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ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Joint Appropriations Jan 21st, 2026 at 12:30 pm

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Every food service operation does have some waste.
  • ambulance services between Mandan and Mott.
  • But we also are operating the ambulance service.
  • So it would go back to a volunteer service.
  • There are any publicly available services.
Bills: HB1623
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1624, the “Universal Lunch Bill,” from Rep. Mike Nathie. He argued the proposal should be placed in Century Code rather than the Constitution so future legislatures can adjust it if state finances tighten, and said the bill would start the program a year earlier with a $65 million appropriation for one school year. DPI testified that the estimate did not include nonpublic schools that do not participate, and members questioned the impact on Title I, free-and-reduced applications, private-school accountability, breakfast mandates for schools that do not currently serve breakfast, and whether the funding could come from the DPI budget or other sources. Supporters, including North Dakota United, the North Dakota Catholic Conference, a pediatrician, and the American Heart Association, said universal meals improve student health and learning, reduce family costs, and are better handled in statute than by constitutional amendment. No opposition testimony was offered, and the chair closed the hearing for later work-session action. The committee then took up House Bill 1627, introduced by Rep. Tye Dressler, which would raise the income threshold for the state-funded school lunch program from 225% to 300% of poverty, with an estimated cost of about $7 million for 2026-27. Dressler said the bill is intended as a targeted, budget-friendly alternative to the ballot measure and emphasized that the state should maximize federal meal dollars while improving participation in the current program. Members questioned whether raising the threshold would actually increase utilization, whether a dollar amount would be clearer than a percentage, and how the change would affect federal reimbursements and application rates. DPI said it could quickly calculate additional percentage levels, and the chair closed the hearing, directing DPI to prepare more numbers for the work session. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 2403, presented by Sen. Schiable, to create a short-term bridge-loan program for financially distressed hospitals, centered on Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. The bill would authorize up to $5 million per loan, with a $10 million appropriation available on a first-come, first-served basis, and would run only through June 30, 2027. Schiable said the hospital’s debt and operating problems threaten local health care, ambulance service, and the community’s economy, and that the proposal was designed narrowly with Bank of North Dakota review to avoid creating a broad precedent. Committee members asked whether the appropriation could be reduced and whether the bank would still apply commercial feasibility and repayment standards; Schiable said yes, the bank would still evaluate the loan and could reject it if it was not sound.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Joint Appropriations Jan 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Department of Health and Human Services is continuing to make strides in expanding crisis services
  • I serve on a board in Williston that provides residential addiction services, treatment services for
  • I serve on a board in Williston that provide residential addiction services, treatment services for youth
  • Multiple service lines. We serve 65,000 square miles, right? Multiple service lines.
  • So we knew we needed non-medical services.
Bills: HB1623
Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1623, the appropriations bill tied to North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program, which is funded through a new federal rural health care grant. Senator Bekkedahl explained the bill’s background, the interim committee process that developed it, and the federal conditions attached to the award, including spending deadlines, administrative cost limits, and restrictions on uses such as new construction, supplanting existing funding, and certain other costs. Legislative staff then walked through the seven sections of the bill, including appropriation authority, transfer authority, contingent appropriations for pass-through grants, procurement and public improvement exemptions, recipient reporting, legislative reporting, and immediate effective date. Commissioner Traynor and HHS staff described how the department plans to implement the program, emphasizing that the funding is intended to improve rural access, workforce recruitment and retention, technology and data connectivity, and community health initiatives. They said the department will rely on local applications, technical assistance, templates, listening sessions, and partnerships with providers, schools, public health units, tribal entities, and other community groups. Members asked about reimbursement timing, upfront costs, administrative expenses, sustainability after the five-year grant period, and whether CTE centers, public health units, gyms, grocery stores, and other community partners could participate; the department said yes, within program rules and with a focus on measurable outcomes and sustainability. Several supporters testified in favor. Mental Health America of North Dakota and the Mental Health Advocacy Network supported the bill and urged investment in community-based mental health, crisis response, children’s services, peer support, and mobile crisis teams. HIA Health described the grant as a chance to expand home-based and hospice care, noting that rural providers already have workable models but need funding to scale them. A cybersecurity representative also supported the bill, warning that the large amount of health data and AI-related tools will require strong data protection and professional support. The hearing was closed with no opposition testimony, and the committee announced it would return later in the day for further work on the bill and other measures.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Jan 21st, 2026 at 08:00 am

Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Transcript Highlights:
  • Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, the Authority, contracts for statewide tourism marketing services
  • A tourism business includes lodging, travel services, attractions, recreation, and beverage producers
  • I didn't want to note that in the friendly amendment coming our way: only our largest full-service restaurants
  • The reason for that is because grocery business itself might be small, but its payment and pricing service
  • There's also... these are services customers actually want.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Law & Justice Jan 19th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Law & Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • servicing multiple jurisdictions in Thurston County.
