Transcript Highlights:

• >> No. >> No.
• No, no, no.
• You know, we got this bill today, you know, no income tax or no whatever, no income tax.
• </c><02:30:33.200><c> Property</c> no whatever, no income tax. Property no whatever, no income tax.
• No. You think it even though business? No.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• No other I-11 segments have been identified for a Tier 2 study at this time.
• We do have one more speaker, 2012, for HCM, and that is Michael—no, no, no, no.
• So just yes or no. Got you. Yeah, so just yes or no if you want to.
• No. Correct. Okay, thank you. No, Mr.
• No speeches. No, it’s House Wednesday.

Bills: HB2067 , HB2068 , HB2127 , HB2164 , HB2200 , HB2201 , HB2242 , HB2283 , HB2284 , HB2285 , HB2286 , HB2287 , HB2304 , HB2306 , HB2399 , HB2601 , HB2609 , HB2760 , HB2761 , HB2859 , HB2887 , HB2892 , HB2893 , HB2894 , HB2978 , HB4027 , HCM2012 , HCM2016

Committee: House Transportation & Infrastructure

Keywords: appropriation, transportation, infrastructure, Apache Junction, funding, Show Low, road extension, special license plates, nonprofits, charitable contributions, Reay Lane, Graham County, HB 2200, State Route 89, SR 89, Chino Valley, Arizona Department of Transportation, ADOT, road widening, highway expansion

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> high quality uh no break in service. high quality uh no break in service.
• I mean and I no no no no<00:56:50.240><c> so</c><00:56:50.480><c> I</c><00:56:50.720><c> understood</
• "No, I can dispute it.
• </c><01:23:15.520><c> no</c> a contract with when there's no no a contract with when there's no no network
• It really makes no sense.

Summary: The Information Technology Oversight Committee met to hear a presentation from Kentucky Department of Education officials David Couch and Mike Lingham on the history and current status of Kentucky’s K-12 internet network, including its relationship to KentuckyWired. They described the original KETS design from 1995, when KDE established district internet hubs and left local districts to connect to them, and said that model helped Kentucky become a national leader in school connectivity and cloud-based services. They also emphasized the importance of E-rate eligibility, saying it has saved the state substantial money and remains central to KDE’s network contracting. Couch and Lingham said the current “next generation Kentucky K-12 internet” contract with Education Networks of America is more reliable, offers more functionality, and costs less than the prior system, including lower bandwidth and firewall costs. They explained that the transition was complicated by build-out and provisioning issues, especially the need for more “type two” connections through local providers, which pushed some implementation past the June 30, 2024 E-rate deadline. As a result, 39 sites remain on type two connections, and KDE absorbed the loss of federal discount dollars for the portion of the transition that extended into July. The witnesses also discussed home internet access for students. They said KDE has tracked home access for about 20 years and estimates about 4.5% of students still lack adequate internet at home, with roughly 3% able to reach access nearby and 1.5% having no access. They said the biggest barrier is usually cost rather than lack of available lines, and noted that temporary hotspot support during COVID helped students continue schoolwork. Senator Williams asked about the costs of the transition, the current type two sites, and the potential cost of any future transition, but the transcript cuts off before a full answer was given.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, and having no public testimony, members, we're in debate.
• Members, seeing no further debate, you're recognized to close your bill, ladies. Thank you, Mr.
• And I told him no. He said, you know what? I appreciate you.
• And if there's no further business, we'll see you all at Red Dog, Blue Dog, with Representative Yarkosky's
• And if there's no further business, we'll see you all at Red Dog, Blue Dog, with Representative Yarkoski's

