Transcript Highlights:

• an enrollment fraud working group.
• an enrollment fraud working group.
• I have never seen a ghost student turn in good work, but more and more of it is plausible work.
• their work cut out for them. their work cut out for them.
• we can make it work either way. we can make it work either way.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• likes to work.
• likes to work.
• likes to work.
• I think you guys do great work.
• I think you guys do great work.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:56.160> as uh across that area of their work as uh across that area of their work as
• <00:48:44.079> Um to do the work. Um to do the work.
• c> how uh we work our the legislature works how uh we work our the legislature works its<01:05:06.319
• I've worked, I spent just under 18 years at the Department of Revenue. I know it works.
• c><01:32:57.280> with gladly work um but it work with gladly work um but it work with represent

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Audit Commission heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its evaluation of the Office of Ombuds for Families (OBFF). Auditors said the office remains important because of Minnesota’s long history of racial disparities in the child protection system, but they found major problems with how OBFF is operating. The report said OBFF’s statutory duties are very broad compared with its small staff and budget, and that the ombuds persons are not carrying out all required duties while spending substantial time on activities not required by law. Auditors also said the office’s recent impact is unclear and that its complaint-handling work has significant deficiencies, including poor documentation, limited data, few policies, inconsistent handling, and failure to follow best practices. The presentation also focused on oversight and accountability. Auditors said OBFF’s three community boards, which are supposed to appoint and oversee the ombuds persons, have not provided adequate oversight: meeting requirements were often not met, attendance was low, and there was little evidence the boards were fulfilling their statutory duties. The auditors further said OBFF’s unusual structure, with no single designated leader and shared authority among the three ombuds persons, creates unclear lines of accountability. Their recommendations included revising OBFF’s statutory duties to better match legislative goals and resources, improving complaint-handling practices, strengthening board oversight, and establishing a single leadership position for the office. Members asked follow-up questions about racial disproportionality in out-of-home care, spending on nonrequired activities, and whether the ombuds persons met statutory qualification requirements. Auditors referred members to the report for more detailed data, said the office does not track expenditures by function, and noted that while the ombuds persons have relevant professional backgrounds, the evaluation raised concerns about whether they are meeting their duties as expected. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• some you know we had to kind of work some you know we had to kind of work through<00:21:39.360><
• work through what's<00:40:39.680> a<00:40:39.800> work<00:40:40.040> plan<00:40:
• work it's def Works how financial aid work it's def Works excuse<00:54:32.599> me<00:54:32.720
• This is the State Work Study Fund.
• This is the State Work Study Fund.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank you for the privilege of serving the people of Minnesota. and for the opportunity to work together
• We ask for your blessings upon our work today and in the days to come.
• I was fortunate to be part of the effort to get this bill put into law a number of years ago, working
• I know the important work that this truly is.
• I had the honor of working with the State Patrol badges.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we're working...
• How does that work? How does the state then work with what the feds require?
• How does that work? How does the state then work with what the feds require?
• How does that work? How does the state then work with what the feds require?
• You're on likely work for you? It works for you?

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• will say is that this bill belongs in State and Local Government first because you need to set the scope
• will say is that this bill belongs in State and Local Government first because you need to set the scope
• /c><00:16:06.959> on<00:16:07.240> with Its process, then it can go on with whatever scope
• And we should send it there so that the foundational work on the bill can be done, and then it can go
• on the bill can be done, and um work on the bill can be done, and then<00:24:29.120> it<00:24

