Transcript Highlights:

• Child care assistance must demonstrate that the number of children increases by 10.
• Okay, it just seems like, I don't know, I'm not very supportive of this idea.
• We have a general philosophy that if we are providing support... ...quasi-state support, and we want
• to see equal support from our underlying borrowers.
• Or such as requiring demonstration of interconnection?

Transcript Highlights:

• This is in support. This is in support of this bill.
• She strongly supports 2032.
• Does your bill support her?
• Does your bill support her?
• I'm here to support HB 2249.

Summary: The Committee on Education approved the minutes from February 18 and March 4, 2026, then took up several bills. HCR 2003, the “Protect Girls in Sports in Arizona Act,” drew extensive testimony. Supporters, including Superintendent Tom Horne, argued it would protect fairness, safety, and privacy in girls’ sports and locker rooms by requiring teams to be designated male, female, or co-ed and by limiting access to sex-designated private spaces. Opponents, including ACLU and transgender advocates, said the measure was discriminatory, would function as a bathroom ban, and could force schools to police students’ bodies and identities. The committee voted 4-3 to give HCR 2003 a due pass recommendation. The committee then advanced HB 2020, which lowers certain student threats or disruptions at educational institutions from a Class 6 felony to a Class 1 misdemeanor, and HB 2032, which changes the statewide testing window so assessments begin later in the spring and scores are returned later, with supporters saying it would better reflect a full year of instruction. HB 2033, allowing school districts or charter schools to choose paper-and-pencil administration of statewide assessments by governing board vote, also received support from educators who said it would reduce technology barriers for younger students. HB 2318, as amended, would impose term limits on school district governing board members after eight consecutive years; school board groups opposed it as harmful to rural districts, but the committee adopted an amendment and gave the bill a due pass recommendation. The committee also approved HB 2378, which changes eligibility rules for School Facilities Oversight Board members who are architects or engineers so their businesses may not include school construction. HB 2313, which prohibits teacher strikes or organized work stoppages and ties funding penalties to districts or charters that violate the ban, advanced despite testimony that it duplicates existing law and could chill educators’ speech and worsen staffing shortages. Finally, HB 2249, a major expansion of the Parents’ Bill of Rights, passed after heated testimony. Supporters said it would prevent schools from socially transitioning minors without written parental consent and stop staff from encouraging children to hide information from parents; opponents warned it was vague, punitive, and would expose teachers and schools to massive liability and litigation. The committee adopted amendments on HB 2318 and HB 2249 and reported all of the listed bills out with due pass recommendations, with recorded split votes on several measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• care and concern for their welfare. writing and work demonstrate a degree of writing and work demonstrate
• a genuine [clears throat] demonstrated a genuine [clears throat] con<00:26:06.799><c> care</c><00:26
• I firmly support Christina Nolan's nomination, and I hope you will join me in voting yes.
• I s for<00:26:33.520><c> firmly</c><00:26:34.080><c> support</c><00:26:34.400><c> Christina</c><00:26
• :34.880><c> Nolan's</c><00:26:35.360><c> nom</c> for firmly support Christina Nolan's nom for firmly

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> intervention when a party demonstrates intervention when a party demonstrates either<00:51:57.080
• That's been demonstrated. That's what this demonstrates.
• </c> demonstrated.
• That's what this demonstrated.
• And the awareness part, demonstrates.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So for those reasons, I ask for your favorable support.
• So with that, I'll ask you for your favorable support.
• So with that, I'll ask you for your favorable support.
• I would ask for your favorable support. Thank you.
• in support from the Florida Charter Schools Alliance.

