Transcript Highlights:

• I I think in most instances there<00:25:28.960> wouldn't<00:25:29.279> be<00:25:29.440>
• In in Northern<00:25:31.840> Kentucky,<00:25:32.799> there<00:25:32.960> was<00:
• speak<00:25:39.440> out<00:25:39.600> against<00:25:40.159> the<00:25:41.120>
• 43.600> that<00:25:43.840> was<00:25:44.000> over<00:25:44.240> the<00:25
• with up to $25 million state investment for each project.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:10 SB 11 Discussion 00:01:20 SB 11 Vote 00:05:00 SB 41 Discussion 00:5:43 SB 41 Vote 00:15:03 SB 59 Discussion 00:20:30 SB 59 Vote 00:28:15 SB 57 Discussion 00:29:40 SB 57 Vote 00:40:00 SB 125 Discussion 00:42:43 SB 125 Vote 00:50:53 SB 191 Discussion 00:53:19 SB 191 Vote 00:59:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 11, a proposal to create a matching-grant program for neighborhood storm shelters in rural Kentucky. Sponsor Steve Meredith and supporters from the Kentucky League of Cities and the City of Morgantown said the idea was to use FEMA-style funding to help residents who live far from community shelters, noting that in some rural counties it can take 30 to 45 minutes to reach a shelter during severe weather. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 11-0, with no nay votes. The committee then considered Senate Bill 41, which would require a ballot referendum whenever a taxing entity raises property taxes more than 4 percent, rather than relying on the current petition process. Sponsor Gary Boswell said the bill would give taxpayers more direct control and argued that local governments should simply avoid raising taxes above the threshold. Superintendents from Rockcastle and Casey counties opposed the bill, saying it would weaken local control, add election costs, delay budgets, and make it harder for school districts to keep up with inflation, insurance, transportation, and construction costs. After debate, the committee passed the bill 7-3 with favorable expression. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 59, which would add criminal penalties to KRS 65.013, the law barring public funds from being used to advocate for or against ballot questions. Sponsor Steve Rawlings said the measure was prompted by reports of school officials using public resources to oppose a 2024 ballot issue and argued the law needs real enforcement to protect taxpayers and election integrity. Members raised concerns about First Amendment issues and the bill’s gray areas, especially for public employees speaking on their own time; Rawlings said the substitute removed volunteer references, allowed balanced issue debates, and clarified that employees acting on their own time and resources would not be prohibited. The committee passed the bill 8-3 with favorable expression. The committee also began hearing Senate Bill 57, as substituted, from Senator Danny Carroll. The bill would create a nuclear-ready site readiness pilot program under the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority, with up to three projects receiving up to $25 million each to help cover early site permitting and related licensing costs. Carroll, along with witnesses from the UK Center for Applied Energy Research and the Public Service Commission, said the goal is to build a nuclear energy ecosystem in Kentucky, with safeguards including surety bonds, deadlines, and cost-recovery provisions. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Uh<00:25:02.720> when<00:25:02.880> we<00:25:03.039> go<00:25:03.200>
• > Coot<00:25:05.600> is<00:25:05.679> a<00:25:05.840> zerobased<00:25:06.320
• > we're<00:25:38.960> going<00:25:39.039> to<00:25:39.120> do<00:25:39.200
• :49.760> we<00:25:50.000> have<00:25:50.320> from<00:25:50.640> our<00:25
• 00:25:58.400> to<00:25:58.640> adapt<00:25:59.039> easily<00:25:59.440> to

