Transcript Highlights:

• And my concern there is the Department of Game and Fish—I don't know—pretty short-handed anyway.
• The Department of Game and Fish issues licenses for hunting and that type of stuff.
• Game and Fish is well versed in the wildlife of our state.
• The Department of Game and Fish issues licenses for hunting and that type of stuff.
• Game and Fish is well versed in the wildlife of our state.

Bills: SB154 , SB187 , SB193 , SM3

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Summary: The Senate Conservation Committee first took up Senate Memorial 3, presented by Senator O’Malley on behalf of Senator Bergman and a group of Rio Doso High School students and Wild Friends. The memorial asks state agencies to participate in a no-cost workshop on insect identification, ecology, monitoring, and management, and to help educate the public about insects. Students, conservation specialists, and an entomologist testified that insects are essential to pollination, ecosystems, agriculture, and biodiversity, while also noting declining insect populations and the need for more public understanding. Some senators raised concerns about the memorial’s wording, including whether it should be broadened from insects to arthropods and whether the Department of Agriculture, rather than Game and Fish, should be involved. The committee discussed timing and implementation, and the sponsor agreed to work on amendments. The memorial passed on a due pass motion by a vote of 8-0, with one excused. The committee then heard Senate Bill 154, which would require wildfire-related homeowners coverage to include flood damage caused by post-fire conditions for a five-year period. Senator Duhigg and the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance argued the bill responds to the Ruidoso fires and subsequent flooding, noting that many homes were destroyed by mudslides and that flood insurance is often unavailable or inadequate. Supporters, including Ruidoso officials, affected residents, and attorneys, said the bill would help homeowners recover from cascading wildfire and flood losses. Opponents from the insurance industry and business groups warned the bill would be an outlier, could significantly raise premiums, and might reduce availability of homeowners insurance statewide. Committee members questioned how the mandate would work, whether it should be optional, and how costs would be allocated. The bill passed on a 5-4 vote. Finally, the committee briefly heard Senate Bill 187, which appropriates $202,000 from the general fund to the New Mexico Finance Authority’s Water Project Fund for future water projects authorized by the legislature. The Finance Authority said the funding would help address a gap between available money and the 113 recommended projects, totaling about $522 million, including water conservation, flood prevention, storage, wastewater, and watershed projects. Members asked for more detail on the locations and types of projects, and the Finance Authority said it would provide the list from the companion authorization bill. The committee then moved the bill forward on a do pass motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• so no funds are being requested from Fish and Game.
• We talked with DOT, Fish and Game, and the Bureau of Economic Affairs.
• My name is Michael Eastman, captain with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
• Hampshire fishing game department I'm Hampshire fishing game department I'm actually<01:43:08.000><c>
• </c><01:43:19.440><c> game</c> is my 23rd year with the fishing game is my 23rd year with the fishing

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• additionally prescribes duties to ADOA, DPS, the county recorders, and county assessors relative to regulation
• communicating with over this bill, and that I've been in communication with Steve as well, and also Game and Fish
• I mean, State Parks, Game and Fish—I'm sorry, Game and Fish—and then put under State Parks Board to that
• industry that's trying to establish itself, and they've passed every zoning law, every municipal regulation

Committee: House House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference

Summary: The Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee heard several measures focused largely on foreign land ownership, historic preservation administration, and limits on the Attorney General’s nuisance-enforcement authority. HCM 2005, which urges Congress to study restrictions on foreign governments from communist or authoritarian countries owning property, drew debate over a proposed amendment to add fascist governments; that amendment failed, and the memorial then received a do pass recommendation. HB 2171, a related bill prohibiting sales or leases of Arizona real property to persons acting for China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea and assigning enforcement duties to state and county agencies, also passed after members debated whether it duplicated existing law and raised constitutional concerns. HB 2790, which would change reporting and administrative structure for the State Historic Preservation Office and appropriate $1 million, received testimony from Arizona State Parks and Trails and the Arizona Preservation Foundation; supporters said it would improve autonomy and efficiency, while others warned about internal inconsistencies and federal funding implications. It was approved on a 5-3 vote. The committee then considered three bills aimed at curbing the Attorney General’s public nuisance actions. HB 2168 would require county board of supervisors consent before the AG could bring a nuisance case in Superior Court; supporters said it would add local control and protect rural industries, while opponents argued it would hinder statewide enforcement and protect large foreign corporations. HB 2169 would make the AG liable for defamation per se if a nuisance action lacks a reasonable basis and is publicized; HB 2167 went further, creating damages, attorney-fee, lost-profit, and treble-damages liability payable from the AG’s operating fund. In testimony, supporters said the bills were needed to check what they described as aggressive or unfair nuisance litigation against rural businesses and water users, while opponents said the measures would chill legitimate enforcement and accountability. All three bills passed on 5-3 votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• the animal kingdom, and our new memorial is needed to help biologists at the Department of Game and Fish
• and Fish short-handed anyway.
• The Department of Game and Fish issues licenses for hunting and that type of stuff.
• Game and Fish is well versed in the wildlife of our state.
• I do understand there are some internal policies that tribes carry, and we don't regulate those.

Bills: SB154 , SB187 , SB193 , SM3

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: insurance, wildfire, flood damage, natural disasters, property coverage, water projects, appropriation, New Mexico, finance authority, infrastructure, New Mexico Finance Authority, funding, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:59.199><c> of</c> to debate the specifics of regulation of to debate the specifics of regulation
• </c> establishing some system for regulating establishing some system for regulating the<00:11:26.959
• </c><00:11:35.040><c> of</c> legislature to debate the regulation of legislature to debate the regulation
• </c> going to regulate and sell the product. going to regulate and sell the product.
• Happy to answer any questions. regulated? If so, how? Should it be regulated? If so, how?

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• HUD regulations. Evictions cost the public $2,000 to $5,000 in court costs and legal expenses.
• Productive members of society, like Loaves and Fishes.
• We are concerned about proposed shifts of staff and duties from the Fish and Game Department and the
• and duties would be detrimental to the important services that DNCR's Natural Heritage Bureau and Fish
• We are concerned about proposed shifts of staff and duties from the Fish and Game Department and the

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• I get that, although I think this is partly the problem: we do not regulate them while they're getting
• by Representative Cantrell and Representative Townley to recognize the Murray State College Bass Fishing
• Bass fishing team standing in front of you today. Those are good.
• The Murray State College bass fishing team captured the Bass Federation JUCO National Championship in
• compete, cementing Murray State College as a nationally competitive powerhouse in collegiate bass fishing

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up several measures. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 2787, a one-time $2 million supplemental for the Choosing Childbirth program through the State Department of Health. Supporters said the money would prevent a lapse in services for more than 4,000 mothers and children, especially in rural areas, until the organization can reenter the bidding process in 2028. Opponents questioned the nonprofit’s transparency, donor base, leadership, and prior use of state funds, arguing the Legislature should not provide another supplemental without clearer accountability. The bill passed 70-19, and the emergency clause also passed. The House also considered Senate Bill 546 on data privacy. After floor amendments removed the emergency clause and set a January 1, 2027 effective date, the bill was explained as a comprehensive consumer data privacy measure applying to certain businesses operating in Oklahoma. It would give consumers rights to access, delete, and opt out of the sale of personal data, with enforcement through the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division and civil penalties for violations. The bill passed 84-4. In addition, House Bill 2786 received a joint committee report and passed with no debate; it provides supplemental funding to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to complete fiscal year 2025 payments to CCBHCs and other vendors, and its emergency clause also passed. The House adopted House Resolution 1034 recognizing February as Black History Month. The chamber also heard several introductions and announcements before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• In his off time, he camps and hunts and fishes.
• This bill regulates how cell-cultured animal protein must be labeled for markets in Idaho.
• This bill regulates how cell cultured animal protein must be labeled for markets in Idaho.
• There's also a fish habitat funding, and that funding is up in the Coeur d'Alene area.
• It's a river fish habitat funding, and that's one-time funding to try to get the banks of that river

Transcript Highlights:

• We think it is a great step in the right direction when regulating large energy users.
• I support this legislation to better regulate the water and electrical issues.
• So I think that is an excellent regulation.
• utilities like Missouri American Water, Liberty, and other regulated water utilities.
• utilities like Missouri American Water, Liberty, and other regulated water utilities.

