Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see, we have a full agenda today, so we'll be limiting all testifiers to two minutes.
• So with that in mind, we follow the protocol that the law has stated in terms of engagement, in terms
• of Engagement in law has stated in terms of Engagement in terms<01:09:21.080><c> of</c><01:09:21.719
• ><c> expressing</c> terms of expressing terms of expressing um<01:09:24.319><c> uh</c><01:09:24.679><
• </c><01:13:29.840><c> that</c> choosing to um use the same terms that choosing to um use the same terms

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• That’s a term of parlance, and so we’re now back on the joint resolution in Senator Avala.
• residents with limited affordable housing options.
• residents with limited affordable housing options.
• Saving for a rainy day, place it in simple terms, right?
• I don't have a congressional member right now, so it makes me the top-ranking official.

Summary: The Senate took up Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 2F, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand homestead property tax relief, lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and limit county and municipal ad valorem tax revenues to specified uses. Senator Avila presented the measure as a major property tax reform intended to provide relief to homeowners and restrain local government spending, while opponents argued it would shift costs to fees, services, and state appropriations and could harm local budgets, public safety, schools, and other services. Several senators also raised concerns about the ballot language and the lack of a completed fiscal analysis. The chamber considered and rejected multiple amendments. Senator Sharif’s income-based “circuit breaker” amendment failed, as did Senator Smith’s sunset clause amendment and Senator Berman’s amendment to rewrite the ballot statement for greater accuracy. During questioning, Avila said the revised language was meant to preserve flexibility for local governments and that future legislatures could set implementing procedures and, if necessary, prohibit certain local expenditures by general law. He also confirmed that the proposal would not affect refinancing or portability, and said the measure would not prevent local governments from continuing to fund many services such as libraries, parks, animal control, code enforcement, mosquito control, public housing, county health departments, and elections. Debate on final passage was extensive. Supporters described the proposal as overdue relief for homeowners and a way to force local governments to prioritize spending, while critics called it a risky tax shift that could reduce local revenue by billions and force cuts or higher fees. Some senators emphasized concerns about public safety funding, mental health and social services, and the accuracy of the ballot summary; others argued the measure would give voters a chance to decide on property tax reform. After debate, the resolution was rolled over for third reading and the Senate continued discussion, but the transcript provided does not include a final vote on the joint resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't like that term here. I'm sorry for rearranging my legislation. All right.
• state to conduct a competitive market process whereby the state writes a best-in-class contract, the terms
• And so we pay, in terms of an ingredient cost for the drug, the average acquisition cost for the drug
• I hate to say, use that term, but it typically ends up being...
• For the unfamiliar, spread pricing is a not-so-fancy term that we use for buy low, sell high.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Summary: The Senate Insurance Committee met on May 13, 2026, adopted the May 6 minutes, and then took up several bills dealing with pharmacy benefit managers, prescription access, behavioral health coverage, and Citizens Property Insurance. HB 938, as amended, was the main PBM reform measure. After the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill, members heard extensive testimony in support from Mark Bloom, Justin Joseph of Capital Rx, and Kathy Ue of Pontchartrain Cancer Center, all emphasizing transparency, pass-through pricing, reverse auctions, and patient access. Supporters described savings from reverse auctions and administrative models, while the cancer center testified that PBM-owned specialty pharmacy requirements can delay cancer medications and create financial hardship. The committee reported HB 938 favorably with amendments. The committee also heard HB 1154, which prohibits prior authorization for certain generic medications prescribed by qualified physicians, with a $250 cap discussed as a safeguard against higher-cost generics. The bill was supported by representatives from Ochsner Health and the Louisiana State Medical Society and was reported favorably. HB 909, which requires commercial coverage for behavioral health crisis services, was amended to clarify the insurers covered and then reported favorably with support from the Office of Behavioral Health and several outside groups. Testimony on HB 909 focused on reducing emergency room and law enforcement burdens and expanding crisis response capacity across the state. HB 1187, dealing with excess emergency assessment funds from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, was explained by the Insurance Commissioner as a way to transfer remaining Katrina-era assessment funds to the Fortified Roof Program. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, SB 511 and SB 512 were deferred and converted into a study resolution approach because there was not yet consensus on the underlying issue. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• INCORPORATING DEFINITIONS FOR TECHNOLOGY NOT CONTEMPLATED BY THE ORIGINAL ACT REVISING OUTDATED TERMS
• THE DATA, BECAUSE THE EXPERIENCE HAVE BEEN SO FEW, IS LIMITED.
• NOT ONLY COULD AFFECT OTHERS BUT LONG TERM IT COULD AFFECT US GEOPOLITICALLY BECAUSE CHINA HAS A 300
• A CONGRESSIONAL REPORT OF MANDATED SOLAR RADIATION MODIFICATION.
• THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY CALL, AND THAT IS THE TERM.