Keywords: 1:00 Roll Call 2:38 Overview of Citizen Identity Security and Threat Reduction 9:36 Identity Solution and Casts 13:51 System Application and Discovery Issues 21:31 Staffing and Timelines 29:14 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance received a presentation from Jim Barnhard, CIO of the Commonwealth Office of Technology, and David Carter, deputy CIO/CISO, on the state’s citizen identity management project. They said the project is intended to streamline citizen logins across agencies, reduce duplicated identity-management costs, improve security by centralizing authentication, and provide a flexible system that can scale with demand. The presenters described major implementation challenges, including integrating with diverse and legacy applications, and said the chosen software-as-a-service vendor was selected because it can connect to many systems and maintain the service in a federally certified cloud environment. The presenters emphasized that the project scope is limited to login, authentication, identity management, and identity proofing, while leaving authorization decisions to the individual applications and agencies. They said the work is being done in phases, beginning with discovery sessions with agencies, then selecting representative applications for onboarding rather than attempting a “big bang” rollout. They also said the vendor agreement includes professional services and knowledge transfer to reduce long-term dependence on outside support, and that the state has already begun outreach to agencies, including initial work with the Finance Cabinet and the Department of Revenue. Members asked about staffing, current spending, future costs, and whether existing systems or contracts could be reduced. The presenters said the project is being supported with existing staff, with no expectation of a large increase in positions, and that the vendor will carry most of the operational load. They said they did not have statewide spending figures with them but could try to gather them, and explained that the negotiated pricing is intended to be all-inclusive, with fixed costs for the first five years and capped increases in years six and seven. They said centralizing identity services should eventually allow the Commonwealth to stand down some duplicated agency-level licensing and reduce overall operational costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill<00:25:05.080> asks<00:25:05.480> Minnesota<00:25:06.160> to<00:25:06.280
• Uh<00:25:07.920> there's<00:25:08.160> clear<00:25:08.640> federal<00:25:09.080>
• <00:25:11.200> Under<00:25:11.440> Donald<00:25:11.800> Trump,<00:25:12.200>
• I.<00:25:45.120> All<00:25:45.280> opposed<00:25:45.560> say<00:25:45.760> no
• <00:25:55.040> So,<00:25:55.240> the<00:25:55.440> A1<00:25:56.120> is

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:41.200> I'm<00:25:41.279> just<00:25:41.520> giving<00:25:41.679>
• ><00:25:43.200> thought<00:25:43.279> it<00:25:43.440> was<00:25:43.520> a
• coming<00:25:44.000> to<00:25:44.159> fix<00:25:44.320> my<00:25:44.480> flat
• Okay.<00:25:54.559> All<00:25:54.720> those<00:25:54.880> in<00:25:55.039> favor
• . projects. projects.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um,<00:25:24.159> first<00:25:24.480> question<00:25:25.279> um,<00:25:25.840>
• > condo<00:25:29.600> project<00:25:30.000> in the average size of a condo project
• in the average size of a condo project in New<00:25:30.480> Hampshire?
• to do these kind<00:25:50.480> of<00:25:50.640> projects,<00:25:51.200> they're
• <00:25:51.520> concerned kind of projects, they're concerned kind of projects, they're concerned

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you support<00:25:06.640> a<00:25:06.840> guy<00:25:07.039> that<00:25:07.279><
• /c><00:25:09.960> project<00:25:10.279> at<00:25:10.440> the<00:25:11.000> commission
• <00:25:12.000> and your pilot project at the commission and your pilot project at the commission
• ><00:25:15.720> his<00:25:16.159> voice<00:25:17.159> his<00:25:17.399> voice
• is very<00:25:18.320> much<00:25:19.080> relevant<00:25:19.679> as<00:25:19.880

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard Governor’s Message 590, the nomination of Archie Kappa Kappa Kappa to the Hawaiian Homes Commission, and received extensive testimony in support from Department of Hawaiian Home Lands staff, labor representatives, and community members. Supporters emphasized his leadership during the Maui wildfire response, his cultural standing, his long community service, and his experience with the Polynesian Voyaging Society. In his own remarks, Kappa described his background as a lifelong Lahaina resident, former lifeguard supervisor, and community organizer, and said he would prioritize commission duties while balancing his voyaging commitments. Members questioned Kappa about attendance, his understanding of the Hawaiian Homes Commission’s responsibilities, and his views on commercialization and revenue generation. He said commission meetings would be his priority, acknowledged he could not guarantee attendance at every meeting, and explained that commercialization meant using commercial properties and leases to generate revenue for Hawaiian Homes communities. He also said he supported using land assets to reduce reliance on legislative appropriations. A senator raised Act 279 and the need to focus spending on reducing the waitlist; Kappa said the act was complex and that he did not yet know enough to speak confidently beyond what he had read. The committee did not vote on the nomination in the portion provided and said it would return to voting later. The committee then took up Governor’s Message 591, the nomination of Lawrence Luua to the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Testimony described his background in banking, military service, Maui County planning, and long involvement with Molokaʻi homestead matters. Luua told the committee he had lived the challenges of homestead life, including housing and road issues, and said he wanted to continue the work of Prince Kūhiō by helping Native Hawaiians return to and live on the land. In response to questions, he said he began attending DHHL meetings regularly in July 2024, discussed concerns about county road obligations versus homestead responsibilities, and said he had struggled with Act 279 because he was concerned about moving funds away from other projects even though he supported its goal of reducing the waitlist. The committee then moved on to the next governor’s message and testimony for another nominee, with a SHPD representative briefly introducing the background of that nominee, but no action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:14.039> would<00:25:14.159> that<00:25:14.360> flow<00:25:14.640>
• :25:17.679> there<00:25:17.840> and<00:25:17.960> we<00:25:18.039> do<00:
• 25:25.480> little<00:25:25.679> more<00:25:26.080> detail<00:25:26.600> please
• <00:25:43.840> Corman<00:25:44.559> thank<00:25:44.720> you<00:25:44.840> Mr<
• 25:32.680> here<04:25:33.199> is<04:25:34.199> um<04:25:34.560> how<04:25