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee heard and approved three bills. HB 1165 by Rep. Owen would authorize FDOT to issue a special blanket permit for mobile cranes and accessory support vehicles meeting specified size limits, allowing them to travel on and off interstates at all hours, including at night, while still following safety requirements and local travel restrictions. The sponsor and crane industry proponents said the bill would reduce congestion and improve emergency and disaster response. The bill was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The committee also considered CS for HB 279 by Rep. Partington, which strengthens penalties for misuse of the 911 system. The bill adds restitution requirements for emergency response costs and creates enhanced felony penalties when a false emergency report causes great bodily harm or death. Members raised concerns about juvenile prank calls and suggested awareness efforts in schools; the sponsor said those ideas could be considered separately. A Volusia County Sheriff’s Office representative supported the bill, and it passed favorably by a unanimous vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 177 by Reps. Harris and Woodson, designating a portion of I-Drive as the Harris Rosenway in honor of philanthropist and hotelier Harris Rosen. An amendment was adopted to also designate a bridge in Duval County as the Bernard Wilkes Rebaugh River Bridge in honor of longtime coach Bernard Wilkes. Members spoke in support of both honorees and their community impact. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cortez votes no. Cortez votes no. Dauleo. Collin votes no. Collin votes no. Corey? Corre votes no.
• Cortes votes no. Dolio. Doleo votes no. Die. Aye. Die votes aye, aye. I. Fitzgibbon. No.
• No. Peterson votes no. Paulette. Let votes no. Pollett votes no. Rood. Excused. Root is excused.
• Lekanoff votes no. Ryu. Ryu votes no. Rue. Votes no. Springer. Springer votes no. Stonier. Stonier.
• Springer votes no. Stonier. Stonier votes no. Street. Street votes no. Rep. Tye votes no.

Summary: The committee first heard Substitute House Bill 1128, which would create a Child Care Workforce Standards Board within the Department of Labor and Industries to study child care workforce conditions and make recommendations on employment standards. Staff explained that the proposed second substitute narrows the board’s role from setting enforceable standards to making recommendations, with estimated ongoing costs for L&I staffing and smaller costs for board member stipends and possible DCYF support. Supporters, including child care providers, SEIU 925, and labor representatives, said the bill would help address understaffing, low wages, and retention problems; opponents, including child care industry groups and private schools, argued it duplicates existing work, adds bureaucracy, and creates unfunded costs. No vote was taken in the hearing. The committee then heard Second Substitute House Bill 1634, which would direct OSPI and ESDs to develop a technical assistance and training framework to help schools coordinate student behavioral health supports. Staff said the bill aligns with the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan and could largely be implemented with existing work and limited additional costs, though DOH would need some support. Testifiers from behavioral health and school counseling fields described severe youth mental health needs and urged passage, and OSPI said the work is doable with current resources. The committee also heard Substitute House Bill 2636, which would create a public education review advisory council to recommend K-12 policies and funding provisions for JLARC review; staff described JLARC, OSPI, and State Board costs, and no public testimony was offered. The committee next heard House Bill 1316, which would expand the Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness program so additional university campuses can access funding. The sponsor said the program has strong retention outcomes, and student advocates testified that campuses such as UW Bothell need access to already appropriated funds for emergency aid, food pantries, and case management. Staff then briefed Substitute House Bill 2474, which would allow the Student Achievement Council Tuition Recovery Trust Fund to be used for refunds tied to broader consumer protection violations, with no expected fiscal impact; there was no testimony. The committee also heard Substitute House Bill 2365 on digital equity, which would expand the Broadband Office’s role, revise the digital equity forum, and rename the grant program; supporters emphasized rural access, affordability, and the loss of federal digital equity funding, while staff estimated significant Commerce staffing costs and some additional agency impacts. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2401, creating a Washington State Boys and Men Commission contingent on non-state funding, with staff outlining OFM startup and fundraising costs and an estimated operating budget if fully funded. Supporters said boys and men face mental health, education, and mentorship gaps and that the commission would improve coordination; the bill drew testimony from rural school leaders, nonprofit advocates, and community members. The committee then heard Substitute House Bill 2475 on language access, which would require the Office of Equity to develop uniform language-access guidelines and a report on interpreter and translator shortages; staff said the office could absorb the work but other agency and local government impacts were uncertain. Substitute House Bill 2517, on permitting for high-capacity transit, would let regional transit authorities apply for permits earlier and streamline land-use processes; Sound Transit and the sponsor said it would speed delivery of major projects, while staff estimated Commerce technical-assistance costs and possible local government impacts. The last bill heard was Substitute House Bill 2145 on the 340B drug pricing program, which would bar manufacturers from restricting contract-pharmacy access and require reporting to DOH; supporters said it protects safety-net providers and patient services, while opponents warned of higher costs for employers, state health plans, and litigation burdens. No final committee action or votes were recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe it's on page 255 of House Bill 2.
• No? Oh, OK. I'm looking around. No, it's not.
• We consist of 2 special agents that are certified law enforcement officers, 2 victim advocates to assist
• Um, so, so two special agents, 2 victim advocates, um, 2 other paralegals, and another attorney in the
• Thank you, Representative. no, no, I'm sorry, uh, Senator Trujillo.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, no, no apologies necessary from the tax chair.
• No problem. Any follow-up?
• No problem. Any follow-up?
• No problem. Any follow-up? No problem. Any follow-up?
• </c> there is no viable rail option. Okay. there is no viable rail option. Okay.

