Transcript Highlights:

• in the and all of the redactions, um, wasn't the investigative section, it was the trade secret section
• in the and all of the redactions, um, wasn't the investigative section, it was the trade secret section
• the OPTIM report, um, the uh the section the OPTIM report, um, the uh the section of<00:19:26.320
• So, it's as a question for section.
• section, the data practices act? section, the data practices act?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3542 was heard in committee and moved forward with a recommendation to be re-referred to the Children, Families, Finance, and Policy Committee. The bill would change current law so that the commissioners of Human Services and Children, Youth, and Families must disclose the existence of an investigation, rather than may disclose it, with the stated goal of increasing transparency to the public and legislature. Members and agency officials discussed concerns that mandatory disclosure could tip off subjects of investigations, especially in fraud cases, allowing them to destroy evidence, coordinate stories, or otherwise interfere. The Department of Human Services and the Inspector General said disclosure can compromise investigations and noted that providers are typically notified when payments are reduced, suspended, or withheld, though federal law can sometimes require delayed notice. Representative Pinto offered an A2 amendment to require disclosure within 30 days unless it would compromise an investigation, but it was rejected. Representative Hudson then offered an oral amendment stating that disclosure would be required if the commissioner has taken action to reduce, suspend, or withhold payments to the subject of the investigation. The chair waived the rule to allow the oral amendment, and it was adopted. Staff clarified that the bill would only require disclosure of the existence of an investigation, not underlying details, and would not address trade secret redactions. After the amendment, the committee approved the motion to re-refer the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• rule less that section, or is that the entire permit for prior permit section?
• Attorney Munz, you could do a conditional approval to remove that section, but that section applies to
• <00:16:53.440> that um I can't find exactly the section that um I can't find exactly the section
• entire permit for prior permit section? entire permit for prior permit section?
• remove that section, but it that section remove that section, but it that section applies<00:17:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with routine business, approving the prior meeting minutes and adopting the consent calendar without objection. It then postponed the Board of Licensed Dieticians and the Board of Accountancy items to next month, with a waiver granted for the dieticians item so it could be carried over. The committee also noted that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources interim rule would be discussed further, and staff flagged a specific concern about authority over kindling size for category 3 fires under NCR 5601.04. The Board of Registry and Optometry received conditional approval. Staff said the board had addressed editorial comments, but raised one substantive issue about the drug formulary: the statute requires posting it online but does not clearly exempt it from rulemaking, suggesting a possible legislative carveout may be needed. The committee agreed to add that issue to a list of legislative suggestions for later consideration. The DNCR interim fire rule was the main contested item. Committee members and staff discussed whether the rule exceeded authority by regulating kindling for category 3 fires, and the agency explained that the regular rules had expired and interim rules were needed quickly for public safety and permit enforcement. The committee ultimately granted conditional approval on the interim rule 25-4, with the understanding that the agency would continue regular rulemaking and address the objection. The Board of Examiners’ dental rules were then reviewed. The agency explained that it revised the rules to address prior concerns about anesthesia and sedation for children, including a pathway for oral surgeons and dentist anesthesiologists to obtain exemptions for under-13 patients, a pediatric minimal sedation permit, and a moderate sedation permit with pediatric qualification. Members also discussed whether the rules were consistent with House Bill 470; staff and members concluded they appeared compatible and would not require additional rulemaking. The committee approved the dental rules, and then adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• yesterday on the house floor uh sections yesterday on the house floor uh sections 19<00:22:42.480
• Section 33 also deals with the Capitol renovations, and Section 34 will give $3.2 million for purchase
• The provisions of House Bill 606 are in Section 35.
• Please call the roll. section 37 is and 38 and section 37 is and 38 and 39 39 39 are<00:24:19.120>
• <00:24:32.080> 40 uh appropriation and then section 40 uh appropriation and then section 40

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:10 SB 244 Discussion 00:01:16 SB 244 Vote 00:02:00 SB 19 Discussion 00:03:30 SB 19 Vote 00:08:35 SB 63 Discussion 00:10:52 SB 63 Vote 00:14:47 SB 179 Discussion 00:16:28 SB 179 Vote 00:18:38 SB 25 Discussion 00:20:00 SB 25 Vote 00:25:35 SB 6 Discussion 00:27:10 SB 6 Vote 00:30:37, 958, all

