreements.
- Sharing information is one thing. I'm not talking about sharing information.
- The list of names that I read off were using the 287(g) agreement with Nassau County and the jail enforcement
- And it requires us to understand our shared cultural history, those decisions in our past, and there
- AND IT REQUIRES US TO UNDERSTAND OUR SHARED CULTURAL HISTORY, THOSE DECISIONS IN OUR PAST AND THERE ARE
Summary:
The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approval of the prior day’s journal, and several motions to restore previously passed bills to the third-reading calendar. Senate Print 2436A, an amendment to the Administrative Code of New York City, and Senate Print 7160, an amendment to the Elder Law, were both reconsidered and restored to the calendar by roll call. Amendments were also received on Senate Print 9960, which retained its place on the third-reading calendar. The chamber then paused to honor Madeline Wilson on her 100th birthday and Marilyn D. Mosley through previously adopted resolutions, with family members and guests recognized on the floor. The Senate also welcomed Columbia Kicks Cancer, a student-run East Greenbush fundraising team that raised more than $239,000 for blood cancer research and care.
The Finance Committee reported Senate Print 9005C, a budget bill amending Chapter 268 of the Laws of 1996, directly to third reading, and the Senate accepted the report and the message of necessity. The bill was then taken up on the controversial calendar, leading to extended debate on Part LL, which focused on limits on state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, including 287(g) agreements, informal cooperation, masking rules for law enforcement, sensitive locations such as polling places, and the creation of an Office of Immigration Trust within the Attorney General’s office. Supporters argued the bill would keep state and municipal employees focused on their own duties, protect constitutional rights, and prevent New York resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement; they also said it would not bar all cooperation or prevent local police from responding to crime. Opponents argued it would hinder public safety, restrict law enforcement cooperation, and interfere with local discretion, while some raised concerns about constitutional issues and the practical effects on sheriffs, county jails, and police agencies.
The debate also included a separate provision creating a civil cause of action for constitutional-rights violations by federal, state, or local officials, which supporters described as an accountability measure. Members further discussed the masking section, with supporters saying it applied broadly to officials and was intended to withstand constitutional scrutiny, while opponents cited a recent Ninth Circuit ruling striking down a similar California law. The Office of Immigration Trust and its complaint/referral process were also examined, including the role of the Governor and the State Education Department in reviewing alleged violations. No final vote on the controversial calendar bill was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Press Conference 4/14/26
Transcript Highlights:
- The ideas that agreement, which I love.
- I'm trying to get to what we can get to agreement first, and this is what we have agreement on.
- >
agreement <00:07:59.800>on. - Other questions for us?
- This poor Other questions for us?
Summary:
House Education Finance and Policy leaders discussed House File 3493, a school safety package presented as a bipartisan, common-sense effort to protect students in public, non-public, tribal, and charter schools. Rep. Brian Lawrence said the bill would provide more school safety funding, more student mental health support, local anonymous threat reporting options, safe school plans, and student discipline reforms. Chair Peggy Bennett and Rep. Ben Bakeberg emphasized that the proposal was intended to be flexible, practical, and responsive to local needs rather than a one-size-fits-all mandate.
Several questions focused on whether the package would include gun restrictions, but the authors said the committee was focused on education-related tools it could control and on areas of agreement. They repeatedly said they were not willing to advance a package that left any students out, including those in non-public or tribal schools. Bennett said schools should be able to opt into anonymous threat reporting systems rather than being mandated, arguing schools are already overmandated and that good ideas will be adopted voluntarily.
Members also discussed funding, including a proposed $50 million shift from Northern Lights money and the overall size of the appropriation, which was described as still unsettled but roughly $52 million a year in the latest figures. The speakers said the package was being moved during committee deadlines and that they wanted to act quickly on the areas where there was agreement. They expressed frustration that no Democratic counterproposal had been brought forward and said they hoped to pass a school safety package that could keep all kids safe.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- That would help us substantially. That would remove us from 7,000 to probably. 4,000 cases a year.
