Transcript Highlights:

• Um, tax dollars aren't our ATM. They're not our supplemental salary.
• <00:02:38.880> dollars<00:02:39.240> aren't<00:02:39.880> our<00:02:40.160> ATM
• <00:02:41.000> They're<00:02:41.120> not tax dollars aren't our ATM.
• They're not tax dollars aren't our ATM.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3679, which would allow mandatory reports to legislative committees to be submitted electronically instead of on paper, was presented as a bipartisan efficiency measure by Representative Nash. The bill also carried an A1 amendment, adopted by voice vote, that addressed interim administrative authority for the Chief Clerk during a gap in caucus leadership and was described as a procedural fix worked out with caucus leaders. A second amendment, A2, offered by Representative Engen, sought to prohibit legislators from participating in appropriations to named nonprofit recipients that later employ or contract with them, arguing this created conflicts of interest and self-serving governance. Supporters said the amendment was needed for institutional integrity and taxpayer trust, while opponents argued it was too narrow, not well defined, and would unfairly single out certain jobs or industries; the debate included references to direct appropriations, conflict-of-interest rules, and examples involving nonprofits, law firms, farmers, teachers, and other outside employment. The A2 amendment was put to a roll call and failed on a 66-66 tie. After the amendment vote, the bill was read a third time and received broad support. Representatives Nash and Cleborne urged a green vote, and the House passed House File 3679 as amended by a vote of 132-0, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• The center started with card skimming at gas pumps and began receiving cases that involved ATM skimming
• and before we were even operationally functional, we were working as Representative Perez told you, ATM
• skimming, ATM jackpotting, mal malware attacks, and just about anything else you could think of.

Transcript Highlights:

• The center started with card skimming at gas pumps and began receiving cases that involved ATM skimming
• Perez told you about ATM skimming, ATM jackpotting, malware attacks, and just about anything else you

Bills: HB3014, HB3109, HB3126, HB3474, HB3594

Keywords: gift card fraud, counterfeit gift card, gift card tampering, gift card theft, prepaid card, stored value card, retail fraud, financial crimes, consumer protection, organized retail crime, gift card skimming, magnetic stripe, chip card, redemption information, gift card packaging, Penal Code, felony theft, state jail felony, third-degree felony, second-degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:47.279> reserves dealing with strategic crypto reserves dealing with strategic crypto
• <01:15:34.880> space of Western Union in the crypto space of Western Union in the crypto space
• really going to touch on the crypto really going to touch on the crypto stable<01:25:18.080>
• Hampshire in crypto just in one quarter. Hampshire in crypto just in one quarter.
• >> that sorry left in stable coin crypto >> that sorry left in stable coin crypto you