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :25.360> benefit<00:25:25.880> from<00:25:26.080> the<00:25:26.280> arts.
• You<00:25:27.560> know,<00:25:27.680> as<00:25:27.880> the<00:25:27.960> United
• as the United States is prepared<00:25:29.360> to<00:25:29.440> celebrate<00:25:29.960>
• to celebrate the 250 years since<00:25:31.400> the<00:25:31.480> signing<00:25:32.560>
• <00:25:36.680> has<00:25:36.840> been<00:25:37.000> exploring<00:25:37.600><

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:01:12 America 250KY: Impact and Legacy: 00:03:15 America 250 Events in Lexington: 01:02:13, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for an interim update from the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, with presentations from the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Arts Council. Secretary Lindy Casebier reported that Kentucky tourism has posted record growth for four straight years, with $14.6 billion in economic impact, 97,000 tourism-related jobs, and 81 million travelers spending more than $10.4 billion in 2025. He said the Historical Society and Arts Council help create visitor experiences that support those tourism gains. The Kentucky Historical Society focused on America 250, the state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Staff described a community-driven approach built around themes such as “Revolutionary Experiment,” “We the People,” “Power of Place,” “Crossroads in Kentucky,” and “Doing History,” organized under heritage tourism, education, signature events, and legacy projects. They said the effort has included Liberty Tree plantings in nearly every county, partnerships with local organizations and KET, grants to cabinet agencies and historic sites, and preservation projects in 19 counties. They highlighted Harrodsburg 250 as an early kickoff, along with grant-supported events, exhibits, and educational programs across the state. The Historical Society also described public engagement events tied to the commemoration, including Two Lights for Tomorrow, a food drive in Franklin County, a July 8 historic reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State Capitol, and planned participation at the Kentucky State Fair. They said the General Assembly’s support enabled a grant program that has funded 250 events and programs in 43 counties, totaling more than $720,000, and that the work is intended to build a lasting legacy beyond 2026. The Kentucky Arts Council said it received America 250 grant funds to support artists, arts organizations, communities, and nonprofits for public art, artwork creation, and related programs. The council reported 55 funded projects and $466,000 awarded statewide, with examples including a Burkesville summer arts and history camp and a Fayette County community singing project. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• um thank<00:25:50.960> you<00:25:51.120> Mr<00:25:51.399> chair<00:25:51.880>
• who wants<00:25:54.360> to<00:25:54.480> answer<00:25:54.679> I<00:25:54.760>
• > see<00:25:55.000> you<00:25:55.120> got<00:25:55.720> a<00:25:55.880> nice
• > of<00:25:56.960> your<00:25:57.520> uh<00:25:57.720> your<00:25:57.919>
• :25:13.840> we<01:25:13.960> can<01:25:14.199> work<01:25:15.080> and<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh,<00:25:04.960> Senator,<00:25:05.360> I<00:25:05.600> think<00:25:06.559>
• :25:09.039> a<00:25:09.200> broader<00:25:09.520> question<00:25:09.679> than
• :25:11.600> question<00:25:12.000> under<00:25:12.400> here<00:25:12.559> as<
• >> So,<00:25:20.320> you're<00:25:20.480> saying<00:25:20.640> this<00:25:
• >> I<00:25:26.880> I<00:25:27.120> think<00:25:27.279> that<00:25:27.600><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the April 13 minutes and then turned to a large agenda of contracts. Chairman Douglas said there were 52 contracts totaling about $369.3 million, and noted that most vendors were registered with the Secretary of State except for item 118 on the routine personal services green list and item 19 involving Morehead State University and Kentucky State University. The committee voted to defer item 118 to the June 26 meeting and later also deferred the Kentucky State University contract on the deferred list to the June 26 meeting. The main discussion centered on a deferred personal services contract for the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, involving outside legal counsel. Senator Meredith raised concerns about KRS 320 and whether the board had authority to hire outside counsel when the statute says the Attorney General shall provide legal services to the board. Dr. Mary Beth Morris, the board president, and Christopher Thacker of the Attorney General’s office testified after being sworn in. Thacker explained that the statute and related law allow both Attorney General assistance and independent counsel, and argued that outside counsel is appropriate for day-to-day legal work because it avoids conflicts, especially on open records issues, regulatory advice, and disciplinary hearings. Senator Meredith said he agreed with approving the contract but questioned how the board had reached this point and whether the current statutes reflect modern practice. He raised concerns about transparency and accountability, referencing a prior advisory opinion involving the board’s handling of exam requirements during COVID and saying the board should have consulted the Attorney General before acting. Thacker responded that the Attorney General’s office serves the Commonwealth as a whole, not as counsel to one board, and that the board’s use of outside counsel is a reasonable and economical arrangement. The exchange ended with Meredith suggesting that broader legislative action may be needed to clarify reporting relationships and oversight for the board.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:25:09.360> doing<00:25:09.640> all<00:25:09.760> this<00:25:09.880> work
• work are we<00:25:10.320> are<00:25:10.440> we<00:25:10.760> seeing<00:25:11.120
• what<00:25:14.600> do<00:25:14.720> the<00:25:14.799> vacancy<00:25:15.240>
• :21.159> um<00:25:22.039> 20<00:25:22.600> offices<00:25:23.039> I<00:25:
• centers um<00:25:32.640> so<00:25:32.919> it<00:25:33.039> is<00:25:33.159> a