- But we have a big challenge in front of us and so does everybody beneath us and I think they deserve
- It explicitly prohibits these type of agreements and civil settlement agreements, rendering them void
- share their stories.
- Tell us.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Did we do our share to address climate change?"
- share.
- I share the concerns that have been expressed today.
- I know that we have quite a few members of the public who have joined us to share comments, so we'll
- Let us give us the responsibility to go in there and shape that crime scene up, and eventually things
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So, what we do is that for us, the professional service agreement that we do is that when they sign a
- The nurses use those codes. Nurses use those codes all the time.
- Going back to what you just shared, it's not just advanced practice nursing using ICD-9 and CPT. codes
- If you'd share, give us the names of those doctors because physicians in Texas are trying to cooperate
- It helps us. It helps us in Texas, and it's so important.
Keywords:
grand jury, jury qualifications, jury wheel, small counties, Texas legislation, age verification, obscene devices, online sales, juvenile protection, penalties, antitrust, attorney general, Texas Free Enterprise, business regulations, legal confidentiality, personal identifying information, data brokers, judicial safety, civil rights, data privacy
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Tribal and State Relations Committee Apr 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Prior to 2022, we had a data use agreement during the pandemic, during COVID.
- And that data use agreement allowed us to respond to COVID within our tribal community.
- However, when the pandemic ended, so did the data use agreement.
- To respond to those through our public health department with that data use agreement.
- It would be on the data use agreement because that would give us access to surveillance."
Summary:
The meeting focused heavily on behavioral health and substance use treatment, especially the IMD exclusion and whether North Dakota should pursue a Section 1115 waiver to allow Medicaid reimbursement for services in institutions for mental diseases for adults ages 21 to 64. Turtle Mountain representatives described major local needs, including limited access to care, high syphilis rates, and the importance of timely public health data. They also discussed the tribe’s recovery center, which opened the prior year, now operating five levels of care with 16 beds, and the desire to expand capacity, possibly through an IMD waiver or related policy changes. Committee members also raised related issues such as rural health transformation funding, telehealth, workforce retention, and the need for better coordination between tribal and state public health systems.
A central issue was Turtle Mountain Public Health’s long-running effort to secure a data use agreement with the state so it can receive surveillance data and respond directly to infectious disease cases among tribal members. Speakers said the tribe had a successful COVID-era agreement that allowed faster contact tracing and case management, but that agreement ended with the pandemic. They argued that current delays in sharing data, especially for sexually transmitted infections, leave the tribe unable to respond quickly, while the state and county epidemiology workload is too distant and stretched to be effective. Committee members expressed support and said they would look into the issue, noting that other tribes have secured similar agreements.
The committee also heard a detailed presentation from the National Health Law Program on the IMD exclusion. The presenter explained that federal Medicaid law generally bars payment for care in facilities with more than 16 beds, but that states can use other tools such as state plan amendments, managed care arrangements, telehealth, and community-based services. He said IMD waivers are administratively complex, time-limited, and have shown mixed results in other states, with some gains in residential treatment access but limited evidence of improved overdose outcomes or stronger community-based care. He urged the committee to consider broader continuum-of-care solutions and cautioned that waivers alone are not a cure-all.
No final vote was taken on the bill draft during the portion shown, but the committee discussed the proposal to appropriate $49,000 and one FTE to HHS to pursue an IMD waiver and report back in the next interim. Members also debated the policy rationale for the 16-bed limit, the role of the state versus tribal sovereignty, and whether the bill should move through the Health Care or Human Services committee in the future.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative David, that is what Jeff shared with us, and Joe Anderson would be happy and would say
- <00:31:46.480>
with <00:31:46.640>us David, that is what Jeff shared with us David, - This agreement is trying to make our current power-sharing agreement function even better, and I think
- <00:54:50.960>
power <00:54:51.200>sharing <00:54:51.520>agreement <00:54:51.920> function current power sharing agreement function current power sharing agreement function even
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
No entering into certain civil immigration enforcement agreements with the feds 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, Representative Hollands, your bill as amended is before us. Please tell us about it.