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission met to review stable tokens, real-world asset tokenization, and blockchain-based trust, approved the agenda and December 12 minutes, and heard a presentation from Anchorage Digital after postponing a planned Bitco presentation because of its IPO quiet period. Anchorage’s Melinda Delos, Joe Mioli, and Kevin Wasaki introduced the firm, describing it as a global digital assets platform and the first crypto-native institution in the U.S. to receive a federal banking charter. They said their approach emphasizes security, regulated custody and trading services, and responsible innovation for institutional clients, banks, states, and sovereigns. The presentation focused on post-Genius Act momentum in the stablecoin market. Anchorage said the law provided regulatory clarity and helped spur activity with major clients, including Athena, Tether, and Western Union. The speakers highlighted Western Union’s planned stablecoin as especially significant because it reflects adoption by a long-established traditional payments company, and they said the project illustrates how stablecoins can support programmable, real-time, interoperable payments. They also noted that Anchorage is providing issuance infrastructure for the Western Union project. The commission and presenters also discussed government uses of tokenized assets, including reserve legislation, digital assets for tax collection and fees, and a Marshall Islands initiative to use a tokenized sovereign bond for direct citizen payments. In response to a question, Anchorage said it would follow up on which states are using digital assets for revenue collection, mentioning Louisiana and Pennsylvania as examples. The banking discussion centered on remittances, instant payments, and interbank settlement, with Anchorage arguing that stablecoins can reduce settlement time, fees, and foreign exchange risk while improving traceability and auditability.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> to<00:45:18.800> evade The Russians use crypto to evade The Russians use crypto to evade
• States get paid in crypto. States get paid in crypto.
• platform that is the network for crypto platform that is the network for crypto transfers<00:45:
• can make crypto crime pay. can make crypto crime pay.
• mixers that co-mingle lots of crypto mixers that co-mingle lots of crypto together<00:47:49.359>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How would this interface with the crypto market that we have in cryptocurrency?
• How would this interface with the crypto market that we have in a cryptocurrency?
• And it is sort of, but it's not really. this is like, oh, this is like gold crypto.
• And then, on top of that, we would still continue to have a crypto market.
• The crypto market would exist, and the U.S. dollar market would exist.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 794, as amended by a late-filed strike-all, which would require a human being to make insurance claim denial decisions and prohibit artificial intelligence from being the sole basis for a denial. The sponsor said the bill was intended to preserve human oversight while allowing innovation in claims processing. Public testimony included support from the Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate and the Florida Medical Association, along with one speaker urging additional protections for homeowners. The committee adopted the strike-all and reported SB 794 favorably with committee substitutes. Members then heard SB 134, which removes the $500 threshold on the sales tax exemption for bullion, making sales of gold, silver, and platinum bullion fully exempt and eliminating certain dealer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the change would reduce a regressive tax and help consumers preserve savings; the sponsor estimated a revenue impact of about $300,000. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all on SB 888, which directs the Office of Insurance Regulation to create a more consumer-friendly homeowners insurance website with premium comparison information, market data, rate filing access, and educational resources. The sponsor and Leader Boyd said the goal was to improve transparency and help consumers navigate a stabilizing market. SB 888 was reported favorably with committee substitutes. The final bill heard was SB 1578, covering mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings. The sponsor said it would expand coverage requirements in ACA plans and private insurance policies, including annual mammograms for women ages 40 to 50 and supplemental screening coverage, while noting Medicaid already provides these services. The Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate waived in support, and the bill was reported favorably. After the bills, the committee held a lengthy panel discussion on gold and silver as legal tender and transactional money, with testimony from officials from Utah and Florida, industry representatives, and advocacy groups. Panelists discussed constitutional authority, consumer protections, depository oversight, taxation issues, and possible transactional platforms for precious metals. No further action was taken after the discussion, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's really what we crypto wallets.
• uninitiated in the in the crypto space. uninitiated in the in the crypto space.
• love crypto news because it's flashy. love crypto news because it's flashy.
• again we're an example of a crypto again we're an example of a crypto treasury<00:33:21.039>
• Pennsylvania start with just just crypto Pennsylvania start with just just crypto payments<00:59

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission met with a quorum, approved the agenda, and approved the November 12 minutes after a motion, second, and unanimous voice/online consent. The chair said the meeting would include two presentations—one from Noah Herman of Fortress Global and one from John Kicko and team from Hedera—followed by discussion of the commission’s next steps and public comment. The chair also noted he was still seeking a clerk for note-taking. Herman’s presentation focused on stablecoins, blockchain use cases, and operational considerations for states and other institutions. He described Fortress as an enterprise crypto-wallet and treasury platform serving corporates, governments, and nonprofits, and used examples such as Save the Children and a large global commodities firm to illustrate custody and treasury management on blockchain rails. He said stablecoins are designed to maintain a U.S. dollar peg, are increasingly backed by treasuries and subject to greater transparency, and are being adopted by major firms and payment companies because they can improve speed, reduce cost, and simplify payments. He also highlighted market growth, including claims that stablecoins now represent a significant share of on-chain activity and are a major holder of U.S. Treasuries. He identified custody as a key issue for state and institutional use, outlining qualified custody, managed custody, and self-custody models. He said the main practical challenge for the commodities client was moving funds safely and quickly across global time zones and that blockchain rails could solve problems that traditional banking rails could not. He framed the broader trend as one of accelerating institutional adoption, citing recent acquisitions and product launches by Visa, Stripe, Citi, and PayPal as evidence that stablecoin infrastructure is becoming mainstream.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the good news is they have an ATM machine. And that's their business model.
• Pay cash, but if you don't have the cash, you can go to the ATM machine and get the cash to pay the tab
• So it's pretty convenient, but they make 3% on the ATM machine too.
• That would eliminate $900,000 of cost, and if she puts in an ATM machine for a customer, it could be
• you had to use a credit card to make those transactions; you can't pay in cash. a cart and a lot of ATM

