Transcript Highlights:

• And from an appropriation standpoint, I understand the concern that it might be too expensive for the
• There's the appropriator thinking again. Senator Beckettahl, funding? Funding.
• And as part of that, we have adopted the prior appropriation doctrine in North Dakota, meaning first
• Of course, rights of prior appropriators, like I mentioned, cannot be unduly affected.
• Water use must be beneficial, and the proposed appropriation must be in the public interest.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to review prior minutes and hear a series of presentations on advanced nuclear technology and state readiness. The committee approved the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon’s William Bridge outlined the advanced nuclear landscape, distinguishing near-term light-water SMRs from more advanced Gen 4 reactors and microreactors, and emphasized that fuel supply, especially HALEU, remains a developing supply chain. He said light-water designs are the most deployable in the near term, while advanced reactors may be better suited for industrial heat applications and could face a 2- to 3-year delay from fuel availability. Representatives from NASEO described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, pilot programs, financing tools, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and regional coordination. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and stressed that states are focusing early on emergency preparedness, community engagement, waste management, affordability, and consumer protections. They also noted that some states are creating nuclear-ready community programs and cost-recovery guardrails, while public utility commissions are examining long-term lifecycle costs and rate impacts. North Dakota agencies then outlined their potential roles. The Public Service Commission said it would likely be involved in public-interest review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted current statutes may not fully address long-term nuclear projects, co-location, or decommissioning. The Department of Environmental Quality said it would continue to regulate radioactive materials and likely support emergency planning, while fission reactor oversight remains federal. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, needing a radiological emergency program, training, exercises, equipment, and possibly industry funding. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota has sufficient surface water, especially from the Missouri River, but that water planning would be important; it did not recommend statutory or budget changes at this time. The committee recessed for lunch after these presentations, with no additional votes or actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that, you know, we went through our own $18 billion surplus here, and now we're looking at a $6
• in fiscal uh in fiscal appropriation in fiscal uh in fiscal year year year 2035<01:10:33.880> and
• So it's absolutely appropriate that we should be bringing people in to make recommendations around this
• So it's absolutely appropriate that we should be bringing people in to make recommendations around this
• So it's absolutely appropriate that we should be bringing people in to make recommendations around this

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I appreciate that the agencies can function in an appropriate manner.
• Along with that was an appropriation of $793 million. That was a one-time appropriation.
• We receive no state appropriations.
• I don't have the ability to tax, and I receive no state appropriations.
• GBRA does not receive any state appropriations or have the power of taxation.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• impose tariffs, even with the new delay on partners like Australia, who we actually have a trade surplus
• Aaron has served under multiple administrations from both parties with the appropriate integrity of an
• You took all security procedures and did everything appropriate? Again, I don't question your...
• Would it have been appropriate for the... the Obama administration to share on an unsecured app, two

Keywords: national security, intelligence community, Aaron Lucas, Joe Kent, John Eisenberg, China threat, terrorism, collaboration, oversight, intelligence capabilities

Summary: The committee meeting centered around significant discussions regarding national security and intelligence community leadership. Notably, nominees Aaron Lucas for Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Joe Kent for Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and John Eisenberg for Assistant Attorney General for National Security were introduced. Concerns were raised about the current state of U.S. intelligence capabilities, particularly in relation to threats posed by foreign adversaries such as China and ongoing risks from terrorism. The dialogue emphasized the necessity for robust oversight and the importance of collaboration within the intelligence community, as well as with international allies, to ensure effective security measures are in place.

Transcript Highlights:

• think we need to be mindful that when we have a looming $6 billion deficit and we had an $18 billion surplus
• So we need to think about what is the intent of the appropriation.
• And the appropriation for the North Star Promise is to allow students, as you say, to seek their passion
• coming, we look forward to you coming to Metro State to our applied research institute through appropriations

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data

Transcript Highlights:

• reports to the Department of Health or the Division of Emergency Management where wherever they deem appropriate
• I do anticipate hiring more as an appropriation associated with this bill. >> You're recognized.
• I'm concerned about the E P having to appropriate resources to investigate claims and complaints because
• taxable years, beginning on or after 1/1/2026, 2 owners of resilient building certified with the appropriate
• on everything from stopping construction of power lines through Myakka State Park to stopping the surplus

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Benefit plan coverage to certain persons in the state is referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
• HB5449 by Toth relates to the limitation on the rate of growth in state and local appropriations with
• HB5487 by Vaughan relates to the appropriate topic but lacks further details in the transcript.
• HB5493 by Romero relates to the appropriate topic but lacks further details in the transcript. to the
• on Appropriations.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Primary care is one of the best ways to the place that's appropriate to coordinate care for people.
• Primary care is one of the best ways to the place that's appropriate to coordinate care for people.
• The place that's appropriate to coordinate care for people.
• I think this would be an appropriate one of those three models are supposed to spell out.
• Out of the surplus, the money we save from doing this.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• upon whatever criteria of the two methodologies or even other methodologies that they consider appropriate
• materials would be withheld from disclosure upon request, there's still uncertainty within the issue appropriately
• establishes clear definitions and conditions for permitted groups, and it sets explicit standards for surplus

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• But at the same time, those things can be fixed over time with the state surplus that we can use for
• We are actually in a surplus of $367 million. $167 million.