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Human Services and Homelessness heard two SNAP-related bills on March 13, 2025. SB 960 SD1 would appropriate funds to DHS to improve SNAP administration, including additional positions. Testimony from Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Food Industry Association, AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed, and many others strongly supported the measure, emphasizing high food insecurity, the importance of SNAP federal dollars, and the need to reduce delays and improve access. DHS said vacancies and retention are the main barriers, with staffing shortages statewide across processing centers. The department described efforts such as wikiwiki hiring, bringing back retired workers, using interns, and improving call center efficiency, and said it had requested a 5% performance incentive package estimated at about $1.1 million per year, though that request did not make the governor’s budget. Members asked about vacancy counts, staffing distribution, and how the bill would interact with other SNAP funding; DHS said some funding was tied to the new eligibility system and that staffing requests would need to be separate. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion heard. The committee then heard SB 961 SD1, which would require DHS to adjust minimum certification periods and participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project. Supporters, including AARP Hawaii, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Food Industry Association, and additional organizations and individuals, said the bill would reduce red tape, help kūpuna, and ease administrative burden. DHS supported the concept but said the current legacy system cannot automate these changes and that any implementation would require manual processing until the new system is in place. DHS and committee members discussed the risk of higher error rates and timeliness problems with manual processing, noting the department had recently been assessed a $1 million penalty for high payment error rates and was already in corrective action for timeliness. Members also discussed the anticipated fall 2026 rollout of the new system and whether the bill should be delayed until then; DHS said it preferred to assess the new system first before pursuing waivers and related changes. The committee then moved on to the next measure after the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• way<00:25:02.159> we<00:25:02.279> can<00:25:02.440> do<00:25:02.640> it
• <00:25:02.799> is<00:25:03.039> retain<00:25:03.559> that<00:25:04.159> and
• /c><00:25:45.000> in<00:25:45.120> and<00:25:45.360> taken<00:25:45.720> out<
• the<00:25:55.600> first<00:25:55.919> hearing<00:25:56.480> is<00:25:56.799
• to live at least 25 20 25 years before to live at least 25 20 25 years before they<00:35:25.440>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:01.840> a<00:25:02.000> new<00:25:02.279> provision<00:25:02.799> that
• <00:25:03.600> donations<00:25:04.159> provided<00:25:04.480> to<00:25:04.640>
• /c><00:25:22.760> this<00:25:23.039> but<00:25:23.399> so<00:25:23.679> this<
• > that<00:25:26.039> the<00:25:26.600> DS<00:25:27.120> is<00:25:27.320><
• c> did<00:25:31.880> you<00:25:32.039> know<00:25:32.320> that<00:25:33.159>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Judiciary committee met in decision-making mode and took up a long list of measures, mostly recommending passage with or without amendments. Early actions included S.B. 414, which was amended to blank the appropriation, draw funds from the major disaster fund, and change the effective date to 2050, and S.B. 223, which would require fire breaks in hazardous fire areas and create or expand wildland fire prevention and protection programs with blank appropriations for FY 2026 and 2027. The committee also advanced S.B. 1009 on state reserve parking space enforcement, S.B. 1149 on reported hate crime definitions and reporting, S.B. 402 on mooring-line requirements for certain vessels, S.B. 1441 on the Oahu regional health care system transfer, S.B. 1442 on child and adolescent mental health responsibilities, S.B. 1478 on harbor evacuation orders, and S.B. 493 on written notice for emotional support animal sales or verifications. Members generally raised little opposition, and most measures were adopted without reservations. Some bills drew brief discussion or committee-report notes, including S.B. 1149, which referenced a Hawaii Civil Rights Commission report encouraging policy-level hate crime data reporting, and S.B. 1442, which was amended with a far-future effective date and a committee-report note about whether mental health services should be expressly subject to funding. S.B. 1441 was substantially revised to require a memorandum of agreement between the Oahu Regional Health Care System and the Department of Health by November 30, 2025, with patient care to begin by December 31, 2025, and a report to the legislature before the 2026 session. The committee also considered several finance and energy-related measures. S.B. 897 on the wildfire liability trust fund prompted questions about whether costs would be passed to consumers; the response was that the proposal contemplated cost sharing and that some amounts were still blank. S.B. 1395 and S.B. 1396 were amended to remove special-fund structures, direct revenues into the general fund, and require the governor to include equivalent amounts in the executive budget for climate-related projects. S.B. 501 was amended to expand step-in agreement provisions for future PPAs and establish a fund outside the State Treasury, and S.B. 1589 was amended so private donations to the stadium authority would go into the NID special fund for stadium infrastructure and sod, with members discussing accountability and the source of stadium-related consultant spending. The committee adopted the recommendations on all measures considered, with some members noting reservations on a few bills, and one item, S.B. 1418, was deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• > uh<00:25:02.360> to<00:25:02.520> the<00:25:03.039> agency<00:25:04.039
• <00:25:08.559> to<00:25:08.720> a<00:25:08.840> full<00:25:09.120> life
• /c><00:25:14.360> to<00:25:14.559> create<00:25:14.919> preserve<00:25:15.720>
• is<00:25:20.240> Affordable<00:25:20.720> as<00:25:20.840> opposed<00:25:21.159
• 01:25:11.080> but<01:25:11.280> I<01:25:11.400> I<01:25:11.520> had<01:25