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:02:07.280> kiosks is a bill that prohibits crypto kiosks is a bill that prohibits crypto
• people wish to purchase or sell crypto people wish to purchase or sell crypto currency currency
• <01:05:47.400> Um of these crypto kiosks. Um of these crypto kiosks.
• <01:07:03.080> kiosks, uh the crypto kiosks, uh the crypto kiosks, um<01:07:05.000> one
• I'm hesitant with these crypto kiosks.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first took up House File 1794, which would remove the post-graduate collaborative practice requirement for advanced practice registered nurses. The author and several supporters argued the bill would reduce barriers to practice, improve access to primary care and mental health services, especially in rural areas, and align Minnesota with other states. Supporters cited backing from APRN organizations and said the Board of Nursing had no concerns, while opponents, led by Representative Liebling, argued the current one-year collaborative period is a patient-safety safeguard that gives new APRNs needed experience working with physicians before practicing independently. After debate and questions about how the current requirement works in practice, the House passed the bill 119-12. The House then considered House File 4595, which changes licensure reciprocity rules for marriage and family therapists. Representative Schumacher said the bill would expand access to mental health care at no cost by making it easier for qualified out-of-state therapists to obtain Minnesota licenses, eliminating a five-year waiting period and other barriers while maintaining standards through background checks and a jurisprudence exam. Supporters, including Representatives Bierman and Gilman, emphasized workforce shortages and the value of more therapy access for families and relationships. The Board of Marriage and Family Therapy was noted as neutral, and the bill passed unanimously, 133-0. Finally, the House began debate on House File 4493, which would authorize pharmacists to initiate, prescribe, administer, and dispense certain drugs for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine/Suboxone. Representative Baker said the bill would save lives by allowing people to access treatment immediately through local pharmacies, especially in greater Minnesota, and help them through withdrawal when they are most likely to seek help. The transcript cuts off during the opening of discussion on this bill, before any vote or final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• better aligning existing money transmission licenses with digital assets, and specifying certain crypto
• better aligning existing money transmission licenses with digital assets, and specifying certain crypto
• I'm just looking at my crypto, and it looks like the value has plummeted completely, so is there any
• <00:13:20.639> Market now if I could control the crypto Market now if I could control the
• crypto Market I<00:13:21.399> would<00:13:21.600> be<00:13:21.800> a<00:13:22.000

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:30 HB421 Discussion: 01:28 HB421 Vote: 02:19 HB184 Discussion: 03:20 HB184 Vote: 05:44 HB210 Discussion: 07:28 HB210 Vote: 08:14 HB415 Discussion: 09:05 HB415 Vote: 09:43 HB701 Discussion: 11:16 HB701 Vote: 13:42, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and moved quickly through several House bills related to health insurance, insurance regulation, dental benefits, and digital assets. Members repeatedly noted the need to keep testimony brief because of overlapping committee schedules and the late-session pace. The chair also reminded House members to coordinate floor sponsors since consent calendars were not being used this year. House Bill 421, presented by Rep. Amy Neighbors with support from Dr. Russell Williams, would require full coverage of FDA-approved bowel preps with no out-of-pocket cost and no prior authorization barriers. House Bill 814, presented by Rep. Mike Klein and explained by Sen. Girdler, would extend the insurance regulatory sandbox through December 2030; supporters said the committee substitute was a vetted NAIC model already adopted in 28 states. House Bill 210, presented by Rep. Pollock with Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association, would clarify assignment-of-benefit provisions so dentists are paid directly and with more transparency. House Bill 415, also by Rep. Pollock, would clarify that health insurance coverage mandates apply only to primary major medical policies. House Bill 701, presented by Rep. Adam Bowling with Ash Gun of Coinbase, would establish clearer rules for blockchain and digital assets, affirm Kentuckians’ right to hold and transact digital assets, align money transmission licensing with digital assets, and specify that certain crypto activities are not securities. Members discussed the bill in general terms, including a light exchange about crypto market volatility, but no substantive opposition was raised. Each bill received a favorable expression by roll call, and the committee adopted the committee substitute and title amendment on HB 814. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, and the chair said another meeting later in the week was possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• there, and somebody who might be worth $300 billion decides to throw $10 billion into the state's crypto
• fund and they happen to own a crypto operation, They're like creating the market for themselves.
• state crypto fund.
• recognition being by by sovereign entities now, not just by individuals participating in, in the crypto
• Do we need this bill, this strategic crypto reserve, in order for you to run a diversified portfolio

