Transcript Highlights:

• So specifically regarding those regulations, it is state...
• So specifically regarding those regulations, it is state...
• So specifically regarding those regulations, it is state...
• So specifically regarding those regulations, it is state...
• </c> different. the the federal regulations different. the the federal regulations and<00:14:51.279><

Committee: Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> how do we regulate how do we stop that? how do we regulate how do we stop that?
• And so we do regulate a few, right?
• And so we do regulate a few, right?
• </c><01:19:59.120><c> of</c> first I think broad uh regulation of first I think broad uh regulation of
• </c> regulations uh were entered in 1986. regulations uh were entered in 1986.

Transcript Highlights:

• Especially with these regulations, like Mr. Spreck was mentioning there too.
• Especially with these regulations, like Mr. Spreck was mentioning there too.
• Especially with these regulations, like Mr. Spreck was mentioning there too.
• </c> regulations at this time. regulations at this time.
• We test all of our federal regulation.

Summary: House File 40, authored by Representative Burkel, was heard and laid over. The bill would remove the statutory requirement that farmed deer/elk facilities maintain a physical barrier preventing contact with wild deer, and it would also strike language allowing revocation of registration and seizure/destruction of animals for fencing or escape violations. Burkel argued the current law is unfair to deer farmers, treats them differently than other livestock producers, and amounts to a regulatory taking of a legal agricultural enterprise. Supporters from the Minnesota Elk Breeders Association and Minnesota Deer Farmers Association said the 2023 secondary-fence requirement is expensive, difficult to implement on long-established properties, and has pushed some breeders out of the industry. They described costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, said the DNR’s guidance is case-by-case and unclear, and argued that the penalty structure is too harsh for what they view as minor or unavoidable escape incidents. One testifier said the industry is being driven out of business and that the state should help pay for the fencing if it remains required. The DNR opposed the bill. Its enforcement representative said the physical-contact barrier is intended to reduce the risk of chronic wasting disease transmission and that removing penalties would leave little incentive for compliance. He said the agency continues to work with the roughly 10 noncompliant whitetail farms and that the DNR provides case-by-case review because farm topography varies. In committee questions, members discussed whether wild deer commonly travel along fence lines, whether ear-tagged deer have been found, and whether there is a standard approved fence design; the DNR said there is no single standard fence, only suggestions and review. Representative Burkel closed by reiterating his support for the bill and the committee then laid it over.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's also Missouri regulation.
• So that could be something like whether the agency actually had the authority or whether the regulation
• It's also Missouri regulation.
• So that could be something like whether the agency actually had the authority or the regulation that
• And I would say, as the plaintiff attorney... ...of that law or regulation. And I understand.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• So about patchwork of local regulations.
• And what regulations some not um etc.
• This is called they have no regulation. Minnesota is referred to as not having a regulation.
• </c> into what the the licensing regulation into what the the licensing regulation we<00:28:59.440><c
• </c> looking at regulating those professions. looking at regulating those professions.

Bills: HF362 , HF2590 , HF2760 , HF3444

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We consulted with our and regulations.
• that</c><00:20:05.360><c> our</c> regulators to ensure that our regulators to ensure that our interpretation
• </c> regulator that you consulted with? regulator that you consulted with?
• Um regulators related to our practice.
• </c> approval from regulators. approval from regulators.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not create any new mandates, and it does not impose any new duties on regulators.
• Dietary supplements are not regulated like pharmaceutical drugs.
• Dietary supplements are not regulated like pharmaceutical drugs.
• Infant formula is regulated in a way that baby food under, it's regulated under federal law in a way
• And we know that infant formula is regulated closely for microbial contamination.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a safe harbor from that regulation.
• It's a safe harbor from that regulation.
• You can do that today outside of regulation.
• Senate Bill 540 on Office of Financial Regulation by Senator Martin.
• Senate Bill 540 on Office of Financial Regulation by Senator Martin.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't want some unstated other donations out in the realm of this regulation.
• They absolutely are already regulated. This bill is not necessary.
• We need to regulate because we want to keep this industry going.
• Would they be mandated to follow these regulations?
• I hope we can do more to regulate that.