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee met for an organizational hearing focused on introductions, committee jurisdiction, and a presentation from Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Jennifer Ho. Members described their priorities for the session, including addressing HOA issues, senior housing affordability, manufactured housing exploitation, first-time homebuyer access, housing and health connections, homelessness protections, downtown conversions, and expanding starter homes, ADUs, and smaller multifamily housing. Chair Port emphasized bipartisan collaboration and the committee’s focus on removing barriers to housing production and expanding homeownership. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to remembering Senator Carrie Dietz, with Chair Port, Senator Draheim, and Commissioner Ho each describing her deep knowledge, behind-the-scenes leadership, and role in major housing accomplishments. They highlighted her work on fire sprinkler requirements in high-rise buildings, rental housing safety, public and nonprofit housing repairs, protections against predatory investors, manufactured and workforce housing, tenant protections, down payment assistance, local affordable housing aid, homelessness services, and the Bring It Home program, which helped pave the way for Minnesota’s rental voucher program. Advocates’ letters honoring her contributions were also made available to members. Committee staff then reviewed the panel’s jurisdiction, including housing and homelessness prevention, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency oversight and budget matters, housing bond allocation authority, housing infrastructure bonds, manufactured housing, rent control, transitional housing, and homeless prevention. Chair Port said the budget overview would be held for a later hearing. Commissioner Ho introduced her staff and outlined Minnesota Housing’s mission as a statewide mission-driven financial institution that finances affordable housing, homeownership, supportive housing, homelessness prevention, and manufactured housing through partnerships with lenders, developers, service providers, tribes, and local governments. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:25:04.400> me<00:25:04.480> to<00:25:04.880> uh<00:25:05.120> show<00:
• <00:25:28.320> Um<00:25:28.880> yeah,<00:25:30.159> my<00:25:30.320> name
• > over<00:25:49.600> that<00:25:49.840> course<00:25:50.080> of<00:25:50.320
• , I've learned<00:25:52.640> a<00:25:52.799> lot<00:25:52.880> about<00:25:53.120
• <00:25:57.440> no<00:25:57.440> matter<00:25:57.840> how<00:25:58.000> educated