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee heard and advanced a series of education-related bills, beginning with SB 540, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, which would require age-appropriate disability history and awareness instruction across grade bands. The committee adopted a delete-all amendment, heard emotional testimony from Melissa Hartzell about her son Evan’s experience with disability and inclusion, and reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1296, creating a pilot study on school cellphone bans; SB 1590, creating a task force to review educator preparation, certification, and professional learning; SB 1702, a broad education bill with provisions on private school facilities, marching band credit, school readiness reimbursements, and charter school monitoring tools; SB 1150, exempting school social workers from certain certification testing requirements; SB 1708, revising School of Hope rules and adding a Miami-Dade co-location framework; SB 822, updating charter school governance and operations; SB 444, requiring annual human trafficking awareness training for school personnel; and SB 742, expanding workforce development and money-back guarantee programs. Most of these bills were amended before being reported favorably by committee vote. The committee also considered and reported favorably SB 8, a claims bill providing a $1.2 million settlement for Marcus Button and his family arising from a 2006 Pasco County school bus crash that caused severe lifelong injuries. Senator Gaetz opposed claims bills in general, arguing the sovereign immunity cap should be raised so such cases can be resolved locally. Several bills drew questions and debate over implementation details, including concerns about charter school dress and hair policies under SB 822, the scope of human trafficking training under SB 444, and the zoning implications of private school facility provisions in SB 1702. Sponsor responses generally emphasized that the bills were intended to clarify existing policy or improve student safety, access, or educational outcomes. The committee also took up confirmation appointments. It recommended confirmation of the slate of appointees on Tabs 12 and 14 through 21 by voice vote, and separately recommended confirmation of Daniel Fogunoli to the State Board of Education after debate in which Senator Davis and Senator Osgood opposed the appointment. The meeting concluded with members recording additional votes, including Senator Burgess’s affirmative vote on SB 1150, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your consideration. support for House Bill HC HCR68 and support for House Bill HC HCR68
• No, none in Okay, we had one supporter.
• </c> it on Wahoo, but if we can demonstrate it on Wahoo, but if we can demonstrate it<00:22:53.200><c
• </c> and the board of water supply supports and the board of water supply supports house<00:35:18.240
• <00:46:14.319><c> testimony</c> supporting testimony supporting testimony um<00:46:16.480><c> and</c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last session, we had great bipartisan support for an initiative called the Keep It Clean, which now enforces
• I think there's a good amount of support for this, and I do want to say thank you.
• I think there's a good amount of support for this, and I do want to say thank you.
• We are here to offer support to this bill, as we have in the past.
• So I'd ask members for your support and am always open for future conversations from anybody.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1120, the follow-up “Keep It Clean” bill from Representative Andrew Myers, which would create grant funding for local governments and organizations to improve garbage removal and related clean-water programs, especially around frozen lakes and winter recreation areas. Myers said the earlier Keep It Clean effort to enforce litter laws on frozen lakes had already reduced garbage in the water, and he framed this bill as a way to expand that success with additional resources. Testifier Robin Dwight of the Upper Red Lake Area Association and Keep It Clean Coalition described growing problems with trash and human waste on ice, said the coalition now has 60 members representing more than 10,000 lakes, and explained that local programs use dumpsters and separation systems to manage waste. Tom Johnson of the MPCA and Assistant Commissioner Bob Myers of the DNR both testified in support, saying improper disposal of human and solid waste is a real and growing problem and that the public education campaign has changed behavior on the ice. Members asked about the bill’s results and funding needs. Representative Pelz asked for more context on the coalition’s impact, and Dwight said the group has been active for about three years and recently launched a survey to gather more data on infrastructure needs for wheelhouse users. Representative Fiser asked what dollar amount would be needed, and Myers said the bill seeks general fund dollars, with a rough ideal range of one to two million dollars, though he emphasized he wanted to work with the committee on the final amount and funding mechanism. The discussion also noted a second related bill with a $10 wheelhouse fee as another possible funding option. No opposition testimony was presented. After discussion, the chair renewed the motion to lay over House File 1120 for possible inclusion in a future bill, and the bill was laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, but we could demonstrate with the reserve that we're going to back that up, and if we can't find
• We didn't have you supporting them.
• </c><00:17:02.360><c> that</c><00:17:02.600><c> we're</c> demonstrate with the reserve that we're demonstrate
• So, I know we think about the metro versus rural as two demonstrably different places, but Minnesotans
• </c> versus rural as two demo demonstrably versus rural as two demo demonstrably different<00:19:51.920