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, it is so ordered. In the... ...show they've been read at length.
• Hearing no objection, it is so ordered.
• So anyway, they'd like to see you there, those blue coats. Mr. President. Senator Blaylog.
• Today at 2:30 in the rotunda, the Professional Firefighters of Idaho will be handing out applications
• So if you all are interested in participating in that 2:30 ceremony, it's 2:30 at the rotunda.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has increased by 2%.
• No, so, so.
• The Marine Corps said, "No, no." They said, if you get shot by an enemy, they'll search you.
• No. Okay.
• No, looks like no. And Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• No. William J. Driscoll Jr. Peter J. Durant? No. Lydia Edwards. Yes. James B. Eldridge? Yes.
• No objection. Thank you, Mr. President.
• In fact, there actually is no formula at all.
• And then to learn that there's no formula, there's no metric around how we distribute money, that basically
• Opposed, no. The ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. All those in favor say aye. Opposed, no.

Transcript Highlights:

• No pun intended.
• Ranking Member Eskamani: No. Representatives Alvarez: No. Bankson: Yes. Barnaby: Yes.
• No. Skidmore? No. Yarkosky? Yes, ma'am. Chair Duggan? Yes. Twelve yeas, five nays. Thank you.
• The U.S. dollar is going to be no exception.
• No, it does not, but it does require us.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up four bills. The committee first heard HB 4041, which would create the Corkscrew Grove Stewardship District in Collier County to finance and maintain infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and stormwater systems without changing county regulatory authority. The bill drew no opposition, was reported favorably, and passed 14-0. The committee then considered HB 1485, which repeals Florida’s aviation fuel tax provisions. The sponsor argued the change would simplify the tax code, attract airline investment, and support lower fares and more routes. Members raised concerns about the estimated recurring $22.8 million impact on the State Transportation Trust Fund and $2 million on general revenue, and airport representatives warned of reduced grant and development funding, especially for general aviation and municipal airports. Supporters said the change would increase competition and fuel sales in Florida. The bill was reported favorably on a 12-5 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 999, which would recognize gold and silver as legal tender, allow electronic debit access to bullion accounts, and remove tax burdens on transactions involving precious metals. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a way to protect purchasing power and provide an alternative parallel to the dollar, while opponents and some members raised concerns about consumer protections, predatory practices, privacy, and the role of the Office of Financial Regulation in rulemaking. After extensive testimony, the bill was reported favorably 19-0. Finally, the committee considered PCB WMC 25-01, which would reduce the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25% and also lower several related taxes, including the business rent tax, nonresidential electricity tax, mobile home sales tax, and coin-operated amusement machine tax. The proposal was estimated to reduce revenue by about $5.5 billion annually. Members discussed impacts on the budget, education funding, and whether savings would reach consumers, while supporters emphasized relief for Floridians and business competitiveness. The bill passed unanimously 19-0 and was reported favorably. The chair then noted a prior procedural apology on the record, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bar code 2, 5, 3, 3, 6, 2, >> Thank you, Madam Chair.
• No, this bill comes with teeth.
• Not just is no different stream.
• There are no appearance forms. Senators any debate on the proposed bill showing no debate.
• No, okay. Seeing none.