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The rules do not relate to any federal statute or regulation.
• The rule changes are not related to any federal statute or regulation.
• Proposed amendments are not related to federal statute or regulation.
• Proposed amendments are not related to federal statute or regulation.
• I would classify them mostly as clarification to the regulated community.

Committee: Joint Administrative Rules Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The rules do not relate to any federal statute or regulation.
• The rule changes are not related to federal statute or regulation changes.
• The rule changes are not related to federal statute or regulation changes.
• The rule changes are not related to any federal statute or regulation.
• Proposed amendments are not related to federal statute or regulation.

Committee: Joint Administrative Rules Committee

Summary: The committee approved the March 12, 2026 minutes and granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rule changes tied to House Bill 1620/1622, which concern North Dakota’s entry into the physician assistant licensure compact. The Board said it is waiting on compact rules, especially fee structures, before finalizing its own rules. The committee then took up extensive Office of Management and Budget personnel rule revisions, covering salary administration, recruitment, leave policies, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR practices and implement recent legislation, including new hire leave and enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions; the committee raised concerns about the subjectivity and fairness of the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but no action was taken against the rules. The North Dakota Lottery presented emergency and regular rule changes, including updates tied to the Millionaire for Life game and miscellaneous clarifications. The Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology described rule updates that add speech-language pathology assistants to the rules, ease continuing education requirements for out-of-state applicants, expand temporary licensure, and clarify supervision standards. The State Electrical Board reviewed numerous code updates, including changes to electrical and fire alarm standards, receptacle labeling, countertop receptacles, and a major new conveyance/elevator inspection program added by the Legislature; the board said it is preparing to begin inspections by August 1. The Industrial Commission’s Geological Survey Division presented new rules implementing House Bill 1459 on critical minerals in coal-bearing formations, including permit, reporting, confidentiality, and royalty-related provisions. The committee asked about confidentiality of exploration data and drilling depth. The Public Employees Retirement System outlined rule changes implementing several bills affecting defined benefit, public safety, defined contribution, insurance, deferred compensation, and retiree health credit programs, and noted possible future proposals to add state EMS or create a LOSAP-style plan. The Department of Health and Human Services presented substance use disorder voucher rules implementing House Bill 1012, including allowing individuals to apply directly and setting reimbursement procedures; the rules were expected to have a $250,000 general fund impact already included in the budget. The longest discussion involved the Gaming Commission rules. Members questioned whether the commission had authority to raise poker tournament buy-ins from $300 to $1,500, viewing it as an expansion of gaming rather than a mere clarification. After debate, the committee voted to void that specific rule section for lack of statutory authority. The rest of the gaming rules covered higher raffle limits from House Bill 1192, the change from “bar” to “alcoholic beverage establishment,” veterans’ organization proceeds, credit ticket voucher kiosks, online raffles, and advertising restrictions; the presenter said several public comments led to revisions or withdrawals of proposed language. The meeting ended with discussion of upcoming Ethics Commission travel-reporting rules and scheduling the next committee meeting in September.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rules do not relate to any federal statute or regulation.
• The rule changes are not related to federal statute or regulation changes.
• The rule changes are not related to any federal statute or regulation.
• Proposed amendments are not related to federal statute or regulation.
• I would classify them mostly as clarification to the regulated community.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Committee met on June 11 and first approved the March 12, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rules tied to recent legislation, including North Dakota’s participation in the physician assistant licensure compact and a new physician nutrition continuing education requirement. The Board said it was waiting on compact rules and fee information before finalizing its own changes. The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the Office of Management and Budget on broad personnel rule revisions, including salary administration, recruitment, leave, sick leave, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR language and implement recent legislation such as enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions and new hire leave. Members questioned the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but OMB and counsel said those standards come from statute, not the rules. The committee also heard and accepted rule packages from the Lottery, the Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the State Electrical Board, the Industrial Commission, PERS, and Health and Human Services, with each agency describing mostly technical, clarifying, or statutory-conforming changes and noting the public notice and comment process. The most significant action came during the Gaming Commission rules presentation. After questioning whether the commission had authority to raise the poker tournament buy-in limit from $300 to $1,500, members moved to void Section 99-01.3-09-01 on the ground that the agency lacked statutory authority for that change. The motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed several gaming-related issues, including online raffles, kiosk use, advertising restrictions, and the broader policy question of whether charities should be allowed to own bars, but took no further formal action on those topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will this bill not allow cities to, one, regulate the noise aspect of it, as well, to regulate the noise
• And as far as looking at whether or not it's regulated, fertilizer is regulated; double A material will
• be treated as fertilizer and regulated as such.
• Class AA material will be treated as fertilizer and regulated as such.
• So it's actually in a better form to be regulated under the BMP program.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Contemplation builds attention, emotional regulation, and self-awareness.
• They do not, not through Regulation and Licensing. ...and Licensing. Mr. Chair, I appreciate you.
• I guess I'm just confused about why we're increasing regulation instead of enforcing the law.
• Why we're increasing regulation instead of enforcing the law. Senator, Mr.
• And I actually do agree that regulation, this kind of inspection and regulation could identify these