Committee: House Conservation and Natural Resources

Summary: The Conservation and Natural Resources Committee heard Senate Bill 953, sponsored by Sen. Jason Bean, which would address a projected shortfall in the Department of Natural Resources’ air pollution control program. Bean and supporters from Associated Industries of Missouri, quarry and sand producers, engineering firms, the Missouri Chamber, forest products, and municipal utilities said the bill would stop sweeping unused program funds into general revenue and dedicate a portion of existing sales and use tax revenue from utilities to keep the program solvent without raising permit fees on businesses that have reduced emissions. One informational witness from Armour Vine warned that moving funds out of general revenue could affect broader state revenue and tax triggers. DNR also testified that the fee fund is projected to become insolvent in fiscal year 2028 if current trends continue. No opposition testimony was presented, and the bill hearing was closed. The committee then heard House Bills 3362 and 3364, sponsored by Reps. Colin Wellenkamp and Mike Koslow, which would create guardrails for AI/data center buildout around electricity and water use. The sponsors said the bills are intended to protect ratepayers and local water systems by requiring large-load customers to bear their own infrastructure costs, extending consumer protections to co-ops and municipal utilities, and requiring permits and review for major water withdrawals, with emergency shutoff provisions in water shortages. Support came from environmental groups, conservation organizations, rural advocates, Renew Missouri, the Sierra Club, Missouri Municipal League, Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Ameren Missouri, and Missouri American Water, though some witnesses urged tighter thresholds, more frequent reporting, stronger water-quality protections, and clearer definitions to avoid legal ambiguity. Several witnesses also raised concerns about transparency, local impacts, and whether current thresholds are high enough to protect aquifers, springs, and utility customers. The chair closed testimony after noting time limits and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1280, amending Section 17-253, A.R.S., relating to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.
• Fish and Wildlife Committee for our county about this issue of the Mexican wolf.
• Senate Bill 1205, amending Title 9, Chapter 4, Article 8, A.R.S., relating to municipal regulations.
• By bringing this to our state, by loosening up our regulations to allow for that to happen, what we allow
• And recently, my son has fish... And recently, my son has fish, dogs, and a cat.

Summary: The House convened, approved the prior journal, received gubernatorial communications, and then moved into an additional Committee of the Whole to consider Senate bills on two calendars. In that committee, members adopted floor and committee amendments and reported SB 1100, SB 1160, and SB 1178 out as amended. On the second calendar, the committee considered SB 1200, SB 1560, SB 1627, and SB 1723, adopting amendments on SB 1200, SB 1627, and SB 1723 and reporting all four measures out, while SB 1725 was retained on the calendar. The House then adopted the committee reports and sent the amended bills to engrossing or third reading as appropriate. The chamber then took up a long series of third-reading votes. Several bills passed with recorded votes and some member explanations focused on public safety, parental rights, school safety, health care, local control, property rights, and wildlife management. Among the measures that passed were SB 1013, SB 1015, SB 1046, SB 1094, SB 1095, SB 1124, SB 1186, SB 1214, SB 1275, SB 1280, SB 1315, SB 1318, SB 1205 on reconsideration, SB 1327, SB 1416, SB 1418, SB 1582, SB 1613, SB 1662, SB 1664, SB 1670, SB 1711, SB 1741, SB 1821, and several concurrent memorials. A number of bills failed, including SB 1052, SB 1170, SB 1457, SB 1074, SB 1540, SB 1649, and SB 1663. Debate on several bills drew pointed partisan and policy disagreements. Members opposing health-related bills argued they targeted LGBTQ people or medical decision-making, while supporters framed them as protecting children or bodily autonomy. On SB 1170, members said the bill contained a drafting error that would create extreme penalties and strain prison capacity. On SB 1280, supporters and opponents split over Mexican gray wolf management and federal conservation efforts. On SB 1199, the Salt River horse herd bill, members discussed herd management, heritage, property impacts, and a required emergency clause; it passed with the needed two-thirds majority. The House also adopted a group concurrence motion on numerous House bills and passed several House bills on final reading, including HB 2013, HB 2016, HB 2028, HB 2086, HB 2118, HB 2140, HB 2170, HB 2226, HB 2244, HB 2248, HB 2249, HB 2327, HB 2379, HB 2380, and others, forwarding them to the Governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• centers mine personal information—who we are, where we go, what we do, and who we know—without regulation
• access to sensitive information but is governed by different federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Do you think that you have any concern about going on this fishing expedition?
• Do you think that you have any concern about going on this fishing expedition?
• And now here they are asking what we think is a fishing expedition that the auditor come in, be the first