Transcript Highlights:

• We got $2 billion from ARDP, the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, but $2 billion pales in comparison
• We got $2 billion from ARDP, the Advanced Reactor Program, but $2 billion pales in comparison to the
• We got, as I said, $2 billion.
• We got, as I said, $2 billion.
• So obviously you have no sales tax, you mentioned, or excuse me, no income tax, so you're dependent upon

Summary: The committee met for its final meeting and approved the June 16 minutes. The main focus was policy development for advanced nuclear energy, including used fuel disposition, community engagement, and Wyoming’s legislative framework for nuclear development. Rod McCullum of the Nuclear Energy Institute briefed members on DOE’s “innovation campus” initiative for used nuclear fuel, explaining that DOE has narrowed responses to five states—Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Idaho, and Louisiana—and is seeking host agreements by September 30. He said the effort likely requires both federal and state legislation, and industry disputes DOE’s proposal to restart the nuclear waste fee, arguing the Nuclear Waste Fund should instead be used through appropriations for disposal-related work. He also answered questions about Yucca Mountain’s failure, deep seabed disposal, and international approaches to spent fuel, emphasizing consent-based siting and collaboration with states, localities, and tribes. Envoy Public Labs/GAIN presenters Chase Blazer and Austin Blanche described state-led community engagement models for advanced nuclear projects. They highlighted examples from Kentucky, Indiana, New York, Illinois, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and Connecticut, noting that successful siting depends on early public education, local government support, workforce planning, and, in some cases, state funding for early site permitting. Committee members asked how broad engagement should be, whether it should be countywide or regional, and how small modular reactors differ in public outreach; the presenters said the approach should match the project footprint and local concerns, but that even SMRs still require broad education and stakeholder involvement. Wyoming Senator K.L. Case and Wyoming Energy Futures CEO Rita Meyer then described Wyoming’s legislative history and TerraPower’s Natrium project in Kemmerer. They reviewed Wyoming’s earlier 1995 high-level waste law, which effectively froze nuclear development until reforms in 2022 allowed on-site storage of waste from an active in-state reactor and removed much of the state-level permitting burden. Meyer said the project is now in construction, with a sodium-cooled fast reactor and molten-salt storage system, but faces major supply-chain challenges—especially HALEU fuel—and relies on private investment plus a federal ARDP grant rather than state dollars. Members asked about water supply, investor motives, supply-chain bottlenecks, and state revenue; the presenters said water comes from a PacifiCorp surface-water contract, investors are seeking long-term returns, and Wyoming expects benefits through property and sales taxes and a per-megawatt-hour fee rather than direct state investment.

Transcript Highlights:

• No. Or the current proposal, excuse me.
• So, no, that has to be a discussion.
• I'm in no hurry.
• No warranties here.
• I said, no, it was very productive.

Summary: The Higher Ed Funding Committee met to review how North Dakota might identify and address low-producing academic programs and to discuss draft funding formulas for the university system. Lisa Johnson of the NDUS explained that the State Board of Higher Education is already developing a system-wide policy, using models from other states such as Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, and Connecticut. She described how low-producing programs are typically flagged by multi-year enrollment or completion thresholds, then reviewed for workforce demand, mission fit, cost, accreditation, and regional need before any action is taken. Committee members asked about what counts as a program, how costs are analyzed, whether certificates are included, how exemptions work for mission-critical or high-demand fields, and whether the board or legislature should set the rules. Johnson said the board is the appropriate body to lead the process, but legislators could use funding leverage if they wanted to encourage action; the chair asked the board to bring a detailed proposal to the June meeting. The committee then heard a Legislative Council presentation on a draft formula for UND and NDSU. The proposal uses fall census FTE enrollment, with a placeholder undergraduate rate of $7,000 per FTE and a graduate/professional rate of $10,500, plus incentives for completions in in-demand fields and research productivity. Alex from Legislative Council walked through the projected funding effects, noting that the model would increase funding for NDSU and reduce it for UND in the current biennium, with different results in the next biennium as enrollment changes are recognized. Members questioned the use of the placeholder rates, the definition of in-demand programs, the treatment of research funding, and the exclusion of state-appropriated dollars from the external grants calculation. The chair emphasized that the numbers were illustrative and that appropriators would set the actual dollar amounts later. A second draft formula for the other nine institutions was also reviewed. That model uses fall census FTE without a weighted economic factor, applies a higher undergraduate rate, and adds completion incentives for in-demand credentials and all other completions. Members noted that the formula would benefit some institutions, such as Bismarck State College, while reducing funding for others, such as Mayville State, and discussed whether the nine institutions should be treated more uniformly or split into smaller groups because of their different missions and sizes. Committee members and staff repeatedly stressed that the formulas are still being refined and that some institutions would likely need hold-harmless adjustments or other transition measures. The meeting ended with the chair directing the committee to continue the discussion later and to expect further work on both the low-producing program policy and the funding formulas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4.
• No, I appreciate that.
• I'll look to my colleagues to see no questions. Great.
• No other questions. We will move on to Public comment.
• No, I do not, actually.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no transfer. There's no pooling. So it's just member-to-member sharing.
• There's no transfer. There's no pooling. So it's just member-to-member sharing.
• Seeing no questions on the amendment. Seeing no questions on the amendment.
• No, no. The amendment is adopted. We're back on the bill as amended.
• No, no. The amendment is adopted. We're back on the bill as amended.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• No, I have not. And, Mr.
• Hear no evil, see no evil, just tell me what you want me to say.
• No, I have not.
• No, I have not. Dr.
• We've had no, Secretary Collins and I have had no conversation about his new duties.