  • Protection of victim identity, images. and difficulty accessing services.
  • and reduction in service lines that is happening now.
  • But all other procedures and services are included in the definition.”
  • It manifests as reduced services for the entire community.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Jan 12th, 2026

Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Everything in Tier 3 is nothing more than that’s all your service cost. Okay.
  • is in need of services.
  • services the department or the CBC is funding at that prevention level.
  • services the department or the CBC is funding at that prevention level.
  • that's court-ordered services or official formal case management services.
Bills: S0042, S0578, S0624, S7018
Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first heard SB 624, which would codify DCF’s current practice of allowing batterers intervention programs to offer supplemental faith-based activities so long as participation is voluntary. The bill drew support from faith-based and family organizations, which argued it would restore access to effective rehabilitation options and remove discriminatory barriers. SB 624 was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then heard SB 42, which would require child protective investigators and child protection teams to rely on qualified medical professionals when a child has a documented pre-existing diagnosis or when a parent requests an exam, and would require clearer notice to parents and custodians at the start of an investigation. Testimony overwhelmingly came from parents, advocates, and disability rights representatives describing cases in which medically complex children were allegedly misdiagnosed as abuse victims and families were separated unnecessarily. Members expressed sympathy and support, and SB 42 was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 578, creating an Alzheimer’s disease awareness initiative within the Department of Elder Affairs to promote early detection, brain health education, research updates, and clinical trial awareness, with outreach focused on older adults and at-risk populations. An amendment was adopted to place the campaign within the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative. A caregiver testified about the need for public education and early diagnosis, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also took up SPB 7018, a committee bill on child welfare that would extend the definition of “visitor” for foster homes to reduce repeated background checks, make the Step Into Success foster youth workforce pilot permanent and statewide, and create a program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare to catalog best practices among community-based care lead agencies. The bill was approved as a committee bill and reported favorably. Finally, the Department of Children and Families presented its 2025-26 final funding methodology and rates report for community-based care. Members questioned the proposed tiered model, including insurance costs, risk corridors, prevention funding, performance measures, and regional funding disparities. No vote was taken on the presentation, but members discussed the possible need for follow-up legislation and additional stakeholder input.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 19th, 2025

Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Timothy Stevenson, Department of State Health Services, Consumer Protection, on the bill.
  • Timothy Stevenson, Department of State Health Services, Consumer Protection on the bill.