Summary: The House Appropriations and Revenue Committee met on March 13, 2025, with a quorum present and took up several Senate bills. Senate Bill 244, relating to Department of Law operations, was presented as a cleanup bill and reported favorably with 18 yes votes and no opposition. Senate Bill 19, concerning moments of silence and reflection, was amended with PHS 1 to add a moral instruction component and related school-district provisions; members raised questions about the research cited, the logistics of student release time, and possible fiscal effects. The bill was reported favorably with 15 yes, 3 no, and 1 pass, and a title amendment was adopted. Senate Bill 63, dealing with street-legal special purpose vehicles, was amended to make local participation optional, clarify motorcycle-style insurance requirements, and address registration and inspection rules; after a committee amendment was rolled into the substitute, it was reported favorably with 18 yes and 1 pass. The committee also considered Senate Bill 179, which establishes a nuclear energy development grant program within the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority. Testimony explained that the bill sets aside $10 million from an existing appropriation, including $2 million for workforce training at the University of Kentucky’s engineering school in Paducah. The bill was reported favorably with 19 yes votes and no opposition. Senate Bill 25, a housing measure allowing industrial revenue bonds for large multifamily housing, was substantially expanded through PHS 2 and a committee amendment to incorporate provisions from House Bill 9, House Bill 643, Senate Bill 85, and budget-related language; the committee reported it favorably with 16 yes votes and 3 passes, and adopted a title amendment. Finally, Senate Bill 6, which revises education reporting and funding provisions, was amended by PHS 1 to require reporting of fringe costs in K-12 spending and to modify SEEK funding for virtual schools and English as a Second Language add-ons. Members asked whether the changes affected other funding streams and how the SEEK formula would be applied, and the sponsor clarified that the virtual-school provision applies only to SEEK. The bill was reported favorably with 16 yes votes and 3 passes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section one, purpose. A.
• Section two.
• Section three, effective date.
• Section three, effective date. Section three, effective date.
• > restating<00:30:26.480> the This section starts by restating the This section starts by

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional for Mental Health Awareness Month, focused on the fragility and renewability of mental health and the importance of human connection, kindness, and reaching out to people who are struggling. The chamber then handled several referral items, including first reading and referral of Senate Bill 329, an act relating to criminal procedures involving firearms, to the Judiciary Committee. It also referred Senate Bills 323 and 326 to the Committee on Appropriations because they carry appropriations, and noted that Senate Bill 278, relating to cannabis and state revenue, had been reported favorably with amendment and was referred to Ways and Means under House Rule 35A. The House took up Joint Senate Resolution 53 on weekend adjournment for May 15, 2026, and adopted it in concurrence by voice vote. The chamber also read House Concurrent Resolution 284 honoring former Senate Majority Leader and Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs’ Executive Director John F. Campbell for his public service, including his work on marriage equality and gun control, and members gave remarks recognizing his leadership, humor, and impact on the institution. Several guests were welcomed and recognized during announcements, including a representative involved in a diaper drive, local officials, and Norma Malone, who was honored for decades of public service in Barry Town and related local boards. The main floor action was on Proposal 4, a proposed constitutional amendment on equality of rights. The Judiciary Committee recommended concurrence, and the member from Burlington explained the amendment’s purpose and process, emphasizing that it would add an equal protection guarantee to the Vermont Constitution covering race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and national origin, while preserving other constitutional protections. The member also reviewed the proposal’s prior passage in both chambers in the previous biennium and its current path toward appearing on the November 2026 ballot if approved again by the House and Senate. The transcript ends while the House is still hearing extended remarks on Proposal 4, with no final vote on the amendment shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to just pick off several sections where all those sections do is deal with the term building
• > the Um, section 8 coordinates the Um, section 8 coordinates the requirement<01:54:31.920>
• 44.000> mechanism section 9 moves enforcement mechanism section 9 moves enforcement mechanism
• Do not issue a permit under section Do not issue a permit under section whatever<01:55:08.800>
• > we<01:56:26.080> don't Section 37 clarified that we don't Section 37 clarified that we