Bills: SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• regulate the use of colors, materials, and design elements of cannabis packaging to ensure they are
• We're already over-regulated as is.
• I'm General Counsel for the Regulation and Licensing Department.
• And so this is part of the problem that I don't mind regulation.
• We do regulation to keep people safe. I know in other avenues, we depend on the...

Summary: The committee first took up HB 294, the Cannabis Product Packaging Regulation Act, with a committee substitute. The sponsor and Regulation and Licensing Department said the bill would tighten cannabis packaging rules to reduce appeal to minors by limiting colors, materials, and design elements, while allowing some color for warnings and approved logos; the substitute also addressed misbranding and third-party manufacturing liability. Public testimony was split: cannabis industry representatives and related businesses argued the bill would create major packaging costs, waste inventory, hurt small businesses and tertiary industries, and was better addressed through education, safe storage, and stronger enforcement; supporters from public schools, state police, and a cannabis company said the bill would help protect children and make violations easier to identify. Committee members debated whether “reasonably appealing” should be defined in statute or rulemaking, whether packaging changes would actually reduce youth access, and whether stronger penalties or warning labels would be more effective. The committee adopted the substitute and advanced HB 294 on an 8-3 do pass vote. The committee then heard HB 298, as amended, which would create a 50% state income tax credit for maintaining or replacing existing short-line railroad track, capped at $5,000 per mile, after an amendment removed a proposed credit for new rail and reduced the fiscal impact. The sponsor and railroad representatives said the measure would help preserve and improve short-line infrastructure that supports mines and other customers, while committee members asked about the amendment, the scope of the credit, and why the state should be involved in what they viewed as a local economic development tool. The bill drew no opposition in testimony and passed unanimously, 10-0, as amended. Finally, the committee considered SB 58, which would extend the property tax abatement period for metropolitan redevelopment areas from seven years to up to 14 years, with flexibility for shorter terms under the Senate amendment. Supporters from the City of Albuquerque, Realtors, and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce said the change would improve project feasibility, attract investment, and help revitalize blighted areas; the sponsor explained that MRAs are locally designated redevelopment districts and that the longer abatement period reflects current construction costs and project timelines. Committee members asked about which areas qualify, how abatements work, why the state sets the term, and whether local governments could do this on their own. The bill passed on an 11-0 do pass vote, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a safe harbor from that regulation.
• It's a safe harbor from that regulation.
• It's something that can be done outside of regulation. I would tell you.
• It's something that can be done outside of regulation.
• You can do that today outside of regulation.