- promise that we all share. promise that we all share.
- And it makes all of us less safe. And it makes all of us less safe.
- . agreements. agreements.
- existing agreements. existing agreements.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- So it's an agreement between the buyer and seller. I don't understand agreement.
- Officials from sharing any of the information that was shared with them with members of the City Council
- separation agreement is a nondisclosure agreement, does this affect that?
- Your work with us on this bill.
- So we are in agreement on that.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire resilience, land use, and local government transparency. SB 911 by Senator Becker would require notification to fire enforcement agencies when a home in a high fire severity zone is sold with an agreement for the buyer to bring the property into defensible-space compliance; the California Association of Realtors said it would drop opposition if the bill is amended to use the preliminary change of ownership report, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 994 by Senator Cabaldon would bar local officials from signing nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information with the elected decision-makers of their jurisdiction; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it also passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1041 by Senator Riggins would expand PACE financing for wildfire home-hardening improvements and add consumer protections, but it drew strong opposition from homeowner advocates, county treasurers, bankers, and others over predatory lending and lien concerns; it passed 3-2 and remained on call.
The committee also considered SB 1075 by Senator Reyes, which would require local governments in AB 617 communities to consider air-quality reduction measures in land-use approvals for industrial and commercial projects. Environmental justice groups supported the bill as a way to implement community air plans, while counties, cities, business groups, builders, trucking interests, and others opposed it as duplicative of CEQA and a barrier to investment and jobs. After debate over local control and environmental justice, the bill passed 3-2 and remained on call. SB 958 by Senator Cabaldon would advance the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, replacing a former arena and parking lots with housing, affordable units, parks, and a new entertainment venue; with no opposition voiced, it passed 3-0 to Appropriations.
Another wildfire-related measure, SB 1182 by Senator Allen, would require local governments to consider insurance availability in safety planning for development in high fire hazard areas and direct state technical guidance on the issue. Supporters said insurance access is now a key indicator of risk, while some members questioned whether the bill would add useful information or burden local governments; the bill received a 1-1 vote and remained on call. The committee then began hearing SB 1116 by Senator Caballero, a starter-home/infill housing bill creating a streamlined ministerial path for small projects up to 10 units, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that measure.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine perspectives from the field, focusing on farmer and rancher views on the agricultural economy. Feb 26th, 2025 at 09:30 am
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Can you just share with us your greatest challenges? Sure. Thank you, Senator.
- He doesn't do it for all of us. For every last one. of us he doesn't do it.
- We're in agreement here.
- So it's not just having an agreement, but it's also enforcing the agreement.
- new agreements.
Keywords:
agriculture, avian flu, bipartisan farm bill, economic challenges, poultry, dairy, specialty crops
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on crucial discussions surrounding the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, particularly concerning avian flu and its impact on poultry and dairy producers. Members provided insights into the economic struggles within the industry, emphasizing the need for a new bipartisan farm bill that addresses the diverse needs of specialty crop and livestock producers. Witnesses from various agricultural sectors spoke about their experiences, illustrating the high costs, regulatory burdens, and emerging diseases that threaten their operations. The meeting underscored a commitment to exploring solutions that will help maintain market stability and ensure food security.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF3426 5/13/26
Transcript Highlights:
- , with our final agreement together.
- I think it's extremely important for us as members of the LCCMR, those of us that are, and members of
- it's extremely important for us it's extremely important for us as<00:12:25.400>
members < - as members of the LCCMR, those of us as members of the LCCMR, those of us that<00:12:27.760>
- <00:23:39.040>
to and appointed several others of us to and appointed several others of us
Summary:
The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Conference Committee met on May 13, 2026, to finalize House File 3426. After roll call established a quorum, staff walked members through the conference agreement and spreadsheet, noting that most appropriations were unchanged from the House and Senate positions. The report kept the LCCMR recommendations in resiliency, water, fish and wildlife, energy, and most land and education/outdoor recreation items, while removing the “cultivating conservation leaders through education and wilderness experiences” project and a Senate rotational grazing pilot provision. The committee also noted the overall appropriation total and carryforwards/extensions, and that the community grants program appropriation remained in the bill.