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said the 2026 session ended with major accomplishments despite frustration over what did not pass. She highlighted a $1.2 billion bonding bill, housing and rental investments, property tax reductions, support for HCMC and distressed hospitals, public safety and crime victim funding, IT modernization, and fraud-prevention measures. She also said the Senate pushed a tab fee holiday, though she criticized Republicans for delaying its start until January, and described the session as focused on a “fair deal” for Minnesotans facing higher costs. Murphy said some of the most difficult work involved human services and fraud oversight. She said lawmakers created an independent inspector general office, funded the Attorney General’s Medicaid fraud unit, added training and electronic visit measures, and included payment-withholding language with due-process protections and continuity-of-care safeguards. She said the Senate tried to balance fraud enforcement with preserving access to Medicaid-funded services, and emphasized that legislators must continue oversight and follow audit recommendations. She also expressed deep disappointment that a comprehensive gun violence prevention package did not pass the House, saying it included prevention, intervention, harm reduction, school safety, and mental health provisions. She said the package was rejected by House Republicans and that she would keep fighting for it. On immigration enforcement, she said the Senate proposed protections against ICE actions but could not get them enacted. She also discussed campaign strategy, saying Democrats would defend frontline seats and emphasize health care, housing, jobs, and affordability, while continuing to support roads, bridges, and transit.

Transcript Highlights:

• Companies like Sepion and Silvitex will come online soon with state support.
• the notion... ...per se, I have supported the notion of regulations.
• Finally, Fremont's location and infrastructure really support industrial activity.
• Finally, Fremont's location and infrastructure really supports industrial activity.
• When California made innovation, supports the establishment of industry clusters.

Summary: The Select Committee on Economic Development and Technological Innovation held a hearing on California’s industrial policy and manufacturing competitiveness. In opening remarks, the chair and Senator Wahab emphasized manufacturing’s role in good jobs, climate leadership, and regional economic growth, while noting barriers such as regulatory uncertainty, energy costs, permitting delays, and the loss of manufacturing jobs over time. They highlighted California Jobs First, workforce development, and the need to keep innovation and manufacturing in-state rather than losing scale-up opportunities to other states. The first panel featured California Forward and the Center for Manufacturing a Green Economy, along with an industry representative. Witnesses argued that California needs a durable, regionally based economic development system with ongoing funding, stronger state coordination, and sector-specific industrial roadmaps. They focused on advanced manufacturing and clean industry, especially batteries, bioeconomy, offshore wind, and heat pumps, and said industrial policy should help bridge the “missing middle” between research and commercial production. The industry witness stressed that power reliability, time to power, and coordinated utility engagement are decisive in site selection, and that California must better align utilities, state agencies, universities, and labs to compete for major projects. Senator Niello raised concerns about California’s business climate, including regulations, labor laws, energy reliability, K–12 education outcomes, and the cost impacts of climate policy. Panelists responded that California can compete by improving coordination, packaging existing state resources, and targeting strategic industries rather than racing to the bottom on taxes or wages. The second panel, from labor organizations, supported a worker-led industrial policy with strong labor and environmental standards, public financing, procurement, and targeted support for manufacturing firms. They cited examples such as union apprenticeship pathways, revolving loan funds, and programs with labor standards, and argued that manufacturing jobs can support both climate goals and middle-class employment. The final panel began with Fremont city officials, who described Fremont as the state’s leading manufacturing city and a model of intentional local policy. They said the city has protected industrial land, streamlined support for manufacturers, and doubled its manufacturing technician workforce over the past decade. The hearing concluded with discussion of how state and local governments can better coordinate to attract and retain manufacturing investment, with members and witnesses agreeing that California has strong assets but needs more proactive, integrated economic development tools.

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite the funding spanning 11 agencies and countless critical technology areas, SBIR has demonstrated
• Thank you for your amazing work in support of small business.
• They bolster our industries, they support the good-paying jobs, local jobs.
• So, you know, from our view, we support the mission of the agencies.
• STTR program can better support American tech innovation in biotech and other critical sectors?