Summary: The Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and took up several bills, beginning with SB 834 on health care sharing ministries and insurance agents. Senator Yarbrough presented the bill to repeal a recent restriction on licensed insurance agents marketing or selling faith-based health care sharing programs. Supporters argued the change restores free speech and consumer education while preserving existing consumer protections; opponents said the bill was unnecessary and could increase confusion or misuse of agents and brokers. The committee adopted a title amendment and then reported the bill favorably after debate, with Senator Pizzo raising concerns about consumer reliance and lack of guaranteed coverage. The committee then approved SB 642 on foreign and alien bail bond insurers, SB 394 on reinsurance intermediary managers, and SB 266 on public adjuster contracts. SB 266 would let vulnerable adults rescind public adjuster contracts at any time without penalty; it drew support from consumer and industry groups, with some discussion about estimates and claim work product. The committee also passed SB 832 on residential property insurance transparency, which requires rate transparency reports and a consumer resource center at OIR, and adds a provision excluding land value from homeowners coverage calculations in most cases. Testimony on SB 832 was generally supportive of the transparency goal, though insurers said some of the required cost breakdowns may be difficult to produce as written. The committee next considered SB 1028 on Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, which would create a commercial lines clearinghouse to move eligible policyholders into the private market and reduce Citizens’ commercial exposure. Supporters said it would lower taxpayer risk and improve competition; a speaker suggested additional changes to deductibles, water-damage caps, and repair practices. The bill was reported favorably after a delete-all amendment and supportive debate from Senator Boyd. Finally, the committee passed SB 540 on the Office of Financial Regulation, which adds cybersecurity requirements for certain licensees, updates oversight of investment advisers and money service businesses, adjusts some charter and meeting rules for financial institutions and credit unions, and includes amendments clarifying repossession/deficiency claims, family office exemptions, and virtual credit union meetings. The meeting ended with all of the considered bills reported favorably and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Environmental Regulation will come to order. The clerk will call the roll.
• Or in this concrete batch permitting process, they only regulate the air.
• In statute, there are... ...regulated substances, which include varying types of chemicals.
• This will provide clarification on what kind of businesses we are regulating with this measure, which
• The definition of regulated substance includes the term.

Bills: HB573 , HB1499 , HB1768 , HB3071 , HB3249 , HB3866 , HB4112

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• He said new regulations proposed under pressure from refineries would weaken those protections.
• He said they have lived with the regulations since 2017, that a lawsuit was filed in 2019, that COVID
• He asked that they be allowed to keep the regulations because they have been very important and very
• She said new regulations proposed under pressure from refineries would weaken those protections.
• As it pertains to the lawsuit and the DIR regulations, we did ultimately sue over the DIR final regulations

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on labor standards, worker safety, and public transparency. SB 954 by Senator Blakespear would revise last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing by adding worker protections such as prevailing wage, a skilled and trained workforce, high-road employment standards, and environmental guardrails. Supporters from labor, environmental justice, and conservation groups said the bill restores promised safeguards after SB 131, while business groups argued the added requirements would undermine the exemption and discourage investment. The committee voted 5-0 to do pass and re-refer SB 954 to Appropriations, leaving the roll open for absent members. The committee then considered SB 966 by Senator Gonzalez, which would codify refinery worker participation and safety protections adopted in 2017 after the 2012 Chevron Richmond fire. Supporters, including United Steelworkers and a former refinery worker, said the bill would preserve workers’ ability to report hazards, select representatives, and stop unsafe work, preventing future disasters. The Western States Petroleum Association opposed the bill, arguing it could be preempted by federal labor law and would add regulatory uncertainty. The committee passed SB 966 3-0 and re-referred it to Appropriations, with the roll left open. Next, SB 1203 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas sought to modernize private security guard training, expand de-escalation instruction, strengthen accountability, and create a clearer professional pathway for the industry. The author and many security workers testified that guards are often first responders in volatile situations and need more practical training and better standards; opponents from industry and business groups warned the bill would raise costs, worsen staffing shortages, and create implementation problems, especially around third-party training and a new wage order. The committee voted 4-1 to do pass and re-refer SB 1203 to Public Safety, with one no vote and the roll left open. The committee also heard SB 1284 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, a transparency bill requiring DHCS to publish the names of large employers with workers enrolled in Medi-Cal and the estimated taxpayer cost. Supporters said the measure would show how low wages and unaffordable coverage shift health costs to the public, while opponents argued Medi-Cal enrollment depends on many factors and that naming employers would be misleading and amount to public shaming. After discussion, the committee voted 4-2 to do pass and re-refer SB 1284 to Appropriations, leaving the roll open. The transcript then began discussion of SB 1054 by Senator Cabaldon, which would improve workforce data collection and sharing to better evaluate job-training pathways, but the excerpt cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• the notion of regulations.
• The burden of the regulation is almost always on businesses.
• Regulations almost always support one of three classes.
• The burden of the regulation is almost always on businesses.
• The cost to meet those regulations is not The cost to meet those regulations is not so clear in precision

