Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Domin dominance critical mineral Domin dominance critical mineral dominance<00:43:29.640><c> and
• a critical mineral dominance and a critical mineral Powerhouse<00:43:31.440><c> for</c><00:43:31.599>
• </c> Independence and critical mineral Independence and critical mineral dominance<00:46:50.079><c> is
• Now Trump is halting military aid, blocking intelligence sharing, and betraying a democratic ally.
• Now Trump is halting military aid, blocking intelligence sharing, and betraying a democratic ally.

Bills: HR190 , HR189 , SJR11

Keywords: censure, Congress, interruption, decorum, Representative Al Green, constitutional amendment, state laws, education, voting rights, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• The government's listing of critical minerals should be harmonized.
• We'll now turn to the bill as amended, S. 714, the Critical Mineral Consistency Act.
• and non-mineral resources.
• to reduce our reliance... on minerals from foreign countries, particularly China.
• chain and make us less dependent. other countries for those minerals.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Are the mineral fees, the fees that get paid?"
• , natural gas, various minerals.
• , natural gas, various minerals.
• So the TANF Block Grant does allow for our program to transition 30% of the TANF Block Grant to the child
• And so it is from three of those block grant years.

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

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

Transcript Highlights:

• It does provide this is separate from the university's block grant.
• It does provide this is separate from the university's block grant.
• </c> separate from the university's block separate from the university's block grant.<00:05:23.520><c
• We don't have to talk about the percentages of public land minerals, etc.
• I'm the president of USW Local 13214 and I represent over 600 trona miners at WISOTA.

Bills: SF0025 , SF0027 , SF0043 , SF0066

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> We remember we had a kind of a end block We remember we had a kind of a end block got<00:30:23.120
• </c><00:53:25.440><c> Wyoming</c><00:53:25.839><c> mineral</c> the permanent mineral Wyoming mineral
• the permanent mineral Wyoming mineral trust<00:53:26.480><c> fund.
• minerals minerals the critical minerals initiative<01:15:51.280><c> um</c><01:15:51.520><c> through<
• </c> number nine, minerals. number nine, minerals.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:36.479><c> business</c> banking is really what Minerals business banking is really what Minerals
• But I think that standing committee of minerals, business, economic development is also good.
• ,</c> standing committee of minerals, standing committee of minerals, business,<00:10:12.080><c> economic
• But the federal enclosures act that basically said you can't block public land.
• </c><00:35:39.440><c> public</c> basically said you can't block public basically said you can't block

Bills: HB0015 , HB0017 , HB0019

Committee: House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, and Representative Block. Yeah, you're exactly right.
• Chair, and Representative Block, for the great question.
• , Minerals and Natural Resources Department.
• Chair and Representative Block, thank you. Absolutely.
• Block and Lord, thank you guys. We are adjourned.

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:

• total block number, which is capped at 34 blocks for communities with fewer than 5,000 residents.
• size of 49 blocks.
• One of those is the Washburn Block 36 TIF in the city of Oaks.
• On the Washburn Block, you said 75... Thank you, Chair Bekkedahl.
• On the Washburn Block, you said 75 to 100 jobs.