Transcript Highlights:

• That inspires trust in terms of their interaction, even when she's bringing them the bad news.
• Whereas Senator Higdon has announced that he will retire at the end of his current term and that the
• And I always tell my friends here that let's talk in terms of we.
• While he announced his retirement to be effective at the end of his current term. to the Senator from
• </c> his current term. his current term.

Transcript Highlights:

• American state, a faceless system of power not bound by the limits and liberties of our Constitution.
• , Twitter's own terms of service.
• And the legal term for that is viewpoint discrimination.
• What are the long-term consequences of that happening?
• And so in terms of policy prescription, the first thing is starve it of the government funding.

Committee: Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution

Keywords: censorship, First Amendment, social media, misinformation, free speech, government regulation, Big Tech, public discourse

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on the implications of government involvement in censorship, particularly regarding social media platforms and compliance with misinformation standards. senators and witnesses discussed growing concerns over the influence of large tech companies, like Facebook and Google, in shaping public discourse and suppressing dissenting views. A significant part of the meeting included testimonies from various experts emphasizing the dangers of the 'censorship industrial complex'—a term used to describe the collaborative efforts between government entities and private organizations to control information flow. This collaboration is viewed as a violation of First Amendment rights, with calls for urgent legislative action to restore free speech protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we get to a bill with, you know, an inordinate amount of speakers, we may either adjust the time limit
• So the term exceptional event means an event that...
• So the term exceptional event means an event that affects air quality, is not reasonably controlled or
• And the term exceptional event does include wildfires.
• This bill will let us get financing on the best terms possible.