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on California’s industrial policy and manufacturing, with opening remarks emphasizing the state’s large manufacturing base, the need to retain and scale advanced manufacturing in California, and the tension between economic growth, climate goals, labor standards, permitting, and energy reliability. Senators and witnesses repeatedly noted that California has strong innovation assets, but companies often face uncertainty around regulation, power availability, and the cost of expanding here, leading some to locate manufacturing elsewhere. Senator Wahab highlighted Fremont as a major manufacturing hub and stressed apprenticeship pathways, community college partnerships, and good-paying jobs for both college-educated and non-college workers. California Forward’s Agon Turplin and Jake Higden argued for a durable statewide regional economic development system with ongoing funding, regional strategic plans, and sector-specific roadmaps. They said California Jobs First and related regional planning efforts created useful infrastructure, but the system remains fragmented and one-time funded. Higden focused on “green industrial policy,” especially batteries, bioeconomy, and other clean manufacturing sectors, arguing California often funds R&D but loses the manufacturing scale-up phase to other states. Priyanka Mohanti of the Center for Manufacturing a Green Economy said climate policy must be paired with industrial policy so Californians can actually benefit from the transition through affordable clean products, good jobs, and domestic supply chains. She pointed to international examples such as India, Brazil, and China, and urged tools like public investment, procurement, loan guarantees, and supply-chain planning. Industry witness Josh Richmond, drawing on experience at Bloom Energy and Cy Quantum, said energy and economic development are inseparable and that “time to power” is often decisive in site selection. He argued California needs better coordination among the state, utilities, universities, national labs, and economic development agencies, and that the state should be more proactive and creative in helping strategic industries scale. Committee members discussed the role of high energy costs, regulatory burdens, K-12 education, and cap-and-trade, with Senator Niello raising concerns about business climate, education outcomes, and the cost impacts of climate regulations. Witnesses responded that California should balance regulation with benefits, and that regional coordination and state partnership can help companies navigate red tape and stay in-state. The second panel, from labor, supported a worker-led industrial policy. Sarah Flox of the California Labor Federation said manufacturing jobs can be good jobs only when paired with labor standards, apprenticeship pipelines, and public support tied to worker protections. Tom Hincey of UAW Region 6 said California should use public financing, procurement, off-take agreements, and, where appropriate, public ownership or equity stakes to localize supply chains and create union jobs in batteries, offshore wind, and heat pumps. The final panel featured Fremont economic development director Donovan Lazaro, who said Fremont has become California’s top manufacturing city by preserving industrial land, allowing by-right zoning, reducing permitting delays, and building in-house technical expertise to support advanced manufacturers. He said the city’s approach has helped double its manufacturing workforce and strengthen its tax base. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with committee members indicating they would continue working on follow-up legislation and coordination efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:24:14.240><c> after</c> groups to roll out regulation after groups to roll out regulation after
• ><c> cost</c><02:24:16.840><c> kills</c> regulation that drives up cost kills regulation that drives
• </c> Administration green energy regulations Administration green energy regulations including<02:34:
• </c><02:45:41.600><c> that</c> an industry of harming regulations that an industry of harming regulations
• </c><02:51:22.439><c> for</c> issued at least 31 regulations for issued at least 31 regulations for residential