Summary: The meeting opened with remarks to Arkansas Boys State delegates about leadership, public service, and the significance of the Capitol, followed by prayer, attendance, and announcements that both chambers were organized and ready for business. The House then considered House Bill 1001, which would have increased funding for rural health care through a 10% tax on people earning at least $300,000; supporters argued it would improve access and quality in rural areas, while opponents raised concerns about fairness, funding, and driving away doctors and taxpayers. The bill failed, 24 yeas to 51 nays. House Bill 1002, aimed at funding more teachers for rural school districts and limiting how many subjects a teacher could be assigned, drew debate over teacher burnout, funding, and whether it would improve outcomes; it passed after immediate consideration, 38 yeas to 36 nays, though the transcript later includes a conflicting note that it failed. House Bill 1003, the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2026, would let counties restrict data centers and impose a 10% tax for conservation; supporters emphasized local control and resource protection, while opponents warned about jobs, economic loss, and federal issues. It passed 62 yeas to 7 nays. House Bill 1004, reducing motor vehicle registration fees, was debated as a way to ease costs for families but criticized for reducing transportation funding; it failed, 20 yeas to 46 nays. The chamber then moved to Senate bills. Senate Bill 1 proposed incentives tied to SNAP benefits and healthier food purchases, including a Double Bucks-style program; supporters said it would help address food insecurity and obesity, while opponents objected to taxing junk food and burdening non-SNAP users. It passed 43 yeas to 27 nays. Senate Bill 2 would require reading tests in earlier grades and provide state tutoring for students who fail; supporters said it would address literacy problems early, while opponents wanted clearer provisions for older students and more detail on implementation. It passed 67 yeas to 6 nays. Senate Bill 3, the Freedom to Earn Act, would lower the individual income tax rate from 3.7% to 3.0%; supporters said it would help working families and attract business, while opponents argued the benefits would mostly go to corporations and wealthy executives. It passed 53 yeas to 15 nays. Senate Bill 4 created a zoning grant program to encourage mixed-use development in growing cities, funded by a 1% hotel tourism tax up to $50 million; supporters said it would promote housing, small business growth, and downtown revitalization, and it passed 51 yeas to 7 nays. The session ended with a motion to adjourn, which carried.

Transcript Highlights:

• revised estimate is down to $1.9 million from the original $6 million projected in the Assembly Appropriations
• As a note, the initial appropriation estimate was a high-level projection based on similar work.
• So in, I believe, fiscal year 2022–23, the Governor put in the budget a one-time General Fund appropriation
• So in, I believe, fiscal year 2022–23, the Governor put in the budget a one-time General Fund appropriation
• So in terms of data non-disclosure, the trailer-bill language requires appropriate data non-disclosure