Members then reviewed the policy language in the DE amendment. The agreement retained House provisions setting guardrails for the community grants program, including requirements for emerging issues account votes, maximum grant amounts, staff training, monitoring visits, pre-award risk assessments, surety bond or fiscal-agent approval for advance payments, and quarterly progress reports, while also adopting Senate language repealing a DNR acquisition-approval requirement. Senators McEwen and Her offered contrasting comments about the removal of the Boundary Waters-related project, with McEwen criticizing the decision as politicized and Her emphasizing stewardship and the importance of exposing young people to the Boundary Waters. Representatives Heintzeman and Fischer defended the need for accountability and said the issue had been addressed in a bipartisan way.
The committee reported receiving a letter from the DNR supporting the language and thanking the conferees and staff. Chair Her moved adoption of the HF 3426 DE amendment and the spreadsheet dated 5/13/26 at 11:38 a.m., authorized staff to prepare the conference committee report and make technical and conforming changes, and the motion passed 7-0. The meeting ended with thanks to staff, LCCMR participants, and Speaker Melissa Hortman, followed by adjournment and instructions for members to watch for and sign the conference committee report electronically that night.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Republican Media Availability 2/3/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, I be some type of an agreement?
- In this power-sharing agreement, are you all open to structuring 2025 and 2026 differently at all, or
- agreement in the Senate.
- immediately dissolved the power-sharing immediately dissolved the power-sharing agreement<00:10:
- It would be agreement in the Senate.
Summary:
House Republican leaders in Minnesota held a press availability focused on the ongoing absence of Democratic members from the House and the resulting inability to organize the chamber. They said it was day 21 of Democrats not showing up, argued that the situation was harming Minnesotans, and tied the impasse to broader issues including fraud cases, declining reading scores, and challenges facing poultry producers affected by avian flu. Republicans said they were continuing to meet among themselves, with constituents, and with interest groups, but that committee work and public testimony were being delayed by the stalemate.
The leaders described negotiations with Democrats as ongoing but said there had been no meaningful movement from the other side. They said they met that morning, planned to meet again later in the afternoon, and hoped for a substantive offer. They also said they were open to discussing common-sense changes, including ways to compel attendance, and noted that recall petitions against absent DFL House members were reportedly being prepared by the state party. One Republican said the party was committed to passing a budget on time but warned that Democrats’ posture could threaten state government later in the year if the dispute continued.
A separate issue discussed was a lawsuit over Secretary of State Steve Simon’s refusal to recognize motions made by the smaller number of members present. Republicans said the motion at issue remained on the desk and that the Minnesota Supreme Court was scheduled to hear the case on Thursday. They also discussed the possibility of a special election in House District 40B and said March 17 could be a key date if that election occurs. The group ended by saying they hoped to have more to report at a press conference the next day.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 02/25/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:08:17.680>
your thank you thank you for sharing your thank you thank you for sharing your - <00:13:58.120>
to highquality content will allow us to highquality content will allow us to - allow people to come together and share allow people to come together and share and<00:15:38.319
- <00:42:03.760>
because that's really important to us because that's really important to us - school or within Community it helps us school or within Community it helps us to<00:59:47.160>
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- when a conflict exists between the agreement and the department rules or regulations, the agreement
- , the collective bargaining agreement, even when our agreement contains specific protective language.
- I've been using Uber and Lyft since 2016. And I've been... I've been using ride-share rides.