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• just want everyone to know this is the work and the culmination of the work between Arizona Game and Fish
• , the Farm Bureau, This bill is the work and the culmination of the work between Arizona Game and Fish
• industry is that it's kind of bad, but they got to pass it because otherwise there's going to be worse regulations
• We don't have to pass any more regulations on anything at all.
• I'll end there and just say I implore you to help protect the kids and help have some common-sense regulation

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Jasleen Chatwal. Members also introduced a number of guests and visiting groups, including Irish dignitaries for St. Patrick’s Day recognition, labor organizations such as AFSCME and CWA, the Arizona Farm Bureau, the Arizona chapter of the American College of Surgeons for Stop the Bleed training, and advocates for rare skeletal conditions. A proclamation recognizing St. Patrick’s Day was read, and the House later heard a proclamation honoring AFSCME Arizona. On the floor, the House took up several procedural motions, including requests to have the Senate return HB 4027 and HB 2444 for reconsideration, and received multiple Senate bills on first and second reading. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole and approved HB 2750 with a friendly floor amendment, sending it forward as amended. The House also sent HB 2999 to an additional Committee of the Whole, adopted a floor amendment, and advanced it as amended for engrossing. During third reading, HB 2197, relating to water access and camping near water sources, failed on reconsideration after members debated whether it imposed unnecessary criminal penalties and enforcement concerns. HB 2429, relating to vacation and short-term rentals, passed after supporters said it restored local control to cities and towns. HB 2950, creating special districts for tourism improvement areas, passed after amendments made participation voluntary and added notice requirements. HB 4001, relating to nicotine products, also passed after debate over youth vaping, enforcement authority, and whether the bill struck the right balance between regulation and parental responsibility. The House then made committee announcements and adjourned until Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• just want everyone to know this is the work and the culmination of the work between Arizona Game and Fish
• This bill is the work and the culmination of the work between Arizona Game and Fish, the Farm Bureau,
• industry is that it's kind of bad, but they got to pass it because otherwise there's going to be worse regulations
• We don't have to pass any more regulations on anything at all.
• I'll end there and just say I implore you to help protect the kids and help have some common-sense regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1021, Fishing and Hunting Youth Programs.
• Senator McGuire, SB 1393, Commercial Fishing. The motion is due pass.
• Roll call. ...to strike specified authorization for regulations and make a clarifying change.
• The motion is due pass as amended per author to modify regulation scope.
• SB 1123, Administrative Procedure Act, major regulations. The motion is due pass.