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 525, which would have transferred administration of the program for the deaf and hard of hearing and the related board to OPLC. The chair said the sponsor was no longer interested in moving forward, and Representative Schmidt moved ITL. The motion passed 14-0 with two members absent, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. The committee then considered Senate Bill 182 on the maternal mortality review committee. The chair described a narrower amendment that would keep the name change, clarify operations so recommendations are returned to the appropriate entities, and expand contact with family members and close contacts, while dropping a proposed addition of a Department of Corrections member. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was then moved ITL and placed on the consent calendar. Senate Bill 185, dealing with OPLC investigations and backlog reduction, received an update from OPLC General Counsel Nicholas Fry. He described efforts to improve public communication, clear the complaint backlog, standardize intake and expert review, add automated responses and website updates, use weekly legal-viability reviews, create preliminary investigation protocols, and establish a process for law-enforcement referrals. Members asked about board involvement and criminal-conviction cases; Fry said boards are kept informed and that such matters can proceed either through complaints or application/background-check processes. Representative Groa requested a follow-up update in January, and the committee agreed to an oral report then if needed. The bill was then voted ITL unanimously and placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 349 on optometrists performing ophthalmologic laser procedures. Dr. Angelique Sawyer testified in support, saying the amendment adds more specific proctoring and qualification requirements, based on language requested after earlier hearings, and that similar systems exist in other states. Representative Sers confirmed that the new sections were the key additions, while Representative Schmidt said he remained open to the concept but wanted a thorough review and asked about a subcommittee. The discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended, with no vote recorded on HB 349.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> sections<01:29:13.000> are<01:29:13.719> um example the different sections are um
• oppose but it doesn't say which section oppose but it doesn't say which section you<01:29:58.639>
• amendments to it I would amend section amendments to it I would amend section two<01:38:21.960><
• condemnation powers under this section condemnation powers under this section of<02:17:01.719>
• hda's responsibilities this section hda's responsibilities this section should<02:32:22.640>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also added in a section for 22 CFR 126.1, which actually lists the adversarial foreign governments
• We also added, in section 1, paragraph 8 on the fourth page, at the bottom, at the request of another
• <00:03:04.840> 1,<00:03:05.200> paragraph We also added uh in section 1, paragraph
• , specifically their intelligence section, specifically their intelligence section, review<00:04:
• There's a section in narrows it down.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1014, enacting Title 20, Chapter 2, Article 1 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, adding Section
• Senate Bill 1016, enacting Section 23-206 of the Arizona Revised Statutes by adding Section 23-207, relating
• Senate Bill 1054, amending Section 19-142 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to referendum power
• Amending Title 36, Chapter 4.02, Article 1 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 36-420.06
• Senate Bill 1751, an act amending Section 13-757 of the Arizona Revised Statutes relating to capital

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by section.
• <00:05:08.000> But<00:05:08.160> it's<00:05:08.320> the over it section by section
• But it's the over it section by section.
• it. is bringing the code sections it. is bringing the code sections forward<00:21:33.280> uh<
• It amends section<00:27:08.000> 2511 section 2511 section 2511 uh<00:27:10.720> 111<00:

Keywords: Finance - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 2191, which would expand the allowable uses of municipal use tax funds. The bill would add sidewalks to the list of eligible projects and remove remaining restrictive language that limited use tax spending to roads and bridges. A senator asked for confirmation that the funds would be limited to publicly owned property of the local government, and the sponsor confirmed that was the intent. The committee approved the bill and reported it out. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2257, the Mississippi Land Bank Act, which would create a local land bank tool for cities and counties to acquire, manage, and return vacant, abandoned, and tax-forfeited properties to productive use. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help address blight, especially properties held at the Secretary of State’s office, and emphasized that land banks would be locally created, subject to public accountability requirements, and barred from using eminent domain. The committee adopted the bill and reported it out. Members also discussed Senate Bill 2828, a committee substitute that would impose a fee on international wire transfers, with a credit available to Mississippi income taxpayers. The sponsor said half of the revenue would go to DPS for 287(g) programs and half to the general fund. An amendment was adopted to exempt certain transactions funded through U.S.-issued debit or credit cards or withdrawn from federally insured accounts. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill out. Later bills included SB 2863, creating a Jackson County industrial zone exempt from municipal annexation, and SB 2862, a related annexation measure brought forward with a reverse repealer; both were advanced after brief discussion. The committee also approved SB 2909, which lowers the unreduced retirement threshold in Tier 5 from 35 years to 30 years, and SB 2885, the Mississippi Work and Save program, a voluntary state-treasurer-run retirement savings option for small employers and employees. Throughout, the committee generally asked limited clarifying questions and then voted to adopt committee substitutes and report the bills out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section one, in particular.
• a new section 237D-2.
• So the ask of the AG was to delete the section of section SEC section two because unconstitutionality
• <00:27:25.120> of<00:27:25.440> section AG was to deete the section of section AG was
• to deete the section of section SEC<00:27:26.960> section<00:27:27.360> two<00:27:28.200