Bills: SB 21, SB 72, SB 140, SB 262, SB 370, SB 372, SB 495, SB 627, SB 703, SB 764, SB 842

Keywords: cryptocurrency, bitcoin, investment reserve, economic resilience, financial security, vehicle rental, damage waiver, consumer rights, business regulations, refund policy, telephone solicitation, telemarketing, text message marketing, SMS marketing, robotext, spam text, consumer protection, deceptive trade practices, DTPA, Business & Commerce Code

Transcript Highlights:

• stocks right before one of Trump's erratic tariff announcements, and his clan has made $2.3 billion in crypto
• you on the phone and tell you you to bring $5,000 down to the courthouse or put money in a Bitcoin ATM

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I had to take them back to an ATM and bring them back.
• So, I had to take them back to an ATM and bring them back.
• them<00:25:06.160> back<00:25:06.400> to<00:25:06.480> an<00:25:06.600> ATM
• had to take them back to an ATM had to take them back to an ATM bring<00:25:08.840> them<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard several Senate concurrent resolutions. SCR 11, urging Congress to amend the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, drew support from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and Pride at Work Hawaii, both of which backed the measure as a statement of equality and protection for LGBTQIA+ people. A member also reminded testifiers to keep signs and statements relevant to the measure. SCR 22, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the restoration of Ahu and Aliʻa, had no testimony. SCR 58, calling for a progressive enforcement framework for parking violations in DLNR boating and ocean recreation lots, drew strong support from multiple testifiers who argued that towing is overly punitive, costly, and unfair to beach and harbor users; they favored warnings or smaller citations instead of towing and raised concerns about signage, contract oversight, and the cost of proposed enforcement technology. One member asked about whether DLNR could use HPD or other officers for citations, and the discussion focused on staffing and enforcement authority. The committee then heard SCR 60 SD1, requesting an update on the “Breaking Cycles” study on alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models on Oahu. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was not present, but the Corrections Reform Working Group strongly supported the resolution, saying the study reflects extensive community outreach and should not be shelved. Testifiers urged the committee to use the report to examine alternatives to a new jail, including diversion, pre-trial reform, probation reform, and renovations to existing facilities, and one testifier suggested amendments to add experts in those areas and technical assistance from the Prison Policy Initiative. Another testifier described Maui’s use of wraparound reentry services, prosecutorial discretion, and programming as an example of reducing incarceration without expanding jail capacity. SCR 184, asking the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to examine anti-discrimination laws as applied to algorithmic and automated decision systems, had no in-person testimony, with the chair noting one support and one comment submitted. The final measure, SCR 89 SD1, which would create an advisory committee under the Hawaii correctional system oversight commission to develop recommendations on alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models on Oahu, also had no testimony from the department, but the Corrections Reform Working Group supported it as a way to ensure community input into jail planning. A later testifier echoed concerns about building a large new jail and urged the committee to consider alternatives to incarceration and to include people with expertise in diversion, pre-trial reform, and probation reform. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> The >> crypto market that we have a cryptocurrency?
• >> crypto market that we have a cryptocurrency?
• >> Well, I think crypto currency is very intriguing. I don't own any myself.
• This is like, oh, this is like gold crypto and it is sort of.
• And then on top of that, we would still continue to have a crypto market. >> While the crypto market