Committee: Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from February 27 and March 3, 2026, then heard House Bill 2013, which would require ADEQ to submit an exceptional event demonstration to EPA when a wildfire on federally managed land affects Arizona air quality. The sponsor said the bill would help Arizona’s ozone/nonattainment situation by ensuring wildfire-related exceedances are excluded from official counts. Sierra Club opposed the mandate as duplicative and costly, and ADEQ said it was neutral but concerned about requiring submissions that may not meet EPA’s regulatory-significance standard and could take about 200 staff hours each. HB 2013 received a do-pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote. The committee also approved House Bill 2156, appropriating $250,000 to the Livestock Compensation Fund, after testimony from opponents raising transparency, conflict-of-interest, and funding concerns; supporters argued ranchers need help with depredation losses. HB 2156 passed 5-3. House Bill 2113, which would require RUCO to intervene in utility rate cases when a proposed residential rate increase is 100% or more, drew testimony from the sponsor about rural customers facing large increases and from RUCO saying it lacked the staff and budget to take on the added workload. The chair and sponsor discussed adding an appropriation or lowering the threshold, but no amendment was ready. Opponents argued the bill would divert RUCO from larger cases, while supporters emphasized protecting rural ratepayers. The committee gave HB 2113 a do-pass recommendation, 6-2. House Concurrent Memorial 2011, urging Congress to delist the Mexican gray wolf and return management to states and local authorities, was supported by the sponsor and ranching-focused testimony citing livestock losses, while opponents said the species remains endangered and recovery should stay science-based. HCM 2011 passed 5-3. The committee then considered House Bill 2026, which would let ADWR evaluate water availability for certain developments by looking only at the proposed source or sources, even if water is commingled in a delivery system. ADWR was neutral but warned that commingled systems make it difficult to track actual water use and could weaken groundwater safeguards; opponents said the bill could enable double counting or more pumping. HB 2026 received a do-pass recommendation, 5-3. House Bill 2056, which appropriates $100,000 for a feasibility study of brackish groundwater desalination sites, was supported by the sponsor as a way to explore additional water supplies; ADWR was neutral but said the study would be new for the agency and that brackish water is still regulated as groundwater. HB 2056 passed 5-3. House Bill 2098, modernizing Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority bonding and financing authority, drew support from Pinal County representatives and passed unanimously, 8-0. Finally, House Concurrent Resolution 2057, supporting a geothermal permitting roadmap and coordination among agencies, was backed by industry advocates as a way to unlock Arizona’s geothermal potential and also passed unanimously, 8-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• And term limits are going to affect that more so here in the next four years.
• The thing is, is that, and I was talking last night, was how to get a longer-term vision of, you know
• And so thinking through what are the different mechanisms for potentially long-term funding, right?
• That statute works relatively well for those short-term events.
• This factor is limited to the project's hydrological effects, such as erosion,... ...landowners.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've been able to upgrade facilities at each of those locations, become more modernized in terms
• And term limits are going to affect that more so here in the next four years.
• And so thinking through what are the different mechanisms for potentially long-term funding, right?
• That statute works relatively well for those short-term events.
• This factor is limited to the project’s hydrological effects, such as erosion... ...landowners.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Summary: The committee met in Fargo and approved the minutes from the March 31 meeting before hearing a series of informational presentations focused on North Dakota agriculture, water, and research. NDSU President David Cook opened with remarks about NDSU’s land-grant mission, emphasizing statewide service through research, teaching, and extension, and highlighting examples such as the Lilac Agriculture startup and the university’s role in applying research to real-world problems. He said he intends to spend time listening across the state to better understand local needs. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study projected significant potential for expanded irrigation acreage, especially in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau, and estimated major economic gains from irrigation, including higher farm returns and support for value-added agriculture. Members discussed water permits, surface water versus aquifers, infrastructure, drought resilience, and the role of legal drains in improving productivity and generating economic activity. The presenters also noted that the full report is available online. Dr. Greg Lardy followed with NDSU’s required interim report, outlining the university’s agricultural research and extension system, including the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, seven research-extension centers, and the economic importance of agriculture to the state. He highlighted recent research impacts such as new crop varieties, potato breeding successes, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, weather-network tools, and 4-H programming. He also described NDSU’s budget priorities: restoring the governor’s proposed 10% cuts, additional operating support, and deferred maintenance funding. Committee members asked about the new agricultural field lab, storage sheds, and NDSU’s partnership with Grand Farm. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor presenting water-related research, including data center cooling, water reuse, smart irrigation, and a feasibility study on co-locating data centers with greenhouse and aquaculture production. Members asked about water use, ownership, and whether the concepts were operational or still speculative. Finally, North Dakota AgTech presented its NSF-funded innovation engine work, describing startup commercialization, on-farm trials, workforce development, and partnerships with NDSU, UND, tribal colleges, and other land-grant institutions. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the prior meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• During his lifetime, he received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2011, the Bronze Star for his service
• Rosemary believed deeply that opportunity should never be limited by gender or geography.
• Rosemary believed deeply that opportunity should never be limited by gender or geography.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including students from Florence High School’s Law Academy, a fourth-grade class from Holy Spirit School, and Brigadier General Nick Brown of Marine Corps Installation West/Camp Pendleton. The chamber also handled routine business, including a motion to remove AB 1389 (Rubio) from the inactive file. The main floor action was on two gubernatorial appointments. Andrew Rakestra was confirmed to the Board of Environmental Safety by a vote of 28-0, and Indira Cameron Banks was confirmed to the Civil Rights Council by a vote of 28-8. Senators also announced upcoming budget subcommittee meetings on resources/environmental protection/energy, health and human services, judicial branch funding and court facilities, and state administration/general government. The Senate then took up adjourn-in-memory tributes. Senator Archuleta honored Yoshi Nakamura, a World War II veteran, educator, artist, and community activist whose life included service in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and decades of teaching in Whittier and at Rio Hondo College. Senator Blakespear honored Dr. Rosemary George Strayley, a longtime international development and women’s rights advocate who served in the Peace Corps, worked with major global institutions, and co-founded Run Women Run. The Senate expressed condolences and agreed to memorialize both individuals.