Keywords: SBIR, STTR, Innovate Act, small business, innovation, legislative reforms, economic growth, funding, technology transfer

Summary: The meeting focused on the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs (SBIR-STTR), emphasizing the critical reforms necessary to enhance their effectiveness. Chair Ernst introduced the Innovate Act to streamline processes, ensuring funding is awarded based on merit and addressing existing abuses within the system. The discussion was robust, with numerous members expressing concerns about phase transitions and the need for targeted funding to support impactful technological innovations. The conversation also highlighted the program's importance in fostering economic growth, particularly for small businesses in rural areas, and the urgency for legislative changes as the program's authorization approaches expiration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal capacity funding support.
• </c> to support schools with greatest need. to support schools with greatest need.
• Teachers need support, principals need support, district leaders need support.
• </c> of the support that's being provided. of the support that's being provided.
• </c><01:48:59.600><c> Continued</c> support starts to fade. Continued support starts to fade.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 0:00:00 Workforce Pell Grant Update – 0:03:30 Extension Office Update – 0:33:25 Kentucky Academic Standards for Social Studies – 1:07:08 Early Literacy Outcomes – 1:32:20 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 1:58:30 Adjournment 2:13:13, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:52.840><c> I</c> support that we've seen so far. I support that we've seen so far.
• </c> and I ask for your support. and I ask for your support. All<01:07:35.480><c> right.
• </c> I I don't support this bill at at all. I I don't support this bill at at all.
• </c> testifying today in support of HF 3483. testifying today in support of HF 3483.
• Um can't support it.

Bills: HF2354, HF3621, HF3429, HF3483

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud, payment withholding, withheld payments, program integrity, public funds, state agency, program participant, credible allegation of fraud, administrative reconsideration, contested case, chapter 14, data practices, confidential data, protected nonpublic data, anti-fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• In that time, you demonstrated sound management of skills and kept a plumb mantle.
• Siralta must commit, if he's going to get my support, to be confirmed.
• And the many supporters from the Governor's Cabinet that are here.
• My unwavering support, commitment, sorry I lost my place.
• Siralta, I'm going to be supporting your nomination. That's the good news.

Keywords: fentanyl crisis, DEA, drug trafficking, public safety, Judea Serrata, Terrence Cole, judicial security, social media, drug prevention

Summary: The committee meeting centered on the urgent crisis of fentanyl abuse and the government’s response to the drug trafficking epidemic. Key discussions revolved around the nomination of Terrence Cole as the Administrator of the DEA and Judea Serrata as Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. Cole emphasized his commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis, highlighting the rising number of overdose deaths and the necessity of bipartisan efforts to dismantle drug cartels. Members engaged in dialogue on the effectiveness of various strategies and the importance of education aimed at preventing drug-related deaths among youth. Additionally, the challenges of social media in drug trafficking were highlighted, indicating a need for greater accountability in how platforms handle such issues. Senators voiced concerns about the impact of administration policies on judicial security and the resources available for marshals to perform their critical roles.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> was about exploring Community Support was about exploring Community Support instilling<00:06:58.599
• Pilot funds will support the delivery of long-term, intensive support that is personalized to the needs
• The teams are universal, schoolwide foundational supports focused on prevention.
• The triangle graphic demonstrates the importance of a multi-tiered system of support to address attendance
• Prevention provides a supportive response to absenteeism.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THAT IS WHERE WE STAND NOW WITH RESPECT TO OUR 1115 WORKFORCE DEMONSTRATION WAIVER THAT IS THE CMS WE
• THEY REFERENCE BACK TO THE JULY WORKFORCE DEMONSTRATIONS AND EVEN THOUGH THIS LETTER WAS SPECIFIC TO
• 1115 DEMONSTRATION WORKFORCE MANY OF YOU MADE THIS POSITION KNOWN ABOUT WORKFORCE IN GENERAL.
• TO SUPPORTING AND MAINTAINING ACCESS TO THESE AREAS.
• IN ADDITION THE PROGRAM HAS DEMONSTRATED IMPROVEMENTS AND MATERNAL OUTCOMES FOR EXAMPLE, THERE HAS BEEN

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My elected is James Ratz, and he also supports and endorses this bill.
• </c> training mental health supports training mental health supports substance<00:32:22.360><c> use</
• </c> reintegration our goal is to support reintegration our goal is to support lasting<00:32:54.679><
• That said, forced overtime is now de minimis, which has absolutely helped support staff retention.
• The staff and equipment cost would no longer be supported by the state.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• not a violation of the prohibition on abridgment of voting rights if the political subdivision demonstrates
• not a violation of the prohibition on abridgment of voting rights if the political subdivision demonstrates
• comprehensive classification plan must not require a postgraduate college degree as the only way to demonstrate
• comprehensive classification plan must not require a postgraduate college degree as the only way to demonstrate
• requirement for contributions to candidates and political committees organized for the purpose of supporting