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration heard a series of budget proposals and informational items, beginning with the Department of Housing and Community Development’s HCD Connect system. HCD requested permanent authority for seven existing temporary positions to maintain and expand the system, and also sought funding and positions to implement eight 2025 housing-related bills. Members asked about how HCD Connect will interact with programs moving to the new Housing Development Finance Committee and about the revised implementation cost for AB 1053, which HCD said had dropped from about $6 million to $1.9 million because of shared infrastructure with HDFC and CalHFA. The committee also heard Cal ICH’s request for $339,000 to implement AB 678 on LGBTQ+ inclusive and culturally competent homelessness services, with testimony emphasizing the need for better data and training for a population disproportionately affected by homelessness and discrimination. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented three continuation proposals: funding for the California Consumer Financial Protection Law program, the Debt Collector Licensing Act program, and the broker-dealer/investment adviser continuing education program. Members and public commenters focused heavily on the debt collector licensing fees, the number of licensees, and whether assessments were too high compared with other states; DFPI explained that fees are set on a pro rata basis tied to net proceeds and that the workload remains substantial. Public testimony also supported DFPI’s student loan assistance work and raised a separate request for franchise broker registration funding. The committee then took up a mandate suspension item, voting to suspend a new disclosure mandate related to deferred property taxation, and heard trailer bill language from the Department of Finance on AB 91/MENA data collection, aimed at protecting federal funding, ensuring non-disclosure, and allowing more time for implementation. The Secretary of State presented Help America Vote Act funding for VoteCal and the HAVA spending plan, as well as the Cal-Access Replacement System (CARS), the Notary Automation Program Replacement Project (NAP 2.0), and AB 1392 on confidential voter registration for elected officials and candidates. Members asked about project costs, timelines, user testing, and data migration; the Secretary of State said VoteCal funds would be exhausted in 2027–28, CARS is targeted for completion by November 2026, and AB 1392 would require system modifications and new confidentiality procedures. The committee also heard an informational overview from the California Arts Council, which described its 50th anniversary, the economic impact of arts funding, and the cultural districts program; public testimony strongly urged increasing Arts Council grant funding from $24 million to $50 million and adding support for cultural districts. Throughout the hearing, the committee took multiple vote-only actions approving the items before it, with votes recorded on the HCD, Cal ICH, DFPI, HAVA, CARS, NAP 2.0, and AB 1392 proposals, while some items were held open or discussed without a quorum at earlier points in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• impacts of such appropriations. impacts of such appropriations.
• In Elko New Market, a bottled water plant already amended the city's appropriation for water, and it's
• these complex and large appropriation these complex and large appropriation permits.<00:50:30.160
• And in the context of appropriation.
• And we need that revenue stream that could potentially do appropriation bonds as well to extend it to

Bills: HF3793, HF3699, HF793, HF3322, HF3426

Keywords: groundwater, water use permit, data centers, public health, environmental regulations, municipalities, state park license plate, specialty license plate, Minnesota DNR, Department of Natural Resources, license plate design contest, North Shore, Lake Superior Agate, AI-generated art, artificial intelligence, Minnesota resident, state parks, specialty plates, vehicle registration, contest requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• lastly, the committee substitute adds a section to clarify the effectiveness, contingent upon appropriations
• We did not have a surplus of capacity to begin with.

Bills: HB43, HB519, HB1275, HB1592, HB2842, HB3088, HB3479, HB4163, SB823, HB609

Keywords: agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, bovine producers, dairy farms, permits, bovine tuberculosis, public health, wildlife management, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, white-tailed deer, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• centers to locate in appropriate centers to locate in appropriate commercial<01:00:22.920> areas
• of parking in her existing surplus of parking in her existing location. location. location.
• We think it's perfectly appropriate to have it by right and to have it by right for the ADUs.
• <01:26:29.440> to We think it's perfectly appropriate to We think it's perfectly appropriate
• place and they're is not the appropriate place and they're nervous<02:08:14.840> about<02:08:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:49.039> that<00:24:49.240> laps any unexpended Appropriations that laps any
• unexpended Appropriations that laps back<00:24:49.880> to<00:24:50.039> the<00:24:50.159
• Therefore, the appropriation went down as well.
• These funds come by the sale of surplus land.
• sale of surplus sale of surplus land<01:20:22.239> um<01:20:22.440> we<01:20:22.600

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Safety presented an overview of highway fund and unrestricted revenue collections, focusing on the Division of Administration, the Road Toll Bureau, and the Division of Motor Vehicles. Amy Newbery explained that the main unrestricted funding sources are highway funds and general funds, with highway fund revenue of about $263 million in FY 2024 and a FY 2025 projection of $261.2 million. She said revenue growth has been modest and has not kept pace with costs, creating structural deficits that required general fund transfers of $50 million in FY 2022-23 and another $10 million in FY 2024-25 to balance the fund. Jennifer Hall described Road Toll operations, including motor fuel tax collection at the distributor level, compliance enforcement, and licensing for fuel distributors, transporters, IFTA carriers, and oil discharge/pollution control. Members asked about IFTA, dyed-fuel enforcement, the possibility of using the state forensic lab for dyed-fuel testing, and whether audit positions had been filled; the department said it recently hired a part-time fuel enforcement officer, still uses IRS testing, could explore lab testing, and had no audit vacancies. Hall also discussed factors affecting fuel-tax revenue, including gas prices, crude oil forecasts, weather, tourism, GDP, and inflation, and said FY 2024 road toll revenue was $127.5 million, above plan, with FY 2025 projected at $127.71 million. The committee then turned to DMV-related revenues. Newbery said motor vehicle registration revenue was $93.1 million in FY 2024 and is projected at $90.4 million in FY 2025, with the state share going directly to the highway fund. Members asked about the state/town fee split, the five-year registration cycle dip, the distribution of registration revenue by vehicle weight category, and the impact of electric-vehicle surcharges; the department said the five-year dip is still occurring and will fade over time, and it would follow up on the weight-category breakdown. The presentation also noted that driver-license revenues have stabilized, inspection revenues remain steady, plea-by-mail revenue was added to the highway fund in FY 2024, and general fund revenues tied to the department are relatively small and have declined as some functions moved to OPLC. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Chair Hooper: GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE AND WELCOME SENATORS AND GUEST TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
• Pizzo: LINE 414, WHERE THE OFFICE SHALL ANNUALLY AWARD ANY FUNDS APPROPRIATED FOR THE GRANT PROGRAM TO
• THE $40 MILLION, IS THAT A HARD CASH COST THAT WE CAN INSTANTLY REAL APPROPRIATE TO FUND SOME OTHER SERVICE
• HOOPER OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE. THOUGH MUCH BETTER HALF.
• FOR THOSE WHERE YOU HAVE A SURPLUS, GREAT BUT RIGHT NOW NONE OF MY 20 CITIES OR TWO COUNTIES WANT FEWER