Transcript Highlights:

• situations, but limited memory can only retain past data for a limited time.
• Just another overview of some terms.
• The reason why the League of Cities use the model ordinance term is because that's a term we use for
• In terms of my background, In terms of my background, prior to being at NARUC, which is essentially sort
• FERC generally has limited jurisdiction on citing Thank you.

Committee: Joint Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that current efforts are incredibly limited.
• I think that current efforts are incredibly limited.
• I think that current efforts are incredibly limited.
• That will be world-class in terms of future research.
• That will be world-class in terms of future research.

Transcript Highlights:

• federal government fixes and adopts the second half of the waiver by rule or perhaps there's some congressional
• 49.680><c> some</c> waiver by rule or perhaps there's some waiver by rule or perhaps there's some congressional
• <00:13:50.399><c> action</c> congressional action congressional action but<00:13:51.600><c> those</c>

Summary: The committee reviewed a side-by-side comparison and fiscal analysis of Senate File 3472, a reinsurance-related bill affecting the premium security plan account, MinnesotaCare, and related health care funding. Staff explained the Senate and House versions of the bill, including how the Senate proposal extends reinsurance for five years and uses a projected $1.087 billion general fund transfer to fully fund claims and administrative costs through fiscal year 2028, while the House version conditions continuation of the program on federal approval of the state innovation waiver. The fiscal presentation also covered appropriations for MNsure, a mental health parity and substance abuse office, and House provisions for delivery reform and a public option study, along with a House transfer of $110.674 million to the health care access fund. Members debated the budget horizon and whether costs should be forecast beyond fiscal year 2025. Representative Schultz argued that the spreadsheet understated the broader fiscal impact of reinsurance and warned about future funding cliffs for MinnesotaCare and other health programs, while other members and staff noted that the state’s standard forecast ends in fiscal year 2025 and that the fiscal note only estimated reinsurance costs through the five-year extension. Supporters said reinsurance was the best available option to reduce premium increases, especially in rural areas, and some pointed to a public option as a longer-term alternative. Opponents argued reinsurance does not address underlying health care costs or deductibles and urged consideration of other reforms. House Research then walked through the policy differences. House-only provisions would change Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association board membership, require platinum plans in certain markets, expand postnatal coverage, require a prescription drug benefit in some plans, set a minimum actuarial value for MinnesotaCare, create an Office of Mental Health Parity and Substance Abuse Accountability, and direct reports on delivery reform and a public option. The shared provisions would extend the premium security program to 2027 and delay the transfer of remaining premium security plan funds to the health care access fund until 2029, with the House language again contingent on federal waiver approval. No formal vote was taken in the excerpt; the chair closed discussion after hearing no further questions and indicated members would be contacted about next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is actually limiting the increase. Yes.
• c> programs,</c><01:19:48.480><c> we</c> Medicaid long-term care programs, we Medicaid long-term care
• </c> is Medicaid long-term care specific. is Medicaid long-term care specific.
• Second, state action provides insurance against congressional delay.
• </c> provides insurance against congressional provides insurance against congressional delay.<01:51:16.800

Committee: Joint Health Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate that this bill recognizes that teaching students the limitations acknowledge the limitations
• . the benefits of using AI systems, but also its limitations.
• In terms of my background, I'll balance out David Smith, who's from Southern California.
• Obviously, a big deal for the state of Florida in terms of the amount of golf courses.
• Obviously, a big deal for the state of Florida in terms of the amount of golf courses.

Bills: S1694

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: technology education, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, computer science, high school graduation

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that meanderland, like they have that term along the rivers?
• So that 750 is our aquatics limit.
• Our aquatics limit.
• So we... ...in terms of farming. So we, K.L.
• Our congressional delegation is also sending a letter.