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met for a suspense-file hearing and voted only on measures already heard previously, with no public testimony. The chair explained that bills were taken up quickly in author order, with amended bills to be followed by addendum analyses. The committee considered a very large slate of Senate bills and two Assembly measures covering wildfire resilience, housing, insurance, energy, transportation, public safety, elections, health care, labor, environmental regulation, and various administrative and tax issues. Most measures were approved, many on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, while a substantial number passed on 5-2 or 5-1 party-line votes with Republicans generally voting no. Several bills were amended before passage, including changes to funding contingencies, timelines, reporting requirements, definitions, and removal of certain enforcement or private-right-of-action provisions. A few members noted concerns on specific bills, including Senator Richardson on SB 1203 (private security training), though he said he would vote for it at this stage. Among the notable actions, the committee advanced bills on wildfire smoke, wildfire recovery, mobile home parks, insurance nonrenewals, AI transparency, data center energy issues, Medi-Cal and health coverage, criminal justice, election administration, housing, and labor/workforce standards. The committee also approved AB 46 and AB 736. No bills were held for testimony because the hearing was vote-only, and the meeting adjourned after all items on the agenda were disposed of.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the EMS authority for the state, and we provide, as you mentioned, statewide regulation.
• feedback that the regulations ...off-load time.
• I've received some feedback that the regulations were adopted and need some clarity to them.
• So the AB 40 legislation called for EMSA to produce emergency regulations.
• things that become regulations and stakeholders have to respond to.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules established quorum and approved several routine items on the agenda, including governor’s appointments not required to appear: Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair/member assignments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous votes. The committee noted that some 2026 committee changes would take effect February 1, 2026, and that new committees would depend on adoption of a Senate resolution. The committee then heard from Dr. Hernando Garson, nominated as chief medical officer of the Emergency Medical Services Authority. He described his background in emergency medicine, disaster response, and EMS leadership, and members questioned him about EMSA’s strategic plan, data integration, statewide standards versus local flexibility, ambulance patient offload time regulations, stakeholder engagement, and emergency response coordination. Dr. Garson emphasized data-driven decision-making, technical assistance to local agencies, collaboration with hospitals and EMS stakeholders, and the need for safer alternatives to routine ambulance transport such as community paramedicine, telehealth, and nurse triage. He also discussed disaster preparedness for vulnerable and rural communities and the use of regional and state assets, including ambulance strike teams, during fires and floods. The committee approved his appointment 4-0. The final item was Stephanie Weldon’s nomination as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. Weldon, who identified as Yurok-Tolowa and Karuk, spoke about her tribal, county, nonprofit, and state experience, her role as the first Native American woman in the position, and her commitment to health equity, rural communities, and culturally responsive public health work. Senators asked about how the office sets priorities, measures outcomes, addresses behavioral health, tribal consultation, youth mental health, and how it responds to political pressure around DEI language; Weldon said the office focuses on community-driven, data-informed work and transparency. Public commenters strongly supported her confirmation, citing her leadership on the California Reducing Disparities Project and related equity efforts. The committee approved her appointment 4-0, sending it to the full Senate for confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• include the type of gaming activities that would be authorized, jurisdictional issues, fees for state regulation
• reclaiming our government seat with the Cushman Hospital takeover, protecting our resources in the fishing
• protecting our resources in the seat with the Cushman Hospital takeover, protecting our resources in the fishing
• the gaming, the tribe's... ...to better match their compact with the gaming, the tribe's gaming regulations

Summary: The joint Senate Business, Financial Services and Trade Committee and House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee held a public hearing on a restated amendment to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians’ gaming compact. Washington State Gambling Commission staff explained the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act framework, the compact amendment process, and the role of the commission and ex officio legislators. They said the Puyallup compact, originally signed in 1996, has been amended several times and is now being fully restated to align with current gaming operations and regulations. Puyallup Tribal representatives described how gaming revenue has supported tribal government, cultural preservation, housing, education, elder services, health care, youth programs, environmental protection, and charitable giving. They emphasized the tribe’s economic development efforts, including businesses, construction, manufacturing, a port partnership, and responsible gaming programs at Emerald Queen Casinos. The tribe and commission also highlighted commitments to self-exclusion, signage, training, emergency access, and community services, while noting that the compact removes some old contribution provisions but does not change the tribe’s voluntary charitable work. Commission staff summarized key compact changes, including authorization for electronic table games, extension of credit, removal of per-facility limits, higher wager limits, a stepped increase in player terminal allocations, and new licensing/eligibility/registration and definition appendices. Members asked about how compact negotiations work and what determines the state’s interests; staff said negotiations are guided by the governor’s office, commissioners, and ex officio feedback. No public testimony was offered, and no vote was taken at the hearing. The commission will take public comment and vote at its Thursday meeting on whether to forward the compact to the governor or return it for further negotiation.