Summary: The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees. A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale. The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do take a building blocks agree.
• One of those assets is land and minerals assets.
• It's 2.5 million acres of a unified land and mineral estate and another million acres of severed minerals
• . minerals. minerals.
• So, dollars in minerals and real estate.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The UC Berkeley enrollment freeze in '22 blocked over 3,000 students, not always because of the lack
• That will block these campuses, especially the number one, the number one, and the number one in the
• . ...and best use with regards to resale or reuse of those minerals and materials in the battery, but
• Contain fewer valuable minerals and therefore less profitable to recycle.
• And we are able to recover about 95% of those critical minerals and return them to the supply chain.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum established after a brief delay and first adopted two consent items, SB 423 and SB 581. The committee then heard SB 71, which extends and expands an existing CEQA exemption for sustainable transportation projects, including transit, bike, pedestrian, microtransit, paratransit, ferry, and shuttle projects. The author and supporters said the exemption has sped delivery of climate-friendly projects statewide; some members raised concerns about the bill’s Tier 4 diesel rail provisions and right-of-way language, but the bill was passed out as amended to Appropriations. The committee next heard SB 614 on carbon dioxide pipeline safety. The bill would direct the State Fire Marshal to establish safety standards for intrastate CO2 pipelines, using federal draft rules as a starting point while allowing California to add stronger protections. Supporters argued the state must act because federal rulemaking has stalled, while environmental justice groups opposed the bill unless amended, citing siting risks, leak hazards, and the need for more specific setback and planning-zone protections. The bill advanced on a due-pass vote to Appropriations. Members also approved SB 304, a district bill to temporarily lift public trust use restrictions for a portion of Jack London Square in Oakland so the Port can lease the land for broader uses under State Lands Commission oversight and annual reporting. Supporters said the measure would help address high vacancy and revitalize the waterfront; the bill passed with no opposition. The committee then heard SB 830, which creates a CEQA streamlining process for Sutter Health’s new Emeryville hospital campus to replace services lost with the closure of Alta Bates in Berkeley; supporters emphasized access to care, seismic deadlines, and job creation, and the bill passed out as amended to the Judiciary Committee. Finally, the committee took up SB 486, a higher-education planning bill that would require UC and CSU enrollment to be incorporated into regional sustainable communities plans and would limit certain CEQA no-project alternative analyses for campus long-range plans; supporters said it would better align university growth with housing and transportation planning, while opponents warned it could weaken accountability for student housing impacts. The bill was left open for further work and then advanced as amended to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:05.039><c> reports</c> committee number nine minerals reports committee number nine minerals
• </c><01:39:03.360><c> Um,</c> block grant that we say, you know.
• Um, block grant that we say, you know.
• </c> interest, whether you're a mineral interest, whether you're a mineral company<01:43:09.760><c> or
• Minerals Minerals referred<02:54:53.359><c> to</c><02:54:54.000><c> submit</c><02:54:54.640><c> Senate

Transcript Highlights:

• I do know, because I know the federal block grant language and I know our state language, the governor
• In the early childhood fund, I do know because I know the federal block grant language and I know our
• The Miners Hospital needs to be able to collect that Medicaid revenue, so we would also ask for you to
• Mary Beth Dunsworth, DFA, responded briefly that the Miners Hospital has a land grant fund into which
• I'm looking on page 7 at item number 26, and it refers, and this is energy minerals.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• **Senator Block:** Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr.
• My solution... is one that Senator Block had raised earlier.
• Senator Block, followed by Senator Stefanik.
• Madam Chair, Senator Block, can you hear me? Yes, ma'am. Okay, thank you.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, and Senator Block.

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentleman from Otero, Representative Block [member_14069], with the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Gentleman from Otero, Representative Block [member_14069], with the Pledge of Allegiance.
• The gentleman from Otero, Representative Block [member_14069]. Good morning, Mr. Speaker.
• House Bill 231, introduced by Representatives Pettigrew, Block, and Mason, an act relating to rules,
• House Bill 232 introduced by representatives pedigrew, Mason, and Block, an act relating to taxation.

Bills: HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• Are the mineral fees, the fees that get paid?
• , natural gas, various minerals.
• So the TANF Block Grant does allow for our program to transition 30% of the TANF Block Grant to the child
• And so it is from three of those block grant years.
• And so it is from three of those block grant years.