  • House Bill 3088 authorizes the Parks and Wildlife Department to procure goods and services related to
  • HB 1592 aims to create a voluntary opt-in public alert system through the AgriLife Extension Service
  • for interested parties does system through the Agri-Life Extension Service for interested parties.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with only four members initially present, so quorum was not established until later in the hearing. The committee heard several agriculture-, wildlife-, and food-labeling-related bills, including HB 3479 on expanding the Rio Grande vegetative management program beyond carrizo cane to other noxious vegetation, SB 823 on shrimp origin labeling and restrictions on misrepresenting imported shrimp as Texas or Gulf shrimp, HB 3088 on giving Texas Parks and Wildlife more flexibility to procure resale goods for park gift shops, HB 1275 on permits for non-bovine dairy farms in certain TB-affected areas, HB 519 on honey production and packaging rules, HB 609 on cleaning oyster cages in-bay with bay water only, HB 1592 on a voluntary AgriLife pest and disease alert system, HB 2842 on targeted urban deer depredation permits, and HB 4163 on limiting city requirements that agricultural operators maintain roadside rights-of-way. Testimony generally came from industry groups, agency resource witnesses, and affected producers, with most witnesses supporting the bills and several bills drawing questions about enforcement, labeling responsibility, and the scope of local authority. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 823, where Vice Chair Hancock and others questioned why wholesalers would be covered if they cannot relabel products. The bill author and restaurant association witness said the measure was intended to improve transparency and allow enforcement against intentional mislabeling, while preserving a good-faith defense and clarifying that the bill does not create a private cause of action. HB 519 also drew supportive testimony from beekeepers and a family farm, who argued that current rules treat honey extraction and bottling too much like food manufacturing and burden small operations. HB 609 was presented as a way to save time and resources for cultivated oyster mariculture by allowing cage cleaning in the bay without soaps or chemicals, and HB 1592 was described as a voluntary opt-in alert system for pests and diseases coordinated through AgriLife and other state agencies. HB 43 generated the most detailed policy debate. The bill would restructure and expand the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority, update grant and loan programs, and create a pest and disease control depredation program. The committee substitute reduced some funding caps, changed references from predators to depredating animals, and made the financial provisions contingent on appropriations. Supporters from Texas Farm Bureau, cotton growers, grain and feed interests, and young farmers described severe drought, inflation, land loss, rising input costs, and shrinking infrastructure as major threats to agriculture, while one witness urged preserving priority for young farmers. After testimony, the committee adopted the committee substitute and reported HB 43 favorably. The committee also voted HB 519, HB 609, HB 1275, HB 1592, HB 3088, HB 3479, HB 2842, and HB 4163 favorably, with several recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 823 was reported from committee on a 6-2 vote after adoption of the committee substitute. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would tentatively reconvene Friday morning and then recessed subject to the chair's call.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence May 14th, 2025

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, in 2023, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reported over...
  • Members, in 2023, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reported over 83,000 cases of
  • The Department of Health and Human Services reports that one of the largest challenges in combating elder
  • other issues that can be brought into family courts and this, that, and the other by Adult Family Services
  • . ...contractor to provide community-based care or child welfare services.
Bills: SB1015, SB2933
Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence heard testimony on Senate Bill 1015, which would clarify that the comptroller is responsible for distributing excess judicial fund payments back to statutory probate courts. Judge Guy Herman testified in support, saying the bill would help ensure probate courts receive funding they are entitled to, while Ed Heimlich testified against the bill with broad criticism of probate courts and judicial practices. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2933, which would add elder abuse training to required judicial education for several categories of judges and judicial officers; Dr. Bruce Hargrave supported the bill, citing the prevalence and underreporting of elder abuse and the need for judges to recognize warning signs. No votes were taken on either of those bills, and SB 2933 was left pending. The committee then reconsidered Senate Bill 38, an eviction-related bill, and Vice Chair Hayes described two agreed floor amendments: one limiting the summary disposition procedure to forcible entry and detainer cases involving squatters, and another requiring a notice to pay rent or vacate for tenants who had been timely payers but missed a payment. After discussion, the committee voted 6-4 to report SB 38 without amendments. The committee also adopted or advanced a series of other bills and resolutions, including SB 293, SB 1141, SB 1448, SB 1536, SB 1558, SB 1838, SB 1940, SB 2127, SB 53, SB 251, SB 311, SB 387, SB 441 (with a substitute), SB 1164, SB 1335, SB 1574 (with a substitute), SB 1719, SB 1760, SB 1839, SB 1923 (with a substitute), SB 2807, and SJR 27 (with a substitute). Most measures were reported favorably on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with a few close votes on SB 942, SB 311, SB 2807, and SJR 27. SB 942, relating to retroactive child support beginning at conception, initially failed 5-5 but was reconsidered and then passed 6-5. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence May 14th, 2025

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, in 2023, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reported over...
  • Members, in 2023, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reported over 83,000 cases of
  • The Department of Health and Human Services reports that one of the largest challenges in combating elder
  • other issues that can be brought into family courts and this, that, and the other by Adult Family Services
  • . ...contractor to provide community-based care or child welfare services.
Bills: SB1015, SB2933
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Mar 3rd, 2025

Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • departments statewide, including emergency service districts and volunteer fire departments.