Summary: The State Government, Tribal Affairs and Elections Committee met on February 24, 2026, for what was described as its last regular meeting of the session. The committee reviewed a large slate of bills and gubernatorial appointments, with staff briefing measures on voting rights, voter registration challenges, military justice victims’ rights, terminology changes from “alien” to “non-citizen,” shared leave for hate-crime and immigration-enforcement-related absences, civil service coverage for Washington Technology Solutions security staff, language-access services, small works roster limits, deceased candidates on ballots, postgraduate degree requirements, foreign national participation in elections, public records exemptions, and personal information protections. Several amendments were discussed, including changes to voting-rights language, county-residency requirements for voter-registration challengers, and a proposal on foreign national certifications; a satirical amendment to the terminology bill referencing “extraterrestrial” was also presented and later withdrawn. After caucus, the committee moved into executive session and took action on four gubernatorial appointments, recommending confirmation for Megan Matthews, Reedy Mukapade, Kiana Daniels, and Gauri Shratria, all subject to signatures. The committee then voted out the bills, generally on unanimous voice votes, sending most to the Rules Committee and several fiscal measures to Ways and Means. Amendments were adopted on HB 1710, HB 1750, HB 1916, and HB 2123, while the amendment to HB 2632 was withdrawn. HB 2574 and HB 2637 were noted as not being moved that day. The chair and members closed by thanking staff for their work and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, it's our job as school counselors to provide support. We do academic support.
• So we're looking to you for support. We want, we need support.
• We do counselors to provide support. We do academic<01:13:32.719><c> support.
• </c><01:15:36.960><c> Um</c> support. We we want we need support. Um support.
• We we want we need support.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The LAs here must demonstrate strong community engagement, commitment to integrated student support,
• The LEAs here must demonstrate strong community engagement, commitment to integrated student support,
• in Figure 3, demonstrate a clear progression.
• I think our teachers felt more supported.
• The first pillar is integrated student supports.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're actually working on demonstration projects for prevention. Never been done.
• Working on demonstration projects for prevention. Never been done.
• As far as the support needed to have those conversations, that is taking place.
• But to help people, we have to be there and give them support from the beginning.
• We do not plan to access this until it is necessary to support the project needs.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on health-related projects and Department of Health and Human Services budget matters. Representatives from CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck and Williston, and Altru in Grand Forks, reported progress on behavioral health expansion projects, including demolition and construction milestones, updated timelines, funding status, staffing plans, and barriers such as an unbudgeted air handler replacement in Williston. Members asked about original completion dates, use of telehealth, recruitment of psychiatrists and other staff, and whether the new beds might reduce the need for patients to travel to Jamestown State Hospital. The projects were described as on track overall, with completion expected in 2027 for the larger builds and earlier openings for some phases in Williston. The committee then heard from HHS leadership on technical line-item transfers and the Salaries and Wages Block Grant. Donna Ockland explained that recent transfers were administrative corrections to place spending in the proper budget lines and did not involve new spending, and she reviewed FTE counts and vacancies across the department. Questions focused on behavioral health staffing changes and the use of consultants in the Rural Health Transformation Program. Pat Rainer outlined the rural health program’s first-year grants and priorities, including workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community wellness initiatives, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, hospital equipment, suicide prevention training, technology, and EMS support. He said North Dakota’s plan was drawing positive national attention, but the department still needed to obligate roughly $199 million by September and was working with CMS on timing and compliance. The committee also received an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller. She said North Dakota had been accepted as a demonstration state, with certification efforts underway in Williston, North Central, Fargo, and Dickinson. Members asked about care coordination, service growth, staffing, and whether certification would expand to all clinics; the department said it was still collecting baseline data and evaluating impacts before making future recommendations. Finally, Rebecca Askins reviewed SNAP payment error rates, explaining that the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89 percent and that the department is working on training, system changes, and quality assurance steps to get below 6 percent. Members pressed on the causes of monthly variability, the performance of the SPACES system, and accountability for ongoing errors, and the department said it expects improvement over the next 6 to 12 months.