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal or arrest or other appropriate legal
• Nguyen from the Appropriations Committee in order to the second reading file.
• control for our communities and it will be part of the permitting package for our chair of the Appropriations
• So in 2022, I introduce AB 837 to grant Chula Vista an exemption to the Surplus Lands Act to ensure that
• AB 1178 simply closes an unintended loophole by ensuring that undercover peace officers receive appropriate

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:04:00.720> to<01:04:01.039> the provided as appropriate to the provided as appropriate
• But the original bill before it was amended in the House had an appropriation.
• The original bill before it was amended in the House had an appropriation.
• <03:02:54.960> They to a free appropriate education.
• They to a free appropriate education.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> And then I just want to highlight that the appropriation ask is for salaries plus fringe benefits
• then, in addition to all the other incidentals like office space and computer equipment, so our appropriation
• Wilkinson continued that the appropriation request is for salaries plus fringe benefits, plus the education
• She added that the appropriation includes incidentals such as office space and computer equipment.
• We feel that it may not be appropriate to apply it to all forms of diabetes without the required necessity

Bills: HB1853, HB1591, HB1961, HB1854, HB1965, HB1962, HB1959, HB2505, HB2576, HB1801, HB1804, HB1864, HB2319, HB2314, HB2115

Keywords: HB1853, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, memory care, memory clinic, Hanai Memory Network, Executive Office on Aging, aging services, kupuna, caregiver support, long-term care, elder care, geriatrics, public health, dementia screening, care coordination, referral network, neighbor islands, rural health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2047, relating to pharmacy benefit managers. The Insurance Division said the bill would require new enforcement resources and estimated an appropriation of about $1.5 million and five positions. Kaiser Permanente asked for an amendment to exclude HMOs from the definition of third-party PBMs, saying the bill should not interfere with integrated care models. PCMA and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association supported narrowing amendments, with pharmacists objecting to section 3 and warning the bill as amended could create major operational burdens and a significant general fund cost. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the chair moved on to the next measure after questions. The committee then took up SB 2080, which would allow Hawaii to join the psychology interjurisdictional compact. Supporters, including DCR, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, the Grassroot Institute, and others, said the compact would expand access to psychology services, especially for people in rural areas or those needing continuity of care while traveling. Opponents, including the Board of Psychology and a Shamanad University psychology professor, raised concerns about client safety, crisis-response procedures, enforcement costs, FBI background checks, and possible loss of state control over training and specialization standards. The board said Hawaii’s current 1,900-hour internship/postdoc requirement is higher than the compact’s standard and that the state is still implementing a separate provisional licensing law that may address some access issues. The discussion focused on whether the compact would meaningfully reduce shortages and whether Hawaii should instead pursue changes within its existing licensing system. Finally, the committee heard SB 2277 on hospital price transparency. The Office of Consumer Protection initially noted the bill could require significant staffing, but later testimony from SHIP suggested the measure could be handled more simply by working with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and publicly posting violations. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing hospitals already must comply with federal CMS transparency rules and that adding state requirements would increase costs and legal exposure, especially if violations were treated as unfair or deceptive trade practices. Steve Fenberg testified in support, saying the bill would simply codify existing federal requirements in state law and that he was open to amendments removing state enforcement and the unfair trade practice language. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Bills: HB95, HB111, HJR1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM34, HB2, HB32, HB33, HB61, HJM2, HM23, HM24, HM26

Keywords: HB95, additional judgeship, district court, judicial district, First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, district judges, court administration, judicial staffing, caseload, access to justice, New Mexico courts, judiciary, judge vacancy, court backlog, state courts, water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order