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and on Water and Land heard testimony on HB 504, a measure relating to environmental stewardship and funding for natural resource protection and restoration. Supporters included multiple state agencies and advocacy groups, such as DLNR, HTA, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Resources Legacy Fund, the Hawaiʻi Climate Action Coalition, and others, who said the bill would create dedicated funding for environmental, climate, and cultural resource needs and help address wildfire, flood, coastal storm, and tourism-related impacts. Several witnesses emphasized that Hawaiʻi’s environmental funding gap is large and that visitor contributions should be directed to stewardship and restoration. Some supporters also urged that the measure be applied equitably across all visitor accommodations and related uses, including cruise ship cabins and state rooms, while a few suggested amendments to broaden coverage or create a working group for implementation. Opposition and concerns focused largely on the bill’s tax structure and legal/administrative issues. The Department of Budget and Finance and the Tax Foundation questioned the reimbursable general obligation bond special fund in part two, suggesting it be converted to a regular special fund or deleted. The Attorney General’s office said part two may violate the single-subject rule in the state constitution and recommended deleting it. The Department of Taxation said the proposed points-and-miles language would be difficult to audit and enforce, and Expedia and others said the proposed tax treatment of loyalty points and certain payment forms would be operationally difficult. Industry witnesses also warned the bill could raise costs in a high-tax destination and asked for more marketing support if the tax is increased. The committee also heard concerns that a new tax on cruise ship cabins could raise federal preemption issues. The chair noted the testimony count as 23 in support, 179 in opposition, and one with comments. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the hearing ended with questions from senators and agency responses about possible amendments, enforcement, and constitutional concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 9, subdivision 2; section 10, subdivisions 1 and 2.
• Section 9, subdivision subdivision subdivision two,<01:10:40.159> section<01:10:40.679> 10,
• Moving on to section 10, Mr.
• One section I'll specifically call out is section one because I've had a lot of experience with this
• One section I'll specifically call out is section one because I've had a lot of experience with this

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think he is currently looking in that section. So, 1505 is the section that provides those.
• And the section was referring to number one on page 17, line 19.
• And so, that's why it says of this section. So, it's it's basically.
• That's where the guardrails sit through other through other sections of Title 19.
• Pursuant to section 180.1 of Title 60, you say other than an audit required.

Bills: SB2130, SB2135

Keywords: municipal finance, audit exemption, biennial reporting, local government, transparency, county purchasing, purchase card, government accountability, emergency expenditures, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so that's why I move to delete section so that's why I move to delete section five<00:18:23.760>
• Um and um there is a section just making Um and um there is a section just making sure<00:26:26.799><
• section 10.
• And this deletes 187, delete section 10.
• > the<00:33:03.200> fee But this section increases the fee But this section increases the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I will walk through section by section detailing what each part is.
• Section one is just moving some definitions from section two.
• section.
• So section one is just moving some definitions from section two.
• section.