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 3019, which would cap ticket resale prices at face value for events in Hawaii and authorize DCCA to enforce violations. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection opposed the bill and said it preferred a ticket transparency approach focused on upfront disclosure of fees, while supporters argued the measure would curb scalping, bots, and extreme markups. Testimony from the National Independent Venue Association and a concert promoter emphasized that resale does not add inventory and said the bill would protect consumers; committee members questioned DCCA about enforcement and cited examples of very high resale prices for local concerts. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair said the measure would be moved along for further consideration. The committee then heard Senate Bill 3311, which would create the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program within DLNR to fund fire-mitigation grants for residential property owners. DLNR supported the bill, saying the need is immediate and that the program is modeled on successful mainland efforts, though the department said it ultimately belongs under the State Fire Marshal once that office has capacity. DCCA’s Insurance Division submitted written comments only. The measure was received without further action in the excerpt. Senate Bill 2979, authorizing DLNR and community-based organizations to enter community co-management agreements for state lands, drew broad support from OHA, community groups, and several individuals, who said the bill would formalize partnerships, strengthen shared responsibility, and help community stewardship efforts. Testifiers clarified that the bill does not require 65-year agreements and said the term should be left to DLNR’s discretion. The committee then moved on without questions or a vote shown in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2351 on the state park special fund, which would allow DLNR to use fund monies for environmental protection programs. DLNR’s state parks administrator opposed the bill, saying the special fund is already fully committed to urgent maintenance and infrastructure needs across an aging park system, and warned that diverting money would weaken the fund’s ability to support parks. The Tax Foundation also submitted written testimony, and a community witness opposed the measure for similar reasons. The excerpt ends as the committee begins Senate Bill 2918, which would require HCDA to establish a community action center in Chinatown; HCDA’s executive director expressed concern about jurisdiction and said the city and county should continue leading that work.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:25:04.720> stomach<00:25:05.120> as<00:25:05.360> far<00:25:05.520> as<
• as the the<00:25:06.559> uh<00:25:06.640> the<00:25:06.880> amount<00:25:07.200
• > and<00:25:07.360> and<00:25:07.679> I<00:25:07.840> think<00:25:07.919>
• <00:25:13.039> And<00:25:13.200> I<00:25:13.360> know,<00:25:13.520> you<
• Um because<00:25:39.919> again<00:25:40.720> we're<00:25:41.039> projecting<00:25