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, a roll call, and confirmation that a quorum was present, then moved to committee reports. The main floor debate centered on a Rules Committee report involving the referral of a sports betting bill. Senator Rasmussen and others argued the bill should go first to the State and Local Government Committee because gambling falls within that committee’s jurisdiction, while Senator Franzen, Senator Klein, and others defended the Rules Committee’s 6-2 decision to send it to Commerce, emphasizing committee discretion and past referral practice. After clarification that the vote was only on adopting the committee report, the Senate rejected the report by a vote of 22-44. The Senate then handled second readings of a slate of Senate and House bills and introduced two new Senate files: SF 4759, eliminating Cesar Chavez Day, referred to State and Local Government, and SF 4760, changing employment/occupation rules related to criminal convictions, referred to Judiciary and Public Safety. In motions and resolutions, several bills were re-referred with little or no opposition: SF 2689 was moved from State and Local Government to Judiciary and Public Safety but failed on a 30-35 vote; SF 4194 was moved from Taxes to Health and Human Services; SF 4274 was moved from Judiciary and Public Safety to Transportation; SF 4332 was moved from Environment, Climate, and Legacy to Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development; and SF 4592 was moved from Judiciary and Public Safety to Jobs and Economic Development. SF 4455 was also given a second reading and placed on General Orders. The session ended as the Senate moved into special orders.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a working draft. So it's around. Republican and Democratic co-sponsor. It's a working draft.
• This is the work they were doing.
• that's working hard to make the people.
• So we've been working kind of on the fly and with agencies, So we've been working kind of on the fly
• One is construction work in process.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, establishing its purpose as a study and policy-development body rather than one aimed at producing many bills. Majority Leader Hogue urged members to move quickly, focus on federal and other states’ AI laws, consider possible federal preemption, child protections, and the siting and economic impacts of data centers. Committee leadership echoed that the goal is practical, balanced governance that protects North Dakota while allowing innovation to continue. Legislative Council staff provided a background memo and NCSL presented a detailed overview of AI concepts and the current state legislative landscape. The presentations distinguished narrow AI, generative AI, agentic AI, and theoretical AGI/ASI, and summarized major state policy themes: comprehensive AI laws in states such as Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois; targeted laws on deepfakes, chatbots, health, education, notifications, and digital likeness; and growing use of appropriations and agency inventories. Members asked about Colorado’s repeal and reenactment, Texas’s sandbox and training provisions, oversight structures, and whether AI regulation is bipartisan; presenters said most issues cut across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfakes but more division on broader regulatory approaches. The federal update focused on executive orders, preemption, and congressional activity. NCSL described a White House framework favoring a single federal standard, a DOJ litigation task force, Commerce Department review of state laws, and possible funding conditions tied to state AI policy, though no formal state-law challenge had yet occurred. The presentation also covered a recent executive order creating a voluntary federal vetting process for advanced frontier models after safety concerns, and congressional proposals including a failed 10-year state moratorium, Senator Blackburn’s child-safety bills, the Kids Online Safety Act, a House-passed children’s digital safety package, a Senate data center moratorium proposal, and a House ratepayer/data-center bill. The committee took no formal action beyond receiving testimony and asking questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not how it works. No, thank you. That's not how it works. No, thank you. And actually, Mr.
• He said the same people who work on transmission lines for the CAISO TPP projects also work on generation
• They're not going to wait around for the work.
• It’s getting people, the work group, together and continuing—just have them continue to work.
• So we're working towards that. All right.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 13, which would restructure the CPUC to increase legislative oversight, add legislative liaisons, require more detailed and timely reporting on rate-setting decisions, and add a public advocate member. The author and supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and geographic diversity in CPUC decision-making amid rising utility rates. Witnesses from TURN, San Joaquin County, SDG&E, and former CPUC Commissioner Loretta Lynch offered support or support-in-principle, while no opposition testimony was presented. Members generally praised the bill’s transparency goals, and AB 13 passed 10-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then adopted the 2025-2026 committee rules and approved three consent items: AB 61, AB 365, and AB 406. The next bill, AB 99, would cap investor-owned utility rate increases above inflation except for specified costs such as safety, modernization, and fuel/commodity costs. The author and supporters, including a representative of the California Senior Legislature, said the bill was needed to protect ratepayers, especially seniors and low-income customers, from repeated rate hikes. Opposition came from utility labor, utilities, the Chamber of Commerce, and others, who argued the bill was too simplistic, could suppress labor costs, and did not account for major cost drivers such as wildfire mitigation, mandates, and net metering. Several members supported moving the bill forward as a starting point on affordability, while others criticized it as overly blunt. AB 99 passed 11-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open. The hearing then shifted to an informational panel on strategies to reduce California transmission costs. A Public Advocates Office staffer described a growing backlog of approved-but-unbuilt transmission projects, rising transmission access charges, and long project timelines driven largely by utility pre-application and construction periods. Panelists from Net Zero California and consulting firms presented research suggesting that public financing or public-private partnership lease models could reduce transmission costs by lowering financing, tax, and capital costs, with estimated savings of up to 57% and as much as $123 billion over 40 years. PG&E’s representative said the utility is already pursuing federal loan guarantees, grants, and a public-private partnership with Citizens Energy, but warned that state ownership could create tax, wildfire-liability, and governance risks. Members asked about the CPUC’s role, the causes of delays, and whether public financing could complement existing competitive solicitation processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We felt two of the five respondents had an adequate scope of work.
• We felt they were the only respondent that had a scope of work that we were comfortable with.
• Second, role and scope ambiguity. Second, role and scope ambiguity.
• I've enjoyed working with him and his team. They've been very good to work with as well.
• How does that work? Oh, yeah, yeah. That's all... How does that work? Oh, yeah, yeah.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• diverse interests at the table working diverse interests at the table working together<01:01:04.079
• I've worked since 2001 and continue to work for Hawaiian Electric, helping them resolve all of their
• I've worked since 2001 and continue to work for Hawaiian Electric, helping them resolve all of their
• Rehabilitation mean so um they can work Rehabilitation mean so um they can work with<01:34:40.600
• how that would work how that would work out<01:51:05.520> okay<01:51:06.199> sorry