Summary: The committee first approved the December 16 minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their economic and public-system impacts. She explained that ACEs are population-level risk indicators, not individual diagnostic tools, and said higher ACE exposure is associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare and justice involvement, and lower workforce participation. She cautioned that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across the life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based interventions and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, trends in ACEs, and home visiting; she emphasized supportive relationships, protective factors, and the importance of positive childhood experiences. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco, along with a recorded family story from Abby, about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota. Abby described how Healthy Families North Dakota supported her family after a premature birth and NICU stay by providing weekly in-home coaching, developmental screenings, postpartum mental health check-ins, referrals, and parenting support. The presenters explained that home visiting is voluntary, relationship-based, and usually begins prenatally or shortly after birth, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, pregnancy navigators, human service zones, self-referrals, and other community partners. They said North Dakota currently has four main evidence-based models operating through 12 organizations, with Healthy Families available in all 53 counties, though only a fraction of eligible families are served. Funding was described as a patchwork of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E, Medicaid, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and other grants; members discussed whether the Legislature or agencies should expand support and how to improve outreach and sustainability. Finally, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, focusing on AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and chatbot-related risks. The report summarized federal and state law, including North Dakota’s existing computer-generated image provisions, the federal PROTECT Act, the Take It Down Act, and recent federal executive orders on AI policy. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI’s effect on critical thinking and misinformation. The committee then heard from BCI Special Agent Cassidy Halsef, who said AI is already driving a sharp rise in child exploitation cases in North Dakota, including AI-generated explicit images of real minors and school-based incidents involving mass-shared manipulated images. She said investigators are seeing more cyber tips, more difficult forensic work, and lasting harm to victims and families, and urged stronger legal penalties, specialized training, victim services, and prevention education in schools and communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• becomes, what about the rest of Article 3, Section 20?
• The Court has now held that compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act...
• It did not overturn Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. News flash.
• But the Supreme Court did not overturn Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
• But the Supreme Court did not overturn Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's under section where is it?
• It skips over from section 2 to section 4. not that it is the department of general not that it is the
• appear to conflict with uh HRS sections appear to conflict with uh HRS sections 302A-151 302A-151
• over from section two to section four. over from section two to section four.
• four subsection E that's under section four subsection E that's under section two<01:43:18.400><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1783, which would expand public-private partnership options for charter school facilities. The Department of Education offered comments, the Charter School Commission and SFA supported the bill, and Hawaii Technology Academy, Hawaii Kids, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, HGA, Aloha Project, and several individuals testified in support, while UPW opposed it. Supporters said charter schools need faster and more flexible ways to address severe facility shortages and high costs, and SFA described the bill as a pilot model that could leverage developer partnerships and state contributions, citing Maryland as an example. Members asked whether the bill was limited to charter schools; DOE said the language could be read to include other public school facilities, but if focused only on charter schools, DOE was less concerned. The Charter School Commission also described an existing public-private preschool model through Parkway Village Preschool and PACTED. The committee then took up HB 1778, which would establish a CIP database for school facilities. SFA supported the bill, saying it would create a more disciplined, transparent basis for funding decisions by documenting facility condition, needed repairs, classification, and timing. DOE initially said it rested on its comments, then responded to questions by saying it already maintains deferred maintenance lists, uses systems such as Maximo, CPT, GIS, and finance software, and sends legislators project-status letters twice a year. DOE said it is working on improving its outward-facing dashboard and integrating its systems, but questioned whether the bill would add value beyond existing tools. Members emphasized the need for a publicly accessible, real-time transparency tool, while DOE said it was still evaluating its current systems and was not yet seeking funding for a new IT program. For HB 2344, creating an Independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission, DOE said it wants to remain part of any consolidation process to keep students and education central, while SFA said the bill is timely and framed it as a restructuring response to changing conditions and possible federal funding cuts. SFA compared the proposal to the federal BRAC process for military base closures and said Hawaii has the same enrollment as in 1961 but many more schools, arguing that the state needs a more deliberate approach to school closures and land reuse. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about several sections, including unclear references to administrative support, a governor-approval sequence, a possible conflict with existing statutes governing closed-school disposition, and a missing section number. Testimony on HB 2345, which would establish a geographic CIP district, began with DOE in opposition; DOE said the bill would duplicate existing work, add confusion by creating two agencies doing the same thing, and spend money inefficiently because district project coordinators and project lists already exist.

Transcript Highlights:

• entire section. entire section. >> Okay,<01:41:04.000> understood.
• a new applicability section. a new applicability section.
• is on page three, section six, line six. is on page three, section six, line six.
• And then the next section is a section we just discussed. Yes, it repeals that Roman six again.
• And then the next section is a section we just discussed. Yes, it repeals that Roman six again.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session opened on February 13, 2026, with the chair outlining the committee’s advisory role and the possible motions available under House Rule 45. The committee then took up House Bill 1569, concerning the Philbrook Center/state hospital campus property, and heard extensive testimony from Commissioner Charlie Arlinghouse. He explained that the property is currently one parcel and state law prevents subdivision unless a separate Senate bill, identified as SB 572, is enacted to fix the legal issue. He said HB 2 directed the sale of the property but did not address subdivision or marketing details, and he characterized the $5 million revenue estimate as speculative. He also said the state would first offer the property to the city or county, which he viewed as the most practical buyer and potential partner for any subdivision work. Members asked whether the building should be retained for transitional housing or sold, what would happen after July 1, 2026, and whether other vacant state buildings could absorb the current occupants. Arlinghouse said there are no firm plans for the building if it is not sold, and that HHS would remain until a sale occurs. He described the building as not especially historic or attractive and noted plumbing issues, while also acknowledging HHS’s view that it could serve as transitional housing. He said there is no reserve stock of office space, that the state already rents substantial office space in Concord, and that some nearby state buildings are either under renovation or only partially usable. He also said the Executive Council would have to approve any sale and that moving costs are usually not budgeted in advance, leaving the using agency to absorb them. Several members raised concerns about relying on asset sales to balance the budget, citing past examples where projected real estate revenue did not materialize on schedule. Arlinghouse agreed that one-time revenue should generally be used for one-time expenses, but said the state sometimes has legitimate reasons to sell assets and that such decisions depend on the state’s needs. He estimated the state rents roughly 100,000 square feet of office space in Concord at about $25 per square foot, and said he would provide a more exact figure later. In response to a question about whether the state should include a right of first refusal if the property is later resold, he said that idea had not been considered but could make sense, especially if the buyer is the city or county. No votes were taken during this portion of the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that includes the delegation and oversight section.
• The asset allocation section maps directly to the asset allocation section of the previous policy statement
• And that includes the delegation and oversight section.
• The asset allocation section maps directly to the asset allocation section.
• The asset allocation section maps directly to the asset allocation section of the previous policy statement

Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and receive updates on the Legacy Fund transparency website and fund performance. Staff reported the website procurement was in contract negotiations, with a planned go-live around November 1, and that the site would provide downloadable, more transparent information on fund holdings, allocations, history, and legislative appropriations while protecting confidential data. The investment office then reviewed performance through January 2026, describing strong returns relative to benchmarks, noting real estate and fixed income as weaker areas, and explaining that the fund’s diversification and internal management had helped offset market volatility, including recent geopolitical impacts. Members also discussed the in-state investment program, especially the Bank of North Dakota’s CD-match allocation. Several members questioned whether the program had been static for years and whether the uncommitted balance should remain parked there if it was not being used. The committee voted to pause further transfers into the program until the Bank provides a report and the committee can consider possible statutory changes; the motion also requested a cost-benefit analysis from RVK, and it passed by roll call vote. In the afternoon, RVK presented its review of the investment policy statement as it relates to the in-state investment program. The consultant said it found no major policy impediments, and that implementers and stakeholders generally felt the program was proceeding as intended. RVK emphasized best practices such as third-party due diligence, competitive risk-adjusted returns, diversification, pacing, and exit strategies, while cautioning that required lower-return investments or spending commitments can create pressure on the fund’s long-term real value. The consultant also raised ancillary concerns about state-level concentration risk, the need to distinguish between public and commercial infrastructure, and the lack of a central repository for all state funding commitments to the same projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's Section 6.5.
• So on Section 8, I was looking at the... Um, I was looking at Section 8, lines 31 through 33.
• And so I didn't see the section, but what section deals with the absentee ballot and how it is counted
• So that's really what Section 1 does.
• Has it changed on section 4.3 and section 4.7, where the fiscal notes are?

Bills: AB49, AB169, AB188, AB284, AB296, AB306, AB356, AB366, AB467, AB499, AB515, AB540, AB542, AB595

Keywords: educational personnel, teacher licensing, reciprocal licensure, provisional teaching, school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, state education standards, health insurance, speech-language pathology, stuttering, rehabilitative services, habilitative services, coverage requirements, health plans, retired public employees, subsidy, Medicare, health reimbursement arrangement, Public Employees' Benefits Program

Transcript Highlights:

• section of the bill. section of the bill.
• Uh<00:29:40.480> this<00:29:40.800> section Uh this section Uh this section states<00:29
• Chair and members, is being relocated to one section, which is section six.
• section six. section six.
• this in one um specific section. this in one um specific section.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all