Summary: The committee opened its third interim meeting with roll call, approved the November 13, 2025 minutes, and the chair reviewed prior committee work, including a denied request for a fertilizer-capacity study and a planned later discussion of the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger issue. Commissioner Doug Goring then presented Department of Agriculture updates on uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, the state’s irrigation potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and supply in North Dakota. Members asked about funding sources, fertilizer storage and availability, natural gas and water needs for future fertilizer plants, and how the model zoning website would help counties and townships apply setback and odor tools. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the department is proposing changes to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and updated hydrologic data, while still limiting the model to direct, demonstrable costs and benefits. He said the goal is to make the analysis more realistic and consistent without changing statute, and he provided examples of how project benefits could change as drains age or as rainfall and flood data evolve. Committee members and water-user representatives generally supported continued work on the proposal, while raising concerns about downstream impacts, closed-basin projects, and whether the changes would meaningfully affect project approvals. The committee then heard from John Paskowski, state engineer, on Devil’s Lake, the West End and East End outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. He reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow limits, and explained that the control structure is intended to prevent a catastrophic uncontrolled release by slowing erosion and head cutting. Members asked about water quality trends, the length of the downstream flow constraint, and whether the Tolna Coulee area had been studied for possible natural overflow or silt buildup. The discussion emphasized ongoing flooding concerns, mitigation for affected landowners, and the need to balance outlet operations with downstream water quality and infrastructure protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are kind of familiar terms.
• Five-year term beginning July 1st, 2025 and ending June 30th, 2030.
• Five-year term beginning July 1st, 2025 and ending June 30th, 2030.
• Four-year term effective July 1st, 2025 and ending June 30th, 2029.
• Four-year term effective July 1st, 2025 and ending June 30th, 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• technical discussion here, for the public and the greater public they understand this in very layperson’s terms
• So, you know, the congressional committees take this up... ...once a decade, and the White House doesn
• Despite efforts to maintain privacy protections and limit data sharing, users must consistently readjust

Summary: The Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection heard three bills. AB 412, the AI Copyright Transparency Act, would require generative AI developers to let copyright holders know whether their works were used in training. The author said the bill was narrowed by amendments to remove prescriptive technical language and focus on transparency rather than compensation or training restrictions. Supporters included voice actors, artists, labor groups, and technical experts who argued creators need a way to know if their work was used. Opponents, including business and tech groups, argued the bill was premature given unsettled copyright law and raised concerns about technical feasibility, scale, and ownership identification. After discussion, the committee passed AB 412 on a 6-2 vote and sent it to Judiciary. AB 2448 would require electronic health record vendors to enable technical safeguards so providers can better segregate sensitive reproductive and gender-affirming care information. The author and supporters, including Planned Parenthood, the Attorney General’s office, medical groups, and privacy advocates, said the bill builds on existing California privacy law and helps protect patients from misuse of sensitive health data. There was no opposition testimony. The committee passed AB 2448 on a 7-1 vote and sent it to Health. AB 2561 would prohibit changes to consumers’ preferred privacy settings without their consent, aiming to prevent apps and software from resetting privacy choices after updates. The author said the bill would reduce the burden on users and strengthen privacy protections. CalChamber and TechNet said they had moved from opposition to support after amendments were taken. The committee passed AB 2561 unanimously, 8-0, and adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of long term goals, but in short term goals but also long-term goals, like how do we get there
• I don't think we have a good picture in terms of the overcrowded.
• Uh, contrary to popular belief, homeownership is, is long term and sometimes short-term cheaper than
• Close to my experience in terms of how long it is taking us to build homes.
• A loan structure, I think is limited in terms of particularly an amortized loan structure is limited

Committee: House Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to limited law enforcement resources or the impracticality of pursuing criminal charges, this leaves
• In particular, the inability to align alcohol regulations with the parent city's can limit the types
• So, does this limit all providers from having access? Yes. In what way?
• And so access was the main thing; the bill itself doesn't limit it.
• But that doesn't cause any long-term effects. It doesn't affect fertility in the future.

Bills: HB220 , HB783 , HB2240 , HB3336 , HB4202 , HB4449 , HB4904 , HB3441 , HB4284

Committee: Senate State Affairs