- Alas, many, many times we have been denied access by ride-share drivers who refuse us entry into the
- Also, pursuant to a 2024 settlement agreement between the Attorney General and ride-share companies,
Summary:
The hearing opened with the co-chairs introducing House and Senate members and explaining the hybrid format, three-minute testimony guidance, and the deadline for written testimony. The committee then heard extensive testimony on S. 2665, which would require employers to post notice to employees when an I-9 audit or similar federal immigration inspection is underway. Supporters, including immigration attorneys, a pediatrician, a labor leader, and an affected family member, argued the bill would protect privacy, give workers time to gather documents and consult counsel, and reduce fear and wrongful arrests. One witness from Illinois described a similar law there and said it had not caused the problems employers feared, while others said recent ICE enforcement has made notice especially important. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1360, a bill affecting collective bargaining rights for State Police, with the State Police Association arguing that a statutory gap lets departmental rules override their contract and that the bill would restore intended bargaining protections. A separate labor bill, S. 1305, was also briefly supported by the AFL-CIO as part of broader worker-classification protections for app-based delivery drivers.
A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 2066, which would impose fines on transportation network drivers who refuse rides to people with disabilities using service animals. Testimony from blind and disabled riders, service dog users, advocates, and the Disability Law Center described repeated ride cancellations, drivers pulling away after seeing a service animal, and the difficulty of enforcing existing anti-discrimination laws through MCAD or other agencies. Witnesses said the current system leaves riders without practical recourse because drivers are hard to identify and complaints can take years, and they argued that fines on individual drivers would create a real deterrent. Several witnesses also described the impact on employment, medical appointments, and daily independence. Committee members asked about service-animal verification, whether refusals are ever appropriate, and whether penalties should target drivers or companies; witnesses said legitimate refusals are limited to misbehaving or unsafe animals and that companies already have policies and some training, but enforcement remains weak.
The committee also heard from a witness supporting a related bill on rideshare accessibility and from advocates describing broader transportation discrimination issues. One witness discussed a separate proposal to study service-animal denial, and others noted that Uber’s self-identification feature and company policies have not solved the problem. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the meeting ended after the final witnesses on the service-animal bill and a brief organizational discussion about related legislation and committee business.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Press Conference: Media Availability on Floor Session Motion to Expel Senator Nicole Mitchell Jan 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- They could have had a special election to have a replacement, and our power-sharing agreement would continue
- They could have had a special election to have a replacement, and our power-sharing agreement would continue
- start<00:07:26.080>
of power sharing agreement at the start of power sharing agreement at - For those of you who have studied our power-sharing agreement, there will be an election on the 28th,
- would love this issue to be behind us would love this issue to be behind us but<00:13:56.240>
Summary:
The meeting centered on a motion to expel Senator Nicole Mitchell from the Minnesota Senate while her criminal case remains pending. Republican speakers argued that Mitchell’s trial delays and continued service were undermining the Senate’s integrity, distracting from legislative work, and denying her constituents full representation because she is not serving on committees or participating in caucus. They said the motion was intended to uphold accountability, justice for the alleged victim, and the institution’s standards of conduct.
DFL leaders and other defenders of Mitchell argued that she has not been convicted, is entitled to due process, and remains the duly elected representative of Senate District 47. They said Senate rules, Mason’s Rules, and custom require ethics proceedings to be completed before expulsion, and that the Senate should not act on her criminal case. They also emphasized that the Senate’s priority should be passing a budget and continuing to work under the chamber’s power-sharing agreement.
The expulsion effort did not succeed. After debate and a procedural vote, Senate Democrats voted to keep Mitchell in the Senate, and leaders said the matter would remain unresolved until her court and ethics proceedings move forward. Republicans indicated they may continue to raise the issue, while DFL leaders said they would focus on governing and expected the chamber to reorganize if control changes after the upcoming election.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (04/01/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- /c><00:57:20.960>
outside <00:57:21.359>of shared out can't be shared outside of shared - At the end, there can be a full agreement or a partial agreement.
- similarly used in other states? similarly used in other states?
- fairly unique process to us as well. fairly unique process to us as well.
- You tell us in statute what you want confidential and when it can be shared and with whom.
Summary:
The subcommittee met to continue its review of recommendations for New Hampshire’s family court, with the chair emphasizing a collaborative approach and noting that the group would focus on the origins of the family division, recurring problems identified in earlier reports, and comparisons with other states. Members discussed organizing testimony into three broad topics: the court hearing process and pro se litigant preparation, mediation/arbitration/counseling, and the interaction of domestic violence issues with family court and related criminal proceedings. The chair also noted that the subcommittee would not meet again for two weeks and encouraged members to review materials from Judge Michael Mace and NCSL research on other states’ family court systems.
Attorney Heather Culp, senior administrator for the judicial branch’s circuit court, testified about New Hampshire’s ADR programs. She explained that the Office of Mediation and Arbitration, created by statute in 2007, oversees more than 12 statewide ADR programs across the Supreme, Superior, and Circuit Courts, including family division programs such as divorce-parenting mediation, neutral case evaluation, guardianship, termination of parental rights, and voluntary adoption mediation. She said the divorce-parenting mediation program is the largest family division ADR program, with about 3,400 mediation sessions in 2023 out of roughly 6,700 cases, and that most cases involving minor children are referred to mediation soon after the first appearance session.
Culp described the family division process as beginning with a first appearance session led by a case manager, who provides information, helps with paperwork, and schedules mediation, usually within 30 to 45 days. She said mediation is strongly encouraged in parenting and divorce cases, but there is no requirement to reach agreement, and parties may settle some issues while leaving others for court. She also explained that mediation is prohibited or limited in certain domestic violence cases: cases with active civil protection orders may proceed only with both parties’ consent and possible safeguards, while cases involving criminal protective orders are not sent to mediation. Mediators in court-referred family cases are contracted with the court and must be certified by the executive branch’s mediator certification board; mediators do not communicate with judges, except through a brief ADR report noting whether the case settled or what the next procedural step is. Members asked about referrals, timing, and the meaning of “neutrals,” and Culp said the court uses in-house contracted neutrals for family division ADR and does not refer divorce-parenting cases to outside providers.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the Arctic and Greenland's geostrategic importance to U.S. interests. Feb 12th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- It's about diplomacy and shared interests, the same way we acquired the territories that make us the
- Cryolite, mined in Greenland, was used to make US fighters and bombers.
- That agreement was expanded.
- So a new, perhaps trilateral, defense agreement that is responsive to US security concerns, as well as
- I would flag the Ice Pact, which is a trilateral agreement between the US, Canada, and Finland to cooperate
Keywords:
Greenland, acquisition, national security, Arctic, geopolitical, China, Russia, icebreakers, trade routes
Summary:
The meeting convened by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation focused on the potential acquisition of Greenland by the United States. This issue, first raised by President Trump in 2019, has gained renewed significance amidst shifting global dynamics and the strategic importance of Greenland in relation to transatlantic trade routes and national security. The members discussed the geopolitical implications of Greenland's position, especially given the increasing influence of China and Russia in the Arctic region. Notably, the urgency to address military presence and icebreaker capabilities in the Arctic was a major point of contention, with a call for a new fleet to counter foreign dominance in the area.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Tribal and State Relations Committee Apr 13th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Tribal and State Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Prior to 2022, we had a data use agreement during the pandemic, during COVID.
- And that data use agreement allowed us to respond to COVID within our tribal community, just to give
- Just to give you a scenario: prior to the data use agreement, it was Rolette County Public Health that
- However, when the pandemic ended, so did the data use agreement.
- It would be on the data use agreement because that would give us access to a surveillance...
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- But I do believe there’s a difference between a scholarship and a revenue-sharing agreement that actually
- , including revenue sharing, including agreements aimed into.
- We would distribute that through rev share agreements, which is what the two before said.
- We would distribute that through rev share agreements, which is what the two before said.
- The rev share agreements are similarly also negotiated with student athletes.