  • I'm with Travis County Emergency Service District No. 2, also known as the Pflugerville Fire Department
  • So I want to commend Senator Sparks for this bill, the fire service, and I stand behind him.
  • I'll just state I've heard, and is this correct, that 85% of our fire protection services are provided
  • by the volunteer fire departments?
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • In addition to his public service, he is a successful businessman and hall.
  • The Safe Roads Act simply requires Service Oklahoma to check the methamphetamine user database prior
  • Fire insurance prices and premiums do increase, and that's the same thing we're seeing within municipal
  • recycling facilities, within landfills, within garbage truck fires.
  • We pay fees; we pay taxes that essentially fund these services.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • These are gentlemen who run towards the fire, run towards danger when others must run away.
  • Thank you so much for your service. Welcome to the people's house as floor leader.
  • programs, who did a practicum, who studied the pedagogy, who had access to the excellent support services
  • Or they've got a stable of them working through the process, and it's almost like a job placement service
  • It lowers the age qualification from 21 to 18 to become a licensed fire extinguisher tech, bringing it
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • fire departments.
  • recycling facility or a landfill site catches fire.
  • front when you request a service evaluation?
  • front when you request a service evaluation?
  • So we're not saying you have to start the services.
Summary: The House began with a quorum call, then moved into a series of special presentations recognizing guests and champions, including the Talihina state football team, the Hodgson Bulldogs state basketball champions, Sooner Start families and advocates, the Edmond Republican Women’s Club, Leadership Miami, and other visitors in the galleries. Members also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 17, honoring the long friendship between Oklahoma and Ireland and welcoming Irish Senator Aubrey McCarthy to the Capitol. The chamber then considered and passed several bills on third reading. Among them were HB 4226, creating a formal recusal/disqualification process for judges with timelines; HB 4432, addressing itemized deductions and gambling-related tax treatment; HB 3304, requiring Service Oklahoma to check the methamphetamine user database before issuing a commercial driver’s license; HB 3411, requiring PFOS testing and related safeguards for biosolids land application; HB 3435, creating a single-subject rule for municipal bonds; HB 4339, updating probate publication requirements for rural Oklahoma; HB 4341 and HB 4342, both CASA-related measures; HB 1770, directing OSU Veterinary Medicine to study the elk population in the northwest zone; HB 1016, setting up trust protections for minors featured in monetized online content; and HB 413, clarifying that people with felony convictions may vote once they have fully completed incarceration, parole, supervision, and probation. The House also passed HB 2950, removing an ACT requirement tied to Oklahoma’s Promise for homeschool students; HB 4141, funding a statewide sexual assault nurse examiner coordinator if money becomes available; HB 3277, cleanup language for VIN inspections on salvage vehicles; HB 2988, expanding the Terry Peach Act; HB 3029, requiring a four-year planning process for the State Department of Education; HB 3338, regulating the pool industry after reports of consumer losses; HB 1889, restoring benefits for a small group of police and fire retirees; HB 3834, authorizing ibogaine clinical trials for PTSD, addiction, and related conditions; HB 3831, seeking state support for Oklahoma Task Force One urban search and rescue; HB 2939, removing fax-machine references from election law; HB 3045, extending response-fee limits to municipal fire departments; HB 3657, modernizing OESC reporting and data sharing; HB 1739, reinstating a half-pay provision for OHP members; HB 3759, setting a June 30 date for temporary school allocations; HB 3755, clarifying juvenile detention medication funding and custody language; HB 4484, allowing certain state vehicles to be used between residences and work sites; HB 4486, creating a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at the Capitol; HB 4108, adding airports to the critical infrastructure trespass list; and HB 1250, creating a revolving fund for public safety technology tied to the Blue Jay app. Most bills passed with broad support, though a few drew significant debate, especially the homeschool/Oklahoma’s Promise bill and the pool regulation bill, which passed with narrower margins.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • These are gentlemen who run toward the fire, run toward danger when others must run away.