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 13, 2025, and first announced that SB 1456 would be deferred to the end of the agenda and ultimately worked on later, with the chair indicating the bill would be deferred and revisited in a future measure. The committee then heard SB 841 on marine life conservation districts. DLNR supported the bill, saying it would fund carrying capacity studies to inform rules and policies. Testimony noted a pilot study already underway at the Puka Marine Life Conservation District and another nearing completion at the old Kona Airport MLCD. Members discussed costs, with DLNR estimating about $300,000 per year for one user-experience study, potentially more for ecological analysis, and also discussed possible funding from the Mālama Kai special fund. DLNR said it had no objection to consulting current operators and other users, and explained the program would be a new, ongoing adaptive-management tool. The committee next heard SB 411 on capital improvement projects at small boat harbors. DLNR supported the intent, saying the bill would help expedite use of special funds for CIP work, while the Department of Budget and Finance opposed it, arguing the draft could conflict with constitutional limits on appropriations. Public testimony from an industry representative supported the bill and urged more collaboration with commercial operators, while committee discussion focused on whether DLNR could already use special funds for repairs, how much engineering and bidding work is required before projects go out to bid, and whether the current process creates bottlenecks when bids exceed initial estimates. DLNR said it can do some repairs and maintenance within existing authority and funding ceilings, but that the bill as drafted could be too broad. The committee also heard SB 5 on historic preservation, where DLNR supported the measure and NAOP Hawaii opposed it, saying the bill’s broader definition could expand the scope beyond the stated goal of narrowing reviews and reducing backlog. The committee then took up SB 1462 on the state historic preservation income tax credit. The Department of Taxation said the revenue estimate assumes the cap would be reached each year the credit is available, and DLNR supported the bill. SHPD said the prior credit had sunset, outreach had previously been done in targeted communities such as Chinatown, and owners of eligible historic properties are notified during review. Finally, the committee heard SB 268 on island burial councils. DLNR supported the bill, and OHA strongly supported it, saying the councils have struggled with quorum and expertise and that the measure would restore the original intent of having lineal descendants and cultural practitioners as decision makers, while still allowing landowners and developers to testify and participate. OHA also said it would help provide technical support and urged continued involvement from SHPD and the Attorney General’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has not expanded my scope of work, created new opportunities, or been requested by clients.
• It has not expanded my scope of work, created new opportunities, or been requested by clients.
• So we have tried to work, and thank you. We have worked with the author and the sponsors.
• So we have tried to work, and thank you. We have worked with the author and the sponsors.
• We've been working hard on that.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What works, what doesn't work, and what can we do to help you be fully staffed?
• You know, what is the scope? What is the proper legal scope of their duties under Title 10?
• Operations is this kind of the scope, the vague scope of it.
• We're working together.
• I do appreciate your work.

Transcript Highlights:

• that Callie does, the work that Wesley does, the work that Antonio does, the work that we all do on
• How does that process work?
• So we are working with schedulers and estimators so that way we work from the end and move backwards.
• Are those all those people work for you, or do they work in Senator Padilla: the respective departments
• Senator Padilla: If it were, it would be working that way. It will be working? Secretary: Yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• IT OUT AND SEE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN WORK ON AS A BILL.4 >> Chair: FURTHER QUESTIONS ON AMENDMENT
• I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU AND STAFF AND SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO TO TIGHTEN
• BUT I THINK THERE IS WORK THAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP SMALL COUNTIES. THANK YOU. >> Chair: THANK YOU.
• IT TAKES AT LEAST TWO IF NOT FOUR YEARS TO UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE OF WHAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND WHAT
• AND IS NOT WORKING OUT VERY WELL FOR THEM AND FOR MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE WITH THAT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it can pick up its work again.
• We've already done the work.
• But I love her work. And I I could just say one more thing.
• That's worked well. That's one model.
• It worked there just because of a lot of factors, but it won't work everywhere.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the way estate law works? with the way estate law works?
• work on it
• work in such close proximity. work in such close proximity.
• <01:18:18.000> But worked on them with that. But worked on them with that.
• And the reason it won't work if work.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not to say that a state can never take action relating to foreign nations, but the scope of that
• state's authority is dependent on what the federal government is ...relating to foreign nations, but the scope
• similar bills, several states have enacted these types of laws, and they have been challenged and are working