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• said it like four times, but you know, you got to make sure you're dressed to the tee, Representative Block
• Operated by the State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department.
• House Bill 170, introduced by Representatives Block (member_14069), Lord (member_13875), and Duncan (
• member_14063), as well as Senators Lanier (member_22669) and Block (member_14069), an act relating to
• House Joint Resolution 6, introduced by Representatives Stefani Lord (member_13875), John Block (member

Transcript Highlights:

• We have nearly every critical mineral on the critical minerals list in Alaska. We have base metals.
• We have nearly every critical mineral on the critical minerals list in Alaska. We have base metals.
• And it this has stifled mineral markets.
• </c> these issues firsthand from miners these issues firsthand from miners across<03:54:10.319><c> the
• </c><03:54:57.120><c> uh</c> 700 workers uh hardworking miners uh 700 workers uh hardworking miners uh

Bills: HR1048 , HJR75 , HJR24

Keywords: House resolution, committee assignment, standing committee, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, committee membership, committee seniority, Mr. Menefee, Mr. Riley of New York, House organization, congressional procedure, internal rules, legislative administration, HJR75, H.J.Res. 75, Congressional Review Act, CRA, Department of Energy, DOE, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, energy conservation standards

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> leaning into the blocking sled with you. leaning into the blocking sled with you.
• </c><00:50:17.520><c> Leasing</c> to State Parks Mineral Leasing to State Parks Mineral Leasing Authority
• So, we would like to have the option to lease our mineral minerals on State Park lands.
• Representative Larson, problematic gaming and program funding. lease our uh mineral minerals on State
• lease our uh mineral minerals on State Park<00:51:15.840><c> lands.

Summary: The committee opened with quorum and housekeeping, then began setting interim topics for discussion. The first major topic was trapping, including prior legislation on mandatory trapper education and trapping setbacks. The Game and Fish director said the department had already gone through a trapping reform process in 2018-2019 and was prepared to testify on those issues again, noting that the commission had previously wanted legislative authority for them. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on a proposed non-motorized trail user fee. Supporters argued it could help fund trail systems and match state trail grants, citing demand for professionally built trails and examples from other states. Testimony estimated potential revenue at roughly $150,000 to $250,000 annually, depending on the model, while noting enforcement would likely rely on an honor system. Committee members discussed possible alternatives and related ideas, including using good neighbor authority with federal land managers and looking at motorized trail funding models. The director said the concept was not yet ready for immediate passage but was worth continued discussion. The committee also briefly discussed fishing outfitter issues, with the co-chair noting a prior bill had passed and that the current board still exists, but more data would be needed later in the interim. Another topic addressed ticket scalping and fake tickets at Jackson’s rodeo, which the sponsor said was affecting visitors and could warrant broader state discussion. The State Archives topic proposed expanding the digital archive and requiring agencies to use it, with added resources for local governments; staff said it would improve security, access, and storage efficiency. The committee then discussed problematic gaming and program funding, but noted a pending bill to create a separate statutory select committee on gaming, so the topic may be better handled there if formed. The final major discussion was the Game and Fish budget. The director said employee compensation increases had raised salary costs from about 40% to 60% of the budget, while overall revenue had not kept pace, forcing cuts to habitat and research work. She warned the department could reach a critical budget point by 2030. Committee members and the Wyoming Wildlife Federation supported a deeper interim review of the department’s finances and possible new revenue sources, with the director suggesting a three-meeting structure: first to lay out the budget outlook, then to discuss additional revenue options, and finally to consider what future generations may have to pay.

Transcript Highlights:

• actively administer water rights, and so other water right holders don't know not to pick up those blocks
• actively administer water rights, and so other water right holders don't know not to pick up those blocks
• Jamie Miner here on behalf of a large coalition of water users and agricultural entities.
• With regard to issue six, I would just align my comments with my colleague Jamie Miner.
• Miner made first, and secondly, here on behalf of the Delta Counties Coalition, the five Delta counties

Transcript Highlights:

• Caps new customers at 2,000 a day, blocks transfers to overseas criminal wallets. ...thousand a day,
• blocks transfers to overseas criminal wallets, and then when fraud happens to operator, refunds the fees
• the gubernatorial appointment for Callie Younger as the administrator of the Office of Energy and Mineral
• the gubernatorial appointment for Callie Younger as the administrator of the Office of Energy and Mineral
• afternoon to bring the appointment of Callie Younger as administrator of the Office of Energy and Mineral