  • Thank you so much for your service. Welcome to the people's house. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  • programs who did a practicum, who studied the pedagogy, who had access to the excellent support services
  • Or they've got a stable of them working through the process, and it's almost like a job placement service
  • It lowers the age qualification from 21 to 18 to become a licensed fire extinguisher technician, bringing
Summary: The House convened, took the roll, offered the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, and introduced Dr. Zachary Fowler as Doctor of the Day. The chamber also received several visitor introductions, including CPA representatives, Ms. Oklahoma 2025 Tessa Dorrell, Osage County elected officials, and retired firefighters. The floor leader noted a lengthy agenda and moved through second- and third-reading business. Members debated and passed House Bill 437, which updates Oklahoma CPA licensure pathways to align with the 2025 Uniform Accountancy Act and create three structured routes to licensure; it passed 73-0. House Bill 1225, dealing with vital records and birth certificate sex designation language, drew extended debate over self-determination, accuracy of records, and constitutional concerns; it passed 73-18. House Bill 3076 created a new alternative teacher certification pathway and passed 76-17, with debate centered on whether alternative routes help fill shortages or weaken traditional preparation programs. House Bill 381 lowered the age to become a licensed fire extinguisher technician from 21 to 18 and passed 90-0. During debate on the education bill, supporters argued alternative certification can improve recruitment and retention and cited out-of-state programs and retention data, while opponents said it could disincentivize traditional teacher preparation and worsen long-term retention. On the vital records bill, supporters described it as a transparency and accuracy measure, while opponents argued it would impose government judgments on identity and conflict with prior court rulings. After completing the listed business, the House recessed until 1:30 p.m.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 26th, 2026 at 12:10 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's granted based upon prior services and anticipated future services.
  • It's basically a snapshot of a service member's journey from day one entering the military service until
  • they either ETS, which is leaving the service, or retire.
  • Upon prior services and anticipated future services. And so, what is the purpose of tenure?
  • from day one entering military service until they either ETS, which is leaving the service, or retire
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 26th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So these are communities that might need good services, might need good roads and bridges.
  • Does it explain how this affects schools, counties, and local services?
  • It's granted based upon prior services and anticipated future services. Follow up.
  • It's granted based upon prior services and anticipated future services. Follow up.
  • day one entering military service until they either ETS, which is leaving the service, or retire.
Summary: The Senate first considered Senate Bill 1623, a measure updating the state charter for state-regulated credit unions to make them more competitive with federal credit unions. Two amendments were adopted: one changing certain board authority language from “shall” to “may,” and another restoring the title. Supporters said the bill was the product of years of negotiation with bankers and credit unions and would not affect national banks; after questions about membership expansion and census-tract service areas, the bill passed 44-0. The chamber then took up Senate Joint Resolution 39, which would send to voters a constitutional amendment lowering annual caps on assessed-value growth for homestead and agricultural property from 3% to 1%, and for other property from 5% to 3%. Proponents argued it would slow property-tax growth, help seniors and fixed-income homeowners stay in their homes, and not reduce government revenue but only slow future growth; opponents warned it would reduce local revenue growth for schools, counties, infrastructure, and bonding capacity, and would disproportionately benefit higher-value property owners. The resolution passed 38-8, and the special-election referral also passed 38-8. Senate Joint Resolution 47, which would place current voter ID requirements into the Constitution, also advanced and passed 39-8, with the special-election provision passing by the same margin. Supporters said it simply constitutionalized existing law requiring proof of identity and would preserve election security; critics said Oklahoma already has voter ID rules, the measure was unnecessary, and the language could create uncertainty for absentee voters and future changes. Debate also touched on provisional ballots, military and overseas voting, and whether the measure would make future adjustments harder. Later, Senate Bill 2084 passed 35-7 and as an emergency measure. The bill limits wrongful-termination settlements for faculty members at higher education institutions to two times annual salary, including pay and accrued benefits. Supporters said it would provide certainty for universities and regents; questions focused on tenure, free-speech claims, and how the cap would interact with existing tort limits. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1655 unanimously to allow Oklahoma Complete Health’s Children’s Specialty Program to contact adoptive parents and offer continued voluntary services for post-adoption children, and Senate Bill 1679 was introduced as the “Preserving Oklahoma Values Act,” aimed at codifying adherence to the U.S. and Oklahoma Constitutions and rejecting foreign law, with debate beginning over its enforcement and scope.