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And somebody who might be worth $300 billion decides to throw $10 billion into the state's crypto fund
• , and they happen to own a crypto operation.
• Than a state crypto fund. Yeah, I don't call it altruistic.
• Do we need this bill, this strategic crypto reserve, in order for you to run a diversified portfolio
• get your impression—how you felt if you had two members of your investment advisory board and two crypto

Bills: SB 21, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB372, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB764, SB842

Keywords: emergency alerts, weather alerts, public safety, local government, municipality, county, website posting, online notice, emergency management, disaster preparedness, evacuation, National Weather Service, NOAA, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, localized alerts, hazard warnings, severe weather, watch warning advisory, public information

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, why are we picking one of the 11 cryptos that are available as a winner?
• Why not pick XRP or Ethereum or USDT or any of the other 11 cryptos that are available?
• So why not just change it to crypto investment instead of a name-brand Bitcoin?
• If you had $300 billion in assets, would you put $30 billion of it in crypto? You recognized.
• One of those portfolios is a crypto portfolio, and it serves a purpose. It's not for everyone.

Summary: The Insurance and Banking Committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. HB 487 would authorize the CFO and State Board of Administration to invest up to 10% of certain state funds in Bitcoin, require specified custody methods, allow Bitcoin lending under rule, and create a process for accepting taxes and fees in Bitcoin. The sponsor and several proponents argued it would diversify state investments, hedge inflation, and position Florida as a leader in digital assets. Members raised concerns about volatility, security, valuation, and whether Bitcoin was being singled out over other cryptocurrencies, but the bill was reported favorably after debate and a roll call vote. The committee then considered HB 7011, an Open Government Sunset Review measure for records of insolvent insurers. The bill would continue some exemptions but make additional records public, including underwriting files, risk-solvency assessments, corporate governance annual disclosures, and the names, benefits, and compensation of insurance executive officers. There was no public testimony, and members discussed privacy and safety concerns, but the bill passed and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 1433 on hurricane mitigation grants and insurer regulation. The bill would tighten restrictions on former executives of failed insurers, raise capital requirements for new insurers, and require mitigation credits when homeowners receive Safe Florida Home funds. An amendment was adopted to require a licensed person to make final claim-denial decisions when AI or automation is used and to prioritize filings that lower rates. Consumer advocates supported the transparency and consumer protections, while industry representatives urged caution on the AI provisions. After debate, the amended bill was reported favorably. The meeting ended with closing remarks from the ranking member, vice chair, and chair reflecting on the committee’s work and likely final meeting of the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> And then second, on the abandoned crypto accounts, how would you know if a crypto account had been
• is such that typically a crypto owner has a user ID and a password that maybe nobody else ever knows
• on on the the uh abandoned crypto on on the the uh abandoned crypto accounts, accounts, accounts
• <00:36:16.840> account how would you know if a crypto account how would you know if a crypto
• a crypto owner has a a user<00:36:39.840> ID<00:36:40.120> and<00:36:40.280> a<