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum call, the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, and approval of the prior meeting minutes. The first presentation was from Bo Craycraft of the Judicial Form Retirement System, who gave an update on investment performance, asset allocation, cash flow, and projected employer costs. He reported strong fiscal year 2025 investment results, with both the legislative and judicial retirement plans outperforming their actuarial assumed rates of return and benchmarks, driven largely by U.S. equity performance. He also noted the plans remained near their target asset allocation and continued to experience negative cash flow, though he said that was manageable in context of strong asset growth. Craycraft then discussed a recent experience study and actuarial assumption changes, especially a revised salary growth assumption and a higher cash balance interest credit rate. He said these changes increased projected employer costs, with contributions rising from about $700,000 to a projected $2 million in later years, though he expected the eventual 2025 valuation and investment gains to reduce that estimate. Members asked about mortality assumptions, the impact of the experience study on liabilities, and the sharp increase in the judicial plan’s projected employer cost. Craycraft explained that the increase was driven mainly by the updated assumptions and that no other major plan changes were involved. At the chair’s request, Craycraft also addressed the recent rise in Medicare Advantage premiums for the plan’s health coverage, saying the 2025 increase was largely tied to Part D changes and the Inflation Reduction Act and had been about 45%, but that future growth was expected to be under 5%. After his presentation, the committee moved to the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority update, where the next speaker began by saying the funds had exceeded actuarial assumed returns for the fiscal year.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:08.040> about<00:25:08.960> why<00:25:09.200> it's<00:25:09.480> scheduled
• :25:14.160> that<00:25:14.360> was<00:25:14.600> a instead of schedule one, but
• I<00:25:20.280> believe<00:25:20.760> that<00:25:21.600> we<00:25:21.840> heard
• > usages<00:25:31.560> that<00:25:31.920> would<00:25:32.400> help<00:25:
• :25:43.040> is<00:25:43.400> is<00:25:43.560> that<00:25:43.800> what<00:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There were three projects recommended and three projects approved.
• a particular project, for pipeline leak detection, a project called iPype.
• Project 3.0, I believe 3.0 is the last phase of the IPIP project.
• We awarded $42 million to five projects. Look at the costs of these projects.
• The next 25, it'll take 25 years.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee received a compliance and status update on Industrial Commission programs and the Bank of North Dakota. Staff reviewed appropriations and spending for several Industrial Commission funds and grant programs, including lignite research, oil and gas research, clean sustainable energy, grid resiliency, salt cavern analysis, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members discussed the timing of reimbursements, uncommitted balances, and the structure of the pipeline capacity and enhanced oil recovery funding. The Industrial Commission also reported on its administrative budget, grant management system project, and recent leadership transitions across several agencies. Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described active grant rounds and the status of major projects. She said the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority approved three projects in its sixth round, with remaining uncommitted cash and loan capacity still available, though no new funding was appropriated this session. She also said the Oil and Gas Research Council approved six enhanced oil recovery projects and expects additional funding after a federal Department of Energy award replaces one project’s state funding. For grid resiliency grants, she said some projects have been funded, some commitments were returned or reallocated, and some DOE funds remain pending. She also updated the committee on the salt cavern business case study, which replaced an earlier larger development proposal, and on the NDSU research park grant, where the nonmatching portion was paid and the matching portion has moved slowly because the match must be in cash. Ron Ness then gave an extended presentation on enhanced oil recovery and North Dakota oil and gas trends. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, especially gas takeaway and projects like the Bakken East pipeline. He argued that enhanced oil recovery using CO2, natural gas, surfactants, and other methods could extend Bakken production for decades, but that the state needs more CO2 supply, better storage, and updated tax and regulatory incentives. Members asked about lateral lengths, CO2 availability, pipeline impacts, and the role of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and Ness emphasized that the projects are intended to share technical learning across operators and attract follow-on investment. The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and strategic update. President Don Morgan said the bank’s mission remains to support North Dakota agriculture, commerce, and industry while cooperating with the state’s financial sector. He reviewed the bank’s main business lines: participation lending with community institutions, student loans, disaster lending, mission-based programs, and a new fintech-focused effort. Morgan said deposits are flattening, so the bank is managing balance sheet growth carefully, while still reporting improved net income and strong efficiency. He also introduced Rough Rider Coin as a bank-to-bank payment rail, not a public cryptocurrency, intended to speed and modernize payments within North Dakota’s banking and credit union system. Committee members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster program use, and how credit lines and liquidity would be affected if deposits shrink.

Transcript Highlights:

• SO WE HAD THE STRONG DECLINE OF 7.7% IN 24-25 BUT IN 25-26 WE EXPECT AN EVEN DEEPER DECLINE OF 9% BEFORE
• SO THIS LEADS US TO HOW ARE WE ENTERING AND FINISHING 25-26?
• BUDGET COMING OUT OF 25-26 INTO 26-27.
• ON NET IT'S A DECLINE ON THE PROJECTED EXPENDITURES OF 2.6%.
• CULTURAL AND MUSEUM GRANTS WILL SUPPORT PROJECTS THAT SUPPORT 85% OR HIGHER ON FISCAL YEAR 25/26 GRAND

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• projects? projects?
• c><01:25:14.720> harm<01:25:15.400> and<01:25:15.600> death<01:25:16.440> to<
• And<01:25:19.080> um<01:25:19.280> this<01:25:19.440> does<01:25:19.760> take
• > and<01:25:23.120> I<01:25:23.160> would<01:25:23.320> hope<01:25:23.560
• <01:25:35.400> Um<01:25:35.680> I<01:25:35.760> do<01:25:35.880> want

Keywords: 1187, senate, all