Committee: Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: veterans affairs, VA modernization, employee layoffs, mental health, suicide prevention, transparency, senate committee, bipartisan support, oversight

Summary: The meeting involved detailed discussions on various veterans' issues, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amidst a backdrop of significant staffing changes. Members expressed deep concerns over the recent layoffs of over 1,000 VA employees, emphasizing the crucial nature of these positions in the context of mental health support for veterans, particularly amid rising suicide rates. Senators articulated the need for transparency and effective communication between the VA and Congress to avoid further breakdowns in services. The session also spotlighted the ongoing modernization of VA systems and the urgent need to streamline processes to benefit veterans effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's go to Option 2.
• No irrigation acres were lost.
• No, I get that.
• At this time, it's 2:24, so we'll take a 10-minute break and come back at 2:35. Thank you.
• It's 2:35. We'll call the Water Topics Committee meeting back to order. It's 2:35.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and received updates from the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Commission, followed by presentations from Deloitte on two legislative studies required by House Bill 1020. Director Reese Haas reviewed major project and budget updates, including the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, Resources Trust Fund balances, carryover spending, project prioritization, bid conditions, regional water system coverage, and department process improvements. Members also discussed how the commission prioritizes projects, maintenance expectations, and the impact of limited municipal water supply funding. No formal committee action was taken during the DWR update; the commission’s municipal funding decisions were described as pending its April 8 meeting. Deloitte then presented the cost-share policy study, which found that under current policy and forecasted revenues, North Dakota faces an estimated $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years, with a near-term gap of about $1.8 billion through 2031. The firm outlined seven recommended options, including tighter definitions and a 25% cost share for eligible replacement projects, caps and financing strategies for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, aligning cost share with commission priority guidance, delaying lower-priority projects, using available lines of credit, and adjusting reimbursement timing for revolving loan funds. Committee members questioned inflation assumptions, affordability, user fees, and the use of legacy fund earnings for bonding, but no decisions were made. In the governance and finance study, Deloitte said final recommendations are still being refined, with a final report due May 29. The study examined the Southwest Pipeline, NAWS, and Red River Valley systems using governance and finance criteria such as decision authority, transparency, affordability, risk, and access to funding. For Southwest, Deloitte outlined options ranging from improved state-authority coordination to transferring ownership to the Southwest Water Authority; for NAWS, options focused on strengthening the authority’s role and potentially transitioning operations and maintenance; and for Red River, options ranged from enhanced facilitation to formal state oversight or state ownership. Members asked follow-up questions about ownership transfer, capital repayment streams, and why NAWS was not considered for transfer, and Deloitte said NAWS’s limited organizational maturity made that option less viable in the near term.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we don't cover that, then we go we work with Blue Cross Blue Shield for our self-funded business.
• So in the case of in vitro fertilization, we had to contact Blue Cross Blue Shield, we asked. them to
• No. No. No.
• What I'm saying is there's no way to know.
• There's no public transparency. There's no public comment.

Bills: HB138 , HB335 , HB388 , HB138

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh for the blue book updates. uh for the blue book updates.
• &gt;&gt; Senator Holmstrom votes no. &gt;&gt; Senator Holmstrom votes no.
• Senator Pratt votes no. >> Senator Pratt votes no. >> Britney. >> All members having voted who desires
• ,</c> would be a good name uh for a band, no, would be a good name uh for a band, no, Mr.<00:32:03.760
• no.