Transcript Highlights:

• include the type of gaming activities that would be authorized, jurisdictional issues, fees for state regulation
• protecting our resources in the Seat with the Cushman Hospital takeover, protecting our resources in the fishing
• protecting our resources in the seat with the Cushman Hospital takeover, protecting our resources in the fishing
• the gaming, the tribe's... ...to better match their compact with the gaming, the tribe's gaming regulations

Summary: A joint hearing of the Senate Business, Financial Services and Trade Committee and the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee was held on an amendment to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Gaming Compact. The Washington State Gambling Commission and Puyallup Tribal representatives described the compact as a restatement of the tribe’s 1996 agreement, updated to reflect prior amendments and current gaming operations. Commission staff outlined several changes, including authorization for electronic table games, extension of credit with customer-protection safeguards, removal of per-facility limits, changes to wager limits, a stepped increase in the tribe’s player-terminal allocation, and new licensing/eligibility/registration and definitions appendices. They also noted added provisions on responsible gaming, non-smoking areas if smoking is offered, emergency-services access, and community commitments. Puyallup Tribal leaders gave extensive testimony on how gaming revenue has supported tribal self-governance, cultural preservation, education, housing, health care, elder services, youth programs, environmental protection, and charitable giving. They said gaming revenue has funded tribal facilities, a school, a longhouse, housing projects, a funeral home, health and behavioral health services, substance-use treatment, and donations to nonprofits and local public health efforts. Tribal economic development staff also described diversification efforts funded by gaming, including businesses in hospitality, fuel, construction, manufacturing, logistics, and a planned terminal partnership with the Northwest Seaport Alliance. The casino CEO emphasized responsible gaming, compliance, self-exclusion tools, staff training, and a problem-gambling campaign. Committee members asked about the compact negotiation process and the state’s interests. Gambling Commission staff explained that compact changes are negotiated under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, with the governor’s office, commissioners, and ex officio members providing policy input, and that the current hearing was required within 30 days of completion of the state process. Staff said the commission would hold a public meeting on Thursday to take comment and then vote whether to forward the restated compact to the governor or return it for further negotiation. No public testimony was signed up at the hearing, and no vote was taken by the legislative committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is much-needed legislation in our view to help the Department of Fish and Wildlife control
• Current regulations require GSA board members to file Form 700s, but there's no mandate for GSAs to actively
• Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, or SGMA, CAF respects the nuanced needs of groundwater regulation
• department to acquire property on its own behalf, much like the Wildlife Conservation Board, Department of Fish

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on wildlife, water, parks, and transparency. AB 764 would expand the list of exotic non-game birds that can be legally managed, with the author and California Waterfowl arguing it would help control rapidly growing mute swan populations that threaten native species and wetlands. The bill passed to Appropriations with no opposition. The committee also adopted its 2025-26 rules and approved the consent calendar, which included AB 14 and AB 581; AB 514 had been pulled by the author. AB 616, dubbed “Parks for All,” would allow state parks day-use passes to be transferred to the State Library free of charge to preserve the library pass program and improve access to state parks for low-income families and first-time visitors. Supporters said the program has been highly successful and equitable, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 293 would require groundwater sustainability agencies to post board membership and link to Form 700 filings online; supporters emphasized transparency and public trust, while some members raised concerns about redundancy and added burdens. The bill passed to Appropriations on a split vote. AB 639 would create a narrow exception in the Water Code so certain weirs used for irrigation would not be treated as dams, with the author and district representatives saying the structures pose no safety risk and should not face unnecessary regulation. Members urged the bill be narrowed to the Kings River area, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 679 would streamline land transfers for Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks after the CZU fire, with conservation groups supporting faster acquisitions and one member opposing on budget and state-management grounds; it also passed to Appropriations. AB 454 would remove the sunset on California’s Migratory Bird Protection Act to keep state protections for migratory birds in place despite federal changes, and it passed to Appropriations. Later, the committee took add-on votes for members who arrived late, and the meeting adjourned after all listed items were acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for municipalities to man to regulate for municipalities to man to regulate mandatory<00:12:13.920
• We have two representatives from the Bureau of Securities Regulation.
• We have two representatives from the Bureau of Securities Regulation.
• He's the director of the Bureau of Securities Regulation.
• He's the director of the Bureau of Securities Regulation.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• currently nuclear and who might be regulating. the state regulates currently nuclear and who might be
• When we looked at how the regulations, we looked at how the regulations... And such.
• , there comes up with new regulations.
• of the regulations that North Dakota has adopted by regulation...
• Maybe fishing.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.