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee met to walk through nonpartisan side-by-side comparisons of House File 4188, focusing on differences between House and Senate language across consumer protection, insurance, financial services, health, and technical provisions. Staff highlighted numerous Senate-only items, including rules for financial providers communicating through trusted contacts, virtual currency requirements for banks and credit unions, a prohibition on virtual currency kiosks beginning in 2026, mortgage servicing and student loan servicing changes, the Rental Home Marketplace Guarantees Act, insurance and travel-related provisions, scrap metal licensing changes, protections related to minors accessing chatbots and AI companions, and several technical or conforming repealers. Staff also noted that some provisions were identical or substantially similar between the chambers, including mortgage originator standards, student loan borrower protections, securities-related changes, unclaimed property provisions, and technical updates in the bill’s miscellaneous articles. The Senate-only health-related articles were also summarized, including repeal of the prescription drug affordability advisory council, technical changes to the reinsurance program, and a series of health insurance provisions on enrollment-growth notices, limits on officer and director salary increases under certain capital conditions, guaranteed issue rights for certain Medicare supplement enrollees, data-sharing between Commerce and Health, restrictions on using artificial intelligence alone to deny claims, reimbursement for clinical trainees, home care nursing coverage, and PBM transparency. The Senate’s telecommunications article was described as largely technical and conforming, with repeals of obsolete statutes. Staff also noted that some standalone bills had already passed and would be removed from the comparison report. Public testimony followed. Thomas Elness of AARP Minnesota supported inclusion of the cryptocurrency kiosk bill, expressed support for guaranteed issue protections for a narrow group of consumers affected by discontinued plans, and urged adoption of changes to the consumer protection restitution account, including raising the cap to $10 million per fiscal year. Representative Lee testified that the restitution account proposal should be treated as policy rather than finance because it has a zero fiscal note, and said the House would accept the Senate’s $10 million cap. Robin Rowan, representing the Minnesota Insurance and Financial Services Council and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, urged adoption of Senate travel insurance language, requested a House-style change to lead-generation recordkeeping language, and supported a Senate provision allowing employers and insurers to coordinate notice to employees when group policies are cancelled. The Department of Commerce then responded to questions, explaining that the prescription drug affordability council would be sunset because the board already has other avenues for public input, that the reinsurance changes were technical and did not alter the prior agreement, and that the abandoned cryptocurrency provisions rely on statutory definitions of inactivity and known examples such as keys stored in safes or deposit boxes.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the Bank of North Dakota into crypto, and I'm comfortable offering a crypto coin out there with
• It's incredibly complex with crypto.
• We are not a crypto. We're not building a crypto. We're not offering it for sale to the public.
• It's incredibly complex with crypto.
• We are not a crypto. We're not building a crypto. We're not offering it for sale to the public.

Keywords: 908, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• as a service coins as a service, crypto as a service and<01:01:01.119> token<01:01:01.520>
• USD is this way, where it's sort of a mix of crypto backing as well as fiat backing.
• USD is this way, where it's sort of a mix of crypto backing as well as fiat backing.
• <01:29:11.280> like supportive of like non non-crypto like supportive of like non non-crypto
• :13.679> banks<01:29:14.000> that native uh non-crypto native banks that native uh non-crypto

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call and introductions of commission members and guests, followed by approval of the agenda and a motion to approve the February 10 minutes with a correction clarifying that one quoted statement was misattributed. The commission then moved into presentations. The main presentation came from the Conference of State Bank Supervisors on implementation of the federal GENIUS Act for stablecoins. The speaker reviewed the OCC’s recent 367-page proposed rule, noting it raises many open questions and design choices for states, and discussed expected upcoming rulemaking from the FDIC, Federal Reserve, and Treasury. The presentation focused on six areas: permissible issuer activities, reserve assets and redemption, risk management and supervision, treatment of state-qualified issuers, capital/operational backstops, and foreign issuers. It also flagged unresolved issues around Bank Secrecy Act/AML requirements and the meaning of “digital asset service provider” activities. A substantial portion of the discussion addressed yield restrictions, with the presenter explaining the OCC’s broad definition of yield and its rebuttable presumption against issuer-affiliated or related third-party yield arrangements. The speaker said this likely forecloses many existing white-label structures but leaves some room for third-party payments depending on distance from the issuer, and noted ongoing Senate debate over similar provisions. The presentation also covered reserve valuation, liquidity and diversification requirements, redemption timing, and supervisory expectations such as third-party oversight, IT security, exam cycles, and reporting. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you buy a pizza with with crypto if the owner of the person?
• Not one said yes. if they own crypto. I won't name their names. Not one has told me yes.
• I don't know and you don't have to. to answer whether you own crypto. That's okay.
• Like all financial assets, there is volatility associated with Bitcoin. and other crypto assets.
• First and foremost, I think it's very important for people to realize that crypto in Texas is regulated

Bills: SJR34, SB10, SB18, SB19, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB480, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB767, SB790

Keywords: parental rights, parents, children, custody, care and control, upbringing, family law, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, child welfare, education policy, medical decisions, parental authority, primary decision makers, family autonomy, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display, First Amendment