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Rules Committee met to consider several Senate bills for constitutional and form review, while holding SB 1287, 1140, and 1811. SB 1012, which would loosen concealed-carry restrictions in restaurants and adjust liquor licensing/Dram Shop liability, was recommended as constitutional and in proper form by a 5-2 vote, though the rules attorney flagged a possible anti-abrogation issue with the bill’s immunity language. SB 1573, barring courts from relying on religious sectarian law, was also recommended despite concerns that it could raise an Establishment Clause challenge under the Larson strict-scrutiny framework. SB 1613, the annual revisors technical corrections bill, passed unanimously on the committee’s vote, and SB 1683, restricting property and equipment rights of foreign adversary nations and agents, was recommended after discussion of possible federal preemption/conflict issues. The committee then considered SB 1725, which defines excessive marijuana smoke or odor as a private and public nuisance. Counsel said the Voter Protection Act likely applies because the bill could be seen as restricting marijuana use beyond what the voter-approved initiatives contemplated, and noted a possible challenge on whether it furthers those initiatives’ purposes. The bill was nevertheless recommended as constitutional and in proper form by a 5-3 vote. Finally, the committee took up a large mass motion covering many additional bills, with a correction made from SB 1444 to SB 1445. Rules staff said the measures in the motion were constitutional and in proper form, and the committee approved the mass motion by an 8-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I thank her for all of her hard work.
• She takes pride in her work and has a tremendous work ethic.
• She takes pride in her work and has a tremendous work ethic.
• But the current language, but I think there's more work to do. There's more work to figure out.
• I’m glad we were all able to work on that.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored a retiring Senate staffer and a wounded veteran, then moved into returning House messages and special order bills. Several measures were taken up and either concurred in or sent back to the House, with multiple unanimous or near-unanimous votes on noncontroversial bills. Among the bills addressed were SB 118 on recreational vehicle park assessments, SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, and HB 991 on election integrity. SB 118 and SB 572 were amended to reflect House changes and passed 38-0. HB 991 drew extensive debate over voter registration and identification requirements, with opponents arguing it would burden students, seniors, disabled voters, and others, while supporters said it would strengthen election security and streamline verification; it passed 27-12. The chamber also approved bills on historic cemeteries, chickee regulation, habitual traffic offender designation, military affairs, and a Department of Health package. The Department of Health bill (SB 902/HB 733) was the subject of detailed amendment work, including changes to medical marijuana rules, NICU educational materials, Early Steps, dental loan repayment, and pediatric trauma center designation. The Senate adopted an amendment to the amendment and then passed the bill 37-0. Other measures included a funeral services bill, which the Senate refused to concur in because the House strike-all would redefine cremation to include composting, and a veterans-related bill that was temporarily postponed. The Senate also recessed briefly, then returned to continue the calendar and additional recognitions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm working back in the late '90s. What haven't you worked on?
• Well, there's a lot of things I had to work on. But this one worked out pretty good.
• I think they could work it out. The City of Corpus needs to work it out. Okay, I think they can.
• Yes, we'll work at it. I'm afraid if we lose another week... No, no, we'll work on it.
• Yes, we'll work at it. I'm afraid if we lose another week. No, no. We'll work on. All right. Okay.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on transportation infrastructure, public safety, and local commemorations. SB 2841 would clarify the overweight corridor designation for the Port of Brownsville so all three statutorily approved bridges are treated uniformly for northbound and southbound overweight traffic; the Port of Brownsville testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 39 would restore the commercial motor vehicle “admission rule” framework in collision cases; Senator Birdwell explained the committee substitute, and the bill was later reported favorably. The committee also heard and later advanced SB 682, SB 1369, and SB 1422, which rename stretches of highway or a bridge in honor of fallen firefighters and military service members, with no opposition testimony and all left pending before final votes. The committee also heard SB 2366, which would create a grant program for short-line railroad projects through rural rail transportation districts for track, bridge, capacity, and restoration work. Senator Hughes and several witnesses from rural rail districts and rail advocacy groups supported the bill, while TxDOT explained current rail funding is limited and that the bill would be the first such grant program for Class 3 short lines; members discussed that the bill would need a floor amendment because state funds cannot be paid directly to railroads. SB 1013 would expand crosswalk protections under the Lisa Torrey-Smith Act to include certain driveway curb cuts along sidewalks; it was supported by the author and left pending before later being reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 2080, which would modernize port and navigation district rules by easing records and procurement requirements, exempting certain security and cybersecurity discussions from recording, and expanding some operational authority. Port Houston and the Texas Ports Association supported the bill, while the City of Corpus Christi raised concerns that the language could expand port economic-development authority beyond navigation purposes and affect local tax bases; the Port of Galveston also noted concerns about the filed version but supported the bill as presented, and the committee substitute was later reported favorably. SB 2001 would create specialty license plates and related parking/toll benefits for permanently disabled peace officers; SB 2705 would codify registration exemptions for certain farm equipment and some specialty plates. Both were supported by witnesses, adopted with committee substitutes where applicable, and reported favorably. Final votes on the reported bills were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, and the committee recessed